NOTE: The Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held on October 7th at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Six former greats will be enshrined as the Class of 2023 with two more receiving Meritorious Service Awards. Leading up to gala event the Jackson Parish Journal is running a special feature on each of the inductees and honorees. This edition – Corey Bond
A fundamental principle of bond investing is that market interest rates and bond prices generally move in opposite directions. When market interest rates rise, prices of fixed-rate bonds fall. This phenomenon is known as interest rate risk.
What is true in the financial market doesn’t apply in the realm of athletics. When Corey Bond of Weston High School played baseball back in the early 1990’s, there was very high interest but his stock only got better and there was no risk.
In the world of finance gains are measured in currency. In athletic competition success is measured by wins. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who paid a higher dividend to his team or had a more complete portfolio than Bond.
Weston has long been known as a “blue blood” of small school prep baseball, winning numerous district titles and compiling five state championships. This includes playing in the state finals eight times in ten years from 1977 – 86.
What some may not remember is that following the last of their title game appearances the Wolves baseball program fell on hard times, failing to win even a district championship.
Interest was waning.
Then along came Bond.
Major dividends followed.
Especially during the 1991-92 season. That was the year that the 6’4″ 195 lb. fireballer pitched Weston to a 10-4 record and their first district title and playoff game victory in six seasons. Individually the lanky lefty compiled an 8-2 record and a miniscule 0.87 ERA, earning Class B MVP status and a berth on the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association (LBCA) All-Star team, playing for the East squad.
Bond went on to pay dividends for Northwestern State University as well after graduating from Weston High School. During his three years of varsity action, Bond compiled a 7-3 record helping NSU to three straight Southland Conference Championships. Included was him earning a victory over national champion LSU in 1996.
