BILOXI SPORTS HALL OF FAME
1985 INDUCTEES
Lionel Antoine, NHS-1968; John Atkinson, BHS-1930; Frank 'Buddy' Bass, BHS-1928; Raymond Bass, BHS-1939; Marcel J. 'Mickey' Bellande (1909-1982), BHS-1928; T.C. Benny, BHS-1939; Andy Bernich (1905-1966), BHS-1924; Anthony Bertucci, BHS; Albert Bessey, BHS; Norman Broussard, BHS-1950; Lloyd 'Blue' Caillavet, BHS-1931; Arthur Cantrelle, BHS-1968; Fred Carron, BHS-1931; John Collins, BHS-1923; Chester Comeaux, BHS-1947; Jerry Covich III, ND-1966; Shannon Covich, BHS-1944; Clement Dellenger, ND-1960; Joe Demoran, SH-1931; Lewis Demoruelle, BHS;
David Earl Mattina (1907-1989)
Carroll E. 'Peck' Williams (1900-1977)
1988 INDUCTEES
Estelle Compton McElroy; Leonard C. Fairley; James R. McElroy; Shannon P. Pickich; Hugh H. Saxon; James Levine Skinner, BHS; and Audrey, Strocchi
1989 INDUCTEES
Vincent 'Cotton' Bosarge, SHA-; Tommy Esposito Sr., SHA; Walter F. Fountain, BHS; Mona Hudson Hunt, BHS; Emily Lowd Juanico, BHS; Audrey Holliman Owen, BHS; Donal Snyder, OSHS-1941?; and James Stevens, BHS.
2012 INDUCTEES
Cliff Kirkland; Barry Lyons; Chris Taranto-1961; William and Shirley Windham;
2013 INDUCTEES
Doug Barber-BHS-1969; Howard 'Dickey' Battle-MC-1990; Peter Roy 'Lee' Elder-BHS-1964; Kenneth Lyons Sr.-BHS-1947; Dennis Malpass-ND-1961; Henry 'Spud' Wieniewitz-MP-1970; and Richard Lew "Wimpy" Winther-BHS-1966.
Doug Barber: A current sports writer at the Biloxi Sun Herald, Barber has covered athletics for more than 32 years, earning numerous awards for his coverage of high school, college and professional athletics. Barber graduated from Biloxi High School in 1969.
Howard "Dickey" Battle: A fourth-round draft choice of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990 out of Mercy Cross, Battle ended up playing 13 seasons of professional baseball. He appeared in 29 games in the MLB with the Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Battle excelled at basketball, football and baseball in high school for the Crusaders and turned down a football scholarship at Tulane to play pro baseball.
Peter Roy "Lee" Elder: A graduate of Biloxi High, Elder made his mark as a baseball scout. During stints with the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants after serving his country in Vietnam, Elder earned five World Series rings. Elder is still a scout for the Giants.
Kenneth Lyons Sr.: Lyons joins his sons Kenny and Barry as inductees in the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame. Lyons was the Outstanding Defensive Player for Biloxi High in '47 and was well known as a member of the Biloxi semipro football team, the Galloping Gaels. He was also a premier player in fast-pitch adult softball games held at the Biloxi Veteran Administration Fields. Lyons was also a volunteer coach during the '60s, '70s and '80s.
Dennis Malpass (b. 1943): A graduate of Notre Dame, Malpass was the catcher of 2012 inductee Chris Taranto, who set the national prep record with nine no-hitters in 1961. Malpass played football at Kansas before returning to the region to play baseball at Perkinston and Tulane. While at Tulane, he was named the team MVP and earned a spot on the Western Division All-SEC team. He has earned a PhD in Chemistry and is a leader in the petrochemical industry with more than 80 U.S. patents and technical articles in scientific journals.
Henry "Spud" Wieniewitz: A 1970 graduate of Moss Point High, Wieniewitz played baseball at Perkinston and Mississippi State before going on to coach both at Mississippi State and at the prep level. Wieniewitz was a teacher, coach, administrator and Director of Athletics during a 30-year career with Biloxi Public Schools. He is also credited for helping start the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame.
Richard Lew "Wimpy" Winther: A 1966 graduate of Biloxi, Winther earned numerous accolades at BHS before going on to star at Ole Miss, where he was named an All-America selection while centering for Archie Manning. Winther also played in the Senior Bowl in '71 before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints. He also played for the Green Bay Packers and in the World Football League.
Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/08/25/4900538/barber-six-others-inductedinto.html#storylink=cpy
BILOXI SPORTS HALL OF FAME 2014 INDUCTEES
Joseph M. “Joe” Allen, decease
An outstanding all-round athlete, Joe was a member of the Biloxi High 1962 State Championship football team, Allen was best remembered for his outstanding coaching career. He was the Mississippi Track Coach of the Year in 1976 and 1978. He was recognized as an exceptional leader, whose organizational and communication skills ensured his success as a coach. His track teams at Biloxi High won two state titles.
Frank “Yankie” Barhanovich, deceased
Yankie dropped out of school in 1931 after 8th grade to start earning a living in Biloxi. He participated in sandlot games and recreational sports before playing with a Minor League baseball team in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He built a successful insurance business, but stayed involved in youth sports across the city. He helped start the Shrimp Bowl, was the Mississippi State Softball Commissioner for 10 years, President of the Biloxi Doll & Toy Fund, and served as a city councilman prior to his death in 1988. Even though Hurricane Katrina virtually destroyed the stadium named after him, it was later re-purposed and re-designed by the Salvation Army as part of the Ray & Joan Kroc Center, and was rededicated in his name two years ago. He was an energetic promoter of all things Biloxi, including bringing Elvis Presley to perform here.
Mike Craft
A three-year letterman at defensive tackle for BHS in the mid-1960s, Craft was named All Big-8 Conference in 1966 and played in the Mississippi High School All Star game in 1967. He was heavily recruited by the top universities in the Southeastern Conference, but accepted an offer from his older brother Troy (who was then a graduate assistant for legendary head coach Thad “Pie” Vann) to play at USM. Mike Craft enjoyed an outstanding career in Hattiesburg, and was inducted into the USM M-Club Sports Hall of Fame last year.
Troy Craft
A two-year letterman at defensive end for Biloxi High in the early 1960s, Troy was standout on the 1962 Big-8 Championship team. He was a three-year starter at USM (at a time when freshmen weren’t allowed to play varsity ball in college) as a two-way end, and was selected to play in the 1966 Blue-Gray game. He was inducted into the USM M-Club Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
Rusty “Biloxi Bomber” Derouen
With an amateur record of 149-36, Derouen was one of Biloxi’s most successful youth boxers, best known for his devastating punches. During his professional career, he compiled a record of 34-9, with 26 KOs. His most memorable bout was a 1994 matchup with World Champion Hector “Macho” Comacho. The Bomber fought all over the world from South Africa to London to Vegas. He was perhaps best remembered locally for his numerous bouts inside the “Biloxi Dome” venue at the Biloxi Belle in 1993-94.
Richard Johnston
Lettering in football, baseball, basketball and track at BHS, Johnston was an All Big-8 Conference selection and named All-State in 1954. He lettered at USM from 1957-58 (being a U.S. Marines Reserve during that time) and was a center-linebacker on the undefeated 1958 National Championship Small College team. Johnston was such an outstanding player at USM that the Los Angeles Rams drafted him after his junior year. After graduation, Johnston turned down pro football and established a business career even more successful than his sports career.
