Bobby Dower: A Class Act

Rocke Fournet Thursday, August 7, 2014 Comments Off on Bobby Dower: A Class Act
Bobby Dower: A Class Act

As we round the corner into August, the relentless Louisiana summer heat begins to bear down. This is the kind of high-humidity heat that can hurt you. It can leave you plumb weak, if you don’t take precautions.

Leave early and stay late in a futile attempt to beat the heat. Hydrate with liquids before, during, and after each outing. Just grin, bear it, and daydream about how great that first cool front will feel in a few short months.

It’s never too early to get on the shooting range and become one with your weapon. You’ll be glad you did when the moment of truth arrives in the form of a big, corn-fed doe.

There’s good news on the local fishing scene. A seven-pound bass is a trophy fish regardless of where it’s caught. But what really makes this news special is it was a Calcasieu River hawg.

The McNeese Fishing Team was well-represented on this fine fishing trip. Ty and cousin, Gage Griffen, along with Hunter Terrell, were having a fine time chilling out on the beautiful Calcasieu.

This wasn’t tournament competition, so they were taking the laid-back approach, and it was working.  The Cowboys were mostly flipping small quarter-ounce jigs, and it was “on.” They were hitting all the sweet spots, and teamed up for 20-plus catch and release fish.

When Hunter reared back and set the hook hard, there was no doubt. His rod doubled over and his drag peeled. He played down the fish of the day with encouragement from his team brothers. There were high fives all around as they celebrated his seven-pound, two-ounce “river hawg.” “Jolie Blon” could be heard playing from a nearby camp.  Aiieeee!

Please support our local Cowboys.

I just finished Scooter Hobbs’ article on Bobby Dower, and he nailed it. Our community will certainly miss his input and positive affect on our local news.

Our family grew up across the street from the Dowers and, conveniently located, there was a vacant lot. This became the local playing field for whatever sport was in season. Bobby was a regular there, and a sportswriter was begun.

The unwritten rule was when the street lights came on, it was time to head to the house. But nightly, the calls from the various mothers in the hood could be heard, signaling a mass exodus. Bobby was in his element right there on that playing field.

In high school, Bobby competed as a distance runner for legendary coach Bob Hayes. Any runner who survived Hayes’ training regimen walked away a better man. Bobby was the poster child of an athlete who gives every ounce of effort for the cause. He and Hayes were a great match-up.

As a young sportswriter, he interviewed our McNeese football coaching staff often. He was one of the very few who actually listened carefully to what you had to say. He was always the gentleman and a class act.

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