Former Cajun, MLB manager Alvin Dark dies at 92

[NewsCopy]

Alvin Dark, a member of the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame who helped lead the UL Ragin' Cajuns to an undefeated season on the gridiron in 1943 and would go on to win Major League World Series titles as both a player and manager, died Thursday at his home in Easley, S.C.
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[Turbine]

I have said it before, its a crying shame that UL won't recognize a pro career as a pseudo graduation and thus HoF worthy.

Turns out that bureaucratic snafu killed the lead in the Alvin Dark story.

[CajunJack55]

I have said it before, its a crying shame that UL won't recognize a pro career as a pseudo graduation and thus HoF worthy.

Turns out that bureaucratic snafu killed the lead in the Alvin Dark story.

So you have to graduate to be in the UL HOF? Is that normally the case at other schools?

[alum81]

So you have to graduate to be in the UL HOF? Is that normally the case at other schools?

Yes I think you have to graduate. Thats why Ron Guidry is not in.

[Turbine]

Something is flipped when a school will issue honorary degrees but won't allow Hall of Fame status.

jmo

[CajunJack55]

Something is flipped when a school will issue honorary degrees but won't allow Hall of Fame status.

jmo

Well...what if we give Ron Guidry an "honorary degree" then problem solved

[HoustonCajun]

So you have to graduate to be in the UL HOF? Is that normally the case at other schools?

He is in LSU's HOF. Did he graduate from there?

[CajunJack55]

He is in LSU's HOF. Did he graduate from there?

Good question. I thought he transferred from LSU to SLI, the rules were a lot different at that time so who knows?

[RedCajun]

I have said it before, its a crying shame that UL won't recognize a pro career as a pseudo graduation and thus HoF worthy.

Turns out that bureaucratic snafu killed the lead in the Alvin Dark story.

So he came back, but guessing didn't actually graduate?

"He returned to Lafayette in 1947 to complete his degree in physical education with the aspirations of playing for the Ragin' Cajuns again, but he was unable to having already signed a pro contract. Instead, Dark helped coach the Ragin' Cajuns football team."

I remember him being honored at a football game 5-8 years ago. Was that not for the UL hall of fame? Or just to honor him in general?

[MelRock]

The HOF rules should be changing soon or at least allow for players like Guidry and Elfrid.

[Turbine]

So he came back, but guessing didn't actually graduate?

"He returned to Lafayette in 1947 to complete his degree in physical education with the aspirations of playing for the Ragin' Cajuns again, but he was unable to having already signed a pro contract. Instead, Dark helped coach the Ragin' Cajuns football team."

I remember him being honored at a football game 5-8 years ago. Was that not for the UL hall of fame? Or just to honor him in general?

Coach Robichaux honored him at half time.

[Turbine]

He is in LSU's HOF. Did he graduate from there?

No.

His school of choice after the war was UL.

While at UL he was called up to the majors then played and coached for the next three decades.

[HoustonCajun]

No.

His school of choice after the war was UL.

While at UL he was called up to the majors then played and coached for the next three decades.

Yet LSU accepts him into their HOF. I suspect people like Shaq didn't graduate either, but who would deny his place in their HOF. Time for UL to recognize our greats even if they didn't graduate. They are still considered alumni.

[MelRock]

After leaving Louisiana State University early for the NBA, Shaq went back to school and earned his bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree and now, a doctorate in education.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertai...torate-degree/

His undergrad was from LSUA&MBR, masters University of Phoenix and Ed.D. in Human Resource Development at Barry University.

[CajunDawgPound]

The HOF rules should be changing soon or at least allow for players like Guidry and Elfrid.

99% of collegiate halls of fame list "graduating" as a criteria which is the reason college athletes are in school to begin with. By eliminating that criteria, the honor is degraded and makes for "stressing" enrolling to excel in athletics rather than in the classroom. A comment re: those who did not graduate -- they had an opportunity to come back after pro careers and graduate, which some have done....al la Bo Lamar and a few others. This university is an academic institution first and everything else second, third and fourth. That priority should not be reduced in any form or fashion.

If the criteria are going to be changed, said changes need to be made by the entire Letterman's Club membership (which is, by whatever design, not inclusive of all former living lettermen). Those changes should not be made by the few who serve on an "in-crowd" board.

If someone meets 'most' criteria and induction hinges on that which has or has not not been accomplished, why not give them the opportunity to meet the stretch criteria that the wiser before us thought should separate the elite performers who valued an education over the status quo who do not. If that criteria is removed, the doors will be opened to theoretically let 10-15 people in EACH year, and allows us to revert to being a jock factory instead of a brain factory.

If we are going to claim a program of excellence, we should emulate the big boys we want to rub elbows with - whose generations continue to be steadfast on this topic. Other Honorary recognitions are available for creation if political hacks think their inclusion is THAT important.

And lets be honest, were the aforementioned or any others that will be mentioned when the criteria are cheapened THAT good when they were here? Did they meet or exceed the other criteria? Were they above and FAR beyond the rest when they were here or did their fame happen after they pulled up anchor and hauled butt like a KY basketball freshman?