Brian J. Kozlowski
A two-time Golden Gloves State Boxing Champion, Kozlowski was even more impressive as a baseball player at Biloxi High, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He was the baseball MVP at BHS in 1980, hitting .439 in the regular season and pitching a no-hitter. He had a .378 career batting average at Perkinston, where he helped the Bulldogs to a 1981 State Championship. At USM, Brian was the starting catcher for 111 of 115 games, and was the leading hitter in 1984, breaking the school record for most singles in a season.
Jackie Laird
A native of Bassfield, Laird was one of Biloxi High’s most successful basketball coaches, compiling a career record of 436-273 with an up-tempo game that typically wore down teams that held an advantage in height. Laird won Class 5-A State Championships in 1989 and 1990. He recorded ten seasons with at least 20 wins. A former player at USM, Laird was inducted into the M-Club Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
Anthony “Bo” Lamey
Although he started his athletic career in youth baseball in Biloxi, Lamey became one of the most outstanding high school football players in city history. He lettered three years at Notre Dame High School for Charles Hegwood. He was a dominating blocker as a guard, and a devastating tackler at linebacker. He received the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award and the Most Valuable Lineman Award while also being named the Gulf Coast Conference’s Most Valuable Lineman. Bo was heavily recruited and signed to play at Tulane, where he once again was a standout until his career was shortened by knee injuries.
Gregory J. “Greg” Nordstrom
From 8th grade through 12th, Nordstrom was one of the most successful high school golfers in history. Playing for Mercy Cross, Nordstrom won an unprecedented five consecutive individual state championships from1987-1992. It is a feat never accomplished before or since in the United States. According to the National High School Sports Record Book, no other golfer has ever won more than four consecutive state titles, in any classification.
Charles Michael “Mike” Patrick, deceased
A three-year, four-sport letterman in junior high, Patrick confined his talents to football and baseball at Biloxi High. While there, he emerged as one of the best punters in the state, earning a scholarship to Mississippi State University in 1971. He set a then-school record 84-yard punt and was selected to the Playboy Magazine All-American Team in 1974. He signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots in 1975 and played four seasons in the NFL. He kicked a team record 62-yard punt his rookie year and finished his career as the No. 5 ranked punter in team history.
Gerald Joseph Richards
A starting center and linebacker at Biloxi High from 1956-1958, Richards was a prominent player in the infamous 1958 Biloxi-Gulfport game that ended with a bench clearing brawl that forced a disruption of the series. He was named All Big-8 after his senior season and played in the Mississippi High School All-Star game. He signed a scholarship to play at Mississippi State, but his career was interrupted by two years active duty in the Navy. He returned to State in 1963 and helped the Bulldogs to a Liberty Bowl Championship that year.
Rene’ Joseph Trochesset, Sr., deceased
A 1934 graduate of Biloxi High, Trochesset was another of Biloxi’s best amateur boxers. He played football at BHS and then-Perkinston Junior College, but distinguished himself as a collegiate boxer. He went undefeated and won State Boxing Championships at Perkinston in 1936-1937, and won the NCAA Heavyweight Boxing Championship at LSU in 1939.
Andy Welter
A longtime volunteer coach of Biloxi youth sports since age 16; Welter was a standout baseball pitcher at Biloxi High, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Southeastern Louisiana. A two-year varsity letterman at Biloxi, Welter led the Indians with a 6-1 record and was named team Most Valuable Pitcher his senior season in 1981. He pitched two years at Perkinston with an 8-3 record. At Southeastern Louisiana, he led the team in wins, strikeouts, ERA and innings pitched each of his two years. His career record was 15-8 and he was named First Team All Gulf Star Conference after his senior season.
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi D'Iberville Press, 'Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame to be revivied', June 28, 2012, p. 1.
The Sun Herald, "Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame to add 29 members", August 15, 2012, p. B1.
The Sun Herald, "Nominations still be accepted for Biloxi Sports Hall", June 20, 2013.
The Sun Herald, "Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame add seven members", August 11, 2013.
The Sun Herald, "Barber, six others inducted into Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame", August 25, 2013.
The Sun Herald, "Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame adds 14 new members", September 1, 2014, p. 1-B.
BILOXI SPORTS TIME LINE
1903
The Buffaloes, a local football squad, was preparing to play a team from Pensacola and Springhill. Ernest Iler was team manager; Joseph Kennedy, team captain, and the Reverend Dr. W.C. Lindsay, referee. Other players were: Cottam Champlin; Will Luxich; Dolph Hunter; Charles Allabaugh; Fred Bourdon; Horace Redfield; Ed james; Henry Treloar; Walter Weatherby; and Joseph Henley.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, January 10, 1903, p. 8)
Biloxi High School 1927 State Champions
1926
The 1927 Biloxi High School baseball team won 17 games and lost none to make a claim as State Champions. Squad members were: Marcel Bellande; Chester Juanico;
1928
Willis Carvin was named golf professional at the Fernwood County Club in Pike County, Missisippi. The facility has over 100 memebers and serves the residents of McComb, Summit, Magnolia and Fernwood.(The Daily Herald, May 16, 1928,p. 2)
1930
Biloxi High School played Mississippi's first night football game on September 26, 1930 defeating the Lamar County Aggies 58-0 before a crowd of about 2000 spectattors who came from all Coast points to seee this inaugral sporting event. Captain Chester Juanico led the Indians.(The Daily Herald, September 22, 1930, p. 3 and September 27, 1930, p. 3)
1940
Peter Giaruso (1913-1997), boxing coach, at St. Michael's CYO, is training five young Biloxi fighters: Joseph Brosh, Eddie Bellman, Marvin Lofton, Junior Dalgo and Chester Comeaux. Joseph Brosh had recenly won the Southeastern Championship in his 98-pound weight class.(The Daily Herald, September 20, 1940, p. 8)
1942
Vic's Bowling Alley opened in early June with Mayor Louis Braun rolling a strike on the frist ball. The eight lane facility was owned by Vic Passera Jr. (1912-1980) and managed by Howard Sheldon. The influx of soldiers at Keesler Field was a strong impetus for erecting the facility.(The Daily Herlad, June 1, 1942, p. 3)
1960
Ernest V. Landaiche (1895-1966), proprietor of Bayview Lanes, on Lameuse and Bayview Avenue, opened his newbowling alley on January 19, 1960. It was formally dedicated January 30-31st.(The Daily Herald, January 19, 1960, p. 6 and January 28, 1960, p. 27)
1973
The Mississippi Senior Golf Association held its annual tournament at the Broadwater Course in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mickey J. Bellande won his 10th Senior State Championship.
1975
BIOGRAPHIES
Marcel 'Mickey' Bellande (1909-1982), Norman Duplain (1930-2010), Carroll E. 'Peck' Williams (1900-1977)
MARCEL J. BELLANDE
Marcel Joseph Bellande was born September 24, 1909. Mickey, as Marcel was called, succeeded in athletics and business. At Biloxi High School in the late 1920s, he excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball. In mid-December 1932, Mickey graduated from Spring Hill College at Mobile with a degree in Commerce. At Spring Hill, he had an outstanding baseball career and shortly after receiving his diploma, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indian organization as a shortstop. His professional baseball sojourn included stints in the Three I, Middle-Atlantic, and New York-Pennsylvania Leagues.
Marcel Bellande's greater success and fame in athletics would come in the golf world. He set a mark in Mississippi golf annals, which may never be duplicated by being the only man to win all three Mississippi amateur golf titles, i.e. State Open, State Amateur, and State Seniors. Mickey captured twelve State Senior crowns between 1960-1973, five National Four Ball Senior titles of the seven years he competed at Pinehurst, North Carolina, and claimed numerous club championships along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans. He was awarded numerous honors in the sporting world. Among these honors are: induction into the Sports Hall of Fame of Spring Hill College in 1974, induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1975, and also the Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame in 1979.(The Sun Herald, March 5, 1982)
State Senior crowns between 1960-1973
1973 - M.J. Bellande
1972 - M.J. Bellande
1971 - Walter G. Johnson
1970 - M.J. Bellande
1969 - M.J. Bellande
1968 - M.J. Bellande
1967 - M.J. Bellande
1966 - M.J. Bellande
1965 - M.J. Bellande
1964 - M.J. Bellande
1963 - M.J. Bellande
1962 - M.J. Bellande
1961 - Jack C. Williams
1960 - M.J. Bellande
Biloxi High School
At Biloxi High School, Mickey Bellande was a four sports participant. He was an outstanding football and baseball athlete, but also excelled in basketball and track. In the fall of 1925, T.L. Gaddy became the coach at Biloxi High School. Coach Gaddy was a native of Newton, Mississippi. At Mississippi A & M, now Mississippi State University, he earned twelve varsity letters in the four major sports. After a stint at Tupelo High School, Gaddy came to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to manage the sports program at the Gulf Coast Military Academy. He came to Biloxi after a successful sports program here. T.L. Gaddy was also an umpire in the Cotton States League and history teacher.(The Daily Herald, June 20, 1925, p. 3)
1925
Mickey Bellande began his high school baseball career in the spring of 1925. The team played eleven games winning six. In an inauspicious start, young Bellande played in two games and went hitless in two trips to the plate.(The Daily Herald, May 22, 1925, p. 6)
1926
Bellande was a member of the 1926 Biloxi High track team. He was a fine miler and won the Gulf Coast Region track meet in this event.(The Daily Herald, May 29, 1926, p. 1)
In the fall of 1926, Biloxi High School changed it moniker from the "Yellow Jackets" to the "Redskins". The new School colors became maroon and white replacing the former black and gold. Coach Tranny L. Gaddy (1894-1975) was responsible for the change.(The Daily Herald, September 1926, p. )
The Biloxi High School football squad was crowned State gridiron champions, having tied the undefeated Sunflower County Agricultural High School from Moorehead at Greenville, Mississippi on December 6, 1926, by a score of 7-7. The game went five quarters, although the Indians were outweighed 24-pounds per man.(The Daily Herald, December 7, 1926)
1927
The Biloxi High Indians baseball nine ended the 1927 campaign with a 14-0 whipping of the Gulfport Tigers. The team posted fifteen victories and no defeats and was declared the Gulf Coast Regional Champion. Mickey Bellande played shortstop and with Carvin at second base, formed a good double play tandem.(The Daily Herald, May 12, 1927, p. 8)
Won Big Six title and went 17-0 for the season.(The Daily Herald, May 30, 1927, p. 3)
Mickey Bellande participated with the 1927 Biloxi High track team. He again ran the mile. In a dual meet with Hattiesburg High in April 1927, he won the event in a time of five minutes and six seconds. Biloxi thrashed their opponent 93 to 13.(The Daily Herald, April 30, 1927, p. 8)
On May 23, 1927, the Indian track and field squad won the first annual Big Six Conference track meet at Hattiesburg. The Big Six was composed of Biloxi, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Laurel, and Meridian. Mickey Bellande placed second in the mile run and was a member of the winning mile relay team. The Biloxi team was composed of: Freddie Steinwinder, Granville ‘Stag’ Foster, Hayward Cook, Marcel Bellande, Bill Joyce, James Read, William Marsh, Bernard Schwartz, Jose’ Betancourt, and Louis Saucier.(The Daily Herald, May 23,1927, p. 3 and May 26, 1927, p. 8)
1928
Springhill College
Mickey Bellande left Biloxi with Earl ‘Rain Ghost’ Mattina, Granville ‘Stag’ Foster and Burnett Mabry for Spring Hill College at Mobile, Alabama in the fall of 1928 to play football for Coach Barb Daly. They were all members of Biloxi’s 1926 State Football Championship squad. The Spring Hill 1929 football season was very successful as they lost only one contest on the gridiron. Mickey was lauded by a Biloxi sportswriter as follows: “the plunging ability of Mickey Bellande and Burnett Mabry tore opposition lines to shreds and their defensive ability and interference work have made both invaluable cogs in the Badger motor.”(The Daily Herald, December 7, 1929, p. 2)
Mickey suffered a neck injury on the gridiron, which ended his football career.
Amateur Baseball
Summer of 1927
Played shortstop with the Sablich Barbers who won the 1927 Biloxi City League Championship. In late May 1927, Bellande led the league with a .688 batting average. The team had won five games and lost four at this point.(The Daily Herald, May 28, 1927, p. 3)
Spring of 1928
On March 25, 1928, Mickey played shortstop with the Sablich Barbers and had two hits in five trips to the plate in their 16-4 win over the visiting Loyola Wolves of NOLA. Bellande scored three runs and committed an error.(The Daily Herald, March 26, 1928, p. 3)
On April 8, 1928, Marcel Bellande played in an exhibition game with a team of Biloxi High School players representing the Sablich Barbers. Their foe was the Gulfport Tarpons, a professional club of the Cotton States League-Class D, based at Gulfport. Although the Biloxi boys were soundly defeated 7-0 by the Tarpons at the new Biloxi stadium, Bellande played errorless ball at shortstop and had two of the four hits made by his team against the professional hurler. Coach Cotton Knaupp of the Tarpons lauded the young competitors and said that “Bellande on short, Juanico on third and Mattina on first looked good to me as coming ball players”.(The Daily Herald, April 9, 1928, p. 5)
Summer of 1928
Brookhaven
Mickey Bellande went to Brookhaven, Mississippi in the summer of 1928 where he managed the city golf club. He returned to Biloxi in late August and signed to play shortstop with the Biloxi Bakers at the end of the baseball season. Bellande was also preparing to leave for Spring Hill College where he was to play football in the fall.(The Daily Herald, August 25, 1928, p. 2)
Summer of 1929
In the summer of 1929, Marcel J. Bellande played shortstop for the Biloxi Sea Gulls in the Mississippi Coast League. At the completion of first half action, Biloxi and the Cubs of Ocean Springs were tied for the league lead. In a one game playoff held at the Gulfport Fair Grounds on June 16th, Ocean Springs bested the Sea Gulls 5-3. Bellande went one for four, but committed an error on defense.(The Daily Herald, June 17, 1929, p. 6)
Ocean Springs went on to also win the second half of league play to earn the overall league championship. Their season ended on September 1st, with a 3 to 2 victory over Pass Christian.(The Daily Herald, September 2, 1929, p. 3)
Spring 1930
Mickey Bellande was scheduled to make his varsity debut with the Spring Hill College Badgers in an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals led by Walter Johnson at Biloxi on March 19, 1930. Three of Bellande’s former Biloxi High School teammates, Earl Mattina, Granville Foster, and Burnett Mabry were also starters for the Badgers from Mobile. Rain and a holiday caused the contest to be cancelled.(The Daily Herald, March 18, 1930, p. 8 and March 20, 1930, p. 8)
Opelousas, Louisiana [1930]
[Earl Mattina, bottom row, third from left and Mickey Bellande, bottom row, 5th from left. Note Springhill shirt on Coach Bill Daly. Also Burnett Mabry may be on top row 4th from left.]
