Bob Ladouceur
(All members of the media must RSVP by May 9. Email SJSU Media Relations Director Pat Harris at pat.harris@sjsu.edu. Plan to report to the west entrance of Spartan Stadium no later than 8:30 a.m. May 23.)
Media contact:
Pat Harris, SJSU Media Relations Director, 408-924-1748
SAN JOSE, CA – San Jose State University announced today that educator and former De La Salle High School head football coach Bob Ladouceur, ’77 Criminal Justice, will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at Commencement. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. May 23 at Spartan Stadium.
“Bob Ladouceur’s dedication to teaching and mentoring young people embodies the ideals, objectives and vision of San Jose State University and the California State University,” said SJSU President Mohammad Qayoumi. “To Coach Ladouceur, integrity and character always mattered more than wins and losses. I can’t think of a better role model for graduates to emulate.”
This academic year, more than 8,700 San Jose State students will earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a wide range of fields, from business, engineering and nursing to humanities and the arts. Approximately 15,000 family members and friends are expected to attend.
About Bob Ladouceur
Bob Ladouceur’s astounding 12-season, 151-game winning streak at De La Salle is the subject of the movie, When the Game Stands Tall. His career began at SJSU, where he played Spartan football for two seasons. He went on to work as a juvenile hall counselor while studying theology at St. Mary’s College, where he earned a master’s degree.
Ladouceur discovered his calling when his friend, fellow SJSU alumnus and high school football coach Rob Stockberger, invited him to one of his games. In 1979, Ladouceur was hired as a teacher and head football coach at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif. At that time, the school had never had a winning season.
During his 34-year tenure, the team never had a losing season again; the team earned the most victories in state history. Ladouceur has received many awards as a teacher and coach. He has been inducted into the SJSU Spartan Sports Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
About San Jose State University
The founding campus of the 23-campus California State University system, San Jose State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 134 areas of study with 110 concentrations—offered through its eight colleges.
With more than 30,000 students and nearly 4,000 employees, San Jose State continues to be an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing more than 7,000 graduates to the workforce.
The university is immensely proud of the accomplishments of its more than 220,000 alumni, 60 percent of whom live and work in the Bay Area.