JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — The flag is at half-staff outside Jefferson Playground on South Road in Jefferson Parish.
“He was a great man, spectacular,” said playground supervisor Frank Matise.
It’s tribute to a man whose legacy has become a banner for the Parks and Recreation Department.
“A lot of people are going to miss him. He was a real impact to the kids,” said Matise.
Like many kids, Matise learned basketball from Bobby Floyd, 90, known as “Coach Floyd.”
“He taught me the right things to do, treat everybody the same. It didn’t matter what color you were or anything, treat everybody the same,” said Matise.
An Army veteran and Alcorn State graduate, Floyd used coaching basketball to create big changes off the court. He first started working for the Parks and Recreation department as a night supervisor in 1966, a time when playgrounds were segregated.
“He was basically behind the scenes. He just worked quietly to make things right and he was all about unity. He kept telling me about unity and how he wanted to bring kids together,” said Jefferson Parish Parks and Recreation Director Mario Bazile.
It was because of that quiet work that Jefferson Parish had its first integrated basketball tournament in 1970, which led the way for desegregated parks. Floyd’s basketball team won the championship that year.
“He told me stories about him putting up the registration fee for kids, going out and buying uniforms for the kids and just going the extra mile just to get kids to play,” said Bazile.
With four decades of teaching and coaching in public schools while also working at the playground, Coach Floyd’s dedication to the community became eye-catching. Bazile says the coaching was more than just about basketball.
“It’s about how are we going to become better people as we grow up. That’s a tremendous life lesson for these kids,” said Bazile.
The court where he taught those life lessons now bears his name. He was even there the night before he died about two weeks ago. Family members say Floyd was privately battling cancer.
“When they named that floor after him, he was tickled pink,” said Matise.
Matise says not seeing Floyd walk through the door is tough, but knows his love for coaching and the community will always be seen.
“I hate to see him gone. I’m going to miss him,” said Matise.
Days before his death Floyd was recognized by the parish as the longest serving employee.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.