User:Barkeep49/Eldridge Broussard
Eldridge Broussard (Birth day - September 5, 1991) was the leader of the Ecclesia Athletic Association.
Broussard publicly denied the label, including in 1984 and in a 1988 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.[1][2] While on Oprah he declined to explain himself after claiming he'd never had the opportunity to do so, drawing boos from the audience.[1] Blamed the death on the media.[3]
"Bob Allord, then the basketball coach at Pacific, defended his charge as ``a well-adjusted individual'' whom he chose to accompany him on basketball clinics for youths around the state."[1] Strong religious convictions.[1] Strong competitive desire.[1] ``He'd play one-on-one with new recruits and pretty much shut them down.''[1] Didn't drink.[1] Enthusiastic and liked by teammates.[1] While playing in the NAIA Championship game, Pacifica was up with a minute to go. Rather than holding the ball for certain victory, Broussard drove to the hoop hoping to "rub the win in".[1] After missing the lay-up and the two free throws after he was fouled Pacifica lost.[1] Following the game Broussard seemed alright while his teammates were upset about the loss.[1]
Beaten by his father.[4]
Eldridge Broussard Jr. was the leader of the Ecclesia Athletic Association. After playing basketball in college, he would found first the Watts Christian Center and then the Ecclesisa Athletic Association (EAA). The EAA faced scrutiny following the death of Broussard's six year-old daughter after she had been whipped and punished. When he died at the age of 38, he was facing charges of of enslaving 29 children who were members of his organization.[5]
Early life[edit]
Broussard was the son of a Pentecostal preacher in Los Angeles, California.[6]
In the 1970s, he played basketball for Pacific University in Oregon. [6]
Broussard founded the Watts Christian Center, which evolved into the Ecclesia Athletic Association, in the 1970s. The center functioned as a commune.[7]
Legal trouble[edit]
Broussard stated that the media was to blame for his daughter's death and for the dissolution of his organization.[8]
Death[edit]
Broussard was found dead in his home in Sandy, Oregon.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ellis, Barnes (October 23, 1988). "Ecclesia: Death and contradictions in Oregon compound". OregonLive.com. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ Rarick, Ethan (October 20, 1988). "Ecclesia Children Saw Fatal Beating, Oregon D.A. Says". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- ^ Trippett, Frank (October 31, 1988). "The Death of Dayna". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ^ Parker, Laura (October 25, 1988). "Ecclesia Group was a Mystery to Community until Girl Died". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ "Leader of Alleged Athletic Sect Found Dead in Oregon Farmhouse". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "ANOTHER CULT IN OREGON SPOTLIGHT". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b options, Show more sharing; URLCopied!, Copy Link (September 6, 1991). "Indicted Cult Leader Broussard Dies : Commune: Ex-Watts minister faced charges of enslaving children at Oregon farm". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ News, Deseret (October 21, 1988). "DESPITE THEIR CHILDREN'S BEATINGS, PARENTS STILL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ECCLESIA'S LEADER". Deseret News. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
{{cite journal}}:|last1=has generic name (help)
https://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/1988/10/ecclesia_death_and_contradicti.html
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1991-02-09-9101070722-story.html