The football success of Coach J.T. Curtis, Jr., at John Curtis High School reminds one of what a modest coach would do if he could fictionalize his own record.
How many coaches, at any level of competition, could win 164 of 193 games played?
How many could win six state championships in 15 years? How many could win 46 consecutive games to establish the state's consecutive win record?
And, how many, after only 15 years have been elected to the National Sports Hall of Fame and nominated for National Coach of the year?
In the aftermath of all these honors, yet another honor has been bestowed upon Coach Curtis as he has been selected as the Outstanding Prep Coach of Louisiana for 1983 by the Sugar Bowl Sports Awards Committee.
He is winning this award for the second time inasmuch as his 1981 undefeated and state championship team was the basis for the first.
Coach Curtis will be honored for last year's third undefeated team and LHSAA-AA state champions – a team that surprised even their coach in sweeping to a 14-0 record and state title.
"It was a completely different team from the '80 and '81 teams," stated Coach Curtis in retrospect.
"We felt the potential was there; but, we had no idea it would be reached during the '83 season."
"We knew injuries to key personnel could hinder us. We were lucky to stay away from major injuries and as the season progressed, the team improved from game to game. They improved more during the season than any team I've ever coached," emphasized Curtis.
"After reaching the playoffs, we felt we couldn't lose. This team is a credit to hard work, dedication and an entire team wanting to win. We are proud of those young men and our coaching staff."
So is New Orleans and the state of Louisiana, Coach Curtis.
The New Orleans Sports Awards Committee began in 1957 when James Collins spearheaded a group of sports journalists to form a sports awards committee to immortalize local sports history. For 13 years, the committee honored local athletes each month. In 1970, the Sugar Bowl stepped in to sponsor and revitalize the committee, leading to the creation of theÂ
New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1971, honoring 10 legends from the Crescent City in its first induction class. While adding the responsibility of selecting Hall of Famers, the committee has continued to recognizeÂ
Sugar Bowl Athletes of the Month.
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