Bonnaffee inducted into De La Salle Hall

Central Catholic High School Principal Victor “Vic” Bonnaffee was inducted into the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame Oct. 8.
He said it was “humbling” to be selected to an athletic hall of fame after playing with so many great players.
“It never, ever entered my mind … that I would ever be chosen for such a thing, because all my life, I never played for individual honors,” Bonnaffee said. “I always played to be a member of a team so that our teams could be successful.”
Bonnaffee was a three-year member of the De La Salle baseball team and a member of the 1962 Class 4A state champion team. Class 4A was Louisiana’s highest classification for athletics at the time.
During his time on the baseball team, he was chosen legion “All City” from 1962-64 and Legion “All-Metro” from 1963-64. He played in the Legion World Series in 1964 with De La Salle, and he was the team captain in 1963. He also was an all-district, all-city and all-metro selection in 1963, as well as honorable mention all-state in 1963.
Additionally, he is a member of the Veterans Umpires Hall of Fame, and he was a Tulane University baseball team member for two years, including captain in 1966.
“As a catcher … I had the great advantage of catching some wonderful, fantastic pitchers in my lifetime. I’ve caught pitchers who made it to the major leagues, pitched in the major leagues.”
Bonnaffee said he caught for Gerry Schoen in high school and John Olagues at Tulane. He said both pitched in the major leagues.
Bonnaffee also served as a high school coach and led his team to the District 6-4A championship in 1971. He was named District 6-4A Coach of the Year that season.
He currently serves as Louisiana High School Athletic Association president.