Summer of 1930
Mickey Bellande played for the Biloxi Boosters of the Mississippi Coast League for half the 1930 baseball season before he and teammate, Earl Mattina, joined their Spring Hill coach, Bill Daly, on his semi-pro team at Opelousas, Louisiana. Mickey collected 13 hits including 3 home runs as he batted .565 in five games for the Boosters. (The Daily Herald, May 28, 1930, p. 8 and The Daily Herald, January 31, 1931, p. 3)
The Biloxi Booster tied with the Gulfport Tarpons for the first half of the 1930 Mississippi Coast League Championship, which forced a one game playoff to determine the champion. The contest was played at Biloxi on June 1, 1930. The Boosters destroyed the Tarpons 17-6. Bellande scored 2 runs, drove in two runs, and had 2 hits in five trips to the plate. He had a bad day at shortstop as he committed three miscues.(The Daily Herald, June 2, 1930, p. 12)
Bellande and Mattina’s return to Biloxi and the Boosters was anticipated in mid-July 1930, as the local journal announced that “Mickie Bellande and Earl Mattina expected to join club in a few weeks”.(The Daily Herald, July 3, 1930, p. 8)
By July 23rd, Mickey and Earl were still in Acadian country. Coach Sablich and Hightower were attempting to have them return to Biloxi pronto. With the season coming to a rapid close, the Biloxi Boosters wanted to infuse the squad with these fine infielders.(The Daily Herald, July 23, 1930, p. 3)
Mattina and Bellande, the young diamond warriors, arrived from Louisiana to Biloxi in early August 1930, and were expected to be in the lineup for the final and deciding game of the second half of the Mississippi Coast League. The Biloxi Boosters were tied for the league lead with the Ocean Springs Cubs.(The Daily Herald, August 8, 1930, p. 11)
The deciding contest between the two nines was held at Ocean Springs on August 11, 1930. Neither first sacker, Earl Mattina, nor shortstop, Mickey Bellande, appeared in the lineup for the Biloxi Boosters who lost to the Cubs .(The Daily Herald, August , 1930)
Professional Baseball
Spring 1931
During spring training, Spring Hill played several exhibition baseball games on the Mississippi Gulf Coast against squads from the American Association. Against Baltimore at Gulfport, Mickey Bellande went 1 for 4 in a 3-1 loss. He faired better in the Washington Nationals contest played before his friends and peers in Biloxi. Shortstop Bellande hit a homerun and two doubles driving in all his team’s runs in a 7-3 defeat delivered by the professionals.(The Daily Herald, March 16, 1931, p. 3 and March 21, 1931, p. 3)
In an interview with The Times Picayune, Billy Evans, general manager of the Cleveland Indians, optimistically related that Mickey Bellande’s baseball skills were at a level that it was possible for him to go directly to the major leagues from college. Bellande had another year at Spring Hill College in Mobile.(The Daily Herald, March 26, 1931, p. 8)
Mickey Bellande leaves for Cleaveland tryout!! (The Daily Herald, June 1, 1931, p. 3)
Played at Decatur, Illinois in the Three-I League where he batted .274 in fifty games.(The Daily Herald, March 13, 1935, p. 8 and The Sunday Times-Signal (Zanesville, Ohio), February 9, 1947)
1932
Played at Quincy, Illinois in the Three-I League. Batted .290 in 64 games. Had 14 doubles, I triple, and 6 home runs. When the league was dissolved, he played at Williamsport, Pennsylvania in the New York-Pennsylvania League. Batted .260 in 57 games delivering 5 doubles, 5 triples, and one homerun.(The Daily Herald, February 10, 1933, p. 8 and March 13, 1935, p. 8)
Katherine Ruth Ann Fickes
On December 7, 1932, in the rectory of the St. John’s Catholic Church at Biloxi, Mickey married his high school sweetheart, Katherine Ruth Ann Fickes (1911-2006), the eldest daughter of Roscoe Logan Fickes (1886-1979) and Emma Christine Hinricks (1888-1971), both Illinois natives. Like her father, Kate was born at Matoon, Illinois, while Mrs. Fickes hailed from Tuscola. The Fickes Family had come to Biloxi, Mississippi in the fall of 1926, the result of Mr. Fickes’ transfer here as manager of the commercial department of the Gulf Cities Division of the Southwestern Gas and Electric Company. The Fickes family settled at 1003 West Howard Avenue. At Matoon, he had been with the public utilities division of the Central Illinois Public Service Company. Mr. Fickes was active in the school board and Matoon Lions Club during his tenure there.(HARCO, Ms. Chancery Court MRB 44, p. 136and The Daily Herald, November 30, 1926, p. 2)
Kate Fickes was a 1927 graduate of Biloxi High School and attended M.S.C.W. and Arkansas State College. The young couple started life in the Bills Apartments on Reynoir Street. Mickey planned to resume his professional baseball career in March 1933, by reporting to spring training with the New Orleans Pelicans of the Southern League.(The Daily Herald, December 8, 1932, p. 2)
[from The Times-Picayune, March 10, 1933, p. 9]
1933
When the New Orleans Pelicans played the Washington Senators in a spring training contest at Biloxi in mid-March 1933, Mickey Bellande was in the lineup at shortstop. Although the Pelicans lost 11-2, Bellande had a single and drove in a run. His defense was flawless, as he handled ten chances without error while completing two double plays.(The Daily herald, March 18, 1933, p. 6)
The Pelicans had acquired Mickey from the Cleveland Indians baseball organization. In 1932, he was farmed-out to Williamsport, Pennsylvania.(The Daily Herald, March 15, 1933)
In 1933, Mickey Bellande played for the Toledo Mud Hens and was known as Mike Bellande. Jim Thorpe (1887-1953) was a Mudhen in 1921 while Casey Stengel (1890-1975) was with the club in 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1931.
