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2010 Letters Supporting Beryl Shipley…Letters of Recommendation for Coach Beryl Shipley’s Nomination to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame June 30, 2010 Mr. Doug Ireland, Executive Director Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Fame Committee RE: Letters of Recommendation for Consideration of Beryl Shipley for the LSW Hall of Fame This letter by Randy Price is being sent on his behalf. Randy was one of the basketball players on Coach Shipley’s original team at SLI in 1957. Peace, Ed Dugas, Dear Mr. Ireland, Please find enclosed letters of recommendation from Clyde Briley, Dale Brown, Jerry Byrd, Dr. James Caillier, Dean Church, Jimmy Dykes, Dr. Stephen Horn, Ben Jobe, Don Landry, Mike McConathy, and Patty, Marilyn, and Amy Shipley, Coach Shipley’s daughters. This letter and the select letters below are an attempt to focus on Coach Shipley’s contributions to basketball and the lives of others. Diverse sources were selected to write letters in hopes of providing a well-rounded perspective of the storied and far-reaching influence of his life. I was on Coach Shipley’s first team at SLI in 1957and followed his teams through the years. I have known much of what is contained in the letters to be true because I witnessed much of what is written. Technology has changed the methods and speed of communication, so this cover letter includes alternatives for information on my recommendation: 1. In addition to the electronic information contained in this letter, a hard copy will be sent to you shortly. 2. Beginning on July 1, 2010, one may click on Beryl Shipley’s Athletic Network profile at https://athleticnetwork.net/beryl-shipley-profile/ and view entries sent by select former team members. These were written in 2001 as part of the reunion of his former players, managers, coaches, athletic trainers, and fans. 3. Viewers may click on http://www.coachshipley.com/beta/scrapbook.php and the Shipley Scrapbook and view information and pictures of the Shipley Reunion, as well as the years prior to 2001. (Many of the links are still operable) 4. Beryl Shipley served in the Navy during World War II and his military information may be viewed by clicking here https://athleticnetwork.net/beryl-shipley-military-information/ then scrolling down to his name/picture. The information provided in this letter and the accompanying letters, along with the information posted on the Athletic Network Website at www.athleticnetwork.net are to provide information so you may become more knowledgeable about this deserving nominee. Thank you for any consideration you may give to this nomination and please contact me at home (830)257-2832, work (830)896-7201 or email kr.price@yahoo.com if any information needs to be clarified or if you wish to discuss this nomination. Randy Price, SLI Basketball Player, 1955-59 Cc: Letters of Recommendation for Coach Beryl Shipley’s Nomination to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Clyde Briley – May 5, 2010 Dale Brown – May 12, 2010 Jerry Byrd – May 13, 2010 Dr. James A. Caillier – May 17, 2010 Dean Church – May 14, 2010 Jimmy Dykes – June 28, 2010 Dr. Stephen Horn – May 11, 2010 Ben Jobe – May 13, 2010 Don Landry – May 7, 2010 Mike McConathy – May 22, 2010 Scotty Robertson – May 13, 2010 Patty, Marilyn, and Amy Shipley – May 2, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * To the Louisiana Sports Writers Hall of Fame: My name is Clyde Briley and I am writing this letter in support of Coach Beryl Shipley’s nomination into the Louisiana Sports Writers Hall of Fame. When I graduated from high school in 1960, Coach Shipley recruited me to play for his USL team. However, I made the decision to play at McNeese for Coach Ralph Ward.
One of the best known and most successful involved in Louisiana College Basketball back then was undoubtedly Coach Shipley. His teams were consistently strong and he was a very colorful figure. Each year my McNeese teammates and I looked forward to the game against USL and Coach Shipley. It was the most anticipated game of the year. We always had hotly contested, hard-played games that drew large crowds. These games are my fondest memories as a college basketball player. I remember Coach Shipley as a terrific motivator and coach. His teams always did everything possible to win for him. He was one of the most recognized people in Louisiana’s sports landscape. Everyone that had an interest in athletics and basketball knew of Coach Shipley.
I truly feel that he belongs in the Louisiana Sports Writers Hall of Fame. I hope this committee gives him this greatly deserved honor.
