College Sports Information Legend passes
September 13, 2006
Grambling, La. - Former Grambling State University
Sports Information Director Collie J. Nicholson
died on Wednesday morning in Shreveport after
a lengthy illness. He was 85.
Nicholson served as the university’s
first sports information director and was credited
with developing Grambling State’s world-wide
reputation.
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Collie Nicholson |
“We would like to thank everyone for
their prayers and support,” said Carl
Nicholson, the son of Collie J. “We would
particularly like to thank the GSU family,
administration and especially the Robinsons
(Uncle Eddie and Aunt Doris) for all that they’ve
done. He (Collie J.) loved dear old Grambling
with all of his heart and soul.”
Nicholson, who was fresh out of the Marines
following a three-year stint during World War
II, joined the Grambling State University staff
in 1948 under former president Dr. Ralph Waldo
Emerson Jones. During his 30-year tenure at
Grambling State, Nicholson put the Grambling
State name on the map as he helped arrange
for the band and football team to appear in
venues across the world. He also arranged for
the first-ever televised game between two black
colleges on ABC in 1968 and was the brainchild
of the highly successful Bayou Classic between
Grambling State and Southern. In addition,
Nicholson’s legacy was honored at Grambling
State this past summer as the pressbox at Robinson
Stadium was renamed in his honor.
During a campus-wide staff meeting on Wednesday
morning, Dr. Horace A. Judson, President of
Grambling State University, paid homage to
Nicholson.
“He was a legend,” said Dr. Judson. “We
are deeply saddened by his passing and would
like to express our deepest sympathies to the
Nicholson family. He was instrumental in making
Grambling State University an internationally-known
institution.”
A public viewing will be held on Tuesday,
Sept. 19 at Winnfield Funeral Home in Shreveport,
La. from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral home
is located at 3701 Hollywood Ave. and anyone
interested in obtaining additional information
about Tuesday’s viewing should call 318/631-8345.
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, Nicholson’s
funeral will take place at St. Matthew A.M.E.
Church on 1610 Murphy St. in Shreveport. The
funeral will promptly start at 10 a.m. and
a military burial service will take place afterwards
at Forest Park Cemetery.
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