Following a stellar career as a baseball star at Morgan City High School in Morgan, City, La., Greg Guidry wasn’t real sure about his future.
He was a catcher mostly, but he did a little pitching and played some shortstop as well. He had a 12-1 pitching record as a senior, 8-1 as a junior. But catching was his main love.
Former Pearl River Community College baseball coach Jim Nightengale had recruited Guidry out of high school.
“Dad was at Panola (Texas) Community College at the time, but then he moved to Biloxi to start a business,” said Guidry. “Coach Nightengale called me and asked me if I wanted to catch. Well, I wanted my dad to see me play college ball, I had visited (PRCC) and liked it.”
According to MACJC rules, Gulf Coast Community College had to give Guidry his release to play at PRCC. Gulf Coast complied, so he came to Poplarville, where he played two seasons (1993-94) for the Wildcats. In 1994, he was named player of the year on the All-Region 23 JuCo baseball team. He also played some third base and pitched for the Wildcats.
As a sophomore, he hit .415 with 13 home runs and 58 RBIs, helping lead the team to a 34-24 record and runnerup in the state tournament. He was named first-team All-State and also a first-team All-American.
Guidry’s accomplishments on the baseball field have earned him a place in the college's Sports Hall of Fame. He will be inducted at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, during 2013 Homecoming festivities.
‘This is truly a great honor,” said Guidry. “I came from a small town, so this was perfect for me. I loved the new dorms at the time. We were all close together, it was a close-knit environment. I enjoyed JuCo ball way more than I did Division I ball. The competition was great.
“Gabe Ishee became my best friend. He was a good player, too. We became pretty close through it all there.”
He was primarily a catcher for the Wildcats but Nightengale occasionally called on him to play some third base, and even pitch in relief. But catching was what he loved most. As a sophomore, he hit three walk-off home runs, including one against Gulf Coast.
Guidry went on to sign with Louisiana Tech where he caught for two seasons. As a senior, he hit .362 and stole 25 bases and made the All-Sun Belt Conference first team. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the school.
After working at the college level, he became a high school coach in Louisiana, receiving 1998 coach of the year honors and taking his team to the state tournament.
NAME: Greg Guidry
HOMETOWN: Morgan City, La.
FAMILY: Wife, Kristine; three step children, Marissa, Sarah and Thomas.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Morgan City (La.) High School, 1992; graduated PRCC, 1994; graduated Louisiana Tech University, 1996.
OCCUPATION: Currently head baseball coach at Dekaney High School (7th year) in Spring, Texas; prior to that he served as a high school coach in Louisiana.