Clyde Briley
TO: Doug Ireland May 12, 2010 Oscar Wilde summed us all up pretty well when he said, “All Saints have a past and all sinners have a future.” With that in mind I ask you to please consider the induction of Beryl Shipley into the LSWA Hall of Fame. I have visited with several members about this possibility and respect their opinions on why they voted against his induction. However, I wonder why the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches have named Beryl into its’ Hall of Fame. Some of you might ask shy is Dale Brown sticking his nose into this. The reason is two��”fold. First, is because Don Landry a man I deeply respect came to my office and asked me to join him in presenting Coach Shipley’s case to the LSWA. Secondly, I sincerely believe that Beryl has been punished enough by what happened and it is time to forgive and forget. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Dale D. Brown * * * * * * * * * Jerry Byrd – May 13, 2010 Doug: Count me among those supporting Beryl Shipley’s nomination for the Louisiana Shipley developed Southwestern Louisiana into a national contender before Dale Brown took LSU from a perennial doormat to the Final Four. While Shipley had problems with the NCAA, as did Hall of Famers Ralph Ward and Scotty Robertson, his primary crime was being ahead of the times in recruiting black players and violating what some considered to be a “gentleman’s agreement” that was actually an excuse for clinging to racist policies of the past. While I did not have a dog in this hunt and covered USL only when it played schools from North Louisiana, it was obvious that he took the Cajuns to a level no other Louisiana collegiate team had attained at that time. Shipley and Robertson both used the Auburn Shuffle offense. I was coaching at a junior high that was a feeder school to Byrd when Robertson coached there, and tried to teach it to my kids. It wasn’t easy. When I told one player to set a screen for the high post, count one thousand one and break to the basket, he set the screen and froze for half a minute. When I blew my whistle and asked him why he wasn’t breaking to the basket, he said, “Coach, I’m only up to 56.” Shipley and Robertson did a better job of teaching it to their players. I’ve been a member of the LSWA since 1957, before the Hall of Fame existed, and feel Beryl Shipley deserves to be inducted. Jerry Byrd * * * * * * * * * Doug Ireland Dear Mr. Ireland: I am delighted to support Coach Beryl Shipley for induction into the Louisiana Sports Writers Hall of Fame. Beryl Shipley is a man that I deeply admired and respected over the years. I first met Coach Beryl Shipley when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) in the early sixties. He was a great coach with an outstanding record of success. Later, when I returned to the university as an employee, I had the opportunity to work closely with Coach Shipley and his basketball players in a tutorial program that I established. Coach Shipley showed deep interest in his student athletes and their academic performance. He cared deeply about his students on and off the basketball court. Coach Shipley was a great coach before and after desegregation in intercollegiate athletics and in the south. He was a great teacher of the game who packed the arena with fans. They appreciated great coaching and well-disciplined athletes who were always ready to play the game of basketball with great excitement for the game and a commitment to win it. Coach Shipley had great players who loved him, respected him, and believed and trusted him. He always prepared for competition with a great game plan and highly motivated athletes who displayed great basketball skill and carried out the game plan to perfection. It is hard to talk about basketball in Louisiana without talking about Coach Shipley’s contribution and his success as a coach. He loved the game and always filled the arena with cheering fans. In return, his fans and community showed great love and respect for him. They wanted to be in his presence and to hear him speak. This is still true today as he remains involved in the community and assists with high school basketball. Coach Shipley was one of the few coaches of his time that was able to adjust from a slow paced game before desegregation to a fast paced game after desegregation with great success in both. He is a man with strong family values and a great love for his church and commitment. He is a tremendous speaker who can still capture the hearts of his fans. Because Coach Shipley has had such a profound impact on the game of basketball in Louisiana, I respectfully ask for your endorsement of Coach Beryl Shipley’s induction in the Louisiana Sports Writer’s Hall of Fame. He was truly one of Louisiana’s greatest basketball coaches and his induction would be a just reward and honor for his great career and contribution to the game of basketball. Respectfully submitted, James A. Caillier * * * * * * * * * * * Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Dear Mr. Ireland, This letter Mr. Douglas Ireland is written in support of Coach Beryl Shipley’s induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. After your review of his career, I think you will agree that he is well deserving of induction. Coach Shipley started his Louisiana coaching career in 1957 when he became the head basketball coach at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI). In 1960, the school changed its name to