Parkmerced in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci
During their distinguished San Francisco State careers, both were respected teachers and nationally recognized football coaches. As teachers, they influenced the lives of hundreds of young men and women. As coaches, they created championship football teams, and the trained some of the nation's most successful football coaches. As fathers, friends and colleagues, they have earned love and respect.
In the history of San Francisco State "Golden Gator" football, Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci define the enduring spirit of a special program. Though their Gator coaching careers spanned nearly 40 years, it was the 17 seasons between 1950 and 1967 that formed the "Golden Years" at San Francisco State. During this time their teams earned 11 league titles, winning 126 games, losing just 47, with 4 ties. Between them Vic and Joe were named Northern California Coach of the Year 7 times.
Honored Teacher - Admired Coach - Leader
"Football is the thing I do best. I can't see myself doing anything else."
Head Football Coach, San Francisco State, 1961-1989 5 Conference Championships 3-time Northern California Coach-of-the-Year Professor of Physical Education, 1954-1991 Ed.D., Columbia University, 1953 President, American Football Coaches Association, 1986 Board of Trustees, American Football Coaches Association, 1976-1985 Ernie Nevers Award National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame, 1986 Football Writers Association of America Award, 1990 San Francisco State Athletic Hall of Fame, 1993 Player Selection Director, Shrine East-West Classic, 1989-2010 Played football for Long Island University, 1939-1940 and Davis-Elkins College, 1941 Played professional football with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the All-American Conference.
Honored Teacher - Admired Coach -Leader
"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! You are only young once!"
Head Football Coach, San Francisco State, 1950-1960 6 Conference Championships 1959 SF State nation's only undefeated, untied team (10-0) 4-time Northern California Coach-of-the-Year Director of Athletics, Assistant Dean of Students, Professor of Physical Education; Coordinator of Peace Corps Training Program, 1950-1964 B.A. University of California, Berkeley, 1934 San Francisco State Athletic Hall of Fame, 1975 Helms Athletic Hall of Fame, 1971 Elected San Mateo County Supervisor, 1964 Coached Shrine East-West Classic, 1960 Daly City Councilman, 1952-1964 Daly City Mayor, 1954-1958 Played football for University of California, Berkeley; won the Andy Smith Memorial Scholarship award twice for inspirational leadership, 1932, 1933
Erected 2011 by San Francisco State University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 37° 43.394′ N, 122° 28.695′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Parkmerced. Marker can be reached from Holloway Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco CA 94132, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Granville House (approx. one mile away); Broderick Terry Duel (approx. 1.1 miles away); Monarch's Tale (approx. 1.3 miles away); Where Daly City Started (approx. 1½ miles away); Swamp Gum (approx. 1½ miles away); Welcome to Ocean Beach (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Ground Beneath Your Feet (approx. 2 miles away); Jerry Garcia (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
More about this marker. Marker is located on the San Francisco State Campus in front of the gymnasium.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on May 9, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.