February 12, 1998 02/12/98 CONTACT:Margie Yu,Public Affars Asst.(323) 343-3047 Calendarof Events Cal State L.A. Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Three at its 14th Annual Event Los Angeles, CA -- February 12, 1998 -- The Athletics Hall of Fame at California State University, Los Angeles has inducted Rod Faurot, golf coach; John Tansley, cross country and track and field coach; and Walt Williamson, track and field coach during an annual awards ceremony held at the Tower Restaurant in the Transamerica Building, downtown Los Angeles. Since its inception in 1985, Cal State L.A. Athletics has honored more than 75 men and womenÂincluding Wimbledon and U.S. Open tennis champion Billie Jean King, three-time track Olympian and 1954 Sullivan Award winner Mal Whifield, two-time Green Bay Packers Super Bowl participant Jim Weatherwax, two-time Olympic track medalist Barbara Ferrell, and 1984 Olympic swim coach Don GambrilÂto highlight just a few. Here's a closer look at our 1998 award honorees: With nearly 40 years of outstanding service at Cal State L.A., Rod Faurot was honored for his numerous accomplishments as the head coach of the school's Division I golf program. Faurot and his teams achieved eight consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship appearances. In 1965, Cal State L.A. finished second at the Division I championships behind the artistry of All-American and Cal State L.A. Hall of Famer Arne Dokka. Faurot then guided his teams to three more Top 10 finishes (1966, 5th; 1969, 7th; 1970, 5th). During his tenure, Faurot's teams never finished lower than third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference standings. In fact, Cal State L.A. won three CCAA championship trophies (166, 168-69) and finished second four times. In 1969, he coached NCAA champion Bobby Clark and was awarded Coach of the Year honors. In all, Faurot posted an overall match play coaching record of 126-51-8 (.718) against other universities. Faurot is currently a physical education instructor at Cal State L.A. John Tansley began his Cal State L.A. career in 1985 when he was assigned the task of rescuing the men's cross country and track and field programs from "last rites." His accolades increased as he guided the track and field teams to four consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championships. Moreover, he guided Cal State L.A. to five straight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Top 5 finishes. In 1986, he was voted the league's Coach of the Year. His accomplishments continued in cross country where he helped Cal State L.A. win two West Regional championship crowns. In 1987, he was chosen as the CCAA Coach of the Year, and in 1988, he was named the West Regional Coach of the Year. In all, he coached 60 All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans. Since leaving the Golden Eagles, he has been a featured speaker at several world track and field congresses, and has spent time coaching and lecturing in Malaysia, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Aruba, Australia, Mexico, Finland, England and Japan. He is also on the board of directors for the International Track and Field Coaches Association. Walt Williamson held many different positions while at Cal State L.A.--from a physical education instructor to assistant football coach, and from head track and field coach to athletics director. Yet, Williamson's Hall of Fame accolades will concentrate on his achievements as the head men's track and field coach. From 1976-80, Williamson guided the Golden Eagles to four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Top 10 finishes (1977, 3rd; 1979, 7th; 1980, 2nd). In 1978, he led L.A. to its first and only national Division II track and field championship trophy. During that spectacular year, he also garnered Coach of the Year honors. In 1977, Williamson led his squad to its first California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title in 10 years. When he concluded his tenure as the head coach of the men's program, he had coached 52 All-Americans and had produced five individual national champions. He was athletics director from 1981-82. Williamson is currently a coach and teacher at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science. For more information, call the Cal State L.A. Athletics Office at (323) 343-3080. # # # | Cal State L.A. | | Publications/Public Affairs | News Releases main page
