Clifton "Dugie" Dugas

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Clifton "Dugie" Dugas in the Player category. Very few people can say that they played the game for 45 years, but Dugie is one of the rare exceptions.

After first playing the game of softball at the very young age of 13 back in 1956, Dugie went on to an illustrious career that culminated in the year 2000. A member of such outstanding teams as Gulf Oil of Thibodaux, Fred Smith Builders of Baton Rouge, Louis Mechanical of Baton Rouge, and Stephens Mobile Homes of Lafayette, Dugie helped his respective teams to over 200 state and regional championships during his incredible career.

Known as one of the best defensive second basemen of all-time, adept at turning the double play, while blessed with amazing anticipation and soft hands, Dugie was also a terrific hitter, accumulating a lifetime batting average of .600, while smashing over 160 home runs. Named the MVP in state tournaments in 1970 and 1972 while with Gulf Oil, and 1979 while with Louis Mechanical, Dugie was also known as a Hall of Fame teammate, kind to everyone, and willing to go out of his way to help anyone.

Anyone who played with or against Dugie will tell you that he could do it all... hit for average, hit for power, run the bases, field, and throw... and he just didn't do those things at a good level... he did them at an elite level. And that's why Dugie is being inducted into the Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame.

Corey Duplechin

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Corey Duplechin in the Umpire category. Coming from the First Family of Louisiana Umpires, Corey, the son of Jerry and Marie Duplechin, two members of the Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame, made his own mark as one of the best umpires in the USSSA association.

An 18-year veteran who retired in 2006, Corey began umpiring early, calling games in the Breaux Bridge/Cecilia youth leagues at the age of 14. He called numerous State, Regional, and National Invitation Tournaments at both Moore Park and Pelican Park, while also working the prestigious Holiday Classic in Mississippi. Corey also was selected to call the Military World NITs at Softball World in Dallas from 1994-1998, as well as Corporate and Coed World at Pelican Park. A fixture at many tournaments in such places as Henderson, Parks, St. Martinville, and Catahoula, better known as the "Levee Tour," Corey called numerous state, regional, and world tournaments, and also worked Special Olympics annually.

After attending many years of umpire training with his parents doing the instruction, Corey later assisted with that training, helping younger umpires become better, and helping to grow the game of softball. An umpire who knew the rulebook forwards and backwards, but who was also known as approachable, Corey was highly respected by players, coaches, scorekeepers, and tournament directors. He helped make USSSA Softball better for 18 years, and for that, he's being rightfully honored.

John Galjour

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is John Galjour, in the Player category. Some opponents fear certain players, and other are a complete nightmare for all. Such is the case of John Gaijour, who tortured opposing pitchers and teams throughout a magnificent career.

After first breaking into the game of softball in the mid-1980s, John went on to a storybook career that lasted through the late I 990s. A standout member of such outstanding teams as Martin Industries, Bayou Bengals, Louis' Bayou Blasters, Winner's Circle, UNICO, Massey's Coin & Treasure, Bear Creek, Winning Edge, Lane & Associates, and Lafayette Fire & Safety, John helped his respective teams to 43 state and regional titles, as well as one national championship, which he calls he proudest softball moment, in which his Class A team won a Major crown.

While known as a good defensive outfielder, John was a truly amazing hitter, compiling a lifetime batting average of .707, to go along with 546 home runs. Named the MVP in the 1989 Holiday Classic in Gulfport, Mississippi, John did it again the very next year, being tabbed the MVP of the USSSA Class A State Tournament in Thibodaux in 1990.

Known as a good teammate who everyone around him better, John not only natural born talent, but a desire to continually get better. Many of his teammates will tell you that if John went 4-for-5 with three home runs, he'd be questioning why he made that one out, or how he could have helped more, defensively. He always wanted to be the best he could be.

Well, it's pretty hard to be good enough to be a Hall of Famer, and today, John is one. He was one of the most feared players the game has ever known, and today he's being honored for his amazing accomplishments Ladies and gentlemen; the latest member of the Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame... Mr. John Galjour.

John Lewis, Jr.

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is John Lewis, Jr., in the Player category. Sadly, the induction of John Lewis will be done posthumously, as he unfortunately passed away in June of 2024. John resided in Bossier City, Louisiana, where he started playing slowpitch softball in 1973.