1934
Mickey Bellande played third base at Zanesville, Ohio in the Mid-Atlantic League. Zanesville won the league championship and Bellande name to the league all-star team and a factor in the team’s late drive to win the pennant. In fact, after five games in the playoff series with Dayton, the Dayton Ducks lead the Zanesville Greys 3-2 in games. In the sixth game, Dayton led Zanesville 5-2 in the ninth inning. Bellande capped a late rally with a single driving in the winning run to ties the series at 3 games all. The deciding game the following eve was déjà vu. The Ducks led the Greys 3-1 in the eighth inning. Zanesville scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to clinch the Mid-Atlantic League Championship. In that decisive frame, the Greys’ Mickey Bellande again singled and drove in the go ahead run to cap another late inning rally.(The Times Picayune, November 15, 1934 and The Sunday Times-Signal (Zanesville, Ohio), February 9, 1947)
Bellande had returned to Biloxi by late September from Zanesville, Ohio.(The Daily Herald, September 28, 1933, p. 3)
1935
In mid-March 1935, Mickey Bellande left Biloxi for Deland, Florida to join the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association for spring training. Bellande transferred to the Millers from Zanesville, Ohio where he played third base.(The Daily Herald, March 13, 1935, p. 8)
In May 1935, Marcel and Kate Bellande were residents of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Earlier in the 1935 baseball season, he was a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, but joined Scranton of the Pennsylvania-New York League on May 5thand hit a round tripper in his first at bat. By mid-May, Mickey was batting .325. Bellande played 127 games with Scranton finishing the season with a .287 batting average and fielded .956 at second base.(The Daily Herald, May 18, 1935, p. 2 and The Sunday Times-Signal (Zanesville, Ohio), February 9, 1947)
1936
Marcel Bellande’s final season in professional baseball was at Williamsport, Pennsylvania with the Williamsport Grays of the New York-Pennsylvania League. He and Kate had spent the winter at Biloxi and arrived at Williamsport in late April. Bellande had had an outstanding season at Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1935 and expected a pay increase from Williamsport. He and manager, Mike McNally (1893-1965), finally settled on a salary after Mickey returned two contract offers unsigned. Mickey was over two weeks late in reporting to the team because of his contract dispute.(The Daily Herald, March 25, 1936, p. 8, April 16, 1936, p. 6 and April 30, 1936, p. 5)
Mickey Bellande finished the 1936 baseball season at Williamsport and batted .297 in 131 games and fielded .951 at second base. A business opportunity at Biloxi appeared a more secure future than baseball. Therefore, Mickey terminated his professional sports career to join Roy P. Bellande, his older brother in the wholesale beer business.(The Sunday Times-Signal (Zanesville, Ohio), February 9, 1947)
1937
Residences
In December 1937, Mickey and Kaye moved into a new house on the southwest corner of Hopkins and Division Street at Biloxi. It was a five-room bungalow situated on a lot 60 feet by 100 feet. The Division Street property was purchased from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company through local realtors, Perkins & Fayard.(The Daily Herald, December 4, 1937, p. 6 and HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 224, pp. 99-100)
A daughter, Kaye Bellande, was born in 1946. Kaye resides in Three Rivers, Michigan with her husband, Jim Foster, and twin sons, Brad and Brian Foster (b. 1980). Jim is a hospital administrator, and a Biloxian.
In April 1951, Mickey and Kate Bellande acquired for $35,000 cash, the home of Alphonse J. Wegmann and wife on Kensington Drive, east of KAFB, on the Back Bay at Biloxi. The purchase included Lots 12-13-14-and a part of Lot 15 of Square 1 of the Oak Park Subdivision.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 341, p. 508) Their home on Division Street was bought by Roy J. Quave for $10,000, in May 1951,(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 344, p. 484)
Kate Bellande acquired full ownership of their Kensington home in May 1974, when Mickey assigned his interest to her.(HARCO, Ms. 2nd JD Land Deed Bk. 48, p. 348) After his demise in 1982, she bought a patio home in the Evergreen Subdivision near Sunkist Country Club. Mrs. Kate Bellande leased her Back Bay residence until she conveyed it to Fred R. Schwan Jr. in June 1993.(HARCO, Ms. 2nd JD Land Deed Bk. 256, pp. 655-656)
1938
In 1938, Mickey Bellande joined his brother, Roy, in the beer distributing business in Biloxi. He retired upon its sale in 1979. Mickey was always in top physical condition as he led an active athletic life style. He was capable of hooking a large game fish or shooting sub par golf at the occasion of his untimely death from brain cancer on March 5, 1982. His corporal remains were interred at the Southern Memorial Park at Biloxi.
Amateur Golf Career
1940
In early May, Gene Yousko (1908-1964), medalist, beat Mickey Bellande (1909-1980) with a birdie on the last hole of their 36-hole final match for the Biloxi Golf Club championship. Bellande trailed Youko by five strokes beginning the second eighteen holes and rallied to twice even the match. Anson Holley defeated Robert Gilly to win the First Flight and Kos Jackson bested Carl Budinich for 2nd Flight honors.(The Daily Herald, April 29, 1940, p. 6 and May 6, 1940, p. 2)
1941
1941 was an excellent year for the competitive golf game ofMarcel Bellande. In January, he won the Biloxi Christmas holiday tournament with victories over W.V. Joyce, W.E. Beasley, Ed Rankin, and Wheeler Farish, Gulfport’s top ball striker. In late January, he set the amateur scoring record at the Biloxi Country Club, firing at four under par 66. Bellande had three birdies and an eagle while playing with James Mustard, Biloxi pro, U.B. Koen, Ed Rankin, and Bill Beasley.(The Daily Herald, January 13, 1941, p. 2 and January 27, 1941, p. 2)
In March 1941, Mickey Bellande won the annual “Stag Day” tournament at the Biloxi Golf Course by shooting a par round of 70. His closest competitors were W.E. Beasley with a 75 and Giles Peresich who shot a score of 77. In the afternoon, Bellande teamed with John Bolding and Gus Novanty in a match against club professional Jim Mustard and newly turned pro, Chick Harbet, from Michigan. With an energetic gallery in tow, the five-some played eighteen holes on a cold wintry afternoon. The two professional golfer won 2-up.(The Daily Herald, March 10, 1941, p. 2)
Biloxi Country Club 5thAnnual Coast Amateur
In mid-March, Mickey Bellande was medalist of the 5thAnnual Mississippi Coast Amateur Championship at the Biloxi Country Club shooting a two under par 68. After besting Gus Novotny of Chicago 8 and 6 and Ben Downing of LSU, the 1940 Western Junior Champion, 2 and 1, Bellande met former Alabama amateur champion, Gordon Smith Jr. of Mobile in the finals. He lost to Smith in the 36-hole final match by a 2 and 1 margin.(The Daily Herald, March 8, 1941, p. 5, March 10, 1941, p. 2, and March 11, 1941, p. 6)
Bellande was expected to be a strong contender for the Great Southern Country Club title in June. Clinton C. Blackwell, local sportswriter, prophetically wrote that Bellande had “finally developed that confidence in himself that will make him one of Mississippi’s top-notch golfers.”(The Daily Herald, March 10, 1941, p. 2)
1942
Gulf Hills Country Club 6th Annual Coast Amateur
The 1942 Mississippi Coast Amateur tournament was held in early March at the Gulf Hills Country Club near Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Mickey Bellande of Biloxi reversed his 1941 loss in this venue to Gordon Smith Jr. of Mobile, as he defeated Smith 2 and 1 in the finals.(The Times-Picayune, March 10, 1942, p. 10)
1946
Wheeler Farrish
Kay Bellande Foster, only child, born in October 1946, at Biloxi.
