The latest print from legendary local artist and Lincoln Parish Journal photographer Reggie McLeroy is now available for purchase.
Titled “A Season of Greatness,” the print features the championship trophy as well as an accurate depiction of the championship ring presented to the team upon winning the 2023 Non-Select Division I title after defeating Zachary 31-17.
The original was recently auctioned off for $5,000 at the Friday Night Lights Community Tailgate Party, with proceeds benefiting the Ruston High School football team.
McLeroy is a 1980 graduate of Ruston University and his love for the Bearcats is unmatched.
“I’m honored that I can use my talent to give back,” McLeroy said. “It’s a way to give back to Ruston High – the school that I graduated from. I see people getting their doctorates, I see other students in college getting their masters, I see students in high school getting their diplomas or who didn’t finish school and are able to get their GED. And when I think about what I have, I have my ‘GGT,’ which is my ‘God-given talent,’ because without God, I have nothing.
“God has a way of slowing people down. As soon as the championship game was over, my brain started thinking about what I could do with my art to honor the state title. I started imagining things in my head, what I wanted it to look like. The next day, Hunter Smith called and asked me what I was imagining when I drew the picture. I knew what I wanted to do, but wasn’t quite sure what I could use. After getting the OK to include the items I wanted to use, I immediately went to work.”
The printing is mostly black and white, with the only color being the bright red “R” on the state championship ring. McLeroy began printing fairly quickly after the championship win in December and wanted to include the ring in the drawing, but kept it all a secret until the players received their championship medals.
“Coach Baugh asked me to wait until the kids got their championship rings before I could show them to anyone,” McLeroy said. “During that time, I looked back and realized something was missing. What I was missing was honoring our district championship. And nowhere in the picture was the year ‘2023.’ It gave me the opportunity to remake it and add the things that were missing. I really thank God for slowing me down to make those changes.
“After working as a discipline coordinator in the school system for over 20 years and not having as much time to draw as I normally do, I believe God sent me back into the classroom to teach art, which also gives me time to draw again. When I look at this, I think there are other things that God has given me that are my goals: first, to work with kids with their artistic talents, and second, to help kids develop their basketball skills. As an assistant coach, I get to pass on my basketball knowledge to these players. It also gives me the opportunity to give good life advice to my students.”
McLeroy also wanted to thank Ricky Durrett, superintendent of the Lincoln Parish School Board, for his help in working with the LHSAA to incorporate the replica of the trophy into the artwork.
“It means a lot to me to do this drawing because I remember I did my first one in 1988 when we won the state championship,” McLeroy said. “It means a lot to me to be able to do it again in 1923. I want to thank the people of Ruston and the surrounding area for supporting me and my artwork over the years.”
The prints cost $80 and are printed in an edition of 200.
To order your print please email [email protected]. If there is a specific quantity available that you would like to order you can request it in the email.
Time and location for payment and pickup will be announced soon.