John played on several competitive teams in the Shreveport-Bossier area including Walden's Cabinets, Bruce's Distributing, and Home Depot. During his time with Bruces, the team won four consecutive state championships from 1981 through 1984 while accumulating 300 wins and 50 losses. John played numerous positions including outfield and shortstop, but he was most noted for his defensive skills as a pitcher. He was a left-handed batter who posted a lifetime batting average of .600. John was also named to the Midwestern Regional All Tournament Team in 1981.

John competed in men's softball for about 40 years before succumbing to ill health. Always a promoter of the game, he was looking forward to his induction into the Hall of Fame. Off the diamond, John had a distinguished career in Public Service, serving with the Bossier City Police Department for 25 years, where he was affectionately known as "Bull", and rose to the rank of sergeant. After his playing days were over, john became a coach, and put just as much passion into that. Coaching allowed him to participate through the eyes of his players, and john was known as the soul of the team.

Remembered as an athlete, John was knowledgeable, organized, and strived for the success of his teams as a coach/manager as well. Known as one of the best slowpitch softball pitchers the state has ever seen, as well as a great coach, respected law enforcement officer, devoted husband, and loving father; John is a Hall of Famer in a lot more ways than one.

Cary "Mike" McGee

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Cary "Mike" Magee in the Player category. Opponents hate facing good hitters, and Mike made life miserable for opposing pitchers for 17 years. After first breaking into the game of softball in the early 90s, Mike went on to a career that most could only dream of having, which went through 2009.

A standout member of such outstanding teams as Ribando's, Durham Motors, Extra Innings, Cajun Credit, Lumberjacks, Phares Glass, Louisiana Boyz TPS, Mafia, and Team Louisiana, Mike helped his respective teams to over 10 state and regional championships during his stellar career, as well as National titles in 1998, 1999 and 2007, NIT titles in 2000 and 2007, a 35 & Over USSSA World Championship with Team Louisiana in 2008, and two Cajun Classic titles. While known as a good defender at shortstop, second base, and pitcher, it was at the plate that Mike really thrived, hitting a lifetime .670, while crushing over 300 home runs.

Named the MVP in the USSSA 35 & Over World Championship in 2008, Mike was named to countless all-tournament teams in some of the top tournaments in the entire country. Known as a friendly teammate, Mike made it a point to help make those around him better, while having a lot of fun doing it. Anyone who played with Mike knew how special of a talent he was, and how lucky they were to have him on their team. Anyone who had the unenviable task of playing against him usually hated the task.

He was one of the most feared players the game has ever known, and today he's being honored for his amazing accomplishments. Ladies and gentlemen; the latest member of the Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame... Mr. Cary "Mike" Magee.

Marshall Miller

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Marshall Miller in the Director category.

The job of an executive/director is to not only have outstanding ability, but exceptional character as well, and must attend national conventions, regional conferences, and divisional meetings to keep his or her area on par with the rest of the country. Very few did this with the class and dignity of Marshall Miller.

After a successful stint as a softball player, starting in 1984, Marshall became a USSSA umpire in 1987, and is still a USSSA official to this day, while securing the respect of many. To show his versatility, Marshall became Louisiana USSSA State Director for Golf in 2013. As an official and director, Marshall helps promote and grow the game by conducting tournaments throughout the state of Louisiana.

Marshall says he administers rulings, which he hopes helps players gain a better understanding of the game of golf, an understanding they will have for a lifetime. He also says he gains a lot of satisfaction from the athletic and skill growth of the kids that participate in tournaments, from the age of 9 until the time they enter college.

Marshall is now one of a handful of Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame inductees who have made their mark in multiple sports. He made softball better, he made golf better, and he's made the USSSA better, which is part of the reason why he's being honored.

Tom Polito

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Tom Polito in the Special category. A lot of members of the Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame chose their respective sport and association with it, but one could argue that Tom Polito didn't have much choice.

Tom was almost literally born to run a USSSA softball program. As the third generation of the Polito family to be an official of the St. Louis King of France Softball Program, a member of the USSSA Hall of Honor, his first stop on the way home from the hospital after he was born was the St. Louis ballfield, where he spent most of his life until it closed down.

Tom did everything at the St. Louis Ballfield, starting on the field crew, before later serving as a concession worker and a traffic director, before eventually taking over and helping run the leagues. Tom used that experience, and love of softball, to later found the Louisiana Industrial Sports Association, which hosts an annual benefit tournament, providing a forum for teams from local engineering and construction companies to compete against each other while raising money for St. Jude's. In 8 years, LISA has contributed over $255,000 to St. Jude.

