The inaugural East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s Athletic Hall of Fame class is a remarkable group of individuals that sets a high standard for future inductions.
Eight greats — Harvey Adger, Seimone Augustus, Billy Cannon, Bob Pettit, Eddie Robinson, Danielle Scott-Arubba, Ryan Theriot and Doug Williams — were inducted during a special ceremony on May 8 at the Capitol Park Museum.
“The Class of 2024 inductees, you have set the bar very high for the next generations,” said EBR Schools interim Superintendent Adam Smith. “And I want to thank you for all the contributions that you have made, not just on the academic side, because we know that most of our athletes are also great scholars academically.”
“It’s exciting to know that these people came straight from the schools of East Baton Rouge Parish, and that says a lot,” said Sean Joffrion, director of health/physical education and athletics.
Inductees received an award and a signature blue jacket. Joffrion said he plans to have a wall at the Central Office with plaques of the inductees for visitors.
Special thanks to Joffrion, health/physical education supervisors Donnell Hyde, Clarissa Johnson, Lester Ricard and Dr. Greg Thompson, and athletic administrative assistant Kimber Courville.
The East Baton Rouge School System Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024:
HARVEY ADGER: The longtime Glen Oaks High School boys basketball coach has 932 career victories. Adger has exemplified dedication, leadership and excellence throughout his more than 40 years coaching in EBR Schools. The Shreveport native excelled academically and athletically in basketball and golf at Southern University.
SEIMONE AUGUSTUS: The former Capitol High and LSU basketball star was also named to the Naismith Hall of Fame. She was a two-American at LSU and led the Lady Tigers to three consecutive Final Four appearances while also winning the Naismith College Player of the Year and Wooden Awards. In 2006, she was the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick by Minnesota, leading the Lynx to four WNBA championships.
BILLY CANNON: A multisport standout in football, basketball and track at Istrouma High School in the mid-1950s, Cannon took his talents to the football field at LSU and eventually the NFL. He was a two-time unanimous All-American at LSU, leading the Tigers to the national championship in 1958. In 1959, he became the school’s first Heisman Trophy, highlighted by an 89-yard punt return in a 7-3 win over Ole Miss on Halloween night in Tiger Stadium.
BOB PETTIT: After a standout state championship basketball career at Baton Rouge High, Pettit went on to star at LSU and then enjoyed a Hall of Fame NBA career. Pettit is renowned for his time with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks from 1954-1965, where he made history by becoming the first player to surpass 20,000 career points.
EDDIE ROBINSON SR.: The 1937 McKinley High School graduate and legendary Grambling State University coach won 408 victories during a stellar 57-year college coaching career. His Grambling teams won 17 SWAC championships. In 1984, Robinson surpassed Amos Alonzo Stagg and Bear Bryant to become college football’s winningest coach. He earned a bachelor’s from Leland College in Baker and a master’s from Iowa.
DANIELLE SCOTT-ARRUDA: At Woodlawn High, Scott-Arruda displayed her talents in volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field. After starring at the University of California-Long Beach, she joined the USA National Volleyball Team, participated in the Olympics in Atlanta and played professionally in Italy, Brazil, Japan, and more. She is the only indoor player, male or female, to compete in five Olympic Games.
RYAN THERIOT: After earning all-state honors for three years at Broadmoor High, Theriot continued his baseball journey at LSU and enjoyed 12 seasons in the Major Leagues. He won a national championship at LSU in 2000. Theriot won World Series titles with St. Louis in 2011 and the San Francisco Giants in 2012.
DOUG WILLIAMS: Excelling in football and basketball at the former Chaneyville High, Williams signed to play quarterback for Eddie Robinson and Grambling. Following a stellar career at Grambling, Williams was the first Black quarterback to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1998, Williams led Washington to 42-10 win over Denver in Super Bowl XXII, setting NFL records that included most passing yards and most touchdowns.
