Robert E. Ladouceur
Educator/Coach/Community Leader

San José State University

Robert Ladouceur has made significant contributions to the Bay Area and the field of football throughout his career as an educator, mentor and coach of young people. The contributions of his distinguished career represent the ideals of the California State University and San José State University.

Mr. Ladouceur graduated from San José State in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. A star football player in high school, Mr. Ladouceur played for the SJSU Spartans for two seasons. After completing his degree, he worked as a counselor in juvenile hall and studied theology at Saint Mary's College. Mr. Ladouceur soon discovered his calling when friend, fellow SJSU alumnus and high school football coach Rob Stockberger invited him to attend one of his games and visit the locker room at halftime.

In 1979, Mr. Ladouceur was hired as a teacher and head football coach at De La Salle High School. At that time, De La Salle had never had a winning season. During Mr. Ladouceur's 34-year tenure, the school never had a losing season again. His career record holds the most victories in state history and his national, record-holding, 151-game winning streak is the subject of the movie, When the Game Stands Tall. Mr. Ladouceur earned a master's degree in HPER at Saint Mary's College, and has won many awards as teacher and coach, including the Warren Ukel Educator of the Year Award for Contra Costa County. He has been inducted into the SJSU Spartan Sports Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Although Mr. Ladouceur was approached several times to coach on the college level, he never considered it due to his passion for teaching young people to be committed, selfless and accountable.

Through his outstanding leadership, Mr. Ladouceur epitomizes Spartan pride. In recognition of his distinguished accomplishments and dedication, the California State University Board of Trustees and San José State University are proud to confer upon Bob Ladouceur the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.