Aillet was born Joseph Fuourka. In 1905, he arrived in Opelousas as an infant on an orphan train from New York City. Father Johanni Roguet of St. Anne’s Church in Youngsville claimed him and convinced Eliza Aillet, his housekeeper, to adopt him. Eliza renamed him Joseph Roguet Aillet. Aillet entered Holy Cross in 1916. He played five sports in his senior year - football, basketball, baseball, track and tennis. He was a fullback on the first Holy Cross football team, played guard in basketball, and was the captain and left fielder on the baseball team. Aillet was active in several organizations - Dramatic Club, Orchestra Band, Holy Name Society, Gold and Blue Staff and Glee Club and was voted Senior Class President. He attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX, playing all sports and participating in the Men’s Chorus. Aillet served as a coach at Haynesville High for nine seasons, leading them to the state championship game in 1932. At the collegiate level, his career began at Louisiana Normal, now Northwestern State University, where he assisted the Demons to their first perfect season. As Head Football Coach at Louisiana Tech, Aillet led the Bulldogs to a 151-86-8 record and nine conference championships over 26 years. He also coached the golf team for 15 seasons, winning the Gulf States Conference ten times. He served as Tech’s Athletic Director from 1940 to 1970 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Joe Aillet Stadium, known as “The Joe” and the Louisiana Tech home field, was dedicated in his honor in 1972, a year after his passing. Aillet was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Louisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.

Holy Cross Accolades:
• Member of the inaugural 1922 Holy Cross Football Team
• Four-year member of the baseball team
• Captain of the baseball team his senior year
• Five-sport athlete