LOREAUVILLE – The Loreauville football team’s Wall of Honor will feature two new members after the LHS Alumni held an induction ceremony at their annual supper fundraiser.

Dennis Tripeaux and Jim Gonsoulin, two of Loreauville’s most talented football alumni, were each presented with their awards by their brothers.

Kevin Tripeaux, himself a multi-sport athlete for the Tigers, talked about the encouraging words his older brother would give him on their weekly phone calls.

“When it came my time to play sports, I would talk with him on the phone,” explained the younger Tripeaux. “I would tell him about how I was doing in whatever sport I was playing. He would often listen and respond with ‘Kevin, did you brush your teeth?’, ‘Kevin, are you getting your lessons?’ and ‘Kevin, are you doing your pushups?’. He would never talk to me about football or any other sport, so I translated that into him wanting to make sure that my hygiene was up to par, that I was physically healthy at all times and that I was able to educate myself and take care of myself.”

Tripeaux would play for several football programs after leaving Loreauville, eventually ending up at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he would find himself face to face against another Loreauville legend, McNeese State University tight end Jim Gonsoulin.

Gonsoulin, who excelled at McNeese and eventually earned a spot in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, will join Tripeaux on the Wall of Fame and on the selection committee for next year’s inductees.

At the supper, alumni were asked to nominate any player they feel also deserves recognition. All current honorees will be able to vote for which nominees they feel deserve to be added to the Wall, with new additions coming each year.

In other business, the inaugural Vincent “Topeka” Broussard Award was also presented for the first time, honoring an alumni who serves with “heart and compassion”. This year’s honoree was Joe Judice, a member of Loreauville’s 1960 district championship football team and a pillar of the Loreauville community.

Head coach Terry Martin gave a quick update on the team and his expectations for the upcoming season. LHS principal David Broussard thanked the alumni group for their continued support of Loreauville athletics.

Chad Segura, a Loreauville football alumnus and owner of Millside Market, provided the food and beverages for the event. Alumni James Knatt and Loreauville Mayor Brad Clifton served as masters of ceremonies.