Knightly News

Before this year’s Episcopal Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees celebrated on the field, they took time to speak with Middle School students during Morning Meeting. Coach Claney Duplechin and Chandler Rice ’99 reflected on what Episcopal means to them and offered advice to the current students.

“Teachers never gave up on me,” Rice shared. “Episcopal gave me an environment where I could succeed.”

“The greatest lessons I’ve learned came from you,” advised Coach Dupe. “Dream big, work hard and don’t underestimate what you can become.”

The Episcopal Athletic Hall of Fame is a tribute to the outstanding alumni, athletes and individuals who have significantly contributed to Episcopal sports. Each year, new inductees are celebrated for their skill, dedication, and sportsmanship, and for the lasting impact they’ve had on the school. Check out the list of past inductees here. 

Read more about the 2026 Inductees and share a message of congratulations with them in the comments section below.

Coach Claney Duplechin

Legendary Episcopal School of Baton Rouge track and field/cross country coach Claney Duplechin has completed his 50th year in coaching and is in his 48th year with the Knights. Coach Duplechin ended the 2025-2026 school year with 70 LHSAA state titles in track and cross country and 15 runner-up finishes. According to MaxPreps, that record ranks sixth nationally in all sports.  Coach Duplechin’s boys cross country team had an impressive streak of 25 consecutive state LHSAA titles, which ended by two points in November 2021. That streak ranks second all-time in the US, behind only Hopi High School of Arizona, which holds the record with 26.

Under Coach Duplechin, Episcopal has won 35 of the past 42 Class 2A boys cross country titles and has been voted the top team in all classes/divisions six times. In 2018, Coach Duplechin began coaching the girls cross country team and has since won six straight titles. In addition, the boys teams have won 19 outdoor track titles and nine indoor track titles.

Beyond athletics, Coach Duplechin has been married to his former high school sweetheart and high school valedictorian, Phyllis Fuselier Duplechin, for more than five decades. Coach Duplechin graduated from Mamou High School and was a member of the football, basketball, track and baseball teams.

Accolades:

• Three-time National Coach of the Year
• 2012 Girls National Track Coach of the Year
• 2013 National Federation of High School Coaches Cross Country Coach of the Year
• 2018 National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year
• Recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Louisiana Track and Field Coaches Association
• Awarded the Key to the City by then-Mayor Kip Holden in 2012
• 2019 Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2020 Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2020 MaxPreps ranking as one of the nation’s top 100 coaches in all sports

Chandler Rice ’99

Alumnus Chandler Rice’s athletic legacy lives on nearly three decades later, with multiple longstanding school records.  Chandler holds the record for the 200-meter dash with 22 seconds. His 16-foot sophomore pole vault still holds the school record, and Rice also holds the #2, #3, and #20 records in the 400-yard dash. Chandler was a member of the Knights team that won District, Regional and State Championships in 1999, 1998 and 1997. The team also won the 1996 District and Regional titles and finished as State Runner-Up.

After a record-breaking high school career, Chandler continued his pursuit of excellence. He was a contributor to the University of Tennessee track and field team that won three SEC Championships and two NCAA Team Championships between 2000 and 2004. Collegiately, Chandler competed in pole vault, with an impressive personal best of 17’11”. He also competed in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter.

In addition to a commitment to athletic excellence, Chandler was dedicated to academics, earning SEC Academic Honor Roll his senior year. Chandler ultimately graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports management.

Beyond Athletics

Chandler’s connections to Episcopal run deep, as his brother Randolph is a 1996 graduate. Their parents, Randy and Margaret Rice, are longtime Episcopal supporters. Chandler has been married to his wife Jenna Rice for 10 years, and they have two daughters, Eleanora and Juliette.

Professionally, Chandler owned Patriot Industries for 10 years before he sold the company. He currently works as an Industrial Developer with Brossett Development.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.