NATCHITOCHES (KATC) – Les Miles and Peyton Manning headline this year’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class.
Thursday a contingent of this year’s group spoke during the annual per-induction press conference. The often charming and humorous Miles was asked bout his trademark grass eating now that he coaches Kansas, which uses an artificial surface.
“I want you to know, I have never eaten artificial turf. When I look back at all the places I’ve been, nope never,” Miles said. “There is a big hill outside my office, just in front of the stadium. Huge green grass. Just gorgeous. Sometimes I’m hungry at times, I look over and think, no, I better not.”
This year’s class has just one Acadiana tie, tennis judge Marie Gagnard. Gagnard is from Alexandria but resides in Lafayette. She was Louisiana College’s first scholarship tennis player and has been officiating the US Open since 1984.
When asked asked about handling the pressure of athletes who don’t agree with her call, she recalled her background.
“You have to understand I taught public school, I had a stint in the Army. Nothing intimidates me,” said Gagnard. “You keep it inside, poker face and move along.”
The annual induction ceremony is Saturday night.
