Columbus Ga - Fort Benning - The A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium, previously Memorial Stadium, was renamed to honor one of our city leaders. This field was the site of the historic Georgia Bulldogs and the Auburn Tigers football rivalry, during the period of 1916 until 1958. Currently it is still home to the football rivals of Tuskegee-Moorehouse, the field is also used for local football and soccer games.
A.J. McClung was first elected to Columbus Council in 1970, pre-consolidation which came about in 1971 under Mayor J.R. Allen. Mayor Allen was killed in a plane crash in 1973 and A.J. McClung became the first African American Mayor of a major southern City, he served for 52 or 53 days. McClung went on to serve the City of Columbus and Columbus Council for a total of 28 years. A.J. McClung graduated from Tuskegee and worked as a coach in Alabama for 10 years before coming to Columbus. Re-naming this facility on his behalf is a fitting tribute to a leader who was well liked and respected throughout the region.
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