Ellis named to Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class of 2024

Former Grambling State baseball coach Wilbert Ellis’ impact on Louisiana sports will be enshrined forever as one of nine on the competitors ballot to be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 next summer.

Ellis will be joined by New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, and eight-time WNBA All Star Seimone Augustus, among others, as members of the accomplished class.

Ellis is the secondever recipient of the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, given to honor major contributions to the perception of Louisiana by an individual who has ties to the state’s sports landscape.

“I’ve had a lot of things happen to me, hall of fames to go in and baseball awards and all of this, and I speak to groups, but it’s about giving back and making a difference in the lives of American youth,” Ellis said after hearing the news. “ I wanted to coach since I was nine, and God has blessed me to still be here and make a difference. I’m so thankful to Jesus Christ who is the answer for all of this and the creator. I ask God every day to keep me humble and keep me in position in the lives of others.”

The Ambassador Award was created by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and was first presented to FOX Sports broadcaster Tim Brando as part of the Class of 2020.

“Throughout his life, as a coach and in many ways since then, Wilbert Ellis has been a tremendous representative of our state and his beloved Grambling State University. Our selection committee believes he is the ideal person to be the second winner of the Ambassador Award as a man who has been nationally prominent in his field while constantly benefiting Louisiana through words and deeds,” Hall of Fame chairman Doug Ireland said. “Coach Ellis has bolstered our state’s identity and its wellbeing.”

The former Grambling Tiger and longtime Lincoln Parish native spent 30 seasons as the Tigers’ head coach and was around the program for 43 total years including as assistant coach.

He retired in 2003 with a 743-463-1 record with three Southwestern Athletic Conference titles, five SWAC Western Division crowns and three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Ellis was the second baseball coach in GSU history after working as an assistant to program founder Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones.

A 2006 American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame inductee, Ellis was instrumental in the creation of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum in Grambling. He also serves as an NCAA Baseball Regional site supervisor.

“I get really emotional about these things, and I try to hold it in, but I have to shed a tear about it for joy and happiness and I’m still living to receive all of this,” Ellis said. “I know there are people who have done way more, but what little I’ve done they want to thank me I guess for what I’ve done.”

The LSHOF’s Class of 2024 will be officially enshrined in Natchitoches for the 65th Induction Celebration. The dates for the three-day celebration have yet to be announced.