Over 100 bowlers from all around the state, most from central Louisiana, were joined by two dozen state sports celebrities for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame’s annual Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria.

The two-hour event included a catered lunch from Outlaw’s BBQ, a high-energy DJ, and plenty of spirited competition – and gutter balls – along the way.

After lunch and warmups, LSHOF Foundation president Ronnie Rantz – a former Menard Eagle and LSU baseball standout – introduced the sports figures, most who were either incoming Hall of Fame inductees or those from previous years. That group included Bolton High School and Louisiana College graduate Marie Gagnard, the winner of the 2019 Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award for her long career as a tennis official on the professional circuit. Gagnard called lines at 35 U.S. Open Championships.

Another local celebrity was Lyn Rollins, a longtime Pineville resident and one of the state’s best-known and well-respected sports broadcasters. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2018.

The incoming Hall of Fame class members participating Friday were LSU gymnast April Burkholder, Coushatta and Louisiana Tech’s Vickie Johnson, an WNBA pioneer and two-time All-Star; Danny Broussard, basketball coach at St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette; Delgado Community College baseball coach Joe Scheuermann; and LSU product Herb Vincent, a top-level Southeastern Conference administrator. Sons of two ailing, elderly inductees, LSU boxing national champion Bobby Soileau and Catholic High-Baton Rouge football coach Dale Weiner, represented their dads.

LSU football greats Andrew Whitworth and Nick Saban arrived later for Induction Celebration activities.