UL Coach (1957-73) Beryl Shipley

[Tom Shipley]

It has not been published; stopped after Ron Gomez wrote Slam Dunked and was published. Ron Gomez has a copy, Beryl's wife, Dolores, has a copy, John Ed Bradley, who wrote a Sports Illustrated article An Accidental Hero, has a copy, and the source still rests in my computer.

It is not a highly readable document – that was not its purpose. Much of its 223, 8-1/2 x 11 pages consists of specific copies of the two NCAA inquiries and other communication documents and USL’s specific responses to the inquiries and other communication documents. It was accumulated and written to prove the major allegations made by the NCAA were untrue, and to show that they were unproven.

Some of the allegations were true; there were occasions when black athletes were allowed to ride with other students or faculty, going the same way, to get home, and there were many of that ilk in the 125 to 129 NCAA allegations. Tarkanian, beginning four years later in 1977, showed NCAA’s procedures, the same as those used at USL, falsely convicted people and universities without proving its case. The case had to go to the Supreme Court for the decision, but Tarkanian had the resources to make it happen, finally, in 1988.

I am prepared to provide copies to any agency that will agree to read it, has the facilities to comment publicly, and will do so -- pro or con. The manuscript uses the USL/NCAA correspondence as a verbatim source for the responses made to NCAA allegations in the ‘70s. That information had never been seen except for a very few people at USL and the NCAA. The acting president of USL in 1973, Dr. Authement, then sat on USL’s information until 2006.

Beryl Shipley had been surreptitiously given copies of all files on the subject that resided in UL archives. Correspondence between the NCAA and USL were entirely missing. However, one document gave us all we needed, it listed all of the correspondence of that period between the NCAA and USL. With that, I contacted Dr. Authement, asked for the specific information I wanted, and got it.

If you are not in the location of the three people listed, or near the UL to ask for copies of the original documents, I guess I am the only source for copies. I tried to get the material published in 2007, before Ron Gomez agreed to write his book; but, as I suspected, it was not highly readable because of my purpose. Additionally, all of my writing had involved describing evolving technology during the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, so it is also possible that I lacked the capability to write an interesting book.

Tom Shipley

[RaginDetroitCajun]

The truth comes out after all these years. I knew that Doc. A was a snake a.k.a. Ben Bernanke, and would never come clean unless forced to with nothing to lose. The damage this fraud did to his school was an act of treason. The only way to make up for it now would be to admit to a 30 + year cover up (including why he sabotaged athletics all these years), donate 90% of his net worth to the RCAF and beg for forgiveness. Which would be like Mr. Bernanke admitting the Federal Reserve is a complete fraud, which has only enriched the already rich bankers for the past 100 years and that was their mission statement from the beginning. These are the worst types of people on the planet. Those who cause so much harm and can legally deceive others without prosecution. They should hang their head in shame and disgrace.

[USL1970]

I agree that Coach Shipley should have had access to the NCAA records sooner, and I admire his brother Tom on his quest to vindicate his brother.

However, the Slam Dunked book has so many factual errors, conclusions, and sensationalized events that the book does not do the subject as much justice as it should. For example, the Advertiser was the main source for some of the events, and its reporting tends to sensationalize rather than factualized as does the media/sportscaster writer to get readership. For example, the paper reported and the book included the comment from an anonymous source that "between four and five hundred students gathered at the president's house," to demonstrate at midnight.

I know this to be completely exagerrated and false. I know a student then who rode in a car with another that night as he was more curious than interested in protesting. He said less than 50 people were there and the president never came out of the house to talk to students.

And when you think about it logically, just imagine how many cars would be needed to transport 400 or 500 hundred people to a residential neighborhood to protest. If something that large would have happened, it would have been documented at least in some verifiable form. A lot of conclusions that were reached were based on false assumptions about people or events. There are examples of this throughout the book.

The best and most important part of the the book were the actual NCAA reports which were unfairly hidden for many years - that was very revealing and interesting. All the other stuff surrounding the NCAA report lacked verification and was just hypothesis.

[Boomer]

_ I agree that Coach Shipley should have had access to the NCAA records sooner, and I admire his brother Tom on his quest to vindicate his brother.

However, the Slam Dunked book has so many factual errors, conclusions, and sensationalized events that the book does not do the subject as much justice as it should. For example, the Advertiser was the main source for some of the events, and its reporting tends to sensationalize rather than factualized as does the media/sportscaster writer to get readership. For example, the paper reported and the book included the comment from an anonymous source that "between four and five hundred students gathered at the president's house," to demonstrate at midnight.

I know this to be completely exagerrated and false. I know a student then who rode in a car with another that night as he was more curious than interested in protesting. He said less than 50 people were there and the president never came out of the house to talk to students.

And when you think about it logically, just imagine how many cars would be needed to transport 400 or 500 hundred people to a residential neighborhood to protest. If something that large would have happened, it would have been documented at least in some verifiable form. A lot of conclusions that were reached were based on false assumptions about people or events. There are examples of this throughout the book.

