All across the world today children, both young and old, will share gifts with their dads during the annual celebration known as Father’s Day.

UL baseball coach Tony Robichaux got a truly memorable gift a few weeks ago, and it didn’t cost his youngest son, Austin, a single penny.

So often over the years Robichaux’s job with the Ragin’ Cajuns separated him from his family. And that’s what made June 8 so special.

On that day, the Cincinnati Reds selected Austin in the 50th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. In fact, the Robichaux family followed the three-day draft together before the Reds picked Austin, a right-handed pitcher who signed last fall to play for the Cajuns.

"You always pull for your players to get drafted," Robichaux said. "But it was an extra special moment to see one of your own sons get drafted."

Getting drafted was something that Austin had always hoped for. It capped what was an incredible prep career under the guidance of his uncle Tim at Notre Dame.

This past season Austin posted a 10-1 record and 0.37 ERA as a senior to earn Class 3A first-team All-State honors. That came after he logged a 9-3 mark and received All-State accolades during his junior campaign after helping the Pios win the Class 3A state title.

Austin came up big in the 2010 state final, throwing a complete game while striking out eight in a 10-2 win over Brusly in Ruston. Coach Robichaux was unable to make it to Ruston as the Cajuns played host to Western Kentucky that same day.

Father and son wanted to be together that day for that special moment, but it wasn’t meant to be. Draft day, though, was an awesome experience they got to share.

"All of my family was there from beginning to end, so it was very special," Austin said. "It definitely meant even more because my dad was there. His job has kept him away from a lot of my games, but I know that he would be there if he could."

To most people, coach Robichaux is regarded as a man with a strong baseball mind, one of the nation’s top pitching coaches and the leader of a disciplined program.

To his sons Austin and Justin, he is a father that raised them as well as he could and helped them become respectable young men. They share a love and respect for baseball but more importantly a love and respect for each other. And whenever coach Robichaux couldn’t make it out to watch them play, his wife and their mother, Colleen, was there.

Justin, who played for his dad at UL from 2007-10, recently ended his pro pitching career due to an arm injury. His next step: working as a student coach with his dad. They’ll get to make up for some lost time by building new memories as Justin looks to follow in his father’s footsteps as a coach.

"I’ve always told them that I cared more about the type of man you become," Robichaux said. "I might not have been at a lot of games, but I was there to help train them if they wanted to do it. That’s where we spent a lot of time together and part of where our closeness lies."

Father’s Day means different things to different people.

For some people, it’s a chance to remind their father how much they are loved and appreciated. Others have never known their dad, so they thank whoever might have helped raise them.

I, like the Robichaux sons, am one of the fortunate ones. My father never claimed to be perfect, but he raised me right. He is a devoted family man, has always loved me unconditionally and taught me the importance of hard work, faith and values. He served in the military and has worked in a number of public servant jobs over the years. He wasn’t at all of my games growing up, but he did the best that he could just like coach Robichaux.

My father has earned my respect. As an adult, I’m now blessed to be able to call him my dad and my friend. I love him and will always strive to live up to his example.

In an attempt to be a better father, husband and son, I recently accepted an opportunity to cover K-12 education for the newspaper starting this upcoming week. While I’ll continue to dig for answers to important questions on the job, the change in responsibility will allow me to work a more normal schedule and spend more time with my family.

Austin, meanwhile, still has a life-changing decision to make in the next few months. He has until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 15 to sign with the Reds or turn them down and play college ball for the Cajuns.

If the Reds don’t offer him what he wants, Austin will be on UL’s campus in the fall. That would fulfill one of his dreams: To play for his dad. His other dream is to play in the Major Leagues.

Austin knows that his dad has played a huge role in helping him get to this point in his life. And what a better time than Father’s Day to share those thoughts.

"It’s almost something you can’t put into words," Austin said. "He’s been there for me since I was little. He told me when I was little that it didn’t matter to him if I played baseball. We have a great relationship. I’m glad that we have each other."

Joshua Parrott covers UL sports for The Daily Advertiser. He can be reached at 337-289-6318 or jparrott@theadvertiser.com