the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL). He coached there until 1973. The following is a list of some of his accomplishments: These are all great accomplishments that would merit induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. However, his two greatest accomplishments are not listed above. They are the time of his tenure at USL and the lives he changed while there. At the end of the season in 1965, USL was invited to play in the NAIA District 27 Tournament, with the winner going to Kansas City to play in the national tournament. The District 27 tournament had all white teams but the national tournament would have both black and white players. Before USL committed to play in the tournament Coach Shipley had assurance that if his team won the District 27 tournament that they would be allowed to play in the National Tournament. Based on this, USL played in the District 27 Tournament and won. The team was excited to get to play in the National Tournament. Before they could get packed to go, the President of USL told Coach Shipley that he could not go. This resulted in the student body marching outside of the President’s home at midnight. The next morning the president told Coach Shipley and the student body that they could go to Kansas City. The team played two games in Kansas City winning the first game and loosing the second. Both of the teams USL played had black players. The following year, Coach Shipley, with the approval of the new president, began recruiting black athletes. Because of this, he lost some friends and created a few enemies who did not approve of intergration of athletic teams. In spite of this, Coach Shipley produced very good integrated teams backed by both the white and black communities in Lafayette. He did this without a single boycott, sit in or riot. That was quite an accomplishment for the only integrated team in the southern United States. Looking back, Coach Shipley was certainly at the head of his class in bringing about the integration of athletic teams. Finally, the number of lives touched by Coach Shipley in a very positive way is too great to try to calculate. Without a doubt, all of the athletes who played for him had that extra benefit. What is not known is the number of people (non-athletes who never played for USL or Coach Shipley) who benefited from their association with Coach Shipley. I have seen a number of non-athletes whose lives were put on the right track by Coach Shipley. I would like to end this letter with a short personal story. In 1960, Coach Shipley came to Ashland, Kentucky to recruit me and a teammate. I ended up signing and going to school at USL. I played two years and at the start of my junior year I got homesick, quit school and went home. I got a job at a department store selling toys. It took me about two weeks to realize how stupid I was to quit school. I knew USL was going to play a couple of games in Kentucky. I got in my car and drove to Bowling Green with the intent of seeing Coach Shipley and asking if I could come back to school. I did meet with him and he told me that I would have to work one semester and then I could get my scholarship back. Because he gave me a second chance, I was able to get my college degree. After graduation, I got married, had three children, worked for 33 ½ years for a shipyard and retired. I have enjoyed every part of my life and would not trade it for anything. All of this was possible because of Coach Shipley. It had nothing to do with him showing me how to shoot a jump shot or throw a pass, it had everything to do with Coach Shipley teaching me the proper values to get me through the game of life. I would submit to you that no one is more deserving for induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame than Coach Beryl Shipley. Yours Very Truly, Dean Church * * * * * * * * * * June 28, 2010 Jimmy Dykes To: Mr. Doug Ireland, Louisiana Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame Dear Doug and Hall of Fame Committee Members, I had the good fortune of having both played under and coached with Beryl Shipley. As the 12th man on a 12 man team, my role was to make certain that the “players” were mentally ready to play on game night. If they weren’t ready, you can believe that I heard about it from Coach. My point here is to emphasize, what I consider to be, Beryl’s greatest asset as a coach. That being, his ability to get the most out of his players, even those who didn’t play much. The team concept was the trademark of every Beryl Shipley coached team. This team concept has carried through to today with so many of his players remaining close to Beryl and Delores (his wife of 60 years). His competitive nature and positive spirit pushed him to move USL from the NAIA Division classification to NCAA Division I. In order to do this successfully, it was necessary for him to recruit the black athlete. And so he started. It was 1965 with Martin Luther King marching into Selma, Alabama fighting for Civil Rights and Beryl Shipley recruiting the black athlete, the first to do so in the Deep South. He experienced many of the racial attacks that were prevalent during those times, both close to home and elsewhere. Let us not forget that he paved the way for the likes of Dale Brown, Scotty Robertson, Lenny Fant and Ralph Ward in changing the face of the game of basketball as we then knew it. During his lifetime, Beryl has touched the lives of so many in such a positive way. It would be