The best and most important part of the the book were the actual NCAA reports which were unfairly hidden for many years - that was very revealing and interesting. All the other stuff surrounding the NCAA report lacked verification and was just hypothesis. _

As one that was present---I walked with the rest of the football team and a huge flow of dorm residents!!!! Kinda Panty raid atmosphere!!!! Typical UL in your face attitude!!!!

[RaginFan2]

_ As one that was present---I walked with the rest of the football team and a huge flow of dorm residents!!!! Kinda Panty raid atmosphere!!!! Typical UL in your face attitude!!!! _

So, what's your estimate of the number of people at the president's house that night? Is it closer to 50 or 500?

[Boomer]

_ So, what's your estimate of the number of people at the president's house that night? Is it closer to 50 or 500? _

I honestly don't know----All I remember is walking down to S. Colllege--to an area where he lived----Had no car or clue of Lafayette---45-50 years ago!!!! But it was a pretty large crowd----Were you there??? Does anybody on the board remember????

[SlappyCajun]

_ I agree that Coach Shipley should have had access to the NCAA records sooner, and I admire his brother Tom on his quest to vindicate his brother.

However, the Slam Dunked book has so many factual errors, conclusions, and sensationalized events that the book does not do the subject as much justice as it should. For example, the Advertiser was the main source for some of the events, and its reporting tends to sensationalize rather than factualized as does the media/sportscaster writer to get readership. For example, the paper reported and the book included the comment from an anonymous source that "between four and five hundred students gathered at the president's house," to demonstrate at midnight.

I know this to be completely exagerrated and false. I know a student then who rode in a car with another that night as he was more curious than interested in protesting. He said less than 50 people were there and the president never came out of the house to talk to students.

And when you think about it logically, just imagine how many cars would be needed to transport 400 or 500 hundred people to a residential neighborhood to protest. If something that large would have happened, it would have been documented at least in some verifiable form. A lot of conclusions that were reached were based on false assumptions about people or events. There are examples of this throughout the book.

The best and most important part of the the book were the actual NCAA reports which were unfairly hidden for many years - that was very revealing and interesting. All the other stuff surrounding the NCAA report lacked verification and was just hypothesis. _

Not agreeing or disagreeing with you. However, when you start from the premise that all of the outlets that were responsible for reporting at the time of incident were not telling the truth, then it is easier for you to make your point.

Basically, if we ignore everything that was reported at the time, then my point is the much more logical conclusion. I'm sure things were written from a one sided perspective, as any such account would be. However, you expect people to believe a hearsay account from a guy who drove by at one point of the protest, instead of what the newspapers and television reports said. Not a convincing argument.

[USL1970]

I am not saying all media accounts are not reliable and all reporters, just that there is a bias sometimes to gain readership. And that was the case in this book ... frequently and extremely. Here is another example of how the book takes a simple statement and comes to a far fetched implication or conclusion.

"Seeking the presidency, Rougeou asked for Beryl's assistance. He recognized Beryl's growing influence in the community as a result of his coaching successes and dynamic personality. Beryl contacted some friends and supporters on Dr. Rougeous's behalf. The State Board of Education soon appointed Clyde Rougeou as president of USL."

Absolutely ridiculous ... take a simple statement and then imply or reach that conclusion in 1965, and before Shipley had his great teams. Particularly with state board members all over the state, with the most powerful in north Louisiana. This goes on and on in the book. Like I said, the great part of the book is the posting of the actual NCAA findings which was due to the diligence and perserverance of Shipley's loyal and faithfull brother.

[Turbine]

I see the Rougeou comment more as a timeline of events rather than a he could not have done it without me claim.
igeaux.mobi

[zephyr]

_ I agree that Coach Shipley should have had access to the NCAA records sooner, and I admire his brother Tom on his quest to vindicate his brother.

However, the Slam Dunked book has so many factual errors, conclusions, and sensationalized events that the book does not do the subject as much justice as it should. For example, the Advertiser was the main source for some of the events, and its reporting tends to sensationalize rather than factualized as does the media/sportscaster writer to get readership. For example, the paper reported and the book included the comment from an anonymous source that "between four and five hundred students gathered at the president's house," to demonstrate at midnight.

I know this to be completely exagerrated and false. I know a student then who rode in a car with another that night as he was more curious than interested in protesting. He said less than 50 people were there and the president never came out of the house to talk to students.

And when you think about it logically, just imagine how many cars would be needed to transport 400 or 500 hundred people to a residential neighborhood to protest. If something that large would have happened, it would have been documented at least in some verifiable form. A lot of conclusions that were reached were based on false assumptions about people or events. There are examples of this throughout the book.

The best and most important part of the the book were the actual NCAA reports which were unfairly hidden for many years - that was very revealing and interesting. All the other stuff surrounding the NCAA report lacked verification and was just hypothesis. _

The book never stated that Rougeau came out of his home to address the crowd. As a matter of fact, he only cracked the door to speak with Dean Abyl when he approached the home ONLY after he decided to do so because the president would not address everyone. He addressed the crowd the next day at Martin Hall.