Brothers of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans - The Book

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Even if you bought the book somewhere else, stop by, say hi, and I'll autograph it!

Thanks to Cindy for being such a gracious host for the book signing yesterday at Maple Street Book Shop.  Fortunately for me and the authors of African Americans in New Orleans, Turry and Phoenix, Maple Street Book Shop attracts customers who are interested in more than just Da Breesus.  Not that I begrudge #9 success and good fortune, since nobody would want his book had he not brought the Lombardi Trophy home. 

Special thanks to "Karla with a K," one of the customers who stopped in during a break in yesterday afternoon's huge downpour.  She not only bought my book but shared some very funny stories.   :-)

I was also mildly surprised (and VERY pleased) to hear from Cindy that my book is selling well there.  The Brothers aren't really part of the history/culture of Uptown NOLA, but what the heck.   I signed all the stock we didn't move yesterday, so be sure to pick up your copy!

Don't forget - BOOK SIGNING TODAY!

Barnes and Noble Westbank, 3pm-5pm

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Come on out, say hi, and buy the book! My royalties go to the Brothers, so come help keep BOSH education moving forward in New Orleans.

The BMHS Varsity Quiz Bowl team, Spring, 1976.  Members are junior Steve Rodrigue, and seniors Ed Branley (who was also captain), Marc Chevis, and Larry Gros.  My apologies to Steve, Marc, and Larry, that you didn't make it in the book, but I really didn't want to put any photos of myself in there. 

This was the second evolution of Quiz Bowl.  The first was "Prep Quiz Bowl." The show was based on the nationally-televised "General Electric College Bowl" show.  When "College Bowl" ended its television run in 1970, the production company began to enforce their copyrights on local knock-offs of the national show.  By then, "Prep Quiz Bowl," sponsored by The Pipe Council, had moved from WDSU-TV to WYES-TV (our PBS station in New Orleans).  WYES tweaked the show, changing the name to "Varsity Quiz Bowl."  The buzz-in questions that are the hallmark of the game format, "tossups" became "face-offs." The team that won the "tossup" would then get the opportunity to answer a "bonus" question, whose name was changed to "lagniappe."

Other than the name changes, the game was the same.  Two schools kicked off the season.  The winner came back the next week, and once more if victorious, retiring for the season after three wins.  BMHS retired undefeated four of the five years I was there; we sat out the 1973-74 season, since there were too many schools than slots in the production schedule.

The moderator/coach of the Quiz Bowl team in the 1970s was Brother Neal Golden, SC.  When Br. Neal took a sabbatical in 1975-76 to get his PhD, Br. Ronald Talbot, SC, was our moderator.  I've got a photo of a Quiz Bowl team moderated by Mr. Ricky Nusselein from the 1980s.  Currently, Dr. Steve Tucker is the moderator of the Quiz Bowl team.  The team no longer competes on television, but at various tournaments during the year.

There was no Sacred Heart Sunday this week, mainly because I've got a cold and it's wiped my voice out! Podcasts are on hiatus until I don't sound like I smoke three packs a day.

Another crazy weekend, so no podcast Friday or Satuday, as we were at Walt Disney World, watching the BMHS Band march down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom on Friday.  The boys done good!

It's April, and that means baseball is in full swing at all levels. The BOSH schools have a rich baseball heritage.

This shot didn't make the book, because it's a scan of a scan, and the quality just wasn't up to print publication.  In this photo are

three players from the 1954 State Championship baseball team: Senior Pitcher Emile “Chubby” Marks, Junior Center Fielder Joe Boullosa, and Junior Third Baseman Jules LaCoste. All three Crusaders went on to letter at Tulane. Marks returned to the BOSH community after Tulane, coaching at Cor Jesu and BMHS.

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No podcast yesterday, because of my return flights from Copenhagen, but back today with Sacred Heart Sunday. Today we talk about the three locations of St. Aloysius College, first at Barracks and Chartres, then the second, the "original" building at Esplanade and N. Rampart, and the "final" building at that corner.

Here's a postcard image of the 1925 building at Esplanade & N. Rampart, from the late 1920s:

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When I wrote the streetcar book in 2004, a friend from BNI suggested I have a banner made to set up behind me at book signings. It turned out to be an excellent idea, so I'm going to get one for the BOSH book. This is the design I have in mind at this point. Opinions?

clicky the graphic to see it in a larger size...

Sacred Heart Sunday -- Basketball championships and the spirit of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart

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