San Diego

Day Dedicated to Legendary Aztecs Coach Steve Fisher

In his 18 years at SDSU, Coach Fisher turned a program that suffered through 13 losing seasons into one renowned on the national level

A special day has been chosen to honor Steve Fisher, the legendary Aztecs coach celebrated for his salvation of basketball in San Diego County.

Fisher turned San Diego State University (SDSU) into a nationally-ranked basketball program and annual NCAA Tournament participant.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors announced Wednesday that June 20 will be declared 'Steve Fisher Day' throughout San Diego County.

Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors commended the coach for his 50-year career as a basketball coach and 18 incredible years of victories at San Diego State University (SDSU).

When he arrived on campus at SDSU before the 1992 season, Fisher walked around handing out free tickets trying to get anyone he could to the arena to see his team.

"Speaking of packed houses, Coach Fisher's winning ways resulted in 85 straight regular-season crowds of at least 11,000 fans, and even last season had the Aztecs leading the state of California in average home attendance," stated county officials.

In his 18 years at SDSU, Coach Fisher turned a program that suffered through 13 losing seasons into one that featured a string of star teams, said county officials. The teams became known on the national stage for their tenacious and gritty techniques.

Regardless of where the games were played, his players displayed pressing athletic style and unrelenting confidence, said county officials.

In San Diego, Fisher-led teams enjoyed 386 victories. That compelled the Aztecs to make 13 trips to the postseason, including the 2011 and 2014 teams that made memorable runs to the Sweet 16, said county officials.

He was named the National Coach of the Year in April 2011, the highest honor a college basketball coach can earn.

A few years later in 2014, the team took basketball experts by surprise, when they captured the league championship by coming back from 16 points behind in the second half to defeat New Mexico, said county officials.

Fisher also won the Legend of Coaching Award in 2015.

After 18 years of launching San Diego into the most thrilling basketball program ever known to the region, Coach Steve Fisher chose to retire as a coach, although he agreed to remain at SDSU as a university ambassador.

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