“From Minden to the Ark-LA-Tex Sports Museum Hall of
Fame”
1958 Minden High Graduate Dr. Billy Jack Talton
Monday, March 12th, 2018, Dr. Billy Jack Talton will tell
the story of his career path that would eventually lead him to his induction
into the Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum Hall of Fame.
This will be the 60th oral history program for the Dorcheat Museum and
the 67th museum event for Dorcheat Museum since 2007.
The 1958 Minden High graduate and former Louisiana
Tech powerlifting coach Dr. Billy Jack Talton, became known as the father of
LHSAA powerlifting, 2014—Inductee
into Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum Hall of Fame, 2015—Inaugural inductee into USAPL
Louisiana Hall of Fame.
"I feel more like a representative of a
lesser known sport, and it's a little bit stressful to go through all the steps
necessary to accomplish this," said Talton, who lives on a 50-acre farm
with wife Carolyn and their Tennessee walking horses. "My motivation for
getting into powerlifting was to refine the abilities of football players as
they prepared for a season."
Talton, who retired in 2001 as the chairman of
Louisiana Tech's Health and Physical Education Department, is credited with
being the father of Louisiana high school powerlifting. Still active
officiating prep meets, Talton built LA Tech into a national powerlifting power
during his 27-year tenure as a collegiate coach. His men's and women's lifting
teams won 11 national championships apiece in a sport that continues to grow in
popularity.
Don't miss your chance to hear about some
of our local history. The museum events will be held in the Media/Learning center
at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl Street, Minden,
La. Museum doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with first-come, first-serve
seating. Program begins at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free with potluck
desserts and snacks welcome.
For more information contact Schelley
Brown Francis at 318-377-3002 or visit www.museuminminden.blogspot.com to sign up for the museum email blast.
You can also find the museum on Facebook. To learn more about Webster Parish's
rich history visit the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum located at 116
Pearl Street in Minden. Museum hours; closed on Monday, Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.
- 4 p.m. (closed from 1-2 for lunch), Saturday CLOSED. The museum admission is
free. Also open for special tours and rental by appointment.