Woodlawn’s Thedrick Harris talks about his father
Woodlawn’s Thedrick Harris talks about his father
Jimmy Watson, Shreveport Times
Memories of what life was like with a father tends to dim over the years except for those individuals lucky enough to have an exceptional father setting a mark to attain.
For Woodlawn football coach Thedrick Harris, what he had with his father hasn’t faded since Welton G. Harris’ death in August 2022 after he retired from Barksdale.
“Every Saturday was Father’s Day for me — barbecue grill going, talking and listening to good music,” Harris said. “I miss those talks, on no particular subject, just whatever was going on in the world.”
Here’s a look at what several additional Shreveport-Bossier area football coaches remember about their dads.
Dennis Dunn – North DeSoto
Dunn’s father, Lonnie Dunn, taught him how to be a man, how to love God, to love his family and to appreciate the freedoms enjoyed in the USA.
“He loved education and my early memories of him were of the impact he had on young people which influenced my career choice significantly. I wanted to be just like him. He taught me respect, honor and how to look people in the eyes and shake someone’s hand. He taught the love of hunting and the outdoors. I spent many days as a kid in the woods with him. He didn’t miss any games when I played, and he hasn’t missed many of my games as a coach over the last 40 years. I’m fortunate to still have him.
“He has been present in my life always. He always remembers my kids’ birthdays and all of his great grands as well. Amazing man that I get to call dad.”
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Denny Duron – Evangel
The support of an ever-present father was a key ingredient in the upbringing of an absent-minded Denny Duron.
“I would often leave my gear at home when I needed it for practice or a game. I would call my dad and reluctantly ask if he could bail me out. He never failed. I guess the thing I remember most was leaving my football cleats one day and calling him to help me by dropping them by the locker room. When I open the locker that day, my cleats were there — with new shoestrings and fresh spit shine. That was my dad, the ultimate servant leader, even with his family.”
Steve Dennis − Huntington
Dennis lost his father, Harvey Dennis, a few years before Steve became the top dog in the Raiders’ football program.
“I know he would’ve never missed one of our games. He probably would’ve been the biggest Raider fan in the stands,” Dennis said. “He never missed a game I played in, in college or high school, no matter how far it was.”
Justin Scogin − Airline
Road trips with dad are something that sticks out to a lot of sons and that’s the case with Scogin and his father Joe.
“We went to the College World Series in 2009 and had a blast. Among many other great memories that was a really cool one,” Scogin said.
Matthew Sewell − Haughton
Being able to watch the 2008 U.S. Open on Father’s Day with his dad, Dr. Mike Sewell, is a highlight for the new Haughton football coach.
“It’s the first golf tournament I really remember watching. Tiger Woods was playing on a broken leg and made birdie on 18 to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate. I have loved golf ever since,” Sewell said.
John Sella – Loyola
Like a lot of dads, Sella’s father, Eric, wasn’t big on gifts and never asked for anything for Father’s Day.
“But one time when we asked him what he wanted, he just said he wanted prayers,” Sella said. “So, we made him a tee shirt that read ‘Prayers,’ which he still wears here and there. He coached me and my brothers growing up and was tough on us, so it’s cool to see that side of him too.”
Coy Brotherton – Parkway
The Brotherton clan, including father Bob, often spend Father’s Day at the lake or camping.
“As I’ve gotten older, time with family has meant more,” Brotherton said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together discussing football, but duck hunting together is our thing.”
Stacy Ballew − Byrd
A couple of years ago, Ballew went fishing with his father and son on Toledo Bend on Father’s Day.
“We caught a limit of perch,” he said.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports him for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.