Fresno State Athletics
Sweeney To Assist Bulldog Fundraising Efforts
11/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 3, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - One of the most famous figures in Fresno State athletics history is returning to campus. Jim Sweeney, who retired as head football coach after the 1996 season, is joining the Athletic Development Staff, Athletics Director Scott Johnson announced today.
"We are very excited to have Coach Sweeney back on campus," said Johnson. "He is volunteering his time, energy and enthusiasm and I know he will do a great job to bring our alumni and community together to aid our fund raising efforts."
Sweeney will be working with Associate Athletics Director for Development Greg Walaitis on a variety of projects, including alumni and community relations and the organization of the Varsity F program, a Bulldog athletics alumni organization that is being formed.
"Coach Sweeney brings his great wealth of knowledge to the athletic development program and there's no one better to help facilitate our fund raising efforts," said Walaitis. "His legacy at Fresno State is amazing and I look forward to working with him as we enter a new era in athletic development at Fresno State. Coach Sweeney gave a lot to the program as a coach and leader and those skills coupled with the relationships he's built over the past 25 years are invaluable."
During his illustrious 32-year college head coaching career, Sweeney compiled a record of 200-154-4. He reached an amazing milestone in his final season of 1996 with career victory No. 200. That ranks 16th on the NCAA all-time career coaching victories list.
Sweeney left a lasting imprint on the Fresno State program, in which he served as the head coach for 19 seasons. During that span, he produced a record of 143-75-3 (.654), won eight conference championships and appeared in seven bowl games. His bowl record was 5-2, including a 24-7 win over USC in the 1992 Freedom Bowl, considered one of the greatest victories in school history. His career victories and eight conference championships are the most in the program's 80-year history. Sweeney coached four of the five Fresno State players who have ever had their jersey numbers retired. During his 19-year tenure, Fresno State produced 126 NFL players, including 21 players drafted in the first five rounds.
Under his direction, Fresno State's program grew from a dilapidated 14,000-seat stadium to a beautiful new 41,031-seat stadium, complete with luxury boxes. That facility bears his name. The program also grew in national prominence, appearing in seven bowl games, winning five.
Sweeney earned conference coach of the year honors in 11 of his 32 seasons as head coach, and even more impressively was selected district coach of the year at three different schools (Montana State, Washington State and Fresno State). He is one of only three coaches to have achieved that accomplishment.
In addition to his work with thousands of student-athletes, Sweeney improved the game of college football by serving on the American Football Coaches Association Ethics Committee and Rules Committee.
Sweeney's work in the community of Fresno has been outstanding. He has served on the Black Historical Museum Committee, is a member of the St. Agnes Hospital Ring of Honor and was a longtime servant for Multiple Sclerosis and the Knights of Columbus.
Sweeney was inducted in the Portland University Hall of Fame as a player in 1993 and the Montana State University Hall of Fame as a coach in 2001.
"I'm happy to be back on campus," Sweeney said. "I hope to help the cause anyway I can."
To get more information about the Fresno State Athletic Development projects or the Varsity F program, contact Jim Sweeney a (559) 278-6209.
