[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 38 (Friday, March 6, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF JERRY TARKANIAN

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 6, 2015

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Mr. 
Nunes to honor the life of Jerry Tarkanian, who passed away on February 
11, 2015, at the age of 84. Jerry's family and friends as well as 
people throughout the nation, will miss him greatly as he dedicated 
much of his life to inspiring young athletes in countless communities.
  Although Jerry was most recognized for his achievements as the 
basketball coach for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the 
Central Valley we remember Jerry as Fresno State's spirited and 
energetic former head basketball coach. Fresno State was Jerry's alma 
mater, and the community is very proud to say so.
  Born in Euclid, Ohio, Jerry was the son of Armenian immigrants. He 
moved halfway across the country, to California, 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 was an enthusiastic coach for 31 years who began his basketball 
coaching career at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno. Jerry 
coached his first Division I team at California State University, Long 
Beach from 1968-1973. As a coach during the late 60s, his courage 
defied social norms of the time, becoming one of the first coaches to 
start more than three African-American players. Jerry took an intense 
interest in his players and wanted them to succeed both on and off the 
court. He was a man of encouragement who reached out to young men who 
lived in inner-cities and normally would not have access to a higher 
education. I once had the pleasure of having a conversation about Jerry 
Tarkanian with Magic Johnson. He told me that Coach Jerry Tarkanian was 
known around inner city playgrounds in America as the coach of second 
chances. In the Central Valley, we are truly grateful for those second 
chances.
  In 1973, Jerry moved to Nevada to become head coach at UNLV. He is 
now remembered as the determined individual who turned around the 
basketball program at UNLV and made it into a winning program. Jerry 
returned to Fresno and coached at Fresno State from 1995-2002. While 
coaching at Fresno state, his teams had a total of six 20-win seasons 
for a total of 153 victories. In total, his teams had 729 victories, a 
National championship for UNLV in 1990, and four straight NCAA 
tournament appearances for Long Beach State. Additionally, Jerry 
coached 42 players who were drafted by the NBA, including 12 first-
round selections. Due to the efforts made by Jerry and the ``Stadium 
Builders'' in the mid 1990s, Save mart Center was built. For years, 
there had been discussions regarding an on-campus arena at Fresno 
State, but it was not made 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 Save mart 
Center.
  In 2013, Tarkanian was elected to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, 
an honor his fellow coaches argued for years was long overdue. Though 
hospitalized in the summer for heart problems and weakened by a variety 
of ills, he went on stage with a walker at the induction ceremony.
  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 lead our 
Fresno State Bulldogs on the basketball court. Although I come to you 
with a heavy heart, I am honored to have known such an admirable man.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that Mr. Nunes and I ask our 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in honoring the 
life of Coach Jerry Tarkanian, as he is remembered for all of the 
contributions that he has made to individuals throughout the country as 
well as the people to whom he gave a second chance.

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