McNeese State sports information director Louis Bonnette worked his 500th consecutive football game October 24, watching the Cowboys play on a field named in his honor.

Bonnette has served as McNeese State’s SID for 43 years, and the school marked his 500th game by “Going Blue for Lou” before kickoff. He received a football jersey with a unique number – 500 – and was recognized on the field.

In his tenure, Bonnette has seen the team through 24 playoff games, two national-championship appearances and three bowl games. He has seen Kurt Warner, Roger Staubach and Terry Bradshaw play, and has attended every landmark football game in McNeese State history, including the largest attendance in 1976 and the 1979 season, the Cowboys’ second undefeated season.

Bonnette has had to adjust over time, trading in his typewriter for a computer and mastering modern design and digital photography. He founded the school’s hall of fame and was inducted several years ago. He was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America hall of fame earlier this year.