Retired Menard track and field and cross country coach Wally Smith was informed Tuesday afternoon that he had been elected to the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Smith, who coached for 33 years at Menard, was surprised when acclaimed track and field and cross country coach Joe Moreau of Alexandria, Menard principal Cris Gatlin, several of Smith’s friends, a former runner, parents of some former runners and a former rival coach showed up at his home for the announcement of the honor.

Moreau, an early mentor for Smith, is a member of the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame and its Hall of Fame selection committee. He read the letter from the Louisiana High School Coaches Association informing Smith that he had been elected to the Hall of Fame. His induction ceremony will be April 20, 2026 in Baton Rouge.

During Smith’s tenure at Menard, the Eagles won 13 state titles in cross country with the Lady Eagles winning 11 and the Eagle boys claiming two. He also guided his girls track and field team to a state title in 2013.

“This is a runners’ award,” said Smith, “because they are all a part of this. Whenever you do God’s will, everything works.”