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WASHINGTON: SPEECH OF HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TO RECOGNIZE JERRY TARKANIAN
US Official News
October 23, 2013 Wednesday
OCTOBER 22, 2013
Washington
The Library of Congress, The Government of USA has issued the
following Speech:
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jerry Tarkanian
or "Tark the Shark," for being inducted into the Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame. Nationwide, Jerry is most recognized for
his achievements as the basketball coach for University of Nevada,
Las Vegas (UNLV), but in California's 16th Congressional District,
we know Jerry as California State University, Fresno's (Fresno State)
spirited and energetic former head basketball coach. Fresno State is
Jerry's alma mater, and the community is very proud to say so.
Jerry was born in Euclid, Ohio, and is the son of Armenian immigrants.
He moved halfway across the country to get an education and play
basketball. In 1955, he graduated from Fresno State, and later earned
his master's degree in Educational Management from the University
of Redlands.
Jerry began his coaching career at San Joaquin Memorial High School
in Fresno. He then went on to coach high school basketball in Southern
California, and then coached at Riverside City College from 1961-1966
and Pasadena City College from 1966-1968. Jerry was successful at
the city college level, and brought four consecutive teams to the
California Junior College Championships.
Jerry coached his first Division I team at California State University,
Long Beach from 1968-1973. As a coach during the late 60's, he defied
some of the social norms of the time by becoming one of the first
coaches to start more than three African-American players. He is also
one of the first coaches to recognize the advantages of coaching junior
college athletes. Jerry took a personal interest in his players and
wanted them to succeed on and off the court. He reached out to young
men who lived in inner-cities and normally would not have access to
a higher education.
In 1973, Jerry moved to Nevada to become head coach at UNLV. During
his tenure, he made four Final Four appearances, and in 1990 won the
NCAA Division I National Championship. For many years to come, Jerry
would be recognized as the individual who turned around the basketball
program at UNLV and made it into a winning program. When his career
ended at UNLV, Jerry returned to Fresno and coached at his alma mater
from 1995-2002. For six years in a row, his teams had 20-win seasons.
Jerry coached 42 players who were drafted by the NBA, including 12
first-round selections. Some of his most notable players include:
Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Armen Gilliam, and Sidney Green. He
also coached Roscoe and Clifton Pondexter also known as the Pondexter
brothers who were a powerhouse at San Joaquin Memorial and have since
left a legacy at the high school.
Due to the efforts made by Jerry and the "Stadium Builders" in the
mid 1990's, The Savemart Center was built. For years, there had been
discussions regarding an on-campus arena at Fresno State, but it was
not made into a reality until Jerry began his successful coaching
career at the university. When he finished his coaching career, Jerry
worked as the Senior Development Consultant for the Savemart Center.
Jerry is appreciated by individuals throughout our nation, but he is
especially treasured in Fresno, California. Central Valley residents
take pride in Fresno State, and it was an honor to have Jerry leading
our Bulldogs on the basketball court.
Jerry is married to Lois Tarkanian and they have four children and
11 grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the
House of Representatives to recognize Coach Jerry Tarkanian as he is
recognized for all of the contributions that he has made to the game
of basketball.
For more information please visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/
US Official News
October 23, 2013 Wednesday
OCTOBER 22, 2013
Washington
The Library of Congress, The Government of USA has issued the
following Speech:
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jerry Tarkanian
or "Tark the Shark," for being inducted into the Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame. Nationwide, Jerry is most recognized for
his achievements as the basketball coach for University of Nevada,
Las Vegas (UNLV), but in California's 16th Congressional District,
we know Jerry as California State University, Fresno's (Fresno State)
spirited and energetic former head basketball coach. Fresno State is
Jerry's alma mater, and the community is very proud to say so.
Jerry was born in Euclid, Ohio, and is the son of Armenian immigrants.
He moved halfway across the country to get an education and play
basketball. In 1955, he graduated from Fresno State, and later earned
his master's degree in Educational Management from the University
of Redlands.
Jerry began his coaching career at San Joaquin Memorial High School
in Fresno. He then went on to coach high school basketball in Southern
California, and then coached at Riverside City College from 1961-1966
and Pasadena City College from 1966-1968. Jerry was successful at
the city college level, and brought four consecutive teams to the
California Junior College Championships.
Jerry coached his first Division I team at California State University,
Long Beach from 1968-1973. As a coach during the late 60's, he defied
some of the social norms of the time by becoming one of the first
coaches to start more than three African-American players. He is also
one of the first coaches to recognize the advantages of coaching junior
college athletes. Jerry took a personal interest in his players and
wanted them to succeed on and off the court. He reached out to young
men who lived in inner-cities and normally would not have access to
a higher education.
In 1973, Jerry moved to Nevada to become head coach at UNLV. During
his tenure, he made four Final Four appearances, and in 1990 won the
NCAA Division I National Championship. For many years to come, Jerry
would be recognized as the individual who turned around the basketball
program at UNLV and made it into a winning program. When his career
ended at UNLV, Jerry returned to Fresno and coached at his alma mater
from 1995-2002. For six years in a row, his teams had 20-win seasons.
Jerry coached 42 players who were drafted by the NBA, including 12
first-round selections. Some of his most notable players include:
Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Armen Gilliam, and Sidney Green. He
also coached Roscoe and Clifton Pondexter also known as the Pondexter
brothers who were a powerhouse at San Joaquin Memorial and have since
left a legacy at the high school.
Due to the efforts made by Jerry and the "Stadium Builders" in the
mid 1990's, The Savemart Center was built. For years, there had been
discussions regarding an on-campus arena at Fresno State, but it was
not made into a reality until Jerry began his successful coaching
career at the university. When he finished his coaching career, Jerry
worked as the Senior Development Consultant for the Savemart Center.
Jerry is appreciated by individuals throughout our nation, but he is
especially treasured in Fresno, California. Central Valley residents
take pride in Fresno State, and it was an honor to have Jerry leading
our Bulldogs on the basketball court.
Jerry is married to Lois Tarkanian and they have four children and
11 grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the
House of Representatives to recognize Coach Jerry Tarkanian as he is
recognized for all of the contributions that he has made to the game
of basketball.
For more information please visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/