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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Claude Revels, Jr.
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Home Phone: 904-219-9012 Claude’s Living Memorial for the Coach Bob Cole Tribute is posted below, followed by his autobiography and lots of memories of athletics and student life at USL. Posted by Dr. Ed Dugas on Sept. 26, 2017. I recall with the same excitement as I write this, the day my Junior College Coach, Larry Monts called me in and said there is a school in Louisiana that is interested in you running for them. The next day I received a call from Coach Cole offering me a full scholarship to run for the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Well…..to say I was excited about the full scholarship is an understatement, but Louisiana was never on my radar screen! Coach Cole took the time to answer all of my questions, and told me to sleep on it and call him the next day. When I called him back he seemed as genuinely excited about my acceptance as I was about running for USL. Upon my arrival at USL and finding I was part of a team of runners from not only all over the United States, but abroad as well was a little daunting to say the least. Our leader was Arthur Botterill from Australia, with assistance from Tom Hopkins from Ireland. Coach relied on Art Botterill to train us distance runners and most of our contact with him was the day before and the day of our meets. In some cases…..when our performances were not up to his expectations…..we saw him bright and early the next day at Beaver Park for a “little reminder” of what those expectations were. I recall one of those “reminders” quite vividly on a fall morning after the NCAA Regional Cross Country Meet running laps on the levee. I can still hear him to this day in his gruff voice, “………….. (expletives)……bunch of slackers”. Always the nurturing and affectionate father! Coach was gruff and tough, but there was another side to him. He was a caring Coach, and very protective of his runners. He had a funny side that sometimes would catch you off guard, but when it came to competition, he was all business, especially when it came to Conference Championships. I recall his “pep talk” prior to our first Southland Conference Cross Country meet in Jonesboro Arkansas. For me the fear of losing was two fold….. what the retribution might be the next day, but more importantly it was the fear of letting him down and seeing the disappointment on his face. Coach Cole was for most I think a father figure. Especially for those of us so far from home. I recall in my early days packing up and leaving for home when I thought I just couldn’t get past the weather and being away from my family. What turned me around was the disappointment I knew would be in my father’s eyes and so it was with Coach Cole. As I write this I reflect back on how my years at USL have become so much a part of what has made me who I am, what I have accomplished, and what I have passed on to my children. Our parents are responsible for a large part of this human equation, but along the way there are those rare individuals who play a part and impact our lives in ways we realize only upon reflection. Coach Cole is one of those individuals who came into my life at a time that was to become one of the most memorable for me. He never knew what an important role he played, but then again, as a Coach I am certain as he looked back during those retirement years, he was proud of all of his ” runners, jumpers and throwers”. For him that would have been enough. The legacy he left is so much more than I think he could have imagined, and I am grateful that he gave me the opportunity to be included. Many of my Teammates have heard me say often, “Florida is my birth home, but Louisiana is my heart home”. But for Coach Cole I would have missed much and lost much in this life. Thanks Coach for playing such an important role in my life, for the wonderful memories, and the life long friendships I have because of you. Rest in peace Coach! Claude Revels 73′ and 76′ * * * * * Posted July 5, 2017 I was born in Jacksonville, Feb 12, 1950, St. Vincents Hospital. Attended Ramona Elementary and Garden City Elementary, Ribault Jr. and Ribault Senior High School 1968. Ribault High School Florida Junior College at Jacksonville University of Southwestern Louisiana College of Education-Physical Education Department. Special thank you to my mentor and friend Ed Dugas, Doc to me, for his guidance, patience, wisdom and friendship as an undergrad and later when I returned to USL as a Graduate Assistant. Would have never made it without you Doc!!! Thanks to Dr Bourg (RIP)for encouraging me to start a Physical Education Program at Cathedral-Carmel Elementary, to Sister Judith who made this Southern Baptist boy welcome and to the students who were simply “wonderful”. Memories of USL Coming from Florida with a Southern Country Boy accent, the Cajun dialect was a new challenge. But given the overall make up of the Team (Australia, Ireland, Africa, New York,Arkansas,Louisiana,Texas,Ohio, and Florida)we had some great conversations! Although many had to be repeated for clarity. Especially after a few cold beverages. My youngest Son is named after my roommate and best friend, Stephen Killingsworth. Steve and I have remained in contact since graduation. We coordinated moving back to Lafayette when I went for my Masters in 1975. There were a lot of GREAT times at USL. Three highlights from Track and Cross Country stand out. Getting to run in the Astro Dome on my 21st birthday, winning the Southland Conference our first year in Cross Country, and beating LSU in Cross Country on their home course. Southwestern Relays Football Games AND of course…..”Go to %$#@ McNeese, Go to %$#@!!!!! Free Beer busts in Girard Park. The “Sweethearts”. Lafayette The Snow in Jan & Feb 73′ The “Vermilion” Crawfish Etoufee at Don’s on Johnston St. Bell’s Sporting Goods Blackham Coliseum and “Bo Pete” Lamar Uncle Petes, The Keg, Burger Chef and the Pit Grill where all night cram sessions took place for the price of toast and coffee. More to come……but enough for today. Retired after 31 years, Jan 4,2016 from JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Benefits Administration Director, Jacksonville, Florida. Currently living in Glen St. Mary, Florida on an Airpark. My wife Judi has been a Pilot for over 30 years. I took up flying when we moved here from Keystone Heights Florida. We recently (June 2015) purchased a home in Wears Valley, Sevierville, TN near Pigeon Forge where we plan to retire when our home in Florida sells. So stay tuned for another profile update soon. Posted July 5, 2017 with AN footnote by Dr. Ed Dugas.
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