[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING JERRY TARKANIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 22, 2013

  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.

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