Published October 29, 2013
story by Paul Letlow
听
The 四色AV Alumni Association presented听its annual awards: the Golden Arrow Award;听听the
George T. Walker Lifetime Achievement Award; Rising Young Alumnus Award; Chapter of
the Year Award; and the 四色AV Service Award during a brunch held听at 四色AV听Oct. 26 during
Homecoming Week.
Click to听read about: Glen and Jo Williams听 |听 Bob Anderson听 |听 Tim Rightsell听 |听 Baton Rouge Chapter听 |听 Chris Ringo
Golden Arrow Award winners: Glen and Jo Ann Williams
Like cooks stirring ingredients into a tasty batch of gumbo, Glen and Jo Ann Williams
know how to blend their favorite elements into something special.
Respected educators and longtime supporters of the University of Louisiana at Monroe,
the Williams鈥� fund a scholarship for prospective teachers from Franklin Parish. Passionate
about their former profession, 四色AV and their home base, the Williams established the
scholarship about 10 years ago with the goal of luring quality teachers to the Winnsboro
area.
鈥淲e鈥檙e both educators and it helped make our living,鈥� Glen Williams said.
鈥淎nd so we give a scholarship to someone from Franklin Parish after they鈥檝e been admitted
into education school. We encourage them to come back to Franklin Parish to teach.
We鈥檝e had some go elsewhere, but most of ours come back here.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of the standards that the school has set and that it has continued to
be what it is,鈥� Jo Ann Williams said.
鈥淭he university is responsible for my education out of high school. I had three degrees
from 四色AV and every one of them has helped me in so many ways. There have always been
good people there we鈥檝e been able to respond to and they鈥檝e responded to us. We really
appreciate that very much.鈥�
The Crowville, La., couple certainly knows and appreciates the virtues of home.
鈥淲e have a philosophy,鈥� Glen Williams said recently while enjoying a steak dinner
at Brown鈥檚 Landing in Winnsboro.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to find what you鈥檙e looking for. I always found people to enjoy and
enjoy what鈥檚 going on. We just try to help other people the best we could.鈥�
In recognition of their years of service to 四色AV, the Williams are the 2013 Golden
Arrow Award recipients. The highest alumni award given, the Golden Arrow spotlights
those who distinguish themselves through personal or professional achievement and
served the 四色AV Alumni Association or their local chapter well over a period of years.
鈥淕len and Jo Ann are two of the first alums I met when attending my first alumni event
in Farmerville,鈥� said Devin Girod, director of alumni听affairs for 四色AV.
鈥淟ess than a week later, I saw them in Delhi. I now realize that this will be a recurring
process because they do not miss anything, especially with football and basketball.
However, it is not just athletics with Glen and Jo Ann. They are educators and reflect
that passion for academics through their scholarship support. They are more than deserving
of this honor.鈥�
Their association to 四色AV dates back to the 1950s when both were students. Glen Williams,
who majored in health and physical education, went on to coach and teach science at
Crowville High School for 27 years. Jo Ann taught English before moving into the central
office in Franklin Parish.
Additionally, the Williams have enjoyed successful business ventures, once owning
a home health agency with 33 employees and now raising cattle.
鈥淲e were both raised on a farm and we have farmland that we lease out to farmers,鈥�
he said.
鈥淚 raise registered Angus cattle. That鈥檚 why we like to eat beef every chance we get.鈥�
Proud and active members of the First Baptist Church of Crowville, the Williams have
always been heavily invested in their extended community.
Glen Williams worked on a committee for soil conservation for 29 years and served
a term in the state legislature from 1980-84. Over the years, their sense of loyalty
and community to 四色AV kept them deeply rooted with their alma mater.
Glen served on the 四色AV Alumni Board for several years and they are diehard fans of
all the athletic teams that wear Maroon and Gold. Glen Williams even did a stint as
public address announcer at track meets for several years.
鈥淚t means a lot to have a university that close that we can truly recommend to students,鈥�
Jo Ann said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e done that forever.鈥�
They fondly recall their college days and walking to class each morning. Nearly every
day along the path, the young married couple encountered former school president George
T. Walker.听
They say Walker would actually wait on them.
鈥淗e鈥檇 want to know how we were doing in class,鈥� Glen Williams said, 鈥渓ike a poppa
would. He was such a fine gentleman. All his days, he鈥檇 recognize us.鈥�
Today they continue to enjoy a personal relationship with current 四色AV president Nick
J. Bruno, who swaps gardening tips with Jo Ann.
鈥淭hey discuss things and he鈥檚 provided her a couple of ideas and things to grow plants
in,鈥� Glen said. 鈥淵ou know, you can make contact with anybody.鈥�
The Williams say their connectivity to 四色AV has enriched their lives, just as they鈥檝e
helped others. Being able to enjoy their service as an ambassador couple has made
the journey even sweeter.
