June 9, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. -
Bulldog fans joined the Fresno State coaching staff and plenty of former players for the annual Quarterback Club Dan Brown Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday.
The tournament, held annually on the second Monday of June, drew nearly 300 players to the Copper River Country Club.
What made this year's tournament special for all was the chance to honor former Bulldog defensive coordinator Dan Brown, who lost a battle with brain cancer in March. Brown, an avid golfer, coordinated this tournament for years. His family, including many of his siblings, came to Fresno to join in the festivities.
The buzz during the tournament was excitement for the upcoming season and lots of discussion about the excellent young student-athletes in the program.
Hill was on the 17th tee box at the Copper River Course, and greeted players as they came through. Hill attempted to hit trick golf shots, fielded questions, and took photos with each participating team.
"This day was about Danny Brown," said Hill. "It was great to see such a great showing of support to honor a great, great man. Dan was a good football coach, but a better family man and friend. He was a huge part of Bulldog football for the last 12 years and his legacy, not only with this tournament, but with the team will live on."
The highlight of the tournament was a notable foursome of former Bulldog greats Kevin Sweeney, John Behrens, Darryl Rogers and Mike Martz.
Rogers is a retired coach, who played for the Bulldogs and coached the team from 1966-72. He later became the head coach at Arizona State, Michigan State the Detroit Lions of the NFL. In 1978 his Michigan State team tied for the Big Ten Championship and was ranked No. 12 in the nation. His best ASU team won the 1983 Fiesta Bowl, beating Oklahoma 32-21, and finished the season ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Behrens and Martz played for Rogers in the early 1970s. Behrens was Fresno State's starting quarterback in 1971 and 1971, throwing or nearly 1,900 yards his senior season.
Martz coached at Fresno State as an assistant and later moved on to the NFL, where he served as the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. As head coach of the St. Louis Rams, he guided them to the Super Bowl in 2001 and is credited with the career resurrection of two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner.
Sweeney will be remembered as one of the greatest figures in Bulldog history, becoming the first player in NCAA history to throw for more than 10,000 career passing yards. He still holds Fresno State passing records.
The quartet also showed great skills on the golf course with a score of 55 in the scramble tournament format.
"It was great to see so many Bulldogs out here today," said Hill. "As we say, `Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, gonna be a Bulldog `til the day I'm dead.' It was a great day a great chance to celebrate Fresno State's football past, present and future. We are looking forward to the 2009 season opening, which is just 88 days away."
Fresno State will open the 2009 season on Sept. 5 vs. UC Davis. That game has been designated at Football Fiesta Night and the Fresno State will recognize the Hispanic community with a variety of pre-game and in-game promotions.
Premiums seating and season tickets for the 2009 season remain available at several price points.
We Are Your Team! 2009 Fresno State football season tickets are available now. Fans can get premium seating with a Bulldog Foundation membership, Family Plans or general season tickets. To order or for more information, please click on the TICKETS icon at the top of this page or to become a member of the Bulldog Foundation, call (559) 244-5600.
