WDSU Sports Reporter Carley McCord Killed In Plane Crash

Carley McCord, a sports reporter at Hearst-owned NBC affiliate WDSU New Orleans (DMA 50), was one of five killed in a plane crash on Saturday, Dec. 28.

According to reports, McCord was riding in a private plane from Lafayette, La., to the Peach Bowl to watch LSU play Oklahoma.  The plane took off from Lafayette Regional Airport at 9:20 a.m.

McCord, 30, was the daughter-in-law of LSU Offensive Coordinator Steve Ensminger.

McCord was born and raised in Baton Rouge, La. She graduated from Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University.

McCord’s first broadcast job was in Cleveland where she worked as an in-house reporter for the Cleveland Browns. A few months later, McCord was hired by CBS Radio in Cleveland before ultimately moving back to Baton Rouge to pursue her broadcast career in her hometown.

Most recently, McCord was a freelance sideline reporter and sports reporter for various television stations and networks including Cox Sports Television, ESPN3 and WDSU.

“We are devastated by the loss of such an amazing talent and valued member of our WDSU family,” said WDSU President-GM Joel Vilmenay. “Carley’s passion for sports journalism and her deep knowledge of Louisiana sports, from high school to the professional ranks, made her an exceptional journalist. As we reflect on her impressive body of work, we offer our deepest condolences to her family.”

“Words cannot express the tremendous amount of sorrow our entire staff holds for Carley and her family,” said WDSU News Director Akili Franklin. “She was an extraordinary woman and a talented reporter. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends. She will be severely missed.”

McCord is survived by her husband, Steve Ensminger Jr.

The Lafayette Police Department identified the other four victims killed in the crash as Ian Biggs, 51, who was the pilot; Robert Vaughan Crisp, 59; Gretchen Vincent, 51; and Michael Vincent, 15.

The sixth person on the plane was Stephen Wade Berzas, 37, who is currently hospitalized and remains in critical condition.