BATON ROUGE — LSU formally named its football practice facility for Charles McClendon, the winningest football coach in school history, on Monday with a ceremony at the complex.
The facility, which features four full-length football practice fields as well as an indoor practice facility, will now be known as the Charles McClendon Practice Facility, LSU Director of Athletics Skip Bertman announced.
The words “Charles McClendon Practice Facility” is featured at the front gate of the facility along with a picture of Coach Mac. In addition, signage from LSU’s bowl appearances is featured along the fence that borders the facility.
“Anytime you do something like this it’s a wonderful thing,” Bertman said. “It’s particularly great for me and others in the athletic department to honor Charlie Mac, the winningest football coach in LSU history. Coach Mac was a wonderful person and a great family man who touched many lives and I’m proud to announce that the LSU football practice fields will now be called the Charles McClendon Practice Facility.”
Among those in attendance at the ceremony on Monday were several former players, including Mike Duhon and Mike Pharis, along with Dorothy Faye McClendon, the wife of the late Charles McClendon.
“This is the most wonderful affair that I have ever been to and we are so, so pleased,” Dorothy Faye said. “I am at a loss to know how to properly thank all of the people who have been so wonderful to remember him in this way. Charles loved LSU. He loved the game of football and especially his players. I think that the boys (former players) will be just as honored as we are honored to know that they played over here in the Ponderosa. They feel like they were a special part of this unique legacy that we have. What a great honor this is for the McClendon family to have this facility dedicated to one, fine man Charles McClendon.”
McClendon served as head coach at LSU from 1962 to 1979, a span that saw the Tigers play in 13 bowl games. McClendon compiled a 137-59-7 overall mark in 18 seasons with the Tigers for an overall winning percentage of .692. McClendon was named SEC Coach of the Year twice, in 1969 and 1970, and he was named National Coach of the Year in 1970 after leading the Tigers to a 9-3 overall mark and to the SEC title with a perfect 5-0 league mark.
In all, McClendon coached LSU to 16-winning seasons and the Tigers had six 9-win seasons under his direction. McClendon is a member of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame as well as the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.