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The soccer complex at the Troy Parks and Recreation Center was officially named the Doug McLendon Soccer Complex on Monday in honor of and  appreciation for the longtime TP&R  soccer coach.

McLendon has long considered the opportunity to be a soccer coach and to work with kids who are dedicated to the sport an honor.

So, he was not expecting any recognition for  his dedication to the sport of soccer and to the boys and girls who play the game.

“I’m overwhelmed,” McLendon said in appreciation for the soccer complex being named in his honor and for the opportunity to work for  TP&R.

“I work for the best recreation department possible,” McLendon said. “Whatever we need, we get and when we need it. I’m proud to be a part of TP&R and to have the opportunity to coach all these kids for all this time.”

Then McLendon expressed his appreciation to his wife.

“But, I’m here because of Chrissy. She supported me in all my efforts to learn about soccer. I didn’t know anything about the game so I watched videos about soccer, I watched soccer on TV, I read about  soccer. I went to soccer games. I talked about soccer.  For me, it was a long learning process.”

McLendon’s first year as a soccer coach was 1993 at the Elm Street Field.  It was a great opportunity for “on field” learning  about the game and about the kids who play it and then, later at TP&R.

For all these years, soccer has been a big part of McLendon’s life and of his family’s life.

Therefore, McLendon he is honored to be the soccer coach at TP&R. He is honored to coach kids who enjoy playing the game.

“My job is to keep them playing soccer and keep them having fun,” McLendon said. “If I stop having fun, then I’m not doing it.”

The dedication of the facility was made along with the recognition of the four Troy soccer teams that were honored as state champions during the 2024 summer season.

Dan Smith, Troy Parks and Recreation director, congratulated the teams as champions and outstanding representatives of Troy.

“Troy has had state championship soccer teams but never all four teams in a single season,”  Smith said in acknowledging the state champion teams. “We thank Doug for his dedication to the TP&R programs in general and specifically to the soccer program. We are honored to have the Doug McLendon Soccer Complex as a facility of Troy Parks and Recreation.