McArdle played point guard on LSU’s first Final Four team
By JAMES MORAN
Tiger Rag Associate Editor
One of the best-known forerunners of the LSU basketball program passed away over the weekend.
Born the son of Irish immigrants and raised in New York City, Bernard “Benny” McArdle traveled south to Baton Rouge in 1949 to basketball and baseball for the Tigers. He earned All-Conference recognition in both sports, and he was the starting point guard who got the ball to star Bob Pettit during LSU’s first Final Four run in 1953.
Meanwhile, he pitched for the baseball team. He led the Tigers in wins during all three of his varsity seasons and twice led in ERA and strikeouts, earning himself a place on the All-Alex Box Stadium “Foundation Era” Team.
McArdle graduated from LSU with a degree in Education and went on to earn Masters Degrees in Political Science and History. He also met and married his wife, “Boots McArdle,” at Christ the King Student Center on campus.
Married in 1953, the McArdles celebrated both their 60th wedding anniversary and the 60-year anniversary of that Final Four run three years ago. Benny is survived by his wife and his four sons, John, Frank, Brian, & Chris. He has 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
According to his obituary in The Advocate, Funeral arrangements have been set for Tuesday, July 12th, at Christ the King Church on LSU campus. Visitation will be from 9 to 10, funeral mass from 10 to 11, and reception following the mass in the church activity center.
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