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==Journalist and civic leader==

==Journalist and civic leader==

Gomez first tackled the tasks of sports announcing for J.C. Politz of LSU in 1959 and thereafter became the [[radio]] voice of the ULL (then University of Southwestern Louisiana) Ragin' Cajuns" [[football]] and [[basketball]] teams from 1961 to 1979.[7]The Ragin' Cajuns played in the Grantland Rice Bowl in 1973; that game was televised but apparently reached a smaller audience than Gomez's audio coverage of the regular games. In 1978, Gomez was the president of the Lafayette [[Chamber of Commerce]], from which position he laid the groundwork for construction of the popular  Cajundome sports complex, known for its stunning architectural design. Gomez worked to secure the stadium in the [[David C. Treen]] [[Republican Party|Republican]] administration, but it was not opened and dedicated until November 10, 1985, by which time Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]] had returned to the governorship.[8]

Gomez first tackled the tasks of sports announcing for J.C. Politz of LSU in 1959 and thereafter became the [[radio]] voice of the ULL (then University of Southwestern Louisiana) Ragin' Cajuns" [[football]] and [[basketball]] teams from 1961 to 1979.[7]The Ragin' Cajuns played in the Grantland Rice Bowl in 1973; that game was televised but apparently reached a smaller audience than Gomez's audio coverage of the regular games. In 1978, Gomez was the president of the Lafayette [[Chamber of Commerce]], from which position he laid the groundwork for construction of the popular  Cajundome sports complex, known for its stunning architectural design. Gomez worked to secure the stadium in the [[David C. Treen]] [[Republican Party|Republican]] administration, but it was not opened and dedicated until November 10, 1985, by which time Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]] had returned to the governorship. [8]

Gomez appeared on Lafayette KPEL-TV from 1963 to 1965 on an early morning show called simply "A.M.", with Bob Hamm, Frank Hosea, and John Plauche. He also continued with the radio play-by-play and hosted a weekly coach's program until 1977, with assistance from coaches Russ Faulkinberry and Augie Tammariello. In the spring of 1965, Gomez became the KPEL station manager, with ownership of 10 percent of the company.[2]

Gomez appeared on Lafayette KPEL-TV from 1963 to 1965 on an early morning show called simply "A.M.", with Bob Hamm, Frank Hosea, and John Plauche. He also continued with the radio play-by-play and hosted a weekly coach's program until 1977, with assistance from coaches Russ Faulkinberry and Augie Tammariello. In the spring of 1965, Gomez became the KPEL station manager, with ownership of 10 percent of the company.[2]

In his 2000 [[autobiography]]. ''My Name is Ron and I Am a Recovering Legislator,''  Gomez recalls how his early interest in communications came to fruition:

In his 2000 [[autobiography]]. ''My Name is Ron and I Am a Recovering Legislator,''  Gomez recalls how his early interest in communications came to fruition:

"My earliest ambition was to be a radio announcer, specifically, a play-by-play sportscaster. I was fortunate enough to fulfill that ambition at an early age. In my [then fifty-seven] years in the broadcasting industry, I worked in almost every position, commercial announcer, disc jockey, copywriter, news and sports reporter, sales representative, manager, and finally, owner of three South Louisiana radio stations, KPEL and KTDY in Lafayette and KTQQ in Sulphur near [[Lake Charles]].[9]  

"My earliest ambition was to be a radio announcer, specifically, a play-by-play sportscaster. I was fortunate enough to fulfill that ambition at an early age. In my [then fifty-seven] years in the broadcasting industry, I worked in almost every position, commercial announcer, disc jockey, copywriter, news and sports reporter, sales representative, manager, and finally, owner of three South Louisiana radio stations, KPEL and KTDY in Lafayette and KTQQ in Sulphur near [[Lake Charles]]. [9]  

In 1979, Gomez was named "Louisiana Broadcaster of the Year."[10] He sold the stations in 1988.[2] In 2008, Gomez became operating partner and publisher of a free, weekly, [[conservative]] newspaper ''The Acadiana Gazette,'' which is distributed primarily in Broussard, Youngsville, and south Lafayette. In addition to his memoir and the novel Neat, Gomez has published two other books, ''Pelican Games,'' a novel based on a Louisiana gubernatorial campaign, and ''Slam Dunked,'' based on the behind-the-scenes story of the basketball suspension of USL by the NCAA in 1973.[2]

In 1979, Gomez was named "Louisiana Broadcaster of the Year."[10] He sold the stations in 1988.[2] In 2008, Gomez became operating partner and publisher of a free, weekly, [[conservative]] newspaper ''The Acadiana Gazette,'' which is distributed primarily in Broussard, Youngsville, and south Lafayette. In addition to his memoir and the novel Neat, Gomez has published two other books, ''Pelican Games,'' a novel based on a Louisiana gubernatorial campaign, and ''Slam Dunked,'' based on the behind-the-scenes story of the basketball suspension of USL by the NCAA in 1973. [2]

==Lafayette legislator==

==Lafayette legislator==