1947
1948
1948 US Amateur Championship
At the New Orleans Country Club in mid-August 1948, Marcel Bellande qualified for the two-hundred ten man field, US Amateur Golf Championship, which was to be held at Memphis in late August-September. Gardiner Dickinson of the LSU golf team led the regional qualifiers in the 36-hole format by followed by Bellande, Charles Rosen II, and Junius J. ‘Jay’ Hebert (1923-1997) of Lafayette. Julius Boros fired at five under par 135 at Great Neck, New York to win the Metropolitan area regional. Bellande lost to James G. Jackson of Kirkwood, Missouri in the first round of the match play event. William ‘Willie’ Turnesa (1914-2001) was the eventual winner of the 1948 US Amateur with a 2-1 victory over Raymond E. Barnes.(The Daily Herald, August 19, 1948, p. 2 and August 30, 1948, p. 3)
1950
1950 State Open Champion
Mickey Bellande began the 1950 golf Mississippi championship series in mid-June by competing for the Mississippi Amateur Championship at the Great Southern Country Club at Gulfport. He lost in the quarter finals to youthful Eddie Merrins (b. 1934) of Meridian, 3 and 2. Merrins was crowned champion after his victory over Ham Carothers of Greenwood.(The Daily Herald, June 12, 1950, p. 8)
The 1950 Mississippi State Open golf tournament was held in mid-August at Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
In mid-November, Mickey Bellande shared medalist honors with Mr. Farish of Gulfport and went on to win the Great Southern Country Club championship.(The Daily Herald, November 13, 1950, p.12)
1951
In September, Mickey J. Bellande teamed with Eddie Merrins of Meridian to play in the Deep South Four Ball Golf Tournament at Alexandria, Louisiana. Merrins and Bellande reached the finals by besting the defending champions, Jimmy McGonagill and Gene Vinson of Shreveport. They lost 2 up in the finals to Jimmy Coleman of Jackson, Mississippi and Lamar Loe of Tallulah, Louisiana.(The daily Herald, September 4, 1951, p. 6)
In November, Mickey Bellande lost to Anson Holley, a cousin, 4 and 3 while defending his Great Southern club championship.(The Daily Herald, November ?, 1951, p.11)
1953
Johnny Revolta(1911-1991), Gulf Hills professional, and Mickey J. Bellande (1909-1982), Biloxi amateur, played two Birmingham, Alabama golfers, Sam Byrd, PGA touring professional, and Al Jamison, one of Alabama's top amateur golfers, in a four ball match at Gulf Hills on March 1, 1953. The Revolta-Bellande team prevailed over the visitors. The eighteen-hole scores were as follows: Revolta-68; Bellande-77; Byrd-73; and Jamison 73.(The Daily Herald, March 2, 1953, p. 15 and The Gulf Coast Times, March 5, 1953, p. 1)
In late October 1953, Mickey J. Bellande won the Gulf Coast Amateur Tournament t the Great Southern club in Gulfport, Mississippi. He had won this event three times and lost last year to Giles Peresich in a playoff. Bellande defeated C.E. Anderson of Gulfport 4 and 3 in the 36-hole finals.(The Daily Herald, Ocotber 26, 1953, p. 16)
1955-Won Mississippi State Open
1956
Mickey Bellande defeated his cousin, Anson Holley for his fourth Gulf Coast amateur championship in November with a 5 and 4 win. On his way to vistory, Bellande beat Arthur St. Amant of KAFB 5 and 4; Al Deemie of KAFb 3 and 2; and Giles Peresich of Biloxi 4 and 2.(The Daily Herald, [photo] November 11, 1956, p. 23)
1959 Sunkist 5thAnnual Mid-Winter Invitational Champion
January 29-31, 1959.
1960 MGA Senior Champion
1962 Sunkist Mid-Winter Champion
Marcel Bellande played in the Seniors Division of the 1962 Sunkist Mid-Winter Championships. He won by fourteen strokes over his nearest competitor. If Bellande had played in the open class, he would have won second place.
1962 MGA Senior Champion
1963 State Amateur Championship
Held at Greenwood, Mississippi in mid-June. Mickey Bellande, State Senior Champion. He lost 2 and 1 in the second round to Brad Hovious of Oxford, the State Junior title holder.(The Daily Herald, June 15, 1963, p. 17)
1963 MGASenior Champion
1964
In January 1964, named Man of the Year by Biloxi Junior Chamber of Commerce.(The Daily Times-New, January 31, 1964, p. 1)
Mickey Bellande captured the Sunkist Mid-Winter Invitational with a victory over C. rea of Meridian and Memphis State University.(The Times-Picayune, February 10, 1964)
1964 State Amateur Championship
In mid-June 1964, at the Edgewater Golf Club in Biloxi, Mississippi, Mickey Bellande beat Don Fruge, an eighteen-year old from Meridian, Mississippi, 4-3 in the 36-hole finals for the State Amateur Championship. Fruge was the State Junior Champion. Bellande shot 68 on the first eighteen holes. He had lost 1 up in 37 holes to Bobby Harrell of Laurel in the 1962 Amateur finals at Hattiesburg.(The Clarion Ledger, June 15, 1964, p. 4)
1965
1965 MGA Senior Champion
1966
Mickey J. Bellandewon the Pinehurst Senior Four Ball title in early March with Curtis Person (1910-1997) of Memphis. Curtis Person was one of the best amateur golfers ever. He was enshrined in the Tennessee Hall of Fame in 1971.
Mickey J. Bellande a board member of the Hickory Hill Country Club at Gautier, Mississippi in January 1966.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 27, 1966, p. 1)
In mid-April 1966, Mickey J. Bellande shot a five under par 66 to win medalist honors in qualifying for the Broadwater Country Club championships at Biloxi. He had won this honor nine times between 1941 and 1965. Wheeler Farish was the club champion in 1942, 1945, 1946, and 1948. Giles Peresich won in 1951, 1952, and 1953.(The Daily Herald, April 20, 1966, p. 35)
M.J. Bellande traveled to Tuscon, Arizona in September 1966 to participate in the USGA Seniors Golf Tournament. He lost 3-2 to Dexter Daniels of Winterhaven, Florida.(The Daily Herald, September 30, 1966, p. 35)
1967
Mickey J. Bellande won the Pinehurst Senior Four Ball title in early March with Curtis Person of Memphis.
Medalist Lakewood County Club, New Orleans, Louisiana. September 11-15-1967
MGA Senior Champion
In October 1967, Marcel Bellande defeated F.D. Copeland of Newton to capture the 1967 Mississippi Seniors title at Colonial Country Club in Jackson, Mississippi. Bud McKinney of Dallas was the defending champion.(The Clarion Ledger, October 21, 1967, p. 11)
1968
Mickey J. Bellande won the Pinehurst Senior Four Ball title in early March with Curtis Person of Memphis.
1969
MGA Senior Champion
1970
Medalist Broadwater Beach CC, Biloxi, Mississippi. April 13, 1970.
1971-dnp
1972-dnp
1972 MGA Senior Champion
1973
1973 MSGA Senior
The Mississippi Senior Golf Association held its annual tournament at the Broadwater Course in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mickey J. Bellande won his 10thSenior State Championship.
1973 Sunkist Four-Ball
1973? Metairie Senior
Held at the prestigious Metairie Country Club at New Orleans in March. Medalist with a 71. In the finals, he bested former Tulane University football coach, Andy Pilney, 3-1.
1974 Sunkist Mid-Winter
Placed second to Bruce Hollowell of Springfield, Missouri. Hollowell shot a 210 while Bellande posted a 218 for three rounds on the Sunkist course.(The Daily Herald, March 4, 1974, p. 16)
1976
7th Annual Broadwater Four-Ball
Mickey Bellande and John O'Connell of New Orleans placed second in the 7th Annual Broadwater Four-Ball championship at the Broadwater Sea Course at Gulfport. They lost to Dick McMurray and Mike Flanagan, both from Jackson, Mississippi.(The Daily Herald, April 16, 1976, p. B-2)
1978
Sunkist Spring Festival
In late April, Mickey Bellande and Mike Magee captured the 1978 Sunkist Spring Festival at Biloxi in a sudden death playoff against Anthony Dartez-Phil Rothemel and Fred Demourelle and H.F. Campbell.(The Daily Herald, April 24, 1978, p. B-5)
Avid Sportsman
Hunting dogs at Cates in Jackson County, Mississippi.
