Stadium Vote Is Timely News for Murphy

There hasn’t been much good news for Cal State Fullerton football Coach Gene Murphy this season, so what transpired in Thursday’s meeting of the university’s Academic Senate was something to savor.

The home stadium that Murphy says his program so desperately needs grew much closer to becoming a reality after the Academic Senate voted, 38-4, in favor of a proposal that calls for the construction of a hotel and $6.7-million sports complex on campus. Murphy expressed surprise that the vote was so one-sided and said he was happy to share the news with his team, which at 1-6, could use a little encouragement.

“At this period of time, they all think everybody hates them,” Murphy said. “This was good news to them, too.

“What I’m really happy about is the overwhelming support from the academic community. I thought there would be more dissenting votes.”

Murphy has been told of plans for an on-campus stadium since becoming the Fullerton coach in 1980, but has seen those plans go unfulfilled. The Titans were left to make due with whatever was available. In 1980 and 1981, Murphy and his players and assistant coaches built a sort of erector-set stadium on campus. In 1983, the Titans had a game against Nevada Las Vegas moved from Anaheim Stadium to Glover Stadium in Anaheim hours before kickoff because of a rain clause in their agreement with Anaheim Stadium. And this season, the Titans had their game against Fresno State moved to Fresno so that it could be televised by ESPN. The reason given for the change was inadequate lighting in Santa Ana Stadium, the Titans’ “home” field. It was supposed to be Fullerton’s homecoming game.

The lack of a true home field and the lure of financial guarantees from away games has kept Fullerton on the road during most of Murphy’s tenure. Of his 76 games as a Titan coach, 52 have away games. Fullerton will play nine road games this season, more than any major college team in the country.

But Thursday’s development left Murphy feeling more optimistic than ever about the prospect of the Titans playing in a real on-campus stadium. According to Fullerton Athletic Director Ed Carroll, plans call for the complex to be completed by the fall of 1989, and the debut could be Sept. 30, when the Titans are tentatively scheduled to play Nevada Las Vegas.

Carroll said such a facility would improve attendance, provide greater flexibility for scheduling and increase support from the people of Fullerton.