Sam Goldman, former long-time San Francisco State Sports Information Director who was enshrined into the
CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 1994 after receiving a CoSIDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991, passed away on Tuesday, June 17 at the age of 87.
Goldman, a popular figure and committee member at CoSIDA conventions, was a tremendous mentor for so man
y young professionals in the athletic communications field. Although he officially retired in 1989, he was a fixture in Bay Area press boxes and press rows for decades. Goldman, along with his wife Adele, volunteered at hundreds of collegiate athletic events and major national events in the Bay Area, including Super Bowls, the World Series, Final Fours, major bowl games and U.S. Opens.
Goldman served proudly at his alma mater, San Fransciso State, holding the position of sports information director from 1957-70 and then returned as SID from 1985-90. He was inducted into the SF State Gator Hall of Fame in 1993. Goldman was the first-ever SID for the West Coast Conference as he publicized the league during its infancy, which coincided with a golden age for men's basketball. The WCC established the Sam Goldman Award, presented to a media member who provides outstanding coverage while embodying service and journalistic excellence.
GOLDMAN SERVICE INFORMATION: Services: 11 a.m. Friday, June 20 at Eternal Home Cemetery, 1051 El Camino Real, Colma.
CoSIDA President Eric McDowell also issued this statement on Goldman's passing:
"Sam Goldman was an ambassador, a mentor, a friend and a role model for the members of CoSIDA. He was a pioneer in the profession who tirelessly served his student-athletes and media in the Bay Area and beyond. He welcomed countless newcomers to their first CoSIDA convention and treated them as if they were long time veteran attendees. He had vision as he realized the value of an Executive Director for CoSIDA...discussing this in 1998. During one CoSIDA Convention, his infectious smile spread throughout the room as he played the role of the Sports Editor, 'Scoop Sourcerer, with his PRESS fedora in an interactive panel. He raced around the Cap and T-Shirt Exchange like a lil boy with joy.
We will always remember his work as a Hall of Fame SID. But most of all, Sam, always along side his adored wife Adele (whom is in our thoughts today), gave us his heart. And thus, although we are sad and shed a tear, we are also smiling because of the memories this man gave us, and how he touched our lives and made us proud and blessed to be in his profession."
The following are tributes to Sam which were posted online by the San Francisco State athletic department, the West Coast Conference and local media.
Gators mourn the loss of longtime Sports Information Director Sam Goldman
In Memoriam - The West Coast Conference Remembers Sam Goldman
Goldman, 87, was the first sports information director for the West Coast Conference
Sam Goldman, beloved press box presence, dies, by Steve Kroner, San Francisco Chronicle