Category: LIALO

Get On the Bus

September 19, 2023

The Indians at Tensas Rosenwald High School knew the value of having a long term plan to accomplish a goal. After years of fund-raising drives the student body along with its community purchased a school bus known fondly by the name, Geronimo. This was accomplished in 1965 and as the story is relayed, the bus was not delivered to the campus, instead the bus was picked up from the factory and driven to St. Joseph, LA. This was the beginning of the story of Geronimo and it is forever present in the hearts of the community.

The Tensasan,1965, documents the arrival of Geronimo to the Tensas Rosenwald High School campus. Geronimo did the talking, just by being present. It was imposing to all competitors. Principal Bilberry was one of the individuals who went to the factory to accept the bus.

In his 1965 message to the student body, Mr. Bilberry felt the need to explain the importance of having a school year book. The Tensasan, he prophetically exclaimed, “will nevertheless be a tonic to lift spirits where they tend to sink”.

The following year, 1967, Mr. Bilberry addressed the role of graduation with his message in the Tensasan. He presented to the students that by graduating “you have been preparing yourselves to keep an inevitable date with destiny”. Geronimo is folklore, but memories linger about how great it was as a motivator for the community. Get on the bus!

McKinley Senior High School, Baton Rouge, LA

September 12, 2023

The Panthers at McKinley Senior High School continued a legacy of accomplishment in the aftermath of the demise of the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization (LIALO). Upon entering the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) the Panthers were the LHSAA AAAA Basketball Champions. The student body maintained its poise and determination to succeed in an entirely different world with new competitors. The Big Machine kept rolling along.

McKinley Senior High School, Baton Rouge, LA

August 31, 2023

McKinley Senior High School presented it’s first graduating class to the world in 1916. This accomplishment led to the reputation of being the first publicly funded African American secondary high school in Louisiana. Twelve years later McKinley High School published its first year book, The Panther, 1928, and documented its existence. Later, McKinley High School joined the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization, (LIALO) and proved to be a worthy opponent for all African American high schools throughout the state. From the time of its inception until 1970, approximately 185 secondary high schools were established in Louisiana. 1970 was a pivotal year for African American secondary high schools in Louisiana because approximately 90 per cent of the African American high schools were eliminated. McKinley High School remained part of the core group of African American high schools to continue to exist as a secondary high school.

Fifty-four years after McKinley High School was established, the Panther , the McKinley High School year book, morphed into the “Big M”, 1970. The M designation stands for Machine. At the demise of the LIALO, the Panthers decided to become bigger and better for future tasks. Today, marks a one hundred- and seven-year history of countless accomplishments. The “Big M” 1970 was prepared at the crossroads of McKinley Senior High School’s existence, fifty-three years ago.

“Not the Only One”, Legacy of Dr. Kirk Clayton

March 1, 2022

Kirk Clayton was a rare sprinter. We were fortunate to witness an individual who was committed to achievement, both, on the track and off the track. Dr. Kirk Clayton persevered and one of his enduring accomplishments was the “spark” to ignite this website. The inquisitive Dr. Clayton asked a question when he was enshrined into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. Where are the other athletes from the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Association (L.I.A.L.O.)? He answered the question by exclaiming, “I was not the only one. There were other great athletes”.

In his honor this webpage displays some of his high school accomplishments.

Coach Wilbur H. Flanagan, Charles H, Brown High School, Springhill, LA

May 15, 2021

Coach Wilbur Flanagan: The Tiger A tiger does not change its stripes, however, no one said a tiger never changes its colors. Coach Flanagan performed as a blue and white tiger at DeSoto High School, a black and gold tiger at Grambling State University and a blue and white tiger at Charles H. Brown High School. All of these tigers were fierce competitors and champions by their deeds. Regardless of their colors, the stripes remained and the legacy did not change. Finally, Grrrrr! Let’s listen to Coach Flanagan.