Lake Charles Radio Host Receives Piece of LaGrange Stadium History

Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Sometimes the smallest gestures mean the most, and today reminded me just how special the people in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana can be.

A while back, during my radio show on Gator 99.5, I was talking about the renovations taking place at LaGrange High School and the removal of the old wooden bleachers from the football stadium. Like many former students, I have a lot of memories tied to that place.

I graduated from LaGrange back in 1990, and those bleachers were part of Friday night football games, school spirit, and countless moments growing up. During the conversation on the air, I casually mentioned how neat it would have been to save a piece of those old wooden stands as a keepsake before they disappeared forever.

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Honestly, I never gave it another thought after that.

Fast forward to last Tuesday, May 5, 2026. I was sitting at Allstar Buick GMC while my wife’s vehicle was getting an oil change when a gentleman walked up and asked, “Are you Mike Soileau?” After I told him yes, he smiled, reached into his truck, and pulled out a beautifully refinished piece of wood.

That’s when he introduced himself as Danny Terro and explained that the board he was holding came directly from the original LaGrange High School football stadium bleachers that had recently been torn down.

Interesting Facts About LaGrange High School Football Stadium In Lake Charles

• The LaGrange High School campus and the stadium were opened on September 7, 1954

• The stadium cost approximately $1.2 million

• One of the stadium’s most iconic features was its large wooden bleachers, which became a symbol of old-school high school football culture.

He told me he had heard me talking about the stadium on the radio weeks earlier and had been trying to track me down ever since. He joked that I was difficult to catch because I was always busy, but when he heard me mention on the air that I’d be at the dealership today, he decided this was finally his chance to deliver it personally.

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As I held the wood in my hands, the memories came rushing back. You could still see the original holes where the steel bolts once secured the board to the stadium frame. It wasn’t just a piece of lumber; it was a piece of history. It was a connection to my high school years, and a reminder of all the moments that happened in those stands.

In a world where people often move too fast to slow down for one another, this act of kindness truly caught me off guard. The fact that someone would take the time to preserve a piece of local history, refinish it, and then go out of their way to find me just to give it to me is something I’ll never forget.

Thank you again, Mr. Danny. This gift means more than you know, and it’s something I’ll treasure for years to come.