FSU Fund-Raisers Surge into Seat Option Drive
IF YOU'RE NOT moon-faced and smiling a
lot, you don't belong at a fund-raising party.
The key word is optimism.
But when you see smiling faces and plenty of
teeth from all sides the morning after the deadline for income taxes, it's believable.
That's how it was at the Fresno State Stadium Development Day breakfast party at the
Santa Rita Lodge.
Maybe we're not supposed to say it, but we
have this strong feeling there's no overwhelming worry about the $7.3 million for the 30,000-
seat on-campus stadium not being in sight by
the late June deadline.
The problem is getting the "average" Bulldog football-soccer fan who's convinced the
highest art form is procrastination. Too many of
them — perhaps in shock from the demands of
the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board — are
saying, "Why part with my dough until June?
There are plenty of seats left, right?" Perhaps
not.
Of the 4,258 seats in the middle of the field on
the west side of the stadium, "the Seat Option
section," 2,390 have been sold. And that was
before the strike teams went into action Tuesday morning.
FRESNO INDUSTRIALIST Leon Peters sent
the Seat Option Fund troops into a "sign-'em-
up" mission with this ear-ringing admonition:
"In the many years I've been involved
in
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fund-raising programs — churches, schools,
hospitals — I've never seen such genuine community enthusiasm for a major project.
"A stadium is a facility in which the entire
community can be proud. It is unique. We can
all feel a personal tie. We have a great university now — but no stadium. This is our opportunity to eliminate that vacuum." (Cheers.)
Then Major Fund Drive Co-Chairman Peters
came up with the snapper:
"But we must first see the Seat Option drive
to completion. Then we'll wind up the Major
Fund drive."
In other words, as soon as the remaining
i,868 seats (80 of the $1,250 variety, 498 at $750
and 1,290 at $500) are contracted for, the b-i-g
money will be all ready.
FRESNO STATE President Norman Baxter
exulted: "We've seen a dream fulfilled. Now we
have pride in our athletic program. We are
indebted to the community because I am certain
the stadium is to become a reality."
Baxter emphasized, "Our concern now is the
money matter, not the legal matter." The reference to the legal matter is the appeal pending
on the adequacy of the environmental impact
report.
"But in this we're in much better shape than
a year ago. The attorney general's office is con
fident wel
court,"
prevail here as we did in the lower
ANOTHER SHOT in the old fund arm: Randy
Olson, incoming president of the Fresno Junior
Chamber of Commerce: "I am asking our directors for an OK to help out on the seat option
plan."
FSU Director of Athletics Gene Bourdet introduced Bob Bereskin, Bulldog soccer coach,
saying, "We're expecting much help (in the
fund drive) from the soccer community." Bereskin predicted the stadium indeed would give
.soccer a shot in the arm.
Roberto Padilla offered a coach's perspective: "Let me cite the difference between Fresno's football program and that of Fullerton:
Here the players know that the people care.
Players like to perform for people, not mosquitoes.
"When the people are enthused about a program, the entire community comes to life and is
the richer. A stadium will allow us to attract the
kinds of teams that will bring Fresno State and
the community prestige."
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Mugar Introduces Assembly Trustees
WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Four Californians, Archie
Dickranian, Haig Berberian,
Leon Peters and Jack Boucha-
kian, are among the 10 members of the recently announced
founding Board of Trustees of
the Armenian Assembly.
Stephen P. Mugar
Having met for the first
time at the Stephen P. Mugar
residence in Boca Raton,
Florida, the Board of Trustees
will be responsible for the
financial support of the Assembly, approval of the appointment of the Executive Director, and assuring that the
National Steering Committee
remains representative of the
Armenian-American community leadership.
Dickranian of Beverly Hills,
Berberian of Modesto, Peters
of Fresno and Bouchakian of
Los Angeles represent the
Golden State. Other members
are Alex ManoogianofDetroit,
Archie Dickranian
Sarkes TarzianofBloomington,
Ind.; Hrair S. Hovnanian of
Deal, N.J., and Mugar of
Belmont, Mass.
Mugar, the "godfather" of
the Assembly, is the first
chairman of the Board. Assisting him are Hovnanian,
president; Bouchakian, vice
president, and Mrs. Stein
treasurer. Trustees have
pledged $10,000 per year to
the Assembly for its annual
expenses.
"The Armenian Assembly is
Jack Bouchakian
now firmly established,"
Mugar said at the time of the
announcement of members of
the board. "We have now
reached a milestone in our
history. We have formally
organized our founding Board
of Trustees, consisting of outstanding community leaders
from all over the United
States. The caliber and repu-i
tation of these leaders ensures
the ongoing work of the
Armenian Assembly and widespread community support."
HIS HONOR — Fresno Mayor Daniel Whitehurst and concert benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Peters check the program notes before
' 'Concert of the Armenian Spirit VI.'' —Courier Photo
1915 Remembered
800 Plus Attend Fresno
Commemorative Concert
By Dr. Art Margosian gain a voice in the United
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