a tragedy for the Louisiana Sports Writers Association to turn their back on him by not electing him to your Hall of Fame. Sincerely, Jimmy Dykes * * * * * * * * * * Dr. Stephen Horn – May 11, 2010 May 11, 2010 Mr. Doug Ireland Dear Mr. Ireland, Dr. Stephen Horn SNH: wtd cc: Dr. Ed Dugas * * * * * * * * * * Ben Jobe – May 13, 2010 Ben Jobe Doug Ireland Please be informed that this letter is for the purpose of recommending Coach Beryl Shipley for the Louisiana Sports Writer’s Hall of Fame. In doing this, I consider it an honor and a privilege. Coach Shipley was not only a great coach who produced great nationally recognized basketball teams, but he was also a humanitarian with great vision and passion for the game of basketball. He, like Martin Luther King, President Lyndon B. Johnson and other civil rights icons believed in “liberty and justice for all.” I have not doubt that our leaders, who fought for the “American Dream”, would agree that his courage and dedication helped to pave the way toward making his state and country free from their definition of justice. Coach Shipley, who like other great men, must have surely scorned delights and lived laborous days to be successful during his tenure at USL. I recommend him to the LSWA Hall of Fame’s most favorable consideration. Sincerly, Ben Jobe Coach Ben Jobe (retired) * * * * * * * * * Don Landry Mr. Doug Ireland Dear Doug: I would like to recommend Beryl Shirley for election into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. In 1959-60, I had the privilege of serving as a student assistant coach on Coach Shipley’s SLI coaching staff. I was able to observe and learn of the desire, knowledge, discipline, and love of the game of basketball that he had. Beryl was ahead of his time in Louisiana. He taught extremely hard work for his players and coaches, strong man-to-man defense and the Auburn Shuffle offense. He forced opponents to play hard at all aspects of the game. Certainly at that time, Louisiana was considered as a “Football Only” state. Few schools put an emphasis on basketball, didn’t promote the sport and did not make efforts to promote it in the high schools and junior high schools. Shipley changed all of this and thus set the standards that the other state colleges had to meet, if they wanted to compete. His efforts led to increased publicity for the sport, and packed gyms at home and on the road. He created top notch coaching clinics to help the coaches in the state learn better basketball. He and his staff were always available to discuss the sport and assist anyone seeking to improve themselves. Very few, if any, college coaches in Louisiana outworked Beryl. Once again, rival schools had to hire more qualified coaches who would work as hard, if they wanted to compete. On a personal note, Coach Shipley was always available to assist me while I was a high school coach. In fact, he was the first person to make me believe that I too could become a college coach. He promoted me for advancement as he did so many other young coaches. I became a successful high school coach mainly because I used the same system that I learned while working with Beryl at SLI. When I became a head basketball coach on the college level, the state colleges were still playing under a segregated system. We were not capable of competing on the national level. Coach Shipley is responsible for changing the system. He fought the political system at that time and changed athletics in Louisiana for all time. This led to great success for the USL basketball teams but Coach Shipley paid a tremendous price for it. Some people in high places in state government and even on the Lafayette campus would never forgive him for bucking the system at the time. Did Beryl make some mistakes? Possibly? But haven’t we all made mistakes, whether we are coaches, sports writers, businessmen, etc. Shouldn’t we recognize him for his positive contributions to Louisiana athletics? I believe that legends of our sport, such as Scotty Robertson, Billy Allgood, Ralph Ward, and Lenny Fant, all members of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, would tell you, if they could, that Beryl Shipley make them better coaches and therefore, basketball in our state, was improved. This was the position taken by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches, when he was voted into the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame. I will not list all of his accomplishments, because they are well known. But we all know that his teams became a national power, rated with the best major college teams in the nation. This led to most of the other state colleges reaching national levels that they would not have dreamed of, before following the lead of Coach Shipley. I believe that the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame is incomplete until Coach Beryl Shipley is voted into this most prestigious institution. I urge that all voters give their serious consideration to his future election. Sincerely, Don Landry * * * * * * * * * Dear Doug, I would like to recommend Beryl Shipley for selection into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. When I was a high school student, I had the opportunity to attend a Louisiana Tech and USL basketball game in Ruston, LA. La. Tech was coached by Hall of Fame coach Scotty Robertson and USL was coached by Beryl Shipley. What an experience to see those two legendary coaches go head to head during the move to prime time NCAA