[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING BOB FRALEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with Congressman 
Radanovich, to congratulate Bob Fraley upon his induction into the 
Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Fraley will be honored at the 50th 
anniversary enshrinement dinner of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame on 
Thursday, November 6, 2008.
  Bob Fraley grew up in the tiny community of Hardwick, California, and 
admired the man considered the best pole-vaulter ever, ``Dutch'' 
Warmerdam. Coach Fraley was raised just an orchard away from the 
Warmerdam home. Before he was done with his storied career, Coach 
Fraley would nurture a track-and-field powerhouse at Lemoore High 
School, mentor more than 40 All-Americans at California State 
University, Fresno, and made the ``Fraley'' name synonymous with the 
pole vault all over the world.
  According to Coach Fraley, his most significant accomplishment in his 
career was saving the California State University, Fresno, men's track-
and-field team in 2003 after it was cut by the school as an 
intercollegiate sport. He saved the program by telling the university's 
administration, ``take my salary; just don't take my sport.'' The 
school agreed and Coach Fraley coached for free and was hailed in 
Sports Illustrated for solving a problem instead of pointing fingers at 
others.
  The honors are many for Coach Fraley, who was also a trailblazer for 
women's athletics and the implementation of Title IX. He was named 2003 
USA Track and Field Nike Coach of the Year, U.S. Olympic Committee 
Developmental Coach of the Year in 2004, 2006 national Pole Vault Hall 
of Fame inductee and two-time Western Athletic Conference coach of the 
year. During his 28 years at California State University, Fresno, 
including 8 years as head coach, he developed many of the Nation's top 
performers; including 19 Academic All-Americans. Among his top athletes 
were pole-vaulter Jim Davis, who cleared 19 feet and won three NCAA 
titles; four-time All-American triple jumper Reggie Jackson; and 
Melissa (Price) Lewis, the first female inductee of the national Pole 
Vault Hall of Fame and the first female high school and NCAA pole vault 
champ.
  Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend and congratulate Bob Fraley 
upon his achievements and induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of 
Fame. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Coach Fraley 
congratulations on his many accomplishments.

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