Men’s Basketball: Beryl Shipley Tribute Gala draws fans and players 11/17/11

Kris Wartelle, Daily Advertiser, Nov. 17, 2011

Filmmaker Douglas Domingue talks about his documentary, "Lights Out in Blackham" before showing clips from the film during the Beryl Shipley Tribute Gala Wednesday night at the Acadiana Center for the Arts. The event was held in part to help fund the completion of a documentary which is scheduled to be completed in August 2012. Leslie Westbrook/lwestbrook@theadvertiser.com

Several hundred gathered at the Acadiana Center for the Arts on Wednesday to honor and support a man many believe was the finest basketball coach in UL history.

The crowd of UL supporters, former basketball players, and family and friends of Beryl Shipley turned out to support and raise money for the completion of a new documentary about his life and his legacy. "Lights Out in Blackham" is a documentary by Douglas Domingue of Nerd Pictures about the coach and his days at UL during one of the most controversial times in Southern history. Shipley is credited with being the first to integrate college basketball in the Deep South. On this Wednesday night, there was no shortage of Shipley admirers who had great things to say about an unforgettable man.

"This means a lot," said USL basketball legend Bo Lamar. "He was my coach and a father figure to me. When I got there (to USL), he had already laid the groundwork for the changes. I’m just happy to have been a part of it. Tonight is a way of righting a wrong."

Lamar played for USL — now UL — from 1969 to 1973. He says when he heard of the coach’s death this spring it was like losing a family member.

"When he died it was just like my mother died," said Lamar. "It is just something you have to deal with."

Cox Communications presented the event, which was also a fundraiser meant to help the film’s makers complete the project. Operations Director Julie Dronet said it was a night to remind people of the history that goes along with the legend.

"This film honors our beloved university and its history," said Dronet. "This was a man who showed leadership in times that were harsh to many."

Dolores Shipley, wife of the late coach, was also on hand to view a sneak preview of the film. Parts of the unfinished documentary were shown in the Jim Moncus Theater in between speakers who shared their memories of Shipley.

This (film) will give people a chance to see what truly happened," said Shipley. "He didn’t just integrate the team. This didn’t just happen; it evolved."

Domingue, the film’s director, thanked Dolores and the entire Shipley family for letting him and his crew do the story in the first place.

"For you to let us into your life like that, it means so much," said Domingue to the crowd and to the family.

Others shared stories of the coach and how he made his mark on the basketball world. For many, the thought of his career and his final days struggling with lung cancer were too much. UL basketball coach Bob Marlin held back tears as he recounted his days spent getting to know Shipley and how the two become friends and shared many nights discussing basketball.

"I was blessed I got to spend even one day with Coach," said Marlin. "It’s something I’ll never forget."

Former basketball player Freddie Saunders played for USL from 1970 to 1973. He traveled all the way from his home in Columbus, Ohio, to attend the gala for Shipley.

"Did you know he was a boxer?" asked Saunders. "Yeah, he had to fight all the way to the very end."

Coach Shipley died April 15, just a few months after the project began. Domingue said they discussed whether he would ever view the finished product. He said the coach finally told him, "Just make sure everyone gets to see it."

Athletic Network Footnote:

Click here for the Beryl Shipley Tribute Gala.

Click here for the Tribute to Coach Beryl Shipley.