Field to be dedicated in LHS grad McCord’s honor

For The Madison Press

File Photo

Defiance College’s Craig McCord, a 1965 London High School graduate, will be honored when Ayersville High dedicates its football field in his honor as part of the school’s Reunion Weekend.

DEFIANCE — Defiance College’s Craig McCord, a 1965 London High School graduate, will add yet another accolade to his hall-of-fame resume on Sept. 30 when Ayersville High dedicates its football field in his honor as part of the school’s Reunion Weekend.

McCord is entering his eighth season on staff with Defiance College, where he serves as the special teams and linebackers coach for the Yellow Jackets.

Prior to coming on board at DC, McCord spent 30 seasons at the helm of the Ayersville football team.

After starting the program from scratch in 1974, McCord went on to lead the Pilots to 12 league championships, five undefeated regular seasons and eight appearances in the state playoffs.

One of those postseasons came in 1986, when McCord guided the squad to a runner-up finish.

McCord was inducted into the Ohio High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in April of 2006, after tutoring 231 all-conference players and 39 All-Ohio performers in 35 years on the high school sidelines.

The field dedication festivities will begin with a family tailgate at Ayersville High at 4:30 p.m., with a ceremony for the 25th anniversary of the 1986 state finalist team set to begin at 6:15 p.m. The field dedication will then take place prior to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.