鈥淚 tell people I鈥檝e been there under every name we (四色AV) have ever had,鈥� Glen Williams
said.
鈥淚鈥檝e been through all of them, and we鈥檝e got the best university right now that we鈥檝e
ever had. Hands down, it is the best. We鈥檙e getting hit with the money, but we鈥檙e
still holding our head up and doing great things.鈥�
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George T. Walker Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Anderson
Generally speaking, Bob Anderson is no rule-breaker. But there鈥檚 one rule Anderson
had his problems with as a sports information director 鈥� 鈥淣o cheering in the press
box.鈥澨�
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 adhere to that one much,鈥� Anderson said recently with a chuckle.
Media protocol dictates an impartial workplace, but Anderson never hid his loyalties
during 33 years as 四色AV鈥檚 sports information director. No sports reporter who ever
shared the space with him escaped without hearing Anderson bang his fist on the counter
or exclaim 鈥淕reat Scott!鈥� when the action stirred his emotions.
Known affectionately as 鈥淭he Dean鈥� by friends in the business, Anderson鈥檚 loyalty,
length of service and depth of knowledge about 四色AV athletics are a priceless resource
for the program. To this day, he鈥檚 the go-to-guy for information about the school鈥檚
proud sports history.
Hired by Dr. George T. Walker as 四色AV鈥檚 first sports information director in 1961,
Anderson is now being honored with the award that bears the former university president鈥檚
name.
The George T. Walker Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those who distinguish themselves
through professional and personal achievement and honors those who significantly contribute
to the university and the alumni association.
鈥淗e was a great president,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淗e and Dr. Del Vines are the presidents
I worked for.鈥�
Anderson put his writing skills to work to earn the job with a letter to Walker several
years before his actual hire.
Then working as a sports writer at The Monroe (La.) Morning World, Anderson had a
vision for a sports publicity position that didn鈥檛 even exist yet.
鈥淚 wrote him a letter saying 鈥榊ou ought to get one,鈥欌�� he recalled. 鈥溾�橝nd I鈥檓 available.鈥�
That was four or five years before and it stayed in the file I guess.鈥�
Anderson could have never imagined his career would span 33 years (the longest tenure
of anyone in the athletics department) include employment as an assistant professor
of journalism for the same length of time (鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have to do that but I really
enjoyed it,鈥� he said) and establish him as THE 四色AV sports authority.
A Mississippi native with a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in journalism from LSU,
Anderson has now spent more than 50 years as a sports writer, publicist -- and fan
of 四色AV.
鈥淚t was surprising,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a career goal in mind when I did it.
I was just happy here.鈥�
Anderson enjoyed a decorated career at 四色AV that earned him a number of awards for
his media guides, previews and press releases. He entered 四色AV鈥檚 Sports Hall of Fame
in 1999 and his 2003 book 鈥淚ndian Territory: The Story of 四色AV Athletics鈥� is the definitive
history of the program.听
鈥淲hen you retire, you look for things to do and I鈥檇 always wanted to do that,鈥� Anderson
said of his book. 鈥淚t was a good story. When I came in the early years of the university,
athletics were poor. We didn鈥檛 have much to brag about. When we won the national championship
(in 1987), I said, 鈥楾here鈥檚 a rags to riches story.鈥欌��
Anderson鈥檚 work is appreciated outside university circles too. Anderson earned the
Mac Russo Award from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association for Progress and Ideals
in 1992, the LSWA Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism in 1994, Mr. Louisiana
Basketball from the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches in 1997 and was the
first SID inducted in the Southland Conference Hall of Honor in 2002.
Later he worked for Congressman John Cooksey, including four years as press secretary.
As Anderson chronicled 四色AV sports over the years, a theme emerged of the underdog
over-achiever. He believes that is what makes the success stories along the way so
compelling.
Even today, Anderson finds himself swelling with pride when the Warhawks accomplish
something special, as they did during the 2012 football season.
鈥淭he win over Arkansas,鈥� he marveled, 鈥淲e got so much national publicity.鈥�
Successful sports information directors have a knack for getting publicity for their
schools and Anderson鈥檚 longevity helped him develop strong relationships externally
that furthered the cause.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a key thing and being at the same place a long time helps you,鈥� Anderson said.
鈥淚 knew the various All-America selectors; I had the contacts with them.鈥�
听四色AV鈥檚 history-makers in athletics owe a debt to Anderson, who made sure their accomplishments
were not overlooked then -- or forgotten as time went on.听
听鈥淭here was John Pennel, when he cleared 17 feet as a pole-vaulter,鈥� Anderson said.
鈥淥f course track back when I first started was the big sport. We had lots to talk
about on that.
