Louisiana Independent School Association
The Louisiana Independent School Association, more commonly known as LISA, was an agency, which regulated and promoted the interscholastic athletic competitions of private high schools in the state of Louisiana, mostly segregation academies.[1] The organization is no longer in existence.
History
Founded in response to dissatisfaction with the state of education in Louisiana and inequitable treatment of Private Schools by the LHSAA (Louisiana High School Athletic Association) the association consisted of College Prep Schools within the State and bordering areas. Racer Holstead one of the winningest coaches in Louisiana football history was the first Commissioner of the Association and laid the groundwork for direction in the early years. The schools competed in two divisions A and AA according to enrollment and districts arranged by geography and traditional rivalries. Championships were decided by a tournament playoff system with seeds based upon record and in district competition in team sports and head to head competition in track and field. Post season All Star Games were held in football and basketball featuring top senior athletes composed of teams from the north and southern portion of the state as voted by coaches within the association.
The association was a starting point and final destination for a number of the most well respected coaches in the secondary and college level who in turn developed many athletes who excelled beyond high school. They included Racer Holstead Tallulah High School and Tallulah Academy
William "Hoss" Newman Trinity Heights Academy
Frank Scelfo Prairie View Academy, River Oaks School, Tulane offensive coordinator, Arizona State, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tommy Joe Eagles Cedar Creek School, Louisiana Tech University Head Coach, Auburn Head Coach
Chick Childress Cedar Creek School, Ruston High School, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
A.L.Williams Woodlawn High School, Northwestern State. Louisiana Tech University, Cedar Creek School
Billy Wiggins, Louisiana Tech University Hall of Fame Basketball, Captain Shreve, Southfield School, Plain Dealing Academy
Wayne Smith player at Trinity Heights Christian Academy, player at Louisiana Tech University, coach at Trinity Heights Christian Academy
Larry Dauterive Football Coach, Riverside, East Saint John
Frank Modica Football Coach. Jesuit. Riverside
Woody Boyles Football Coach, Ridgedale, River Oaks, and Oak Grove
Joe Coats Football Coach, Neville and Tensas Academy, participated as a coach in seven championship games, winning three the last of which in 2011
Among several others who continue the tradition of excellent coaching throughout the state.
In the relatively short history of L.I.S.A. many notable athletes excelled in the college ranks and professional ranks as well.
Kevin Duhe Riverside Academy NLU punter on national champion squad, voter on Heisman Trophy Award Foundation
Keith Thibodeaux Belmont Academy, Opelousas High, Louisiana Tech University quarterback and pitcher, named to the 1980s all decade Southland Conference baseball squad, pitched a 11 strikeout 1 hitter versus Texas in 1980, drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, MVP of 1977 Independence Bowl and starting quarterback in the 1978 game, third in NCAA yards per completion 1977, fifth in total offense
Tag Rome Cedar Creek School, NLU, San Diego Chargers later coach on staff as wide receivers coach, served on 2015 football coach hiring committee
Willie Wood Friendship Academy, Oklahoma State University, National junior champion and NCAA champion in golf, PGA tour
Al Patrick Running Back, Neville and Riverfield Academy
Tony Patrick, River Oaks, Neville
Chris Tilley Friendship Academy, Southfield School, Louisiana Tech, offensive coordinator for Evangel Christian
David Caldwell Cedar Creek, Ole Miss letterman at two positions
Jerry Raburn Bowling Green School, Ole Miss
Alex Biedenharn River Oaks School, University of Louisiana Lafayette
Reshod Fortenberry Bowling Green School, Texas Tech, Dallas Cowboys
Greg Smith Trinity Heights Christian Academy, Centenary basketball
Wayne Smith Trinity Heights Christian Academy, Louisiana Tech basketball all time assist leader and Point Guard on NCAA sweet sixteen team with Karl Malone
Tommy Jackson River Oaks School, NLU 1987 National Championship Team, All conference tight end 1986
Mark Brown Friendship Academy. Louisiana Tech University Track 400 meters indoor champion
