Dale Brown basketball made official in Abbeville

After months of hard work and research, the Dale Brown Basketball Organization has been created in Abbeville.
The organization will serve as a way for kids all around the state to compete on a level playing field with each other.
It serves as a league similar to Biddy basketball, which does not exist in Abbeville. Abbeville Parks & Recreation Director Trenton Baudoin had a vision to give kids in Abbeville the same opportunities as others, and with the help of Lawrence Williams amongst others, they were able to get one of the greatest basketball coaches ever in Dale Brown to sign off on starting the organization.
“Whenever I took over in October, we attempted to get back into Biddy basketball, but I was told that they have one charter per community,” Baudoin said. “We weren’t allowed back into Biddy. I had an idea to create our own path since we didn’t have one.
“Dale Brown was my first attempt at it. I e-mailed him not expecting an e-mail back, but within a few hours he replied, telling me it was a great idea.”
Brown coached at LSU for 25 years and led the Tigers to 13 NCAA tournaments, two Final Four appearances and four Elite Eight trips.
Brown coached college stars such as Chris Jackson and Shaquille O’Neal.
“Having his name with this organization is huge,” Baudoin said. “I think it gives us instant credibility across the state. If you know basketball in the state of Louisiana, you know who Dale Brown is.”
The league is for any child who desires to play and learn the game of basketball. The age range is any boy or girl from the ages of 6-16 is allowed to participate. The first of September will be the date that decides what age group each child will participate in.
“I really just wanted the kids here to have the same opportunities that everybody else is offered outside of here,” Baudoin said. “In Abbeville, if they wanted the chance to do something like this, they had to go somewhere else. Now, I’m hoping with this, the kids that want to play in Abbeville will come back and play because now they are offered the same chances that they’re going to be offered anywhere else they go.”
In order to register a league, a fee of $200 is needed. The organization will not come into effect until the 2015-16 season. For further information about the Dale Brown Basketball Organization, contact Trenton Baudoin at 337-898-4242 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday, or email him at tbaudoin@cityofabbeville.net.