Mandeville High School’s founding football coach, “Sneaky Sid” Sidney Theriot, is a humble man of few words. At the dedication of the stadium at MHS that now bears his name, he thanked his former players and fellow educators for the honor.

“The first year, we had no stadium. We borrowed bleachers from the fairgrounds in Covington. On Thursday we would pick them up, set them up here and then return them to the fairgrounds on Monday,” he said.

Theriot is credited with starting the program from the field up, so to speak. Two parents and a player helped line the field. There was no equipment, little money and resources and the players had not played before.

Mandeville High School’s founding football coach, Sidney Theriot and his wife Loanalee thank well wishers at the unveiling of the dedication plaque renaming the stadium in his honor. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

Not only did he have to teach the basics of the game, he had to show the team players how to put on the equipment. Local businesses helped raise money to buy the equipment.

The grass roots effort to have the stadium named for his coach began with Mike Dobson, one of Theriot’s first players. At the school board meeting when the tribute was considered, Dobson said Theriot had a great influence on his students on and off the field and in and out of the classroom. Dobson said, “He devoted his life to helping us become better people.”

The festivities Friday included an unveiling of the plaque bearing Theriot’s likeness that dedicated the stadium to him, followed by a tribute and video presentation in the Mandeville High School auditorium.

In the video tribute to his career, Covington High School’s legendary football coach, Jack Salter, said Theriot loved his kids and set a good example for them. Salter also said that having a stadium named in one’s name is a great honor and Theriot deserved it. The stadium at Covington High is named in honor of Salter.

The first all-state football player from his hometown school, Terrebonne High School, Theriot was voted MVP of the year twice. Former teammates said he was a “super football player.” He excelled in the classroom and was named valedictorian his senior year. One of his former classmates called him “Captain Marvel.”

Many in the video said Theriot was known as a very disciplined student and player and sparkled with fire, skill and determination.

His motto in high school, college and throughout his teaching career has been “To love the game beyond the prize.”

Mandeville High School Principal Bruce Bundy closed the tribute by saying, “Coach, see how much your life has meant to this community.”

Not all of the tributes could fit on the video for the presentation, so the coach received them on a DVD for he and his family. In addition, Channel 13, the school board station, had a camera set up at the reception to record any other messages from well wishers at the ceremony.

In addition to the other tributes, Loanalee Theriot, the coach’s wife, received roses and thanks from players and administrators for her role supporting them and the coach throughout the years. Theriot was also presented an autographed copy of “The Junction Boys” from former Texas A & M teammates. He had played at the school under Coach Bear Bryant.