鈥淔ormer basketball coaches Lenny Fant and Mike Vining were a lot alike and that was
fun. We might not have had a good football team some years, but we had good basketball.鈥�
Football, even during tough times, was the primary sport that Anderson oversaw.
鈥淵ou had to devote a lot of time to football,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was fun, even when you
didn鈥檛 win much. But you usually had some good players to write about.鈥�
Anderson believes the program turned the corner in the 1970s when it hired former
Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow as head football coach and athletics director.
Crow helped pave the way for the successful 1980s that culminated with the school
winning the 1987 Division I-AA national championship under Pat Collins.
鈥淭hat was the big break,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淭hat was a defining event. We鈥檇 had some
good teams before that, but (Crow) put us on the map nationally. We got a lot of national
publicity. He was a name that helped recruiting. We jumped up and started getting
more money from the booster club. That was his idea.鈥�
Anderson retired in 1994 and the Malone Stadium press box was named in his honor.
He doesn鈥檛 hang out there much though. No longer restricted from showing his true
colors, Anderson remains a regular at athletic events along with his wife Nike.
鈥淚 watch it as a fan,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淚 sit in the stands because I like to yell.鈥�
Back to top
Rising Young Alumnus: Tim Rightsell
Tim Rightsell鈥檚 connection to 四色AV has grown even stronger since finishing his undergraduate
studies in 1997.
鈥淚t鈥檚 funny,鈥� Rightsell said. 鈥淚鈥檓 much more involved now than when I was in school.鈥�
Selected as 四色AV鈥檚 Rising Young Alumnus for 2013, Rightsell is now driven to help build
support for his university. Rightsell represents Ouachita Parish on the 四色AV Alumni
Board, is a fixture at athletic events and sports his school colors every chance he
gets.
鈥淵ou see all these people who went to the school that don鈥檛 realize the hidden gem
that we are,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou spend your money to go to school here, you should continue
to support where you went.
He added, 鈥淚t鈥檚 that whole 鈥楧ance with the girl that brought you.鈥欌��
The Rising Young Alumni award recognizes a 四色AV graduate under 40 who is dedicated
to helping advance the university鈥檚 efforts in the community and on campus.
鈥淭im鈥檚 just a great guy and bleeds maroon and gold,鈥� director of alumni听affairs Devin
Girod said.
鈥淗e volunteers, gives, and represents 四色AV on social media and the community. I recently
saw Tim with his kids at Brookshire鈥檚. Tim and his kids were covered in 四色AV apparel
showing his passion will be passed along. We need that because the culture carries
with the next generation.鈥�
That鈥檚 Rightsell in a nutshell.
鈥淎ny chance I get, I have 四色AV gear on,鈥� Rightsell said.
鈥淵ou will never see me in an LSU shirt. I wear my 四色AV stuff where ever I go. I have
the stickers on the car, the license plate, the hats, t-shirts, whatever. That鈥檚 my
school and that鈥檚 who I want to represent. That鈥檚 who I want people to associate me
with.鈥�
This year Rightsell joined in a team competition to push football season tickets and
was the top individual seller. The winning effort earned him a trip with the team
to 四色AV鈥檚 season-opener at Oklahoma.听
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know it was a contest,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was just doing my part to help.鈥�
Rightsell, 38, earned his BBA in management in 1997 and quickly began his ascension
at JPMorgan Chase. Recently promoted to a vice president position, he鈥檚 been with
the company for 16 years. Rightsell represents his alma mater on the job too.
鈥淎t work, we鈥檝e done a lot of incentives and purchased tickets to give away,鈥� he said.
鈥淚鈥檝e kind of been known as 鈥榯he 四色AV guy.鈥� Anytime we鈥檝e ever done anything associated
with 四色AV, I鈥檓 the one who gets volunteered for it.鈥�
Rightsell isn鈥檛 hard to locate during 四色AV baseball season, where he is a regular in
the raucous 鈥淟eft Field Lounge鈥� area behind third base. Rightsell, along with his
brother Chris and other buddies are a big part of the festive atmosphere at Warhawk
Field.
鈥淲e make it a friend and family event,鈥� said Rightsell, a 1993 Neville High School
graduate.
鈥淎ll the baseball games, all the football games, it鈥檚 the same core group of people.
We use that as a common thread with all of us.鈥�
Sports are often called the front porch of a university and supporting the baseball
program was a big part of what brought Rightsell back into the fold.
鈥淥ne weekend Chris and I decided to go to a 四色AV baseball game and got hooked,鈥� he
said.
鈥淭hat kind of started my 四色AV pride and made me realize it was something I wanted to
hang my hat on and support.鈥�
A doting father of two, Alex and Emory, Rightsell is also involved with the Monroe
Jaycees where he has served as Membership Vice President and two terms as Treasurer.
