Emmanuel “Boozy” Bourgeois Jr.
Sport: Dave Dixon Award
Induction Year: 2006
University: Southeastern
Emmanuel “Boozy” Bourgeois helped evolve the Special Olympics to its current status. His first involvement came in 1968 when he was still at Hammond State School as a volunteer coach. He became the volunteer area director in 1972 and in 1975 became the state’s first paid, full-time chapter director. Under Bourgeois’ direction, statewide participation grew to more than 11,000 athletes. He was instrumental in promoting inclusion, tolerance and acceptance of persons with intellectual disabilities and allowing them to show their athletic abilities.
Bourgeois also was the driving force in bringing the Special Olympics World Summer Games to Baton Rouge in 1983. He assisted in forming programs in Africa and Central America and was even involved designing the Special Olympics logo. In 1983, Bourgeois received the Charles F. Dunbar Career Service Award, the highest honor for a classified state employee.







