Gary Magee is a champion on several levels, including on the playing field and in life.

Now, he is a Hall of Famer.

Magee, a 1955 Central Memorial High School graduate, is scheduled to be inducted into the Southern University Football Hall of Fame during a banquet Sept. 27 and will also be honored when the Jaguars play host to Jackson State the following day.

Magee is a link to the glory days of the past when Bogalusa athletics were among the most respected in the state. After earning his degree at Southern he returned to his alma mater, where he coached from 1960-69, serving as an assistant coach on state championship teams in football and baseball.

He coached at Bogalusa High School from 1969 until 1975, leading the Lumberjacks to the state track championship in 1975 and picking up Coach of the Year honors.

He was also an assistant on the Lumberjacks’ 1969 state championship football team.

While at Southern he was a member of the Jags’ 1960 team that won the Small College National Championship.

Away from the arena of athletics, and perhaps more important, Magee was just as successful, serving as a father figure and role model to many of the players he coached. Because of his positive influence and dedication, several of his former students and players have enjoyed their own success in life.

Even his post-education career was purposeful, as he is currently serving as the Victim Assistance Coordinator for Washington Parish.

He did not choose a career. Instead he chose a way of life committed to helping young people find a direction in life and become valuable community members. He just happened to pick up a paycheck along the way.

Magee is certainly worthy of the honor and is a man that all parish residents should be proud to call their friend, their neighbor and their fellow parish citizen.