My only question about Louie and I don't mean this as a slight because the guy is smart for someone who does not have the traditional university education but is there some kind of sexual thing to all this? I am asking because I think of the wealthy schmoe factor in bodybuilding so I wonder if it exists in powerlifting because these guys all for a lack of a better word look like bears
Naw, the early Westside was just a simple little hole in the wall that was cobbled together by the members, mostly from Ohio. Powerlifting and Weightlifting used to filled with tiny little clubs like that, because commercial gyms didn't care for those styles of lifting. Louie also competed up till a few years ago, so it was more just a guy and his friends type thing.
Also the Westside sales pitch for training, equipment sales, etc.... is based on him being able to point to that board, and say he's got one of the best gyms in the World, so he actively recruits new lifters. This has been true the last decade and half, as the old crew ages off. He hooks you up with his knowledge and the gym, but you better be putting numbers up on that board or you're done.
As for why they all look like bears? That's just a part of Powerlifting, especially in the #275+ classes. I think that after a certain point most guys in that style of lifting figure they aren't going to be pretty boys, so they head toward the misfit look, which in turn, is what the bears like.
There's been lots of stories about Westside over the years, some not flattering, but I've never heard a schmoe angle about Louie.
