Overview: Early 1960s USL Football Players Reunion

Prior to the November 7th game against Troy University, 21 former USL football players got together at the Walk On Restaurant in Lafayette for drinks and lunch. These players were all from the Coach Faulkinberry years in the early 1960s. For many of these former players, this was only the second large gathering (Coach Faulkinberry Reunion being the first) of players from this timeframe. There were numerous players who had not seen each other for approximately 50 years since they left USL.

Of the 21 players who did attend, 3 players (Brad Hamilton, Gerald Landry & Edward Pratt) have been elected to the UL Athletic Hall of Fame and Carlton Falgout and Alcide Toups made 2nd Team All Conference in the Old Gulf State Conference.

A topic of discussion at the reunion was the last home game played in McNaspy Stadium during the 1963 Football Season. The game was scheduled for Saturday, but President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22nd and the game was played approximately four days later.

McNeese was undefeated going into the game and was expected to win by at least 5 touchdowns. But USL played probably their best game of the season and was beaten late in the 4th quarter 14-7. A desperation 4th & goal pass from the 20 yard line ended up in the end zone with 2 USL and 1 McNeese players fighting for the ball. The McNeese player was legally knocked to the ground in the end zone and the ball was tipped straight up into the air and landed in the arms of the McNeese player for the winning touchdown.

It was agreed at the reunion to hold another one prior to the 2014 UL Homecoming football game. If any additional early 1960 USL players are interested in attending, they should contact Tom Kelly at kellyt32@gmail.com or call him at 540-788-4678.

Submitted by Tom Kelly and posted by Ed Dugas athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu

Athletic Network Footnote:
Please click on www.athleticnetwork.net , Photo Gallery, Football, 2005 Faulkinberry Reunion for the photo gallery of that event which was held on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005 at Jeanmard Hall.
Allow time for the gallery to upload as it is extensive.
To view pictures of the former football players during their playing years, once Football is clicked, click on the year which you wish to view. Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos and on enlarged photos to reverse the process.