Former Kaplan resident memorialized in Sports Hall of Fame

The man behind the Kaplan Herald for 27 years in the 20th century is another Vermilion Parish name honored in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Conrad “Connie” Kaplan took over the Herald in 1965 and owned it until his death in 1992. His induction into the Hall of Fame in 1992 recognized his lifelong passion for sports as a broadcaster and sports journalist, as well as a coach and official. He is enshrined along with other big sports names in the state’s history.

Kaplan was an “avid sportsman” according to a write-up at the new Hall of Fame museum. “He coached American Legion baseball, officiated high school football for 11 seasons and served 31 years as a high school basketball coach,”

the display reads.

Graduating from LSU in 1953, he took part in two family businesses, Liberty Rice Mill and the Pelican Oil Company.

He then began writing for several newspapers and was the voice of basketball and football commentary in Crowley for KSIG radio. From there, he went to Kaplan to take over what was the Kaplan Journal and transform it into the Herald, which he would maintain for another 27 years.

He served as a school board member for 12 years. At LSU, a scholarship fund in his name was established for a Vermilion Parish journalism student there.

Louisiana State Newspapers bought the paper from his estate.

In the same year, he was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame for his feats and accomplishments.