The University of Louisiana System board, which oversees Grambling, will consider a compromise item on its agenda this week that would name the university’s new arena — but not the assembly center its housed in — after legendary coach and administrator Fred Hobdy.
That doesn’t go far enough, friends, family and alumni say, for a person of such sweeping influence in the Grambling tradition.
Almost 25 years after his retirement, Hobdy remains the winningest men’s basketball coach in Louisiana history — and the only one to claim a national title.
For those accomplishments alone, Hobdy has earned the same honor afforded his old friend Robinson — whose name rightly adorns the football stadium next to Grambling’s Assembly Center.
Hobdy was later an athletic administrator and also played a seldom celebrated, but key role in building Grambling’s football program: He was a member of Eddie Robinson’s remarkable “un” team of 1942 — they went undefeated, even unscored upon — and then was on the sidelines overseeing ends with Coach Rob for decades, including his second unblemished season, in 1955.
School officials didn’t even contact widow Mary Hobdy, family members said this morning, before putting this half-measure forward — perhaps because they recognize how it cheapens the coach’s legacy.
“I am puzzled to try and understand why this present administration does not want to honor a Grambling grad who brought state and national recognition to his school,” said GSU professor James McJamerson, who is related to Hobdy by marriage. “Though words and deeds we firmly believe that Coach Hobdy deserves this honor.”
Family members wrote letters, started phone campaigns, even drafted a resolution. Those touched by the Hobdys — Mary, pictured above and now battling cancer, was a longtime secretary to second Grambling president R.W.E. “Prez” Jones – made their own passionate arguments today.
“I grew up in Grambling; I know the high price the Hobdys made for students, GSU, and the state,” said Sharon Armstrong, president of the Grambling University National Alumni Association. “This is such a small price in comparison. I don’t understand why the state does not want to honor individuals who played major roles in the history of Louisiana.”
We joined the chorus long ago…
Grambling university administrators have resisted the idea of recognizing Hobdy in this way. Why? They say they prefer to try to sell the naming rights to the arena.
Don’t hold your breath.
While it’s true that the Grambling Assembly Center has been one of the finest in the Southwestern Athletic Conference since its debut two seasons ago, there isn’t a single state facility of any recognizable size that has secured those kind of corporate dollars.
That’s up to and including the Louisiana Superdome, which just earned a record-tying 10th Super Bowl bid. It’s unrealistic to think that a basketball arena tucked into the back of the pine tree-surrounded Grambling campus in north Louisana will be the first.
Yet somehow, as the ULS Board of Supervisors meets Thursday and Friday in Baton Rouge, all of that has fallen on deaf ears.
Perhaps because this “compromise” is better than nothing.
We’ve gotten used to nothing — the sum total of recognition afforded Fred Hobdy since his passing a decade ago.
Does that mean we’ll settle for anything?
WTH? Are they saying they are going to name the inside of the arena only after him but not the entire building? You might as well just said you would name the court after him. Crazy…
Sad and a lack of respect toward the family and the alumni.
I am not one of those Judson is evil and destroying Grambling sounding boards, but he is doing nothing to mend relationship between the administration and the larger Grambling community and GSU Family. This is shameful for a man that did so much. He does not due a good job of communicating his plans nor agenda which has resulted in a very poor relationship amongst staff at GSU, Grambling community, and the GSU alumni. Leaders are judged by their ability to bring people together for a larger good. Judson get an "F" as it relates to People Relationships.
Judson, alone, could have delivered this for the Hobdy family.This is shameful. Judson has some upside since coming to Grambling but, he has missed a golden opportunity help continue the great traditions of the university. Personally, this more than anything has sealed his fate and his legacy… he will be gladly forgotten and the GSU family will be far better off in his absence. His administration has been horrible in maintaining any real sense of traditions at Grambling.
While I agree that this might be an unfortunate event for the Hobdy family, please help me understand why Willis Reed is not mentioned in the same breath as Coach Hobdy?! While I am not trying to belittle Coach Hobdy's accomplishments, there are not too many HBCUs that can say they produce one of the 50 greatest (in any sport)!! Then for him to still be alive, attend, and support GSU athletics means just as much. Some food for though: Karl Malone has his name on the court and Leon Barmore doesn't.
This is really sad. I dont know why Gsu is waitin on anyone to buy the naming rights to the assembly center. This current administration really dropped the ball.
somebody should tell the administration that getting sponsorship for a stadium/arena ain't that easy, Superdome been around since 1975 and still no sponsor….same for the N.O. arena…judson and his minnions should be run out with pitchforks and torches for that b.s. reason for not maming the building after coach Hobdy…
I guess it would be a responsible idea to name the entire facility after coach Hobdy, to acknowledge his contributions to GSU and to educate others to all that he did. (I for one, didnt know until reading this article.)
All that aside, why should GSU administrators listen to the GSU family.
For all of it on field tradition, there is little to NO tradition of its fans and alumni buying season tickets AND making donations to the University.
It actually is typical at HBCUs (and yes, I'm African American). HBCU Alumni and fans largely do not give back to the schools who educated them.
Dont get mad at me..I'm just the messenger. Talk to development folks at any HBCU and they will confirm it for you.
Ask yourself and your friends, are you a dues-paying member of the Alumni Association? Do you own season tickets? What donations have you made to your University?
You want some INPUT, the PUT IN.