Fresno State Athletics
Honorary captains celebrated at home opener
9/13/2016 4:37:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State football team hosted Sacramento State for its 2016 home opener last Saturday night and in part of an annual tradition, honorary alumni captains were celebrated in front of the Red Wave. To their delight, the Bulldogs defeated the Hornets 31-3 in front of a home crowd of 31,817.
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The former Fresno State student-athlete alumni honored at the game ranged in past decades from the 1940's to the recent past in men's basketball's Tyrone Bradley and former baseball players Fibber Hirayama, Dennis Springer and Ryan Overland.
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Bradley was a Bulldog basketball player from 1979-1983 and is a proud Fresno State graduate who received his degree in criminology. One of his most memorable accomplishments was being part of the 1983 NIT Championship team. He now serves as the student relations liaison at Alta Sierra Middle School in Clovis.
Hirayama played baseball for the Bulldogs from 1948-1952 and was even elected Homecoming King. Hirayama received his bachelor's degree in physical education and played professionally in Japan for 10 years. Fibber is currently enjoying the retired life.
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Springer was also a Bulldog baseball player in 1986 and 1987. After his time at Fresno State he played professional ball for 16 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Anaheim Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins and New York Mets. He now serves as a firefighter for the city of Hanford.
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Overland was a part of the 2008 National Championship team while playing for the Bulldog baseball team from 2005-2008 and graduated with a degree in communications. He also contributed to winning three WAC championships and tournament championships. Overland is now an assistant coach for current Bulldog baseball team.
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"Being honored as an honorary captain was truly a special experience," Overland said.  "To be a part of such a special program is something that truly can not be replaced.  I have so much respect for the people who have helped build Bulldog athletics into what it is today. People like Coach Bennett, Coach Sweeney and Coach Hill and so many more have laid such a great foundation for what we have today."Â
Together they stood in Bulldog Stadium with current students and alumni as one crowd, one community - the Red Wave.
Being a part of such a rich tradition of athletes who have been supported second to none by the Red Wave and the Central Valley is truly an honor," Overland added. "It means a lot to be in a position to help build Fresno State Athletics to even new heights."
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The Bulldogs will return to Bulldog Stadium Sept. 24 to face Tulsa at 1:30 p.m. PT. The game will air live on the Mountain West Network.
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"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2016 Fresno State football season are now on sale at GoBulldogs.com or by calling 559-278-3647. 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
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The former Fresno State student-athlete alumni honored at the game ranged in past decades from the 1940's to the recent past in men's basketball's Tyrone Bradley and former baseball players Fibber Hirayama, Dennis Springer and Ryan Overland.
Â
Bradley was a Bulldog basketball player from 1979-1983 and is a proud Fresno State graduate who received his degree in criminology. One of his most memorable accomplishments was being part of the 1983 NIT Championship team. He now serves as the student relations liaison at Alta Sierra Middle School in Clovis.
Hirayama played baseball for the Bulldogs from 1948-1952 and was even elected Homecoming King. Hirayama received his bachelor's degree in physical education and played professionally in Japan for 10 years. Fibber is currently enjoying the retired life.
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Springer was also a Bulldog baseball player in 1986 and 1987. After his time at Fresno State he played professional ball for 16 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Anaheim Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins and New York Mets. He now serves as a firefighter for the city of Hanford.
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Overland was a part of the 2008 National Championship team while playing for the Bulldog baseball team from 2005-2008 and graduated with a degree in communications. He also contributed to winning three WAC championships and tournament championships. Overland is now an assistant coach for current Bulldog baseball team.
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"Being honored as an honorary captain was truly a special experience," Overland said.  "To be a part of such a special program is something that truly can not be replaced.  I have so much respect for the people who have helped build Bulldog athletics into what it is today. People like Coach Bennett, Coach Sweeney and Coach Hill and so many more have laid such a great foundation for what we have today."Â
Together they stood in Bulldog Stadium with current students and alumni as one crowd, one community - the Red Wave.
Being a part of such a rich tradition of athletes who have been supported second to none by the Red Wave and the Central Valley is truly an honor," Overland added. "It means a lot to be in a position to help build Fresno State Athletics to even new heights."
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The Bulldogs will return to Bulldog Stadium Sept. 24 to face Tulsa at 1:30 p.m. PT. The game will air live on the Mountain West Network.
Â
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2016 Fresno State football season are now on sale at GoBulldogs.com or by calling 559-278-3647. 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
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