Merle Schexnaildre, Former Player

Chinese Bandits: Sugar Bowl Program, 1959 GV 958 .L65 L66 LLMVC

Merle Schexnaildre

Merle Schexnaildre was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from Terrebonne High School in 1955, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. At LSU, Schexnaildre became a part of Coach Paul Dietzel’s squad. He played fullback and defensive line for LSU during the 1958 and 1959 football seasons. Schexnaildre was part of the 1958 National Championship team and belonged to the defensive unit, the Chinese Bandits, who were an integral part of LSU’s victory over Miami in 1958. The LSU defense allowed 53 total points and six points per game, including four shutouts that season.

Schexnaildre currently lives in Baton Rouge and works in the insurance field as a retirement planner and financial consultant.

Schexnaildre’s interview is housed in the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History at LSU Libraries Special Collections. Schexnaildre, Merle, interview by Scott Purdy, audio recording, 1993, 4700.0314. Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.