FAYETTEVILLE — A statue honoring the most successful coach in NCAA history was unveiled Friday.

The 7-foot, 6-inch bronze statue of John McDonnell, Arkansas' legendary former track & field coach, was dedicated during a ceremony outside John McDonnell Field. The statue is part of an addition to the outdoor track facility commemorating the success of the Razorbacks' men's and women's programs.

In addition to the McDonnell statue, 52 9-foot pillars documenting the program's national and conference championships, all-Americans and Olympic athletes were unveiled. The statue and championship plaques are located at the corner of Razorback Rd. and Meadow St. on the University of Arkansas campus.

"When we talked about the idea of a statue, (John's) insistence was, 'Not just me; I want to recognize all the athletes, men and women, to make sure they are not forgotten and their legacy continues," said longtime women's track coach Lance Harter.

McDonnell built a dynasty in track & field and cross country at Arkansas, winning 40 national championships and 84 conference championships. Under McDonnell, the Razorbacks had streaks of 12 consecutive indoor national championships and 34 straight conference championships in cross country.

McDonnell coached 656 all-Americans and was named national coach of the year 30 times.

"These numbers are staggering," UA Chancellor David Gearhart said. "Indeed they rival those of many entire athletic departments. John, you truly have built a legacy of success that will continue forever."

Added Harter, "Coach McDonnell has no peer."

Hundreds of university officials and former athletes were on-hand for the dedication Friday. Current Arkansas men's track coach Chris Bucknam recalled realizing the scope of McDonnell's success during a dinner shortly after taking over for him in 2008

"I'd been in town maybe two months and we're sitting and watching all these speakers get up and talk (about McDonnell)," Bucknam said. "I'm sitting there and watching it and I'm sinking in my chair. The killer was when President (Bill) Clinton comes on the video board. President Clinton comes on and starts talking to John and my wife kicked me under the table and said, 'Buck, I think we can get that job back at Northern Iowa.'"

McDonnell thanked former Arkansas athletics director Frank Broyles for hiring him in 1972. McDonnell was a coach and shop teacher at Greenland High School at the time.

"I know he had many choices but he saw something in me and I guess he was probably right," McDonnell said. "…He was the only boss I ever had. I began and finished my career at Arkansas."

The McDonnell statue was sculpted by Garfield resident Raymond Gibby, who also sculpted the Brandon Burlsworth Trophy. The John McDonnell Statue Fund, a nonprofit organization directed by former Arkansas runner Seth Summerside, raised $50,000 for the project in 2011.

McDonnell is the third individual to have a statue erected on the university's campus. A statue of former U.S. senator and UA president J. William Fulbright is located outside the Old Main building, and a statue of Broyles is located on the steps of the Broyles Athletic Center.