THE INSPIRATIONAL FIGHT ANDRE BROUSSARD put up against cancer ended early Thursday morning when the La Marque High School girls’ basketball coach was called Home at the age of 49. Broussard, who had defeated an earlier bout with cancer, had the disease emerge recently and was unable to overcome it.
Broussard was diagnosed with state 4 Prostate cancer in late 2018. Despite the challenges that came with it, he was able to find a way to smile and inspire his wife, Vanessa, and his three children.
In his three years as a teacher and coach, Broussard touched an infinite number of lives at La Marque, especially with his team, one in which he felt was on the verge of taking a bigger step forward this upcoming season after the Cougars advanced to the area round of the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Despite losing to state powerhouse Hardin-Jefferson, Broussard felt the experience would be a launching point to a bigger 2020-21 campaign.
“It’s a heck of an experience but one we can take into the offseason,” he said after the loss in late February.
The Cougars will eventually name a replacement, but whoever fills the role will be challenged to fill the void Broussard left among those whose lives he touched.
“(Thursday), the Cougar family lost one of the most inspirational men to walk the halls of La Marque High School, Coach Andrew Broussard,” said La Marque athletic coordinator/head football coach Shone Evans in a statement. “Words cannot express the appreciation we have for the lives he touched both in the classroom and on the court.
“He will be missed dearly by all, and we send our condolences to his family, friends and countless men and women he mentored,” added Evans.
“We lost a great man,” said Mark Patton, who coached alongside Broussard at Pasadena Memorial during the 2017-18 season. “His reach went beyond the sports he coached and the music he made. He was a tremendous asset to the Mavs players, coaches and student body while he was here and after he departed to become a head coach for the first time at La Marque.
“He connected with all and his life impacted countless people from various schools and all walks of life…Coach Broussard, you’ll be missed. Rest easy, Brou. We’ll see you on the other side.”
One of Broussard’s accomplishments was bringing back former La Marque all-state player Jessieka Palmer to the Cougars family as an assistant coach. The presence of Palmer helped Broussard connect with the players.
“From the moment we met, we were family,” said Palmer in an emotional Facebook post. “We set a goal to change the culture and we did effortlessly! Thank you all you’ve done for so many! I spent almost every day with you the past two years, and I’m going to miss every second of it.
“I have some big shoes to fill but I know you’re going to be there with me every step of the way. I love you and I’ll see you later, Beezy. Job well done!”
