By Garry Blanson
As of today, there are less than 19 days until the February 14 deadline for the results of the Louisiana legislative investigation of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA). Apparently, even some White people in Louisiana are unhappy with certain rules the LHSAA has handed down since several Louisiana high schools—including Carroll High School and Wossman High School—sued the organization a couple of years ago.
It has also been reported that one member of the investigating committee discussed the possibility of starting an alternate high school sports association, similar to the former Negro association, LIALO, which was merged into the LHSAA in 1970. Nevertheless, many people—including myself—are eager to hear the committee’s findings and to learn whether an alternate high school sports organization will be formed in Louisiana.
Now, on to this week’s Black Pioneer.
Gwynn Lance Shamlin Sr. was born on May 9, 1938, in Monroe, Louisiana. He lived in Bosco, Louisiana, on a 70-acre farm with his parents and siblings, including his sister, Fredessa J. Shamlin Payne. His early schooling took place in Ouachita Parish. Later, he attended Richwood High School in Richwood, Louisiana.
Not only did Gwynn excel academically, but he was also a standout on the basketball court. He was a member of Richwood High School’s Louisiana state championship team. In 1955, Gwynn graduated from Richwood and continued the family tradition by attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In 1959, he graduated from Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in education. His many accomplishments include becoming the first Black male to receive a doctoral degree from Louisiana State University in 1976; securing a teaching position in the East Baton Rouge School System; serving as principal of Mayflower Elementary School from 1971 to 1976; receiving certification as a school superintendent in 1977; and being appointed executive director of Child Welfare and Attendance for the East Baton Rouge School System—just to name a few.
Sadly, on May 8, 2020, after more than 40 years of dedicated service in the field of education, God called Dr. Gwynn Lance Shamlin Sr. to his heavenly home above.
