Signature: Track coach and guidance counselor Pete Boudreaux

Occupation: Track coach and guidance counselor
Age: 74
Hometown: Baton Rouge

Most people never even get into one hall of fame. In July, track coach Pete Boudreaux will enter his fifth.

That comes out to one per decade for the almost 50 years he’s worked at Baton Rouge’s Catholic High—which is also his alma mater.

“It’s never been a goal of mine to be recognized,” Boudreaux says. “I just enjoy what I’m doing. All this stuff, the benefits I’m reaping, that’s the result of all the people I’ve been around. It just represents a much larger picture, and I’m just a part of it.”

Boudreaux was born Oct. 7, 1941. For perspective, that was exactly two months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

After high school, he enlisted and spent three years in the Army, all in Texas, from 1959 to 1962.

Boudreaux ran track at LSU and competed in gymnastics for two seasons. After one year as a roving physical education instructor for East Baton Rouge Parish schools, he was hired at Catholic High School (CHS), earning “close to $6,000” for teaching physical education and social studies, serving as an assistant coach in football and basketball and taking over as head track coach.

He was the CHS athletic director for 31 years and has been a guidance counselor for more than 30 years.

“I hope most people I’ve dealt with would say I’ve made a difference in their lives. I don’t mean as an athlete,” Boudreaux says. For him, making an impact in his students’ lives is just as important off the field as on.

As the school year was winding down this spring, Boudreaux was getting ready to sign his 50th one-year teaching contract.

In that time, his teams have won 15 state outdoor track team titles, 16 in cross country and 12 more in indoor track. And that doesn’t include the 20-plus times the CHS Bears have finished second.

Longtime CHS football coach Dale Weiner gives Boudreaux the ultimate praise for someone in their profession.

“Pete Boudreaux is a role model for coaches,” Weiner says. “Anyone who spends time with him knows that he embodies the things that are important in the life of a coach—faith, love of family, dedication to the student athletes and strength of character.”

No wonder Boudreaux’s hall-of-fame list includes the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Catholic High, CHS’s Grizzly Greats and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. He also was the 2010 National High School Coaches Association track coach of the year.

Now, the 74-year-old is entering the National Federation of State High School Associations hall of fame.

He and his wife of 50 years, Pat, have three children and six grandchildren. The entire Boudreaux clan is making the trip to Reno, Nevada, for the July 2 induction.

“It’s a family affair,” he says with a smile. “Bring ’em all. What the heck. I’m so close to my wife, my children and grandchildren. I just love them to death and love to do everything with them.”