AMY SZPARA

PHOTO: DR. GERALD KELLER signs a copy of his new book “Big Joe: River Parishes Football, 1924-1999,” a complete account of Leon Godchaux-East St. John’s football history. (Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) RESERVE – Local football fans and historians alike will be excited to hear about a new book which covers River Parishes football from the mid-1920s through recent years. An account of Leon Godchaux-East St. John’s football past, the book is written by a local historian who has dedicated much of his life to the St. John Parish public school system. Dr. Gerald J. Keller, school board president, has spent 30 years researching the topic and has just released his opus, “Big Joe: River Parishes Football, 1924-1999.” Beginning with the early years and going through to recent football programs, the book also follows the years during which local football legend Joe Keller played. The all-state high school athlete, who also later played for Louisiana State University, went on to coach in the parish for many years. East St. John now has a stadium named after the star athlete. About his new book, Keller said, “It’s my pride and joy.” After beginning research in 1966, he continued working on the idea of the book off and on through the years. “I dreamt of it, could see the idea,” he said, and added he saved statistics and news clippings each year in a scrapbook. “I usually wrote during the Christmas holidays, since I was busy with my career.” After graduating from Southeastern Louisiana University, Gerald Keller began teaching in St. John Parish. He also attended Louisiana State University and Tulane University, eventually receiving his Ph.D. at the University of New Orleans. He has taught, served as a principal and director, was superintendent of schools in St. John Parish and is now an adjunct professor at Southeastern. All the while, he was working on his book. Keller said many records were nonexistent. He has spent a lot of time going back through old newspapers and looking at microfilm. He began interviewing people in the 1960s, some of whom are now deceased. Football did not begin in this area until 1924, which is where the book begins. The first school in the area to have a football team, Leon Godchaux High School, was the only small school in the region to have a team. The school, which is still standing next to the St. John School Board office, was used until the 1930s, when another building was built. It was where Leon Godchaux Junior High now is. In 1977, another high school was built, East St. John, which is where the football history continues up to present day. “They were always the Wildcats, though,” said Keller. High schools were nonexistent until the late 1800s because most kids in the area didn’t go past eighth grade. The wealthier people sent their children away to school. When St. John Parish got a high school, it took a quarter of a century to get a football team. In the early days, the team played across the street from where the school board now stands, then they moved to the new school in the 1930s, where they played until the Joe Keller Stadium was built in the late 1980s. Keller remembers his first cousin, Big Joe,’ fondly, calling him the “first real superhero of the River Parishes.” His father grew up in the home with Joe Keller, and Big Joe’ was later Keller’s coach at Leon Godchaux High. The first all-stater, Joe Keller was a gifted athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He also worked as a body guard for Huey P. Long and traveled quite a bit with him. A war veteran, having been in heavy combat in World War II, Joe Keller also shared what he had with others. Gerald Keller said he lent him money for tuition when he was working on his Master’s degree. “There was more than that football image,” said Keller. “He had a heart.” Inducted into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1982, just a few years before his death, Big Joe’ is remembered well in this community. Keller has already received a good reaction from people who have read his book. He has gotten such comments as, “I was laughing so hard, my mascara was running” and “I couldn’t put it down,” which, he said, makes him feel good. The book is now available at Don’s Country Store and Weber’s Super Market on Central Avenue in Reserve. Copies can also be received through the mail. For more information call (985) 536-6570.