A youth football league coach in St. Martinville is keeping an eye on more than blocking and tackling among players in the Tiger Elite Youth Football Organization.

It’s as important to achieve in the classroom as well as on the football field, according to Thomas Carter of St. Martinville. Carter stresses academics to the 135 youngsters who are playing in the league that now has a new home at Adam Clawson Park, thanks to the St. Martinville City Council.

Is his approach working? One parent was amazed after her son, a constant troublemaker with a bad attitude and grades to match, did a complete turnaround and landed on his school’s honor roll with straight A’s. 

That’s as satisfying as a scoring drive or defensive stop to Carter, who said, “His mother said, ‘Whatever you are doing, keep doing it.’ ”

The coach said it’s rewarding to see 130-plus boys running to show him their report cards.

Carter, 37, a former professional rodeo performer and barrel racer, has been a football coach seven years, the first three with the St. Martinville Rec League. The accomplished rodeo cowboy said his goal is to get more scholarships for the young football players in the league.

“It’s all about communication. You have to know how to reach them,” he said.

He attempted teaching roping and riding in Youngsville, where few teens were interested in rodeoing. After a while, he focused on coaching youth football.

His efforts are appreciated by St. Martinville City Councilman Mike Fuselier, who said, “We produce some tremendous athletic talent in this area. But when they leave to go to the next level, you have to have the total package.

“When my son went to ULL, he and other players from our area received scholarships from D1 schools. All the others ended up at smaller schools, or not playing at all, because they had athletic ability but couldn’t back it up in the classroom.”

St. Martin Parish President Guy Cormier said, “He has done some wonderful work with the children of our parish. He is committed to what he is doing. We have so much talent in this area that it is a shame not to see them on the field when they get to college.”

More coaches with approaches to life and the game should follow the lead of Carter. The results are a victory for the boys off the gridiron.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR