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February 9, 2005
Release: #0505

News Release
For Immediate Release

SACRAMENTO, CA . . . The Commission on Athletics (COA) will induct three new members into the California Community College Sports Hall of Fame at the 8th Annual COA Convention in Reno, NV. The 2005 inductees are Jamal Anderson (Moorpark College), Bill Mulligan (Riverside, Saddleback, and Irvine Valley colleges) and Geralyn Shepard (Pasadena City College).

The COA Sports Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed in California community college athletics. Founded in 1984, the Hall of Fame has sought to recognize those who have made the most of their experiences as California community college student athletes, coaches and administrators, maximizing their own potential to better themselves and those with whom they come into contact. Anderson becomes the 52nd inductee into the COA Hall of Fame's Athletic category, while Mulligan and Shepard will join 32 former administrators in the Hall's Service category.

The COA Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 7 at 11:45 a.m. at the Peppermill Hotel in Reno, NV. To purchase tickets, please print, complete and return the convention registration form available at www.coasports.org. Advance tickets are $35 and $40 after March 8. Tickets will be on sale until 10:00 a.m. on April 7.


Jamal Anderson, Moorpark College

Jamal Anderson was born in El Camino, California in 1972, and attended El Camino Real High School. After an award-filled varsity career, Anderson enrolled at Moorpark College in 1990 where he accumulated over 2,800 rushing yards during his two years. Anderson was named First Team All-Western State Conference both years while leading the Raiders to consecutive 9-2 seasons.

Anderson's impressive community college resume landed the 5'11", 234 lb. tailback an athletic scholarship to the University of Utah, where he compiled two solid seasons, rushing for 1,030 yards and a 5.7 yard average as a senior.

Anderson was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1994. However, it was his selection in the seventh round that motivated Anderson to prove himself at every practice, every snap, and every day of his pro career.

"I know it drives me all the time," Anderson was once quoted as saying. "Every time I think about the fact that five or six backs were taken ahead of me, it pushed me."

In training camp of his rookie year, Anderson drew an arrow pointing upwards on a depth chart that listed him as the fifth running back. He was the starter by his third season.

In 1996, Anderson produced the first of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Anderson's best season as a pro came in 1998, when he set a club record with 1,846 rushing yards, scored sixteen touchdowns, rushed for an NFL-best twelve 100 yard games and set an NFL record with 410 carries. That same season, Anderson led the Falcons to an NFC championship and earned a start in the Pro Bowl.

Anderson bounced-back from major knee surgery in 2000 to again rush for over 1,000 yards. He finished his Falcons career third on the team's all-time rushing list with 5,336 yards and second in rushing touchdowns with 34. The Falcons were 14-5 in games when Anderson rushed for over 100 yards.

In 2000, Anderson was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award, given annually to one member of each NFL team who displays commitment to the principles of courage and sportsmanship, while serving as inspiration in their locker rooms and communities. This accolade has become one of the most esteemed honors bestowed upon NFL players, as the recipients are selected by their peers.

In 2004, Anderson made his debut as a broadcast analyst with ABC covering college football. He is also President and CEO of JAM Entertainment. Now, as the newest inductee into the COA Hall of Fame, Anderson adds another honor to his impressive resume.

Bill Mulligan, Riverside Community College, Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College

Bill Mulligan began his community college basketball coaching career at Riverside (City) College in 1966, replacing Jerry Tarkanian. In his first year at RCC, Mulligan led the Tigers to the state quarterfinals. Over a nine year career at Riverside, Mulligan compiled a 189-97 record, capturing a conference title in each of his last five years.

In 1975, Mulligan tackled a new challenge and accepted the head coaching position at Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA). In his first year, despite practicing and playing at a local high school, Mulligan led the Gauchos to a 22-8 record. In Mulligan's second year, Saddleback built a new gym. His teams lost only one home game over the next four seasons, capturing four conference titles. In 1979, Mulligan's Gauchos lost in overtime of the state championship game to Orange Coast College. The team responded the following season with a 34-1 record and a state semi-final appearance.

In 1980, Mulligan made the leap to Division I, taking the reins at UC Irvine. In his first two seasons at UCI, the Anteater's went 40-17. His 1980-81 team led the nation in scoring with an 86.4 points/game average and his 1981-82 squad topped the nation in field goal percentage (.561). In 1986, Mulligan was named Coach of the Year in what is now the Big West Conference and was named Orange County "Sportsman of the Year" in 1982. In 1991, Mulligan was inducted into the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and he was inducted into UC Irvine's Hall of Fame in 1998.

Coach Mulligan was coaxed out of retirement in 1992 to lead a brand new program at Irvine Valley College. In each of his three years at IVC, the Lasers qualified for the postseason, including a 22-12 record in Mulligan's final season.

Beyond Mulligan's accomplishments on the hardwood lies the true impact of this coaching legend. He is perhaps most well-respected for the way he treated his staff, co-workers and especially his players, even years after they had left his program. In any discussion of Mulligan, the words, commitment, passion and honesty are unavoidable. The COA is proud to announce Bill Mulligan as a 2005 inductee of the COA Hall of Fame.

Geralyn Shepard, Pasadena City College

Geralyn "Jeri" Shepard is a distinguished pioneer of community college tennis in California.

After an illustrious career as an internationally ranked amateur, Shepard began coaching at Pasadena City College in 1968. She quickly became an influential force in the development of a coed, mixed-doubles program in Southern California. In its first year of competition, Shepard's Pasadena coed team finished fifth in the state. Her teams went on to win the coed championship in 1971, 1974, and 1979. Shepard's women's teams were also well known for their competitive consistency. In Shepard's twenty two years at Pasadena, her women's teams placed in the top five in Southern California six times, including two Southern California Championships and placed in the state's top six three times. She coached numerous conference and state champions, and was known as a hands-on coach who possessed a true passion for teaching.

Shepard's professional contributions to the sport are equally impressive. She served as the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance (CAHPERD) Vice President for Physical Education in the San Gabriel Valley Unit, and as the CAHPERD Tennis Chairman for the Division for Girls and Women's Sports. Shepard served in the prestigious position of official referee for the Southern California Women's Intercollegiate Tennis League Championships. Shepard helped to develop the State Tennis Code to include both men's and women's community college tennis programs and served on the Southern California Community College Intercollegiate Athletic Council as Women's Tennis Chairperson, Women's Tennis Committee Chair, Finance Committee member and Ethics and Eligibility Committee member. She also served as a tournament director for numerous tennis events in Southern California.

Shepard was named the California Community College Tennis Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1981 and was a member of the first inductee class of the California Community College Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996. Shepard is now a distinguished member of the COA Hall of Fame.

For more information on the COA Annual Convention and COA Hall of Fame, and for the latest news and updates of all 23 COA-sanctioned sports, please visit www.coasports.org.

COA