2006
Kate Fickes Bellande expired at Biloxi, Mississippi on October 6, 2006.
REFERENCES:
1900
The Biloxi Daily Herald,“Birth”, September 29, 1909.
1920s
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi High Team Has Good Average”, May 22, 1925.
The Daily Herald, “Gaddy Coach Biloxi High”, June 20, 1925.
The Daily Herald,
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Wins Dual Track Meet From Hattiesburg Hi”, April 30, 1927.
The Daily Herald, “Graduation Awards?”, May 29, 1926, p. 1.
The Daily Herald, “Gas company commercial manager arrives”, November 30, 1926.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Injuns Add Big Six Crown to Titles”, March 30, 1927.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Indians Cop Title By Victory Over Gulfport”, May 12, 1927.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi School Adds Track Title To Finish Season”, May 23, 1927, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “First Big Six Conference Champions” (photo), May 26, 1927, p. 8.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande lead sin Biloxi City League batting .688”, May 28, 1927, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Indians Run Wild Over Moss Pointers; 44-0”, October 10, 1927, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “Barbers Take Loyola Team”, March 26, 1928, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “High Schoolers Play Hard But Lose to Finny Tribe”, April 9, 1928.
The Daily Herald, “Mick Bellande Returns”, August 25, 1928.
The Daily Herald, “Spring Hill coming with former Biloxi High stars”, March 22, 1929, p. 12.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi and Ocean Springs to Meet in Titular Title”, June 10, 1929, p. 5.
The Daily Herald, “Ocean Springs Wins First half Championship Title”, June 17, 1929, p. 6.
The Daily Herald, “Ocean Springs Is Champion By Winning In Both Halves”, September 2, 1929, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “Four Biloxians valuable cog in Spring Hill machine”, December 7, 1929, p. 2.
The Daily Herald, “” , August 25, 1928.
The Daily Herald, “” , August 25, 1928.
The Daily Herald, “” , August 25, 1928.
1930s
The Daily Herald, “Spring Hill College To Use Four Biloxian Against Washington”, March 18, 1930.
The Daily Herald, “Exhibition Game Called Off; Team Leaving Tonight”, March 20, 1930.
The Daily Herald, “Tarps and Boosters Finish On Top First Half Standing”, May 26, 1930.
The Daily Herald, “Pos Bertucci Wins First Half Individual Batting”, May 28, 1930.
The Daily Herald, “Boosters Beat Tarpons For First Half League Honors”, June 2, 1930, p. 12.
The Daily Herald, “Covering The Coast”, July 3, 1930, p. 8.
The Daily Herald, “Covering The Coast”, July 23, 1930, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “Booster Are Reinforced With Mattina and Bellande, August 8, 1930, p. 11.
The Daily Herald, “Covering The Coast”, October 21, 1930.
The Daily Herald, “Fred Marberry Ready to Work Sunday Against Louisville: Bellande stars while [Spring] Hill loses to Washington 7-3””, March 21, 1931, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “Covering The Coast”, March 26, 1931, p. 8
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Leaves For Tryout With Cleveland Club”, June 1, 1931, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande and Powers With Toledo Mud Hens Who Meet Baltimore and Washington”, March 19, 1932.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande gets double”, March 25, 1932, p. 6.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande-Fickes”, December 8, 1932.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande sold to Minneapolis Club”, February 4, 1935, p. 6.
The Daily Herald, “Covering The Coast”, February 10, 1933, p. 8.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi Boy In Lineup”, March 15, 1933.
The Daily Herald, “Atlanta Looks Like Team To Beat In Southern Loop”, March 18, 1933, p. 6.
The Daily Herald, “Covering The Coast”, September 28, 1933, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Leaves For Spring Camp”, March 13, 1935.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Making Good”, May 18, 1935.
The Daily Herald, “Arrive at Williamsport”, April 30, 1936.
The Daily Herald, “Mickey Bellande back”, September 21, 1936.
The Daily Herald, “Bellandes In New Home”, December 4, 1937.
The Times Picayune, “Probable utility man for Pelicans [photo]”, March 10, 1933.
The Times Picayune, “Bellande on All-Star ‘9’”, November 15, 1934.
1940s
The Daily Herald, “Gene Yousko and Mickey Bellande in finals of tourney”, April 29, 1940.
The Daily Herald, “Gene Yousko wins over Bellande in finals of tourney”, May 6, 1940.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Winner of Biloxi Golf Tourney”, January 13, 1941.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Sets New Amateur Mark at Biloxi Golf Club”, January 27, 1941.
The Daily Herald,“Bellande Pace Setter; In Stag Golf Tournament”, March 10, 1941.
The Daily Herald, “Marcel “Mickey” Bellande Shoots Sub Par Round To Capture Medalist Honors”, March 8, 1941.
The Daily Herald, “Mickey Bellande and Gordon Smith in 36-Hole Finals of Biloxi Country Club”, March 10, 1941.
The Daily Herald, “Ramblin’ Round”, March 10, 1941.
The Daily Herald, “Gordon Smith Captures Biloxi Golf Crown”, March 11, 1941.
The Daily Herald, “Farish, Bellande Win Golf Match”, September 24, 1946, p. 5.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Subject of Ohio Article”, February 28, 1947.
The Daily Herald, “Pascagoula New Coast Loop Club”, February 28, 1947.
The Daily Herald, “Mickey Bellande Qualifies in US Amateur Tourney”, August 19, 1948.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande loses in golf tourney [US Amateur at Memphis]”, August 30, 1948.
The Times-Picayune, "Biloxi medal honors won by Bellande", March 8, 1941.
The Times-Picayune, "Mickey Bellande defeats Gordon smith, 2 and 1, in Coast Amateur", March 10, 1942.
The Sunday Times-Signal (Zanesville, Ohio), “Timely-Hitting Mickey Bellande Now Is Successful Business Man at Biloxi”, February 9, 1947.
1950s
The Daily Herald, “Teen-age Golfer Wins State Amateur Title”, June 12, 1950.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Wins In State Open Golf Tournament”, August 14, 1950.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande, Farish share medalist honors in tourney”, November 13, 1950.
The Daily Herald, “Mickey Bellande, Merrins lose out in La. golf meet”, September 4, 1951.
The Daily Herald, “Defending champ [M.J. Bellande] given skids in golf tournament”, November ?, 1951.
The Daily Herald, “Gulf Coast team wins four ball match Sunday”, March 2, 1953.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande claims amateur title”, October 26, 1953.
The Daily Herald, “Prep for State Open”, August 19, 1956, p. 18.
The Daily Herald, "Mickey Bellande wins Gulf Coast Amateur Golf Crown", November 12, 1956, p. 23.
The Gulf Coast Times, “Johnny Revolta, Mickey Bellende (sic) foursome winners”, March 5, 1953, p. 1.
1960s
The Clarion Ledger, “Mickey Bellande wins first Amateur Open”, June 15, 1964.
The Clarion Ledger, “Bellande wins in Seniors”, October 21, 1967.
