ROH 046-McClendon-Rhodemyre

Charlie McClendon

Charlie McClendon was a versatile performer for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and helped lead the 1949 team to the Orange Bowl and the 1950 squad to the Sugar Bowl. He lettered two seasons at UK as a defensive end, cornerback, and tight end. McClendon later became an assistant coach and joined Kentucky in 1951, Vanderbilt in 1952, and LSU from 1953-61 before taking over the reins in Baton Rouge in 1962. He compiled a 137-59-7 mark in 18 years at LSU, took the Tigers to 13 bowl games, and was named National Coach of the Year in 1970 by the American Football Coaches Association. In 1980, McClendon was the Executive Director of the Tangerine Bowl for two years before completing 12 years (1982-94) as Executive Director of the AFCA. He would later receive the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award from the AFCA in 1992 for “outstanding service in the advancement of the best interests of football.”

Jay Rhodemyre

During his three seasons at Kentucky, Jay Rhodemyre became a first-team ALL-SEC choice as a senior after garnering third-team all-league honors as a junior. He played his final two years for the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant and helped lead Kentucky to the school’s first bowl appearance in 1947. Rhodemyre was named to Kentucky’s All-Time Team in selections made by both the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Louisville Courier-Journal. Further accolades include: MVP honors of the 1948 College All-Star Game, a spot in the 1947 Blue-Gray Game, and a four-year career in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. Following his football career, Rhodemyre worked as an engineer and was part-owner of Thermal Equipment Sales Company.