N.O. Prep Sports Hall of Fame adds 34 to its walls

    L.A. “Dutch” Legett was one of Warren Easton Boys High School’s first great ball-carriers back in 1921.
    D.J. Augustin led Brother Martin High to back-to-back state basketball championships in 2004 and 2005.
    The two are the oldest and youngest additions to the New Orleans Prep Sports Hall of Fame, hosted by Ye Olde College Inn Restaurant.
    These two prep legends are among 34 new inductees, whose plaques are on display at the Inn.
    The latest class includes the following, listed alphabetically:
    Johnny Arthurs – All-Prep and All-American basketball player at De La Salle from 1962-65. He also starred at Tulane and played a season for the Milwaukee Bucks.
    Alex “Greek” Athas – A three-sport athlete at Warren Easton, Athas served as the school’s head basketball coach for 34 years.
    D.J. Augustin – A two-time All-State guard who led Brother Martin to state basketball titles in 2004 and 2005. He now plays for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.
    Will Billon – Captain and center of Jesuit’s 1953 state football championship team. He also was a standout on the track team and won the state javelin and shot put titles. He played end for Tulane.
    Don Bossier – De La Salle’s first All-State football player, an honor the single-wing tailback earned as a junior in 1956 and senior in 1957.
    Ridley Boudreaux – A lightning-quick back who led Fortier to its only state football title in 1948. He was known for his long touchdown runs in excess of 90 yards.
    Dickie Brennan – One of legendary coach Johnny Altobello’s greatest basketball players. He was named to the All-City and All-State teams each year from 1948 to 1951.
    Lou Brownson – Between 1942 and 1956, he coached all four major sports at Holy Cross to eight state championships. He also began the school’s wrestling program.
    George “Nick” Connor –  St. Augustine’s first lay teacher and coach of three sports. His basketball teams posted a record of 426-145 and won 13 city and district titles.
    Tom Daigle – Led Jesuit to its first football playoff berth in 1930. He was named to the All-State team twice and set a state record of 9.8 seconds in the 100-yard dash.
    Bob Driscoll – Known as “Slinging Bob,” the Holy Cross back was the Prep League’s top passer from 1939-41.
    Charles Erdmann – Star fullback at S.J. Peters in 1938, Erdmann’s college career at LSU was shortened by World War II. He fought in Europe and in the Pacific theaters. When he retired he became the city’s civil defense director and longtime football official.
    Jaclyn Faulkner – Led  Dominican to state swimming championships in seven events from 1999-2001. She became a Junior National Champion at age 15.
    Lloyd “Hap” Glaudi – The first sportswriter to be named, based on his concise coverage of New Orleans prep sports for the New Orleans Item during the 1940s. He became a well respected TV and radio sports talk host.
    James Harwell – In 1956, the De La Salle senior was named the National American Legion Player of the Year after posting a 23-1 pitching record with eight straight wins in national competition. He pitched 38 consecutive scoreless innings.
    Eddie Heider – As a fullback, he led Holy Cross to its first state football title in 1945. He later spent 40 years in coaching. He became St. Bernard Parish’s Director of Recreation in 1965 and implemented athletic and recreation programs for girls.
    Ken Hrapmann – He played halfback, wide receiver, safety and quarterback for Holy Cross from 1966-67. He averaged 33.6 yards on pass receptions and was a key figure on the Tigers’ 1967 state runner-up team.
    Tameka Johnson – During her four years as a point guard at Bonnabel, she set a school record 2,952 points and 1,042 assists. She became a collegiate All-American at LSU from 2002-05.
    Les Kennedy – Among the great backs of the 1940s, he led Warren Easton to a 20-5-2 record from 1947-49. He starred for Tulane, then became a high school football and track official.
    Dutch Legett – His 21 touchdowns led Warren Easton to a 13-1-1 record and the Class A championship in 1921.
    Eli Manning – Passed for 7,389 yards and 89 touchdowns at Newman from 1995-97, out-distancing his brother, Peyton’s yardage by nearly 200 yards.
    Peyton Manning – Led Newman to a 34-5 record from 1991-93. He compiled 7,207 passing yards and 93 touchdowns and was named the Gatorade National Player of the year as a senior.
    Mary Ann Marino – Led Ridgewood to Class 1A girls’ basketball titles in 1991 and 1992, being named the tournament’s 1A MVP both years.
The Lady Eagles had a record of 118-5 during her career. Marino went on to play for Tulane from 1993-97, then became a coach. She led Ridgewood to the 1A state championship in 2001 and later coached Mount Carmel to three district titles. She now coaches at Lusher Charter School.
    Joe McKnight – He was a member of three state championship football teams at John Curtis and was named  Louisiana’s “Mr. Football” in 2006. He was a scoring threat from scrimmage and as a pass receiver and kick returner.
    Greg Monroe – Led Helen Cox to the Class 4A basketball championship in 2008 and was named to two prep All-American teams as a senior after averaging 21 points and 14 rebounds per game. He played for Georgetown University and was selected as the No. 7 pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, for whom he currently plays.
    Dave Moreau  – A four-year baseball letterman from 1974-77 at De La Salle, he captained the 1977 state championship team. He also distinguished himself by coaching Jesuit to three state titles and a 532-160 record over a 21-year span. His American Legion teams won 15 district championships and had a 567-160 record. He is currently Jesuit’s athletic director.
    Hugh Oser Sr. – Oser was named the Best All-Around athlete in Jesuit’s first 100 years. He gained All-State recognition in the sports of baseball, basketball and football and ended his prep career (1945-48) with 12 varsity letters.
    Wally Pontiff Jr. – He was a four-year baseball letterman at Jesuit and captain of its 1999 team. During his prep career, Pontiff batted .429 with 39 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs, 64 RBI and 103 runs scored. He also starred for LSU.
    Tony Porter – Coached athletic teams at New Orleans Academy (1942-50) and St. Martin’s (1950-82). He finished his long career as St. Martin’s Athletic Director. The stadium bears his name.
    Arthur Schmitt – Dedicated a lifetime of service to Redemptorist and the School Sisters of Notre Dame who ran the school. He was a standout athlete, a longtime basketball coach and later became the principal at Redeemer and principal and president at Redeemer-Seton until the school closed in 2005.
    Debbie Surgi – A St. James Major star who became one of the great volleyball coaches at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. During her tenure between 1984 and 1992, Surgi had a coaching record of 204-49 with three state championships. She also started the volleyball program at Loyola University in 1992.
    Billy Truax – At 6-5, 200 pounds, Truax was the prototypical tight end at Holy Cross in 1958-59. He was strong, an excellent blocker and was a feared pass receiver. He became an All-American at LSU and had an outstanding 10-year career in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys.
    Clarence “Butsy” Zimmerman – He captained Holy Cross’ 1951 baseball team and was its leading hitter with a .486 batting average. He was known for Ruthian home runs, one which was measured at 450 feet. Zimmerman also quarterbacked the Tigers’ football team, captained the 1951 basketball team and was a sprinter on the school’s state championship track squad. He signed with the Boston Red Sox.
    Sandra Zulli – A four-sport letterman, Zulli earned 15 varsity letters at Andrew Jackson High. Following a brilliant volleyball and softball career at LSU, she coached at Andrew Jackson, McGehee and in Mississippi before becoming an FBI agent.
    The New Orleans Prep Hall of Fame is a tribute to local high school sports legends. Suggestions are welcomed (pick up a form at the Ye Olde College Inn reservations desk) and will be researched.