Leland L. Mendenhall (1970)

MENDENHALL

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/7/2008 at 16:32:17

Earlham Echo – October 15, 1970

Services Held for L. L. Mendenhall

L. L. Mendenhall, 78, long-time University of Northern Iowa athletic director and coach of four sports, died at Cedar Falls Sunday, October 4, at Sartori Memorial hospital of a heart attack.

Mendenhall was a one-man athletic staff when he came to the school in 1921. His 1921-24 football record was 15-11-2 and he compiled an even more impressive 27-7 in three seasons as head basketball coach.

He also coached the baseball and tennis teams while holding the athletic director and head of the physical education department positions for 40 years.

During Mendenhall’s tenure the college produced more than 1,000 coaches and physical education teachers. Mendenhall helped plan expansion of the facilities through 1960 when he retired. He saw Northern Iowa teams win 56 conference titles and one national wrestling championship.

Mendenhall is survived by his wife, Marie, and one brother. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, at the First Presbyterian church at Cedar Falls and burial was in Bear Creek cemetery in Earlham, where Mendenhall was born.