The Daily Herald, “Mickey Bellande Claims Seniors Golf Event At Sunkist Country Club”, January 16, 1961, p. 12.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Defeated In State Amateur”, June 15, 1963, p. 17.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Is Medalist In State Amateur”, June 12, 1964.
The Daily Herald, “Bunts, Boots and Bounces”, June 13, 1964.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande Is State Amateur golf Champ”, June 15, 1964.
The Daily Herald, “Bunts, Boots and Bounces”, September 14, 1964.
The Daily Herald, “Gulf Coast Golf”,April 20, 1966.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande defeated Thursday”,September 30, 1966.
The Daily Herald, “Golf on the Gulf”, March 5, 1969.
The Daily Times-News, “Man of the Year-Bellande, January 31, 1964, p. 1.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Board Members Are Elected at Hickory Hills”, January 27, 1966, p. 1.
The State Times-Advocate [Baton Rouge], "Set Course Record", February 5, 1962.
The Times-Picayune, "Bellande wins in Mid-Winter", February 10, 1964.
The Times-Picayune, "Mickey Bellande wins Miss. Amateur golf title", June 15, 1964.
1970s
The Daily Herald, “Bellande is nominee for sports ‘hall’”, January 30, 1973, p. 19.
The Daily Herald, “Hollowell Wins at Sunkist”, March 4, 1974, p. 16.
The Daily Herald, “Bellande holds impressive mark”, September 28, 1974, p. C-4.
The Sun Herald, “Bellande, Lee to be inducted into Hall”, February 9, 1975, p. B-6.
The Daily Herald, "McMurray, Flanagan win Broadwater Four-Ball title", April 16, 1976, p. B-2
The Daily Herald, “Bellande-Magee capture Sunkist tourney crown”, April 24, 1978, p. B-5.
The Sun Herald, “Suds story”, August 26, 1979, p. C-1.
1980s
The Sun Herald, “Prominent Biloxian, Bellande, dead at 72”, March 5, 1982.
The Sun Herald, “A Great Man”, August 7, 1988, p. D-1.
The Sun Herald, “Bellande Cup starts Saturday”, November
The Sun Herald,
The Sun Herald,
The Sun Herald
1990s
2000s
The Sun Herald, Mrs. Katherine “Kate” Bellande”, October 9, 2006, p. A-4.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Norman Duplain
Norman Duplain (1930-2010), age 80 years, of Biloxi, died at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport on September 21, 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi, with visitation at 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.
A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Norman was born on August 8, 1930, to the late Laurent Duplain and Marie Louise Duplain Savoy. As a boy he served at the altar at Saint Michael's Catholic Church. He graduated from Biloxi High School where he lettered four years in football, basketball, and track and was named best "Best Boy Athlete."
An All Big Eight running back, Norman also set a state record and won the Mississippi State Championship in the 440-yard dash. He was later inducted into the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame. Norman earned a football scholarship to Mississippi State University where he lettered four years in football and track and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Norman remained an active member of the M Club and an enthusiastic Bulldog fan for the rest of his life. He is best remembered for an 85- yard record kick-off return in honor of his daughter's birth, and he was a member of State's SEC record-setting Mile Relay Team. In 1997 the All American Football Foundation presented Norman the "Unsung Hero Award."
Norman received his degree in General Education in 1953 and was commissioned into the Army where he served as a paratrooper with the distinguished 508 Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He quarterbacked his Army post team to three championships, and was named to the All-Army Team three times. As Coach and Captain of the Post Rifle Team, Norman won two "Excellence in Marksmanship Awards" (LEGS), and led his soldiers to a National Championship.
After his service, Norman operated successful businesses in Belzoni, where he is still fondly remembered for his smooth moves on the dance floor. When Camille struck in 1969, Norman's love of Biloxi and her people led him to spear-head the Delta's efforts to donate and deliver truckloads of supplies. In the 1970's he returned to Biloxi, as owner and operator of Hugo's Restaurant, and he later helped bring gaming to the Coast as Executive Host for the President Casino.
An outstanding golfer, Norman won numerous golf tournaments including two Humphreys County Country Club Championships, the Annual Yugoslavian Invitational Championship in Biloxi, the Gold Medal Classic in Las Vegas, the American Cancer Golf Tournament in Orlando, FL, and six Mississippi Senior Olympic Championships.
A devoted member of the Elks Club and the Fleur de Lis Society, Norman loved to play pool and cards and enjoyed entertaining friends and family with card tricks and sleight of hand. When Katrina struck, Norman, at age 75 and enjoying retirement, stepped up again and used his ingenuity and culinary skills to provide hot meals to his neighbors as they rebuilt their homes. The City of Biloxi recognized his efforts with a Certificate of Appreciation.
Through adversity and joy, Norman is most remembered by his family and friends for his ready grin, his wonderful Cajun cooking, and his fierce loyalty to those he loved.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Christy Duplain Ware, his son-in-law, Delaney Ware, of Clinton, and stepdaughter Carol Ann Welch and her husband Mark.
Survivors include his wife, Lavada Duplain; daughter, Mary Love Wynne and her husband Larry of Alexandria, VA; stepdaughter Cheryl Glover and her husband Billy of Memphis, TN; stepson Jimmy Ellis and his wife Gwen of Biloxi; grandchildren Regan Wynne of Los Angeles, CA; Elizabeth Landers of Springfield, VA; Christian Ware and his wife Mindy of Clinton; and Brandon Ware of Virginia Beach, VA; step-grandchildren Kim Madigan, Carey Welch, and Michael McEachern, a great-grandson, and two step-great-granddaughters.
The family appreciates the outpouring of prayers and support and wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Memorial for the wonderful care and kind attention that was shown to Norman over the past weeks. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady of Fatima. Arrangements are by Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi.
REFERENCES:
The Sun Herald, 'Norman Duplain', September 23, 2010.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CARROLL E. WILLIAMS
Carroll Everitt ‘Peck’ Williams (1900-1977) was born at Biloxi, Mississippi on November 7, 1900 to Carroll 'Cal' Williams (18-1959) and Anna Cox (1877-1941), a native of Bayou La Batre, Mobile County, Alabama. His siblings were: Elmer Dominic Williams (1898-1985) m. Cornelia Champagne; Irma Augusta Williams m. George J. Sablich; James E. Williams (1906-1979) m. Lydia ‘Snookie’ Duffel Stanley (1916-1992) ; Mae Williams (1911) m. Horace S. Williams (1919-2007); and Bernard Williams (1914-1984).
Peck Williams married Ophelia Langlinais (1995), a native of Youngsville, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. Parents of : Marion Wiliams; Roland Williams; Glenn J. Williams; and Beverly Jane Williams m. Ivan 'Pancho' Kovacevich (1928-1986)
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “ ”, 19, p.
The Daily Herald, “ ”, 19, p.
The Daily Herald, “ ”, 19, p.
The Daily Herald, “ ”, 19, p.
The Daily Herald, “ ”, 19, p.
The Daily Herald, “C.E. Williams noted Biloxian, dies at age 76”, October 23, 1977.
The Daily Herald, “ ”, 19, p.
The Daily Herald, “ ”, 19, p.
The Sun Herald, “ ”, 20, p.
The Sun Herald, “Ivan 'Pancho' Kovacevich”, August 5, 1986.
The Sun Herald, “Ophelia L. Williams”, September 8, 1995.
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