Special to The Citizen
AUBURN - As a young boy, Charles “Zinc” LaDouce, Jr., was never too far from the Y-Field and its basketball courts. But he had a few obstacles to overcome before he could really begin to make a name for himself in the annals of Auburn High School sports and earn his place in the Auburn Sports Hall of Fame.
“I had rheumatic fever,” LaDouce said. “But we lived right across from the Y-Field, it was our front yard. Our parents would always say what are you doing home, we bought this house so you could be over there. But my mother would take me over there and I'd get the vitamin D I was supposed to get from being in the sun and I'd watch all the other kids.”
By the time he was in fifth grade, LaDouce said that penicillin became available and it wasn't too long before he was out there running and playing just like the other kids of the neighborhood.
“I always loved basketball,” LaDouce said. “That was my game - I was all about basketball 24/7.”
LaDouce got his start at Mount Carmel (now Seward Elementary), before going on to West High School where he became part of the varsity track and basketball teams.
“I really excelled,” LaDouce said. “I was lucky I was quick and had these talents God had given me and I was able to use them.”
During his years on the Auburn varsity squads, LaDouce earned several distinguished honors, including becoming a member of the Lettermen's Club and most improved basketball player of 1959.
This is fitting as it is on the basketball court that LaDouce may have left the most lasting impression.
LaDouce set the AHS individual game scoring record with 45 points, a record that still stands to this day.
“We didn't have the 3-point line back then,” LaDouce said. “And that was where little guys would shoot from now. It is a real honor to have that record.”
LaDouce went on to attend and graduate form Edwards Military Institute in 1960.
During his year there he also distinguished himself on the basketball court, averaging 26 points a game and earning the single game scoring record with 48 points.
After graduating, LaDouce settled back in Auburn, attending Auburn Community College, where he continued to play basketball in the 1963-64 season in which the team became nationally ranked with a record of 18-6.
LaDouce continued his education going to Oswego State, playing just one more season of basketball after marrying his wife, Jean.
“I just didn't have as much time,” LaDouce said. “I was married and my focus was changing from basketball to my wife and family.”
LaDouce went on to earn his masters as well as a degree in administration from Brockport, going on to teach social studies at Lansing Middle School for 29 years.
During this time, LaDouce stayed active with Auburn sports, serving as director of the city playground department as well as recreation leagues manager for many years.
“Those were part-time jobs,” LaDouce said. “I was always happy to work with the recreation department and help out where I could.”
During his years at Lansing, LaDouce also served as varsity golf coach, a game that he himself has become hooked on.
“Golf is a real challenge,” LaDouce said. “It is the most humbling but also the most rewarding game there is. It is just you, the driver and a ball.”
LaDouce has also been an avid member of the YMCA for 49 years.
LaDouce said for many years he regularly played squash, racquetball and basketball, but after a recent bypass surgery, he has had to spend a little more time recuperating and a little less playing.
But he still likes to stay as active as possible - a fitting disposition for a member of the 2007 class of the Auburn Sports Hall of Fame.
“It is a real honor,” LaDouce said. “There are some great people being inducted, people who have done some great things, not only athletically but in the rest of their lives too, and I am really honored to be inducted with them.”
If you go
What: Auburn High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony
When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Springside Inn
Tickets: Available at YMCA, Lewis Restaurant, AHS athletic office, Balloons Restaurant
Contact: Dick Williams at 252-3618
“I had rheumatic fever,” LaDouce said. “But we lived right across from the Y-Field, it was our front yard. Our parents would always say what are you doing home, we bought this house so you could be over there. But my mother would take me over there and I'd get the vitamin D I was supposed to get from being in the sun and I'd watch all the other kids.”
By the time he was in fifth grade, LaDouce said that penicillin became available and it wasn't too long before he was out there running and playing just like the other kids of the neighborhood.
“I always loved basketball,” LaDouce said. “That was my game - I was all about basketball 24/7.”
LaDouce got his start at Mount Carmel (now Seward Elementary), before going on to West High School where he became part of the varsity track and basketball teams.
“I really excelled,” LaDouce said. “I was lucky I was quick and had these talents God had given me and I was able to use them.”
During his years on the Auburn varsity squads, LaDouce earned several distinguished honors, including becoming a member of the Lettermen's Club and most improved basketball player of 1959.
This is fitting as it is on the basketball court that LaDouce may have left the most lasting impression.
LaDouce set the AHS individual game scoring record with 45 points, a record that still stands to this day.
“We didn't have the 3-point line back then,” LaDouce said. “And that was where little guys would shoot from now. It is a real honor to have that record.”
LaDouce went on to attend and graduate form Edwards Military Institute in 1960.
During his year there he also distinguished himself on the basketball court, averaging 26 points a game and earning the single game scoring record with 48 points.
After graduating, LaDouce settled back in Auburn, attending Auburn Community College, where he continued to play basketball in the 1963-64 season in which the team became nationally ranked with a record of 18-6.
LaDouce continued his education going to Oswego State, playing just one more season of basketball after marrying his wife, Jean.
“I just didn't have as much time,” LaDouce said. “I was married and my focus was changing from basketball to my wife and family.”
LaDouce went on to earn his masters as well as a degree in administration from Brockport, going on to teach social studies at Lansing Middle School for 29 years.
During this time, LaDouce stayed active with Auburn sports, serving as director of the city playground department as well as recreation leagues manager for many years.
“Those were part-time jobs,” LaDouce said. “I was always happy to work with the recreation department and help out where I could.”
During his years at Lansing, LaDouce also served as varsity golf coach, a game that he himself has become hooked on.
“Golf is a real challenge,” LaDouce said. “It is the most humbling but also the most rewarding game there is. It is just you, the driver and a ball.”
LaDouce has also been an avid member of the YMCA for 49 years.
LaDouce said for many years he regularly played squash, racquetball and basketball, but after a recent bypass surgery, he has had to spend a little more time recuperating and a little less playing.
But he still likes to stay as active as possible - a fitting disposition for a member of the 2007 class of the Auburn Sports Hall of Fame.
“It is a real honor,” LaDouce said. “There are some great people being inducted, people who have done some great things, not only athletically but in the rest of their lives too, and I am really honored to be inducted with them.”
If you go
What: Auburn High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony
When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Springside Inn
Tickets: Available at YMCA, Lewis Restaurant, AHS athletic office, Balloons Restaurant
Contact: Dick Williams at 252-3618
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