Bernell Ballard

Sport: Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism

Induction Year: 1994

University: LSU

Beginning in the Morning Advocate’s composing room as a linotype operator, Ballard was an award-winning sportswriter and columnist at the Advocate and State-Times for 41 years before retiring in 1993. He was part of a staff that helped make the Advocate’s sports section one of the best in the South, especially noted for its high school coverage.

He was often an award winner at the two newspapers and his career was highlighted by distinguished service awards from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and the Baton Rouge Boat Club.

He was also recognized as the first sportswriter in Baton Rouge to apply the “Pistol” tag to Pete Maravich, the three-time LSU All-American basketball star and NCAA career scoring leader. “He (Ballard) said it was because he shot the ball so quick, like a pistol,” former Advocate and State-Times sports editor Sam King was quoted as saying. “That’s when (the nickname) got started in Baton Rouge. If they called Pete that somewhere else, I didn’t know of it.”

In addition to sports writing, Ballard had a number of other interests. He was an early computer enthusiast and an accomplished photographer, pianist, singer and composer. He even wrote a fight song for Istrouma High School, his alma mater.

He was also very active in the Baton Rouge Jaycees, helping in a number of civic projects — including the early development of the Baton Rouge State Fair. Ballard was also president and executive director of the Miss Louisiana-USA Pageant from 1968-70.