Stella Guidry honored at National Slow Pitch Tournament Opening Ceremony

CROWLEY – The Crowley Recreation Department held its Opening Ceremonies Friday for the 2011 National Slow Pitch Softball Tournament that ran through the weekend.

While doing so, CRD Director Timmy Robichaux took the opportunity to honor one of Crowley’s icons in slow pitch softball - Stella Guidry.

“It’s an honor for us to be able to host this national tournament because they are trying to keep slow pitch going,” said Robichaux. “And that’s the tie-in with Stella. She has given so many years to the Crowley Recreation Department and so many years to slow pitch softball. We thought it was only fitting that this tournament be dedicated to her.”

Guidry spent 25 years teaching girls the fundamentals of softball before retiring from coaching in 2005.

“This is just amazing,” said Guidry after the ceremony in which she was presented a plaque for her dedication from City of Crowley Mayor Greg Jones. “I thought I was finished when I had gotten all my awards back in 05.

“When Timmy came and approached me about this, I was just shocked. I didn’t want to brag about it but I did want to brag about it.

“I was just shocked. This is a great honor.”

Guidry, who threw out the first pitch at the ceremony, couldn’t help but reminisce about her coaching days after seeing all the teams parade in for the opening ceremonies.

“This just brings back such great memories,” said Guidry. “It sure does make me want to come back but I’m staying retired. I have a granddaughter playing at Redemptorist so we will enjoy watching her. That way I can do my hollering in the back.”

The dedication speech read by Mayor Jones was as follows:

Guidry, who was born in Crowley, is the daughter of Clarence Abshire and the late Rosabelle Breaux Abshire of Midland. She attended Midland High School and is married to Warren P. Guidry. She has one daughter; Ronda Richard, a stepdaughter, Christy G. David and one stepson, Bryan F. Guidry

She has four grandchildren, Gracie R. Richard, Jade P. Richard, Bryana M. Guidry and Hayden W. David.

For over 30 years, Stella has been a dedicated employee of Gremillions Drug Store.

In 1980, Stella began coaching Mustang 10-and-under softball for the Crowley Recreation Department. After 25 years of teaching girls the fundamentals of softball, she hung up her hat and passed the clipboard, calling the summer of 2005 her last season of coaching.

Stella also served as League President for five years.

After surviving her own battle with breast cancer, Stella felt the need to help others with the disease. She began a support group called “We Care”. She also plays an active roll in Relay for Life, American Cancer Society and numerous other fundraisers.

Stella is also a member of the Ladies Alter Society at Immaculate Heart of Mary and participates in Christmas in April. She has also received the honor of the Humanitarian Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Stella was chosen as the Grand Marshall for the International Rice Festival Children’s Parade in 2005.

The City of Crowley and the Crowley Recreation Department is proud to have had such a person as Stella Guidry to have given up her personal time away from her family to teach our children the basics of slow pitch softball and good sportsmanship. We would like to extend our gratitued to Stella Abshire Guidry for all your hard work, time and dedication to our Slow Pitch Softball program and to all the girls you have had a positive impact on.