Rightsell is also is a past Ambassador for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
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Alumni Chapter of The Year: Baton Rouge
Louisiana鈥檚 state capitol has a growing pocket of University of Louisiana at Monroe
supporters and it鈥檚 no fluke.
The Baton Rouge Chapter of the 四色AV Alumni Association has worked hard to help reconnect
graduates with their university.
鈥淚 drove down to meet with the Baton Rouge chapter a few weeks after I was hired.
They have a great core group working towards an endowed scholarship through their
annual golf tournament,鈥� 四色AV director of alumni听affairs Devin Girod said.
鈥淭he participation has increased each year and I expect the trend to continue. We
are thankful for chapters like Baton Rouge who are helping our students and supporting
the alumni association so we can return the support through the events held in their
region.鈥�
The 四色AV Alumni Association is honoring its Baton Rouge branch as the Chapter of the
Year, thanks to an active membership in the region, involvement of the president in
annual meetings and well-attended events.
鈥淲e probably have 40 or 50 active members that I keep in touch with over the course
of the year who want to be involved in some of the other functions,鈥� said Lisa Lester
Bergeron, president of the Greater Baton Rouge Alumni Chapter.听 鈥淲e always have a
good turnout at the functions that we do.
The Baton Rouge Chapter plays host to a Monday night function each May, as well as
a Johnny鈥檚 Pizza party every July.
鈥淲e have a good turnout for both of those,鈥� Bergeron said.
鈥淭he one on Monday night, we usually have 125 to 150 people coming. There are usually
30 to 40 people who come to the Johnny鈥檚 Pizza party too.鈥�
Additionally, the chapter hosts a golf tournament, with proceeds used to endow a scholarship
for students from the Greater Baton Rouge area to attend 四色AV.
鈥淚 believe we鈥檝e really taken off with our money that we鈥檝e raised over the past two
years, faster than some of them have done,鈥� Bergeron said.
Bergeron, a Program Manager for the Office of Community Development in Baton Rouge,
was active during her college years.
While a student at 四色AV, Bergeron was a member of the Pompom Girls, Social Chairman
of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, and a Little Sister to the Pike Fraternity.
鈥淚 think people forget that we鈥檙e successful individuals because of the base of people
we met and networked with at 四色AV,鈥� said Bergeron, an Oak Grove native.
鈥淔or me it came full circle. I ended up working for a guy and his wife who graduated
from (四色AV) and I knew them in college.鈥�
Back to top
Service Award: Chris Ringo
Chris Ringo is known around 四色AV鈥檚 campus as a guy you can count on.
The assistant director for the physical plant takes pride in that reputation, earned
over 22 years of employment at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
鈥淚鈥檝e always had this service attitude,鈥� Ringo said.
鈥淚鈥檓 here to serve. If I don鈥檛 know how to get it done, I probably know somebody who
does. I guess people feel comfortable calling me when they don鈥檛 know who to call.
I never back down from trying to help somebody get done what they need to get done.鈥�
Fittingly, Ringo is recognized this year with the 四色AV Service Award by the 四色AV Alumni
Association.
鈥淐hris and the other guys at the physical plant are greatly appreciated,鈥� director
of alumni听affairs Devin Girod said.
鈥淏efore everyone arrives to an event and long after they have left, these are the
guys setting up and taking down. We are thankful to have assets like Chris here at
四色AV.鈥�
Candidates for the Service Award must be a full-time staff member with three consecutive
years of service at 四色AV. Criteria includes contributing to the betterment of 四色AV and
the community through extraordinary service, as well as service to profit, public
or non-profit organizations that help the community served by 四色AV.
That鈥檚 Ringo, who is always stepping forward. Not only is he a former president of
the staff senate, he helped establish the body.
鈥淚 was one of the inaugural members in setting it up and forming it,鈥� Ringo said.
鈥淚 was the president for one year.听 The reason the staff senate was formed was to
give a voice to the unclassified staff on campus. We became a liaison between the
staff in general and the administration. It opened up a line of communication for
the staff to communicate about things going on.鈥�
Ringo鈥檚 service extends beyond 四色AV鈥檚 campus borders. He is involved in the United
Way of Northeast Louisiana and does volunteer work for the Ronald McDonald House.
A Monroe and Ouachita Parish High School product, Ringo attended 四色AV before earning
a two-year technical degree in computer electronics. Ringo was originally hired as
an electronics technician doing maintenance and repair of computer systems. He eventually
became the manager of that department.
In his current position over the past few years, Ringo has been part of an energy-saving
initiative on campus.
鈥淲e鈥檝e embarked on some upgrades to our lighting for energy efficiency and we鈥檝e done
some things on our air conditioning and heating controls,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 was not the project leader, but I was intimately involved. One of the things I
do on a daily basis is monitoring our utility usage. I could see things during this
project that were positive. 鈥�
