Fresno State Athletics
Home Grown: A Look Back at Former Fresno State Student-Athletes
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Jan. 31, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - There is something unique about the community of Fresno that is not so tangible, but apparent in the atmosphere. While the smog and scorching summer heat may not be the most pleasant attributes of this city, Fresno State sports, on the other hand, provides a refreshing excitement the town can call its own. The fact that the Central Valley lies alone - between the Bay Area and Los Angeles - is one reason for strong community involvement with Bulldog athletics.
Jack Erdman, a former two-sport athlete at Fresno State, realized that Fresno would always be his home. It has been more than 30 years since Erdman graduated from Fresno High and went to UCLA on a football scholarship. However, Erdman felt the environment in southern California was too impersonal and so he decided to return home.
"UCLA wasn't right for me," Erdman said. "At Fresno State I learned there was much more coach and athlete interaction. It was just more personal for me."
So for two years Erdman was part of Fresno State's most storied programs, football and track and field. Under head coach Darryl Rogers, Erdman played defensive back, helping the `Dogs to a 7-4 record and a birth in the Camellia Bowl against Humbolt State during the 1968 season. He also had the privilege of competing under the tutelage of the legendary Dutch Warmerdam as a high jumper. He also experienced the start of a current men's head track and field coach Red Estes' great career.
"Irv Hunt said I wouldn't have to run sprints if I came out for the team," Erdman said jokingly of his decision to join the track and field team in the spring of `68.
"Warmerdam was a rather low key guy," Erdman said. "He was a great coach, though, and I enjoyed his personality. Red Estes was just beginning his coaching career at Fresno State then. He has done so well with the track program and he was another coach that I enjoyed associating with."
Erdman graduated from Fresno State with a degree in business in `69, and he has made his career here in Fresno. He has been married to his wife Darryl for 23 years and his only son Billy is a student-athlete at Clovis High School. Currently, Erdman is the Chairman of Business at Clovis High and the Cougar football team has had the benefit of Erdman's knowledge for the past 27 years.
"It's kind of funny how I got started in coaching," Erdman said. "Because I was on the football team, I couldn't play with the fraternity league. But I wanted to be involved with my fraternity team somehow, so I coached them."
For nearly three decades Erdman has been assisting as a defensive backs coach for the Clovis High football program. He has taught hundreds of teenagers the nuances and technique required to be a stellar player in the secondary. Most significantly, Erdman remains an essential piece of the school's football program that has won six Valley Championships, including the title won by the Cougars just more than a month ago over their rival Clovis West. Next season Erdman will have the opportunity to coach his son.
"It is going to be a little strange coaching Billy," Erdman said. "He is a defensive back/receiver type, so I'll have the chance to work with him as a coach, not just as a father."
Erdman has enjoyed living all this time in Fresno. He is comfortable with his career and he continues to support Fresno State athletics. He holds season tickets for Bulldog football, went to the Las Vegas Bowl and frequently attends the Fresno State basketball games. Not to mention he and Fresno State wrestling coach Dennis DeLiddo are good friends, it is safe to say Erdman was born a bulldog.