Linda Baird Rome – Health and Physical Education, 1982

Linda Baird Rome

1982 – Health and Physical Education

                As a child growing up with USL in my backyard, I would never have dreamed that I would one day be an instructor there. At that time, the USL cows would graze in the pastures behind our house, which is now Teague Moore Field. We spent lots of time calling cows and pulling grass for them to eat, which they rarely did! One day there were no more cows, but instead, empty fields with HUGE dirt – digging machines. We would trek over to watch the making of what is now Cajun Field. Over the years we saw the construction of the baseball field, track stadium and tennis courts. So, my history with USL goes way back to long before I was old enough to attend.

                I always knew that I would be a student at USL. My mom had attended SLI for a semester or two. After high school graduation, I never thought twice about going to college anywhere else. I majored in Health and Physical Education due to the wonderful example of my high school Health and P.E. teacher Jacqueline Robichaux (now Jacki Benedik), who would some day, unbeknownst to me, be my colleague at USL. Besides her influence, I was just a teacher in my heart and knew that I belonged in education.

                I dove into my freshman year with gusto: pledging a sorority, meeting new people, playing intramural sports, and having a lot of fun. I had so much fun, in fact, that I had a GPA that I, not to mention my mother wasn’t very proud of by the end of the spring semester. Thankfully, as time went on, I began to have a lot of interest in my major courses, and grades became more and more important to me. I joined the USL Gymnastics Team my sophomore year and participated for three semesters. I attended Stephen F. Austin University for one semester, wanting to be away from home to see if  I could make it on my own. I did. Then I returned for my last two years (it took me five years and 163 credits) at USL. During 1980 – ’81, I cheered for the Cajuns as a member of the Cheerleading Squad. That was really fun for me, as it was a dream come true. My favorite memory of that year is pepping up the Ragin’ Cajuns before the Homecoming game, cheering from the roof of the Student Union. What a blast!

Other memories of my years at USL include making the “hike” to Griffin Hall from the Sorority room. Yes, each of the sororities had their own room in O.K. Allen Hall, divided only by a tall wall of plywood that ended about a foot from the ceiling. In such close quarters and with such little privacy, it was easy to get to know lots of girls from the other rooms. Meetings were held in the Student Union. I can remember silly guys walking outside of our meeting room and yelling, “Rattle, rattle, rattle, here come the cattle, Phi Moo!” I have a feeling that this saying is still around!

I also remember clearly being one of the proud individuals who can now boast that her graduation ceremony took place in Blackham Coliseum. We lined up in our caps and gowns as we stood in the barns ankle-deep in dust and leftover straw. I couldn’t tell you who the keynote speaker was, but I can tell you that the coliseum was filled with enthusiastic and excited graduates on that day as we anticipated our entry into the adult working world.

After six years of teaching in the public and private school systems, one semester as a secretary, a year at USL to work on prerequisites for a professional school that I decided not to pursue, graduate school and a job at LSU in Baton Rouge, marriage, and the birth of our first child, I ended up back here as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of  Health and Physical Education. I had called Jacki Benedik to find out what the requirements were for teaching here, and ended up with a lecture class that began a week after that phone call!

It was strange on that first day, seeing so many professors who taught me, and knowing I was becoming one of them! The old and new faculty have treated me as a colleague from that very first day and have given me help, support and encouragement whenever I have needed them. Being adjunct faculty has some disadvantages, but it has been the perfect job for me. I like staying home with my small children (we have two at this time), but also need something that allows me to be away from them a bit in order to keep my sanity. This job fits the bill. I had discovered while teaching elementary and junior high school that I did not have the patience for young children. During my work at LSU, I discovered my love for college students. I have just completed my 13th semester as an adjunct instructor, and it has been a wonderful six years.

It is very special for me to teach for my Alma Mater. USL has brought much good to me in the form of knowledge, experiences, friends, memories and opportunities. I am so happy and honored that I can give something back in return, and I am privileged to write this letter in celebration of the University of Southwestern Louisiana’s spotlight on the College of Education in preparation for the 100 year anniversary of this university.

Linda Baird Rome, MS, CHES