Garland Forman, Jr.

Sport: Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism

Induction Year: 2022

University: Louisiana Christian

For four-plus decades, Garland Forman has become one of the most honored, well-respected sports journalists in not only Central Louisiana but the entire state.

The Pineville native started reporting when he was a student at Louisiana College in the late 1970s. That led to freelance work for both the Eunice News and Ville Platte Gazette in 1980. Then in 1987, Forman was named Managing Editor of the Bunkie Record and remained there until the fall of 2018 when he was named publisher of the Ville Platte Gazette and six other papers. During his 31 years at The Bunkie Record in Avoyelles Parish, Forman served as the primary reporter for high school athletics and outdoors.

Along with his duties as the managing editor, high school beat reporter, outdoors writer, photographer, Forman also covered the LSU Tigers and other college programs throughout the state. In three-plus decades at the Bunkie Record he received over 400 Louisiana Press Association (LPA) awards for his writing including over an estimated 150 awards in sports writing, sports photography and layout.

In addition to his prolific work as a journalist or as some have called him a “country journalist”, Forman was known for his tireless work with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and Louisiana Press Association as he is the only person to serve as president of both organizations. Forman served on numerous LSWA All-State meeting boards and was awarded the LSWA Mac Russo Award in 2005 for his contributions to the progress and ideals of the LSWA.

Forman has also served for 25 years and counting on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame selection committee. At the time of induction, Forman was overseeing 13 weekly newspapers for Louisiana State Newspapers group across north and central Louisiana.