Hall of Fame Origin Story

In the spring of 2013, at a local high school in Louisiana, a moment unfolded that would eventually inspire the creation of the Bayou Region Sports Hall of Fame. Stan Gravois, a teacher at the time, was on lunchtime duty among the energetic flow of student life. A coach approached him with a request.

“Stan, can you talk to this kid?” the coach said. “He’s a natural athlete, great speed. I want him to run track, but he doesn’t believe it’s worth it.” Intrigued, Stan nodded and struck up a conversation with the student.

“You’ve got talent,” he began. “Why not try track? You could really go places.”

The boy’s response was discouraging. “You can’t go anywhere with that,” he shrugged. “Nobody from the area ever makes it big.”

The teacher paused, a mix of disbelief and determination in his eyes. “That’s not true,” he countered. “Do you know about the guy who grew up just across the street from this school? He won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing alongside legends like Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and Lynn Swann. And he started right here, in Houma.” His name is Frank Lewis, and he still resides there.

The boy’s expression shifted, a flicker of surprise and curiosity breaking through. “Really?”

“Really. Right here, from the east side of Houma.”

It was a small moment, but it carried a profound realization: many young people in the Bayou Region had no idea of the athletic greatness that had emerged from their own backyard. The conversation ended, but the seed of an idea was planted.

Two years later, that seed began to sprout. Now working at a local hospital overseeing athletic trainers, Stan found himself in a similar conversation with a friend his own age.

“Stan, these kids don’t know the greats that came from this area. It’s too bad we can’t do something about it.”

As the words sank in, a spark ignited. Driving home that evening, he resolved to act. If no one else would preserve the legacy of the Bayou’s athletic heroes, he would.

He reached out to Paul Labat and Mike Fakier, two people he knew could help. Together, they arranged a meeting with Phyllis Peoples, the CEO of Terrebonne General Health System. The proposal was simple but ambitious: create a Sports Hall of Fame to honor and celebrate the athletes who had brought pride to the region and inspire future generations to dream bigger.

Phyllis listened intently, her expression thoughtful. When they finished, she smiled and said, “Absolutely. We need to make this a community mission. People, young and old, should never forget the incredible talent that has come from this area.”

With the hospital’s resources and support, the vision began to take shape. What started as an impromptu lunchtime conversation with a skeptical student became a full-fledged community initiative. The Bayou Region Sports Hall of Fame was born not just as a collection of names and memorabilia but as a living testament to the triumphs of local athletes—a beacon of pride and possibility for generations to come.

From the dusty fields of high school tracks to the bright lights of the NFL, the Bayou Region Athletic Hall of Fame stands as a reminder that greatness can emerge from anywhere—even the east side of Houma.