University of Louisiana’s National Championship Weightlifting Teams

Part Three: The Culture of Winning

Chapter 5 – The Reunions

We regularly hold reunions. On November 13, 1998, a wonderful event was held at the Best Western Landmark Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana: The Fourth Annual Old Time Weightlifters and Bodybuilders Reunion was hosted by Red Lerille, Mr. New Orleans 1955, and Terrell J. Brunet, Mr. New Orleans in 1957. About 35 men attended, including from the UL teams Mike Williams, Louis Riecke Jr., Terry Perrin, Walter Imahara, E. Gerald “T Boy” Hebert and the author. Other attendees included brothers Chris, Bill and Nat Klock, Ken Heuming, Bubba Abecilla, Al Johnson, Sal Mannino and Anthony DiMarco.

On September 17, 2016, the university hosted our 1966 team for its 50th anniversary of victory achieved at the University of Maryland. UL President Joseph “T-Joe” Savoie hosted 15 teammates for a celebratory dinner on campus. It was an emotional evening as all of the lifters stood and gave testament as to what the team meant to them. We have been recognized several times on the field at halftimes of UL football games.

On May 21, 2017, we were hosted for a reunion by Walter at his gardens then shared a meal together in St. Francisville. Weightlifting at the University of Southwestern Louisiana ended after the 1972 season, but the bonds forged in fierce competition remain stronger than ever among the lifters who developed a fraternal love for each other.