USC stages a memorial service for Craig Fertig

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Laughter was the order of the afternoon during a Monday memorial service for USC legend Craig Fertig, a former quarterback, assistant coach, school administrator and broadcaster for the Trojans.

Fertig, best remembered for throwing a game-winning touchdown pass to Rod Sherman to defeat Notre Dame in 1964, died on Oct. 4 at age 66.

The upbeat festivities that lasted for nearly two hours drew an overflow crowd to USC’s Galen Center. Fertig was remembered through one funny story after another told by such speakers as USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett, USC Coach Pete Carroll and former UCLA Coach Terry Donahue.

Garrett, who played against Fertig in high school and was his teammate at USC in the early 1960s, talked about Fertig’s touchdown pass to Sherman in 1964.

“It was probably the most electrifying experience I ever had in my life,” Garrett said. “One hundred thousand people cheered and it literally lifted us off the Coliseum floor. People cheered and cheered. And I heard that cheer all of Craig’s life … because he always told that story.”

Carroll recalled how he got to know Fertig when he was hired at USC in 2001.

“When I had to figure out everything about what USC’s family was all about,” Carroll said, “the first person I talked to, to help me find my way happened to be Craig Fertig.

“That’s because he was waiting for me when I showed up … and the first thing he did was give me Marv Goux’s phone number.”

Before Donahue spoke, Sherman told the audience that Fertig would have said for them to be understanding to the former Bruins coach.

“Just boo him,” Sherman said.

And people did. Sort of.

“I know Craig Fertig would be happy to hear that,” said Donahue about his greeting, which also included a mixture of claps. “But actually, I was booed a lot louder at UCLA.”

The USC athletic department has established the Craig Fertig Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to Ron Orr, USC Athletic Department, Heritage Hall, Room 203, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602.

-- Lonnie White