McDonnell film to be shown Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – An 11-minute version of a documentary celebrating the life and career of legendary Arkansas track and field coach John McDonnell will be shown on the video board at John McDonnell Field at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday prior to the start of the final day of the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The full 26-minute film developed by Emmy Award winning documentary producer Larry Foley and longtime Razorback video archivist Jim Borden was premiered on Monday night on the University of Arkansas campus.

The film features the story of McDonnell chronicling his time as a young boy in County Mayo, Ireland, his collegiate running career at Southwestern Louisiana and his prolific coaching career at Arkansas. McDonnell spent 36 years as the head coach of the Razorbacks’ men’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field programs.

In McDonnell’s tenure, Arkansas won 40 national championships, including five national triple crowns, 84 conference championships and produced more than a dozen Olympians and 184 All-Americans.

John McDonnell – The Greatest Coach Ever! is available for pre-purchase through the Hog Heaven store on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. The DVD includes the full-length documentary, bonus interviews and highlights of the John McDonnell Tribute Dinner. Orders will be fulfilled in four to six weeks.