Bennie Thornell Position: Stats/Sideline -- FB

Bennie Thornell begins his 23rd year as a member of the LA Tech Sports Network as he will serve as the statistician for the majority of Bulldog football games this year while also moving down to the sideline for a selected number of contests.

Thornell, a 1969 graduate of the Louisiana Tech marketing department, began his association with the LA Tech Sports Network in 1990 as the statistician before moving down to the sideline in 1996 where he has spent the majority of his time.

The Bossier City native is a long-time friend of Tech great and NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw. Thornell and former Tech wide receiver Tommy Spinks followed Bradshaw to the "Steel City" as they started the Pittsburgh Steelers Weekly in 1979 - one of the most successful NFL franchise publications.

Thornell, who served for more than 15 years on the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors, is currently employed as a sales representative for SportsWorld in Shreveport.