You can now count LSU’s “Alexander the Great” among college football’s all-time greats.
Charles Alexander, the two-time All-American running back and Heisman Trophy finalist was named Tuesday to the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation announced.
One of the greatest running backs in Southeastern Conference annals, Alexander etched his name in college football history during a four-year career from 1975-78.
Known to Tiger fans as “Alexander the Great,” he earned All-America honors in 1977 and 1978 while finishing ninth in the Heisman Trophy race as a junior and fifth as a senior.
“This is an important recognition for one of the legendary figures in LSU athletics history,” LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said in a university statement. “This honor is one of the most significant and prestigious honors in all of sports and one which is well-deserved. Charlie played an important role in LSU football history and the University congratulates him on this tremendous honor.”
Alexander’s formal induction into the hall won’t come until Dec. 4 during ceremonies in New York. He will be enshrined during ceremonies in summer 2013.
The Missouri City, Texas, native becomes just the eighth LSU player ever elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. Five coaches whose careers included stints at LSU are also in the hall.
Named SEC MVP in 1977, Alexander set nine SEC records and tied another. By the time he completed his LSU career he held 27 school records.
Alexander still holds the school records for most rushes in a game (43), most yards in a season (1,686) and most yards gained per game in a season (153.3). He was selected with the 12th pick in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft by Cincinnati and played in Super Bowl XVI.
Alexander was previously named to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame and is a member of LSU’s Modern Day Team of the Century.
After his playing days, Alexander later served as a development officer for LSU’s Tiger Athletic Foundation. He is now in private business in Houston.
Others named Tuesday to the College Football Hall of Fame include former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum, an Oakdale native and former player at McNeese State; former Tennessee coach and player R.C. Slocum; former Miami, Oklahoma State and Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson; former California and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski; former Syracuse and Washington Redskins receiver Art Monk; former Notre Dame and Oakland Raiders tight end Dave Casper; and former Rice and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer.
LSU COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
PLAYERS
- Charles Alexander, 2012
- Jerry Stovall, 2010*
- Billy Cannon, 2008
- Tommy Casanova, 1995
- G.E. “Doc” Fenton, 1971
- Abe Mickal, 1967
- Ken Kavanaugh, 1963
- Gaynell “Gus” Tinsley, 1956*
COACHES
- Dana X. Bible, 1951
- Mike Donahue, 1951
- Lawrence “Biff” Jones, 1954
- Bernie Moore, 1954
- Charles McClendon, 1986
*-Also served as head coach at LSU