Division I basketball! The talent was phenomenal, led by future Hall of Famer’s Bo Lamar of USL and Mike Green of Louisiana Tech. Beryl Shipley was ahead of his time in coaching and recruiting! I can remember watching his team run his 1-3-1 trap with Bo at the top and maximizing his entire team’s talent. Coach Shipley was a master at getting the maximum results from his players, and he was so great a coach with a passion for competition that separated him from others in the country. Louisiana has had many talented coaches over the years. Dale Brown, Scotty Robertson, Fred Hobdy, Ralph Ward, Billy Allgood, and Lenny Fant are among these great coaches; Beryl Shipley belongs in the same company as these fine gentlemen. Does he deserve to participate in the Hall of Fame Walk across that stage in Natchitoches every June? In my opinion, without a doubt, he does because he took his USL program to heights that were unprecedented and set a standard for all programs of that day. Coaches today strive to bring their programs to the heights that Coach Shipley achieved in Division I basketball. In closing, beyond his success on the court, coach Shipley was a leader in breaking the color barrier and allowing all athletes an opportunity to attend any state institution; this may be his greatest feat. I feel it will be a huge injustice if Coach Shipley is never allowed to take that “Walk across the stage in Natchitoches.” Sincerely, * * * * * * * * * * Scotty Robertson May 7, 2010 Randy, Every year I recommend Beryl Shipley for induction into the sports writers Hall of Fame. Beryl brought the first black players into Louisiana Colleges. He should have been rewarded for this because he increased the quality of the sport in our state, as well as the interest in what had always been a football state. Sorry about my writing, but my computer is on the blink. Sincerely, Scotty Robertson 420 Forest Circle, Ruston, La. 71270 * * * * * * * * * Patty, Marilyn, and Amy – Shipley Daughters 901 Alice Drive Mr. Doug Ireland Mr. Ireland: My sisters and I respectfully request that our Dad, Beryl Shipley, be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Writers Hall of Fame. We know that his name has been brought before this board for consideration several times in the past. Today we hope there are fresh faces on this committee who believe, as do we, that he is a deserving man, respected and admired for his contributions to basketball and to his community. When we were growing up we watched our father give his heart and soul to his career. It was a family affair. He was often gone– practicing with his players, recruiting new athletes, and traveling the country playing basketball games– but we knew where he was, and that his blood wouldn’t flow if he didn’t chase his dreams. We were his biggest fans. Dad was an intense individual. He loved our mother, he loved us, and he loved what he did for a living. Basketball was (and still is) his passion and we knew that was what made his world go round. We admired everything about him. His desire to instill in athletes a desire to perform to the very best of their abilities was obvious. The players looked up to him, and there was an aura of intimidation yet incredible respect. This was clearly present with his players as well as with us. Daddy could scare us, but we knew he loved us to pieces. We knew he always had our best interests at heart. He had an overwhelming presence about him. His ability to communicate with people and enjoy doing what he loved was a gift that many people never know. As Dad’s daughters, we and our families have had the privilege to observe with awe and admiration people repeatedly, throughout our lives greeting him wherever he goes. Sometimes he knows them and sometimes he doesn’t, but they greet him, often introducing themselves and tell him how wonderful their memories are of “the good ole’ days” speaking enthusiastically and with strong emotion as though their memories occurred yesterday. We are very proud of our father. He set many an example for us, one of which is a loyalty for family and friends. Daddy instilled in us that family and friends are the most important people here on this earth. He has had so many people remain steadfast and loyal in his life, and we have been blessed to know many of these devoted individuals. The fact that he is still regularly visited by so many former players, coaches, and friends speaks volumes to us. Many former players credit his involvement in their lives as instrumental to their successes. These guys love him and return today to check on him and keep him abreast of their lives. Daddy’s sincere devotion to the people he cares about is an attribute that cannot be learned. It comes from within. We could continue to toot our father’s horn, list his accomplishments, and remind you that he was the first coach in the Deep South to play black athletes, or tell you that the allegations against him were unjust and never properly defended by the university. Instead we are trying to focus on his character and his devotion to the University of Southwestern Louisiana and the role that he played building a program that became renowned in this area. We truly believe that Beryl Shipley should be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Writers Hall of Fame. Our desire as his daughters is that this happens while he is still here on this earth with us. We are sincerely, Patty Shipley,
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