Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

April 11, 1927-January 19, 2024

Coach Mackie Freeze, a legendary figure, initiated the football program at Richwood/Terzia High Schools in Monroe, LA, with a humble $300. This program swiftly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most successful in the Louisiana Inter-Athletic Association League (LIALO) during the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Beyond his role as a teacher and coach, Coach Freeze transcended into a father figure for all students, earning the trust of parents with his tough but nurturing approach, molding students and football players into winners.

Coach Freeze's no-nonsense attitude translated into hard work and a winning mindset, resulting in three consecutive Louisiana State Football Championships. Over the course of his career, he secured four Louisiana Football State Championships, propelling numerous athletes to professional careers in football, basketball, and baseball. Notable names include Thomas Bailey Pittsburg Steelers (1st pro player), Eugene Hughes St. Louis Cardinals, Goldie Sellers Denver Broncos, Prince Bordon New York Jets, Raymond Brown New York Jets, Fredrick "Freddy Bear" McHenry New York Jets/LA Rams, Donnie Gay Wallace New York Jets, Samuel Wallace Cincinnati Bengals, Don Zimmerman Philadelphia Eagles/Green Bay Packers, Joseph Profit Atlanta Falcolns/New Orleans Saints (1st round draft choice), Charles Smith Los Angeles Rams/Philadelphia Eagles, Ruben Jones Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Reed Buffalo Bills /Denver Broncos, Amos Augustine Los Angeles Rams. Coach Freeze influenced the professional careers of three basketball players Nathaniel Williams Golden State Warriors, (1st round draft choice), Larry Wright Washington Bullets (NBA /1st round draft choice), and Henry Steele Utah Stars. He also influenced the career of 1 professional baseball player Candy Robinson Grambling State University and 1 U.S. Olympic Track Recruit Henry Stewart of New Mexico State University for a total of 19 professional athletes in 13 years of coaching. Coach Freeze was more than the father and architect of Richwood/Terzia's athletic program, he was also a parent, student, and community ambassador, recruiter' counselor' extended parent and guardian, as well as financial and charitable contributor, and advisor to many poor and less fortunate youth in the Ouachita Parish community. He served as mentor and father figure for many youth during his tenure, of coaching, and served in other capacities as teacher and assistant principal at Richwood/Terzia High Schools.

His influence extended to basketball players Nathaniel Williams and Larry Wright, both first-round NBA draft choices, and baseball player Candy Robinson. Additionally, Coach Freeze played a pivotal role in the careers of U.S. Olympic track recruit Henry Stewart and a total of 19 professional athletes during his 13-year coaching tenure.

Coach Freeze was not merely the architect of Richwood/Terzia's athletic program; he played multifaceted roles as a parent, student, community ambassador, recruiter, counselor, extended parent, guardian, financial contributor, and advisor to the less fortunate youth in the Ouachita Parish community. Serving as a mentor and father figure, he went beyond coaching, also fulfilling responsibilities as a teacher and assistant principal at Richwood/Terzia High Schools. Following his tenure as a coach, he took great pride in serving as the assistant principal at Richwood High for a span of 13 years before retiring in 1980. Subsequently, he dedicated 22 years of his professional life to employment with the city of Monroe at the Pre-Treatment Plant.

In 2010, Coach Freeze received the esteemed honor of induction into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame. Three years later, the Ouachita Parish School Board unanimously voted to rename Richwood High School Stadium in recognition of his contributions, now proudly known as Mackie Freeze Stadium. Remarkably, at the age of 93, he achieved the distinction of becoming the oldest living person to be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Born on April 11, 1927, in Lamkin, LA, Mackie Freeze, Sr. was the son of the late Johnny Freeze and Mamie Stevens Freeze. He received his baptism at an early age at St. Timothy Baptist Church and faithfully served as an adult Sunday School teacher until his health declined. Even then, he continued to attend Sunday School until his eventual passing.

Mackie Freeze, Sr. earned recognition from the state of Louisiana for his efforts in restoring and cleaning St. Timothy Baptist Church and Bufferin Cemeteries at Black Bayou. After graduating from

Sterlington High School, Mackie Freeze, Sr. was drafted into the United States Army on December 6, 1945, and deployed to Europe. Upon his return in 1947, he enrolled at Grambling College, where he played football under the guidance of Coach Eddie G. Robinson. Known for his prowess in both football and baseball, he never lost a game on the mound at Grambling College. In 1950, Mackie Freeze, Sr. completed his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and later earned a master's degree in Education from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. His deep affection for Grambling was evident as he proudly embraced the colors black and gold.

He met and married the late Louisa Givens from Oak Ridge, LA. To this holy union, five children were born. His daughter, Lavonne Freeze, preceded him in death.

Dispatch

Richwood Greats Elroy Smith, Warren Brown, the late Don Zimmerman, Legendary Coach Mackie Freeze, Edward Jackson, the late Perry Thomas, Ruebin Jones, Joe Profit, Lawrence Saucer, Huey P. Gipson, the late Turner Saulsberry among the many Richwood Greats.

He leaves many to cherish his memories including sons - David Freeze (Joann), Mackie Freeze, Jr., Morrell Freeze (Angelia), and Christopher Thomas (Kimberly); three daughters - Maxine Freeze, Stephanie Freeze-Bell (Donald), and Mamie Freeze; two sisters-in-law - Dorothy Thaxton and Peola Johnson; one brother-in-law - Bobbie Givens; grandchildren - Michelle Freeze, Maurice Chester, Brianna Freeze Stumpf, Ashleigh Freeze, Ryan Freeze, Kaylan Freeze, Jonathan Billups, April Freeze, Alexander Freeze, Erial Freeze, Jordan Freeze, Diandra Lewis, Cameron Freeze, Jaryn Freeze, Ivy Bell; four great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and godchildren - Aja Lee and Danny Ray Hoston.

His funeral services are Saturday, January 27, 2024, 11:00 AM at New St. James Baptist Church, 1010 Richwood Rd. #1 in Monroe, LA. Visitation is Friday, January 26, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at St. Timothy Baptist Church, 1710 Canary St. in Monroe, LA.