Parkmerced in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2016

1. In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci Marker

Inscription.

In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci. . San Francisco State is proud to honor Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci who exemplify the highest ideals of academic performance and competitive athletics. We also honor them for their professional accomplishments as men of honor and character, who are held in the highest esteem by their players, colleagues, friends and families. , 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. , Coach Vic Rowen , 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. , Coach Joe Verducci , 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

San Francisco State is proud to honor Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci who exemplify the highest ideals of academic performance and competitive athletics. We also honor them for their professional accomplishments as men of honor and character, who are held in the highest esteem by their players, colleagues, friends and families.

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

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4 ties. Between them Vic and Joe were named Northern California Coach of the Year 7 times.
Coach Vic Rowen
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.
Coach Joe Verducci
Honored Teacher - Admired Coach -Leader
"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! You are only young once!"
Head Football Coach, San Francisco State,

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2016

2. In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci Marker

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. It can be reached from Holloway Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600

Coach Vic Rowen image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2016

3. Coach Vic Rowen

Left side of memorial.

Holloway Avenue, San Francisco CA 94132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Granville House (approx. one mile away); Broderick – Terry Duel (approx. 1.1 miles 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Another marker is no longer nearby. United States Senator David C. Broderick and Judge David S. Terry (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker.

Coach Joe Verducci image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2016

4. Coach Joe Verducci

Right side of memorial.

Marker is located on the San Francisco State Campus in front of the gymnasium.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2016

5. In Honor of Dr. Vic Rowen and Joe Verducci Marker

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 545 times since then and 93 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.