By the time he was 18, Tom was helping keep St. Louis in shape, and it became widely regarded as one of the nicest fields to play on. After filling in as Director when his dad traveled for work, Tom moved into the role of League Director in Baton Rouge, responsible for recruiting men's and coed teams to help keep the program alive.

Tom may have come into the world in a softball family, but he certainly made his own mark, helping the sport he grew up loving so dearly grow by leaps and bounds.

Craig Prejean

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Craig Prejean in the Player category. Some players were elite from the first moment they ever stepped on the field for USSSA play.

Such was the case with Craig Prejean, who began playing USSSA softball shortly after the association was established in 1968, after beginning his career as a fast-pitch softball pitcher.

After becoming one of the top players in the game in the late 60s and early 70s, Craig went on to a spectacular career that lasted through 2000.

A stalwart on such outstanding teams as 4-Way Truck Stop, Norris & Son, Coin & Treasure, and the Mire Knights of Columbus, Craig helped his respective teams to over 500 combined victories, as well as 11 combined state, regional, national, and world championships.

Defensively, Craig was known as a good shortstop, third baseman, and pitcher, but, as with most great players, it was his bat that made him so feared at the plate; hitting a lifetime .650, while walloping over 250 career home runs.

Craig also made his mark as a manager, winning three national titles as a player/coach in the Knights of Columbus Open Division.

Craig was a beloved teammate, always playing hard for his team, and doing whatever he had to do to help his team win. On the flip side, by Craig's own admission, he was a pain to his opponents… not only for his skill, but because of his extreme competitiveness.

Competition is what makes sports thrive, however, and Craig certainly thrived for more than three decades, solidifying himself as one of the best players to ever grace the fields of Louisiana.

Roy Reap

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Roy Reap in the Manager category.

Many managers have made an impact, not only in terms of wins and championships, but also by making a direct impact on their players' lives.

That is very evident with Roy Reap, who accumulated countless wins as a manager, but also made his teams a family, while acquiring the respect of everyone associated with the game in the process.

Roy was the manager of The Reapers, who were a fixture at the top of the standings, and in the finals of tournaments for 35 years, including 25 years in the USSSA.

With many second and third place state finishes to their credit, the Reapers also won two state titles, as well as one regional championship, being led by Roy, whose teams always played consistent high-level softball.

Those who went up against The Reapers so often left thinking they were the Grim Reapers.

Not only did he win state and regional championships, as well as countless tournament and league titles as a manager, but Roy also helped develop young men into fine people, combining great life skills with his love for the game of softball.

Stephen Mark "Rud" Rutherford

The next inductee into the 2025 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class is Stephen Mark "Rud" Rutherford in the Umpire category. Umpires seldom get their just due, but umpires, especially those who are always prepared, professional, and willing to teach like Mark Rutherford, are cherished and never overlooked by the USSSA.

Mark began umpiring in 1987, attending his first USSSA Umpires Clinic the same year. In 1990, Mark worked his first USSSA Regional, the Southwest Division Church Championship in Lancaster, before going on to umpire such high-profile tournaments as a 1992 Divisional Tournament, a 1994 World Tournament, the 1996 Mixed World Championship, the 1997 Men's 40 & Older Masters World Tournament in Carencro, and the 1998 Church World in Dallas, Texas.

Learning from such mentors as Rick Robertson, Mark served as Umpire in Chief for West Monroe from 1986-1991, before conducting the first USSSA baseball tournament in Northeast Louisiana when USSSA baseball first began in the state.

A veteran umpire of multiple Knights of Columbus state tournaments, Mark called numerous state, regional, and world tournaments, drawing rave reviews at all of them.

Recognized as the 1993 Umpire of the Year, Rutherford graduated from Northeast Louisiana in 1997, before becoming the Recreation Director for Jackson Parish, where he was instrumental in planning, developing, and building the sports complex. While there, he hosted numerous USSSA baseball and softball tournaments, including the first ever 9-year-old state tournament while he was director.

A stickler for attention to detail, Mark was known as a professional umpire, one who knew every inch of the rulebook, yet allowed the freedom for the players to have fun. Few knew the game better than Mark, but a lot more know that he deserves his place in our Hall of Fame.