Ruston High School - Notable Alumni

Notable Alumni

• Charles C. Barham (Class of 1952) -- attorney and state senator from 1964–1972 and 1976–1988

• Leon Barmore -- Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball coach 1977-2002 where he helped them win the 1981 AIAW Championship and the 1982 NCAA Championship as associate head coach for Sonja Hogg, won the 1988 NCAA Championship as head coach. 576–87 (.869) is his record as head coach of the Lady Techsters the .869 winning percentage is the best in major-college basketball history (both men's and women's).

• Wayne Cage, Former MLB player (Cleveland Indians)

• Fred Dean—inductee into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame, played for Louisiana Tech, San Diego Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers

• Wiley W. Hilburn (Class of 1956) -- journalist, retired chairman of the Journalism Department at Louisiana Tech

• Bert Jones -- NFL Quarterback, nicknamed "The Ruston Rifle", played for Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Rams

• Norman L. Richardson (Class of 1953) -- journalist known for front-line coverage of hurricanes

• Don Shows (Class of 1958) -- championship football coach at West Monroe

• Lawson Swearingen (Class of 1962) -- former state senator, president of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and management professor at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond

• Gary Wayne Dick (Class of 1984) Born January 17, 1966. Attended Ruston High School 1979-1984 FormerMixed Martial Arts Competitor 2001-2005. Inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame June 2002, Arkansas Karate Circuit State Champion 1992, 7th Dan Japanese/Okinawan martial arts, Arkansas Law Enforcement Instructor. He currently resides in Central Arkansas

• Michael Brooks (Class of 1982) (born October 2, 1964 in Ruston, Louisiana) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played for Ruston High School, college ball at Louisiana State University (LSU), then professionally with the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants, and the Detroit Lions. His best year was 1992 when he made his first Pro Bowl. Brooks now resides in his hometown where he owns a variety of different businesses.

• Kyle Williams (Class of 2002) (born June 10, 1983 in Ruston, Louisiana) is an American football defensive tackle of the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League.

• Jack Ramsaur (attended in the 1970s) Maj. Gen. Jack W. Ramsaur II is the mobilization assistant to the Commander, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

• Jeff Mangum (Class of 1989) Born October 24, 1970. Musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company.

• Robert Schneider (Class of 1989) Born March 9, 1971. Musician and record producer best known as the leader of pop band The Apples in stereo, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company.

• George Stone, Former MLB player (Atlanta Braves, New York Mets)

• Will Cullen Hart (Class of 1990) Born May 29, 1971. Musician best known as a leader of psychedelic-pop band The Olivia Tremor Control, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company.