Scholarship Endowment for Scrubbini Legend

Many of us have fond memories of our educational experiences. Whether it was studying late in to the night for that final exam or participating on a team as a player or fan, we can all recall a special teacher or professor who impacted our lives and had a positive influence. Dr. William "Bill" Fulton of Cal State Fullerton was one of those people.

Jeannie Fulton, the widow of former Cal State Fullerton baseball coach Bill Fulton, is setting up a scholarship for student-athletes and is attempting to raise $25,000 for the scholarship.

Bill Fulton laid the groundwork for what is now one of the most dominating baseball programs in college sports.

Fulton became the first fulltime head baseball coach at CSUF in 1965 and was also a professor in the kinesiology and health promotion department.

Jeannie fondly remembers how her husband used his own truck to prepare the baseball field and all the base lines.

"He had to do everything," Jeannie Fulton said. "Because there was no money."

Fulton was there when the Titans assumed intercollegiate status in 1965.

Fulton was replaced in 1972 by Augie Garrido who led the Titan baseball program to three national championships.

Since Fulton left, the baseball program has won four national championships with the most recent being in 2004.

"It's amazing what it's become," Jeannie said of the current baseball program. "We used to have to sit in these crummy bleachers and you'd get splinters."

The Fultons were regulars in the crowd of blue and orange until his death in 1994 of multiple sclerosis at the age of 58.

Jeannie is still a frequent attendee to the games and was present at the annual alumni baseball game on Saturday afternoon.

A letter about the scholarship's intent is being distributed through mailing lists to baseball players and to their family and friends.

According to the letter, "Our game plan is to establish the scholarship which would be presented to a deserving student athlete in the College of Health and Human Development."

"Any small amount would help get the $25,000 started," said Jeannie.

For those interested in donating to the scholarship, please contact Pamela A. Jones-Tintle, the Director of Development of Athletics, at [phone] or e-mail her at [e-mail].