Hall of Fame track coach Pete Boudreaux to retire at end of school year

One of Louisiana’s most beloved high school coaches, Pete Boudreaux, announces his plans to retire at the end of the school year. Boudreaux says it has been his honor to serve Catholic High School for more than 50 years.

“It has been a true blessing for me to be at a place like Catholic High School. I have cherished every moment that I have been given the chance to serve alongside the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the lay faculty to further the mission of the Brothers,” Boudreaux says.

Catholic High School Principal Dr. Tom Eldringhoff says Boudreaux’s announcement comes with mixed feelings of joy and sadness.

“There aren’t enough words to express what Pete Boudreaux means to Catholic High School. His love for the school – and dedication to it – is unparalleled, and likely will never be eclipsed,” Eldringhoff says. “He truly embodies the spirit of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, and has set an example for his colleagues as well as the young men in his care.”

For almost six decades, Pete Boudreaux is a name that has been synonymous with the world of high school track – not just in Louisiana, but across the nation. A 1959 graduate of Catholic High School, Boudreaux began teaching and coaching at his alma mater in 1968. Since then, he has become the most decorated high school track coach in Louisiana history with his cross country and track teams winning more than 52 LHSAA state champion titles.

In 2016, Boudreaux was named the National Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. In 2019, he was named the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s Track Coach of the Year.

He is a member of the Catholic High School Grizzly Greats Athletic Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Federation of High Schools Hall of Fame. Despite the many titles, trophies, and countless other accomplishments, Boudreaux will be the first to tell you that the most important thing in his career has been the relationships he developed with his athletes.

“To be able to watch our students grow, succeed, and become contributing members of our society has been so very touching,” Boudreaux says. “I looked forward to going to work every day of my life – and that’s about as good as it gets.”

Catholic High School will host a retirement party for Boudreaux in the Brother Donnan Berry, S.C. Student Center on Wednesday, May 22. The public is invited to join the CHS family as we gather to celebrate Coach Boudreaux’s incredible legacy. More information will be shared at catholichigh.org/coachboudreauxretirement as event details are finalized.