California State University, Stanislaus lost a long-time member of its family as Dr. Jim Hanny, the most successful head coach in the university's history, passed away in his Turlock home on Monday.
Affectionately known on campus and in the athletics community as "Coach," Hanny was involved with CSU Stanislaus from 1966 until his retirement in 2008. During those 42 years, he served as the athletics director, chairman of physical education, coached basketball, golf, track and field, cross country and baseball.
Hanny led the Warriors to 12 national championships in men's golf with more than 90 All-American players. Hanny is a member of five different athletics halls of fame, including the Golf Coaches Association of America, Warrior Athletics and the University of the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame.
"The athletic department and university are deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Hanny. Although I have only been here for a short period of time, it is clear how great of an impact he had on so many student-athletes both on and off the golf course," said Director of Athletics Michael Matoso. "Coach also served in a variety of other capacities at CSU Stanislaus and will always be remembered within our community."
Hanny retired from coaching almost exactly four years ago on May 30, 2008. As a showcase of how much he was respected and loved, more than 60 of his former players returned to Turlock and celebrated with Hanny during his retirement reception at the Turlock Golf and Country Club.
Milt Richards, former Cal State Stanislaus director of athletics and current director of athletics and recreation at Simon Frasier University, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, remembers Hanny as a mentor and a friend.
“When I first came to Cal State Stanislaus I stayed with the Hannys. I was fresh off the plane from New York and didn’t know anyone,” Richards said.
Richards went on to say that after he eventually found a home in Turlock, he retained dinner privileges at the Hannys’ for life. Along with being a gracious host, Richards said Hanny was a true professional.
“No one cared more about his student-athletes than he did,” Richards said.
Richards described Hanny’s coaching style as “tough but fair” and called him “one of the hardest working coaches” around.
In 2009, the annual collegiate golf tournament at the TGCC hosted by Cal State Stanislaus was renamed in his honor to the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational, which now features 20 of the best Division II men's golf programs in the region.
Hanny, who was a week shy of turning 87, is survived by his wife Doris. Information regarding a memorial service for the public will be announced when available.