Bobby Craighead River Oaks School, NLU, all conference at two positions, record holder for yards per catch in a single game 4 receptions 222 yards with 3 touchdowns, during 1983 season he caught, ran, and returned a kickoff for touchdowns, drafted by the San Antonio Gunslingers USFL
Charlie Matthews Calvary Baptist, running back Northwestern State
Michael Moore Friendship Academy, all state first team football on both offense and defense, 200 meter state 1A record holder, Louisiana Tech University
Joe Champion Huntington Academy Ferriday, LSU played and long snapped on the 1986 SEC championship squad that went 9-1-1 before losing to Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl
Kelly McHale Cedar Creek School, Louisiana Tech University, Track 400 meters, 800 meters, and 1600 meters State Champion. 800 meters outdoor conference champion
Gene Johnson River Oaks School, Louisiana Tech University. Quarterbacked Tech to a 9-3 season and the 1990 Independence Bowl versus Maryland which ended in a 34-34 tie
Kevin Toms Riverdale basketball, NLU
Scott Tubbs Prairie View Academy, MVP of two time state champions in both basketball and baseball, North East Louisiana University, linebacker on 1987 National Champion Team, 1988 season leader in tackles
Ray Hamby Ridgedale Academy football, Delta State
Bobby Butler Claiborne Academy football
Doug McKellar Plain Dealing Academy, Louisiana Tech track
Kurt Menasco Cedar Creek School. North East Louisiana University, lineman on 1987 National Champion Team
Kyle Dominick Plain Dealing Academy, Quarterback led team to two successive championship games and a record of 25 wins and 3 losses as a starter
Stevan Ridley Running Back Trinity Episcopal. LSU, New England Patriots and currently with New York Jets
David Newman Quarterback Tensas Academy, Louisiana Tech, converted to tight end after freshman season and was a three year starter, WAC all conference first team, drafted by the New York Jets and was part of the AFC champion 2002 Oakland Raiders squad
In addition to numerous other athletes in the Association who played their respective sport at the collegiate level
The oil crunch of the mid 1980s hit private schools hard drying up funding from private individuals and companies throughout the state. Much like public schools dwindling resources served to pressure Association schools forcing the closing of several within this time period. As schools closed it became more difficult to schedule games for the remaining schools many of whom joined either the LHSAA ranks or MPSA/MAIS. Following the 1990-1991 school year it was decided to disband the organization. Former schools however continued to excel and in some cases dominate competition in their new environs continuing the tradition started when in L.I.S.A.
Parkview Baptist a charter L.I.S.A. member has won 4 football championships as well as 11 baseball in the LHSAA. With athletes Lyle Hitt, Darry Beckwith and others playing in college
Calvary Baptist Academy has won championships in both L.I.S.A. and LHSAA in football and baseball the latest two in football within the Select Playoff Division created by public schools who felt private ones had an unfair advantage.
Cedar Creek School, Riverside Academy, Silliman Institute, Central Private, Cedar Creek School, Bowling Green, Belmont Academy, Riverdale, Claiborne Academy, Glen Brook, Plain Dealing Academy, and Trinity Heights all can claim state titles within their new leagues as well.
Organization
LISA was made up of several College Prep Academies within Louisiana
LISA’s competitive sports programs included Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Cross Country, Outdoor track and field, and Football.
L.I.S.A. for number of athletes participating had a higher percentage of College players than the other state organizations
L.I.S.A. Standards for Academic achievement to remain eligible were a 2.5 average and the average ACT scores of Association Athletes was 26 percent higher than the other state athletic organizations
Former Member Schools
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St. Martin Academy (St. Martinville)
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References
- ↑ United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means. Subcommittee on Oversight (1979). Tax-exempt status of private schools: hearings before the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, first session .... U.S. Govt. Print. Off. p. 184. Retrieved 6 September 2012.