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Spotlight Feature on Former Athlete: Mike Neustrom – Football 1965-68Neustrom made a career of service, conscience
By Bruce Brown
Written for Athletic Network
Political campaigns are about as much fun as running extra stadium steps in the hot sun.
Each has its place, but you can grow weary of both. So, sooner or later, it’s time to move on.
That’s what Mike Neustrom is doing. The former All-America linebacker for USL’s Ragin’ Cajuns in the 1960’s will turn over the job of Lafayette Parish Sheriff this year and see what else life has to offer.
“I have other interests,” said Neustrom, a guitarist and Blue Grass music lover in addition to being a Master Gradener and being deeply involved in a myriad of community projects. “Different events cause you to reflect differently on your life.
“You react, adjust and go forward.”
Moving forward was difficult for the Neustrom clan when daughter Alison lost a courageous 11-month battle with pancreatic cancer and died at 42 last September. It was devastating for Neustrom, wife Ceci, daughters Kimberly, Vanessa and Emily and sons Benjamin and Thomas.
“Everyone faces difficulty in their life,” Neustrom said. “I learned from her as a model for how to deal with difficulty, and normally it’s the opposite, the child learning from the parent.
“I have great admiration for her. Her life was full and positive.”
By any measure, Neustrom has enjoyed a successful career in athletics, academics and law enforcement – largely because he was always open to looking at challenges with a fresh, inclusive approach.
That began as a football standout at Catholic High of New Iberia, learning life lessons from a team sport.
“Team sports require you to do things in order to get along with others,” Neustrom said. “You realize there are other parts to the puzzle. There are many people and groups to deal with.
“You learn about the complexity of life, that there are multiple people to be considered. Arriving at the common good is not about only one group. Knowing that, it’s easier to accept different opinions.”
Results on the field weren’t bad, either, as CHNI won the LHSAA Class A state title in 1962 under Raymond Blanco and Neustrom signed with the Cajuns and Russ Faulkinberry in 1965.
“My dad died when I was young, and my mom worked,” Neustrom said. “Going to college was a new thing in the family. My sister went to Northeast. I had some contact with some coaches and was able to sign with USL.”
Neustrom became a team captain, was on two Gulf South Conference championship teams, never lost to McNeese, beat La. Tech’s Terry Bradshaw three times and faced off with stars like Pensacola Navy’s Roger Staubach and Tampa’s Leon “Quick 6” McQuay – all the while observing the team dynamic and its effects on coaches and players.
He was equally reflective in the classroom as a sociology major. It was there that his career path got its start.
“I read a book called ‘Black and Blue in America’ by Nicholas Allen that discussed the double layer of complexity involved to be black and serve in our police departments,” Neustrom said. “That peaked my curiosity.
“There was an idea at the time of using students as officers (on campus) and we had to develop a training program in an academic setting. It was something I wanted to study more.”
Neustrom got his sociology degree in 1970, served USL as director of University Police from 1970-74, then left to pursue first a masters in political science and then his doctorate in criminal justice at Sam Houston State.
He returned to his alma mater as a criminal justice professor (1977-2000) and began the Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy.
“I enjoyed research and the community angle,” Neustrom said. “I was data driven. You self exam yourself and ask, ‘Is this doing any good?’ Officers (as students) can be pretty combative at times.”
By the time he became sheriff, Neustrom was ready to try new ideas.
“I wanted us to look at a different way of policing, look at community involvement and cost,” he said. “We asked people to come along with the new wave. It was not easy. It was gradual. It’s still a work in progress. Most have bought in.
“We want to improve the way people’s lives are out there.”
Neustrom studied other programs in cities like San Antonio, Texas, Seattle and another in Florida to examine concepts like “safe haven” among others.
“You want to address the underlying problems of the individual that affect who gets (put) in your jail,” he said. “You want to get at the root cause. Most of them have health issues, and you provide short term help.
“Services need to be broader to look at how to solve problems.”
Land-locked downtown, the Sheriff Department built an expanded jail that can expand and has a plan for the future.
Neustrom was also one of the founders of the St. Joseph’s Diner, reflecting his personal commitment to look outward and seek solutions.
“That was the 1980’s, and people like Claire Ashy and Msgr. Sigur were all interested in doing something good, and it worked,” Neustrom said. “There is a similar thing now with the homeless. There’s just a need, and nobody’s doing it.
“I’m also interested in improving alternative education. We have the educational component here at the old N.P. Moss, and the residential component in Branch. It’s evidence-based and is (like) the old AMI Kids program.”
There is plenty to fill the days for the 68-year-old former football star, who has done things largely his way.
“My legacy is something I don’t think about a lot,” Neustrom said. “Louisiana has a history of certain (political) ways of doing things. I’ve tried to be apolitical, tried to minimize the influence of politics.
“There are ways to run a government, and some see traditional politics as the only way. Things are just accepted. Maybe it’s part of the political process. It can get fuzzy.
“There has to be a give-and-take in the exchange of what we provide.”
Mike Neustrom was not your typical student-athlete, and his life has been extraordinary as well. Now he’s ready for that next step. * ** * * * * * * *
Click here for Mike and his 1968 teammates.
Click here for the entire 2005 Hall of Fame induction photo gallery. Click here for Mike’s Athletic Network profile. * * * * * * * * * *
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