[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING COACH VIC ROWEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2011

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Vic Rowen, a man 
whose distinguished career as Head Football Coach for the San Francisco 
State University Gators for 28 years, earned him the highest accolades.
  On June 4, 2011, the San Francisco State University unveiled a statue 
to commemorate Coach Rowen's service as well as that of his 
predecessor, Coach Joe Verducci. These men were honored for 
exemplifying ``the highest ideals of academic performance and 
competitive athletics'' as well as demonstrating ``personal 
accomplishments as men of honor and character.'' The statue was paid 
for by grateful players, colleagues, alumni, staff and friends.
  Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1919, Coach Rowen played football in 
college before earning a doctorate in physical education at Columbia 
University. He held several coaching positions and then joined San 
Francisco State in 1954 as Joe Verducci's assistant. He became head 
football coach in 1961. (Coach Verducci passed away in 1964.)
  Coach Rowen's tenure covered over half the span of time that football 
was played at San Francisco State. In his early years, the school won 
eight Far Western Conference titles and attracted top talent, but after 
a student strike in 1968, the football program was severely diminished 
by budget cuts. Rowen continued to train players and especially coaches 
(including his son Keith) who excelled in the sport, although the 
school's winning record was curtailed. My son, Ed Critchett, an all-
American inspired by Vic Rowen cherishes the time he spent with the 
Gators in the 1980s. Rowen retired in 1989, and football was 
discontinued at the school in 1995.
  Also a respected physical education teacher at the University, some 
of Rowen's other accomplishments include Northern California Coach of 
the Year, President and Board Member of the American Football Coaches 
Association, Football Writers Association of America Award, and the 
Ernie Nevers Award National Football Foundation's College Football Hall 
of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Coach Vic Rowen on the 
tribute he and Coach Verducci received on 6/4/11. Vic Rowen was a man 
who influenced both the character and the skills of hundreds of young 
men and women at San Francisco State University and is loved and 
respected by all. I thank him for his commitment and service.

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