Remembering the 1966 Presentation Colts: A Legacy of Pride!

In the spring of 1966, the Presentation Colts basketball team brought pride to Marksville after earning the runner up position in the Catholic Youth Organization championship competition held in Alexandria.

The Colts battled through the tournament before finishing second in the championship matchup against Prompt Succor. The game was played in Alexandria and marked an impressive showing for the young Marksville team representing the local Presentation School community.

The team featured several familiar Avoyelles names and reflected the strong youth athletics programs that were active through local Catholic schools during the 1960s. These programs helped build teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship among students across the parish.

The photograph and accompanying article originally appeared in The Marksville Weekly News on March 24, 1966, capturing a moment in Avoyelles Parish sports history and preserving the memories of a generation of young athletes who competed proudly for their school and community.

Pictured are members of the runner up team:

• Steve Dekle
• Nathan Gaspard
• Donnie Laborde
• Billy Bennett
• Brad Gaspard in the front row.

The back row included: - Benny Bennett - David Tison - Mr. D'Angelo, a CYO representative from Alexandria - Coach Johnny Layfield - Kenneth Braud - Steve Hall.

To submit any Avoyelles Parish history from the past, email photo, information and contact news@avoyellestoday.com or come by the newspaper office at 208 N. Washington St. in Marksville.