JONESBORO (12/23/11) - The Arkansas State University family mourns the loss of one of its true football coaching legends in Bennie Ellender, who passed away on Friday.  Ellender, who served as Arkansas State's head football coach from 1963-70, was inducted into the ASU Athletic Hall of Honor in 1982.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 28, with a visitation period at 1 p.m. and the memorial service scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Garden of Memories Funeral Home located at 4900 Airline Drive in Metairie, La.

"Coach Ellender is an icon for college football and his loss will be deeply felt by the entire ASU Family," said ASU Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee.  "In addition to being a tremendous coach, Bennie was a first-class individual and a true gentleman in the purest sense."

Ellender was an assistant coach at ASU in 1962 under then-head coach King Block, but was elevated to the head coaching position in 1963 and led A-State to 52-20-4 record over eight seasons for the highest winning percentage in school history at .711.  His 52 victories are the second most by a head football coach in the history of ASU's football program.

Ellender was inducted into ASU's Ring of Honor in 2000, making him one of just 14 current members to earn the prestigious football honor.  He was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year four times (1964, 1968, 1969, 1970) and led A-State to the league title three consecutive years from 1968-70.

Under Ellender's leadership, Arkansas State won the 1970 NCAA Division I small college national championship while posting a perfect 11-0 record that included a 38-21 victory over Central Missouri State in the Pecan Bowl.  ASU made three Pecan Bowl appearances from 1968-70, posting a 26-4-2 record over that span.

"Everyone who ever played or coached for Bennie Ellender loved him," said ASU Director of Major Gifts Bill Templeton, who was an assistant coach under Ellender from 1965-70.  "We are all going to miss him.  He is an icon of ASU football and he was a great man."