Multimedia: Hebert, Johnson, Rucker, Schmit inducted into Rummel Hall of Fame

Like Archbishop Rummel has matured, entering its 60th year in Metairie, the Rummel Athletic Hall of Fame has matured to 25 years.

Founded by former Rummel athletic director and Hall of Fame inductee Phil Greco, the 25th class of inductees was introduced Thursday night at the school as the number of inductees reached 99.

The 2021 class represented four different sports and student-athletes from four different eras.

Former Raider track and field star Barry Hebert, Class of 1984, was honored posthumously. Hebert is the 18th track and field athlete to earn induction into the Raider Hall of Fame.

Hebert passed away seven years ago but he was represented in huge fashion by his family, including his brother, Brian Hebert, Class of 1983, and a Rummel Hall of Fame inductee as a football player in 2013.

Hebert finished third in the state in the pole vault competition as a junior and as a senior, Hebert captured the state championship in the pole vault and earned All-District, All-Metro and All-State honors. Hebert received the prestigious Rufus Award in his senior year as the top athlete in the school. Hebert earned a track and field scholarship to the University of New Orleans in the Decathlon.

Brian Hebert spoke about what made this such a special night for his late brother.

“This is a chance for Barry’s children, his family to see what he meant to this school and what he did from an athletic standpoint. It something that makes an impression on you in your life and that is true for my brother. It’s a blessing and something to be extremely proud of. We were very competitive, one year apart. We would fight over the last pork chop at the table. We were fiercely competitive.”

Hebert singled out former Rummel athletic director and track and field coach Ronnie Doyle as being instrumental in his brother’s success.

“Barry was so determined,” Hebert said. “If he put his mind to something, he could not be stopped. When we were kids, my father took some fence posts, put some metal stairs to them and made stilts. I gave that about 10 minutes and threw them away and said I would never do it again. My brother sat there for two days until he could hopscotch on stilts. He was the Rubik’s Cube state champion from Rummel.”

Former Rummel star running back Jarrell Johnson is the 32nd football player inducted into the Rummel Athletic Hall of Fame.

Johnson, Class of 2009, remains the all-time leading rusher in Rummel history with 678 attempts for 4,636 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Johnson is also the all-time leader in Raider history with 54 touchdowns. In his senior season, Johnson scored 27 touchdowns, the most ever by a Rummel player in a single season.

“Coming to Rummel wasn’t all about football,” Johnson said. “We had an academic standard at Rummel that I was blessed to be part of. I was happy to be part of the tradition at Rummel. I met coach Roth when I was young. My best memory was playing against East St. John in 2006. We lost the regular season game there but we came back and beat them 59-7 in the quarterfinals. We just got off that bus and I think I rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns.”

Johnson called his former coach and current Rummel athletic director Jay Roth a father-figure.

“I am so grateful for Coach Roth and the role he played in my development and in my life,” Johnson said. “I loved my time at Rummel and loved my teachers. We always had great support here. I still have conversations with Coach Roth regularly. Thank God almighty, I’m a Raider.”

Rucker is the third swimmer inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Rucker, Class of 2000, was the star of the Rummel swim team in his senior season, winning both the 100-meter freestyle and the 100-meter breast stroke individual state titles while helping lead the Raiders to a state runner-up finish. Rucker earned a scholarship to LSU, where he earned All-American honors.

Schmit is the 36th baseball player to earn Rummel Athletic Hall of Fame honors.

Schmit, Class of 1991, earned All-District, All-Metro and All-State honors in his junior and senior seasons. As a sophomore, Schmit was on the Rummel Class 4A state championship team. As a junior, Schmit led the Catholic League in hitting, batting .532 with 28 RBI in helping lead the Raiders to the 4A state title game. In his senior season of 1991, Schmit batted .400 with 36 RBI and made just two errors.

“As a kid, I remembered guys like Darren Dares, Paul Wetzel, Scott Dimak, Mike Eason, just troopers and I wanted to be part of it,” Schmit said. “I wanted in. It’s always been Rummel. I’m so proud to be here. This award is about my team, my family, my colleagues and the many friends I attended here with. It’s not just one person getting this. It’s what it means to be a Raider. Rummel gave me the tools I need for life.

Schmit gave huge credit to his baseball coach at Rummel, Larry Schneider, for his success, along with Doyle, who had a lot to do with Schmit attending Rummel.

“My family is a Rummel family,” Schmit said. “My son spent five years here, my wife went to Chapelle and our daughter is at Chapelle. I did great here but the whole team atmosphere was just unbelievable. My family has been Rummel through, and through and through, for the last 40 years.”