Alexis Rack headed for La. Sports Hall of Fame

FRANKLIN— A St Mary Parish principal is now a member of the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame.
The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has given a nod to Alexis Rack, principal of B. Edward Boudreaux Middle School in Baldwin, as a 2026 Inductee, for a career as a player, that included back-to0back state titles at Franklin Senior High School, an SEC record for 3-pointers at Mississippi State, an induction into the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, a selection as Louisiana’s Miss Basketball in 2006, and then stints in the WNBA and overseas, all in the name of basketball.
Jimmy Anderson, 2026 LHSAA Hall of Fame Committee chairman, surprised Rack in an impromptu ceremony at her school in late August.
“You are now separated from athletes and coaches and teams, and have left a legacy in our state’s history,” he said to Rack, adding that she has an unparalleled commitment of perseverance and excellence and has also left, “an outstanding record of contributions to athletics,” to Louisiana sports history.
Rack said she was surprised at the news, especially since her former coach at Franklin High, Ronnie Louis, had informed her a few years ago that he would nominate her, but didn’t hear anything. “I told him, ‘Well, OK, let’s move forward.’
“However, my mother reminded me of something I had told her. At Mississippi State I was inducted in the Hall of Fame, and I told my mom it would be really nice if I was inducted into the Hall of Fame in my own state,” she said.
The famer said she has loved basketball since she was a child, saying when her brother Willdric would go outside to play basketball, she would follow him to also play, because he is only a year older than she.
“He made me rough, and my mom always pushed me to the next level.
“I love competition, but that’s in our family. However, my dad did not like me playing wit all those boys,” she joked.
“We were taught to keep going, to always look for something to get."
Rack said she accepts challenges, and really isn’t intimidated by anything. She thinks challenges come along with playing basketball.
“Basketball teaches you life lessons, but I still received the foundation from my family - not to quit, but to find a way to get the job done.”
Willdric said his sister’s work ethic made her a great player, especially when she played with 30 boys deep every day, on Ninth Street, in front of their family home in Franklin.
“Every day we shot basketball. That’s all we did. She was really good for being a girl, so we had to play her tough like she was one of the boys,” her brother said.
Ronnie Louis, Rack’s high school coach, said she is a leader who impacts those who she meets and plays with.
“A leader, an influencer and a competitor, always willing to take the game in her hands and lead us to victory,” Louis said, noting she lead the team in winning two back to back state championships and a runner up the third year.
“Now, to see her becoming a leader as an educator in the school system, is simply awesome and outstanding.”
Natasha Jackson, current Principal of Franklin Sr High School, said in the year Rack worked on her faculty, she always displayed the will to win.
“She taught biology but also life skills, while she was our boys basketball coach. She had our team dressing in suits prior to our games. A definite boys to men mentality was always her focus. Her Franklin family is very proud of her.”
Tyrus Burdette served at Franklin during Rack’s initial teaching tenure there.
“I believe her determination to be the best has brought her to this point. It’s not easy for a woman to take over a men’s basketball program, but those guys bought into her because of her determination to be the best.”
Franklin Senior High Athletic Director Jacinta Verret who is also the Franklin Girls Basketball Head Coach, said Rack was terrific colleague to work with on the court.
“It was just inspiring to watch a woman coach boys and see them so respectful to her. It was wonderful to watch her command it as much as it was to see the young men return it.”
Franklin City Councilman Pearl Barnes Rack said her daughter was “born with the talent to win in everything that puts her mind to.”
The famer’s mother said her daughter’s discipline, respect, and fairness for her fellow players as well her teams, “created the best,” for all involved.
Her dad Willie said what makes his daughter win. is her heart, “and she certainly has a heart for basketball.”
Alexis said, “I always played with a chip on my shoulder. Feeling like I always had something to prove. I never felt that I was the best player on the court.
"I always felt that I had to work harder. I still feel that way.”
The 2026 LHSAA Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Monday, April 20, at The Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge.