Former Colorado State head football coach Sark Arslanian has passed away

Read this story at CSURams.com

Sark Arslanian, who served as head football coach at Colorado State University from 1973-81, has passed away at his home in St. George, Utah. He was 92.

Arslanian compiled a record of 45-47-4 in his eight-and-a-half seasons as the Rams’ head coach, including a 9-2-1 mark in 1977 when the Rams narrowly missed winning the Western Athletic Conference title.

“We mourn the passing of Sark Arslanian and offer our sincere condolences to his family,” said Joe Parker, CSU’s Director of Athletics. “He was a loyal Ram who served our institution admirably as head football coach and authored one of the most successful seasons in school history in 1977.”

During his tenure as head coach at CSU, Arslanian defeated Wyoming five times and his 1977 team received votes in the AP Top 25 poll. After four winning seasons, including a 6-4-1 mark in 1980, his CSU coaching tenure ended Oct. 20, 1981.

Tom Ehlers, CSU’s Director of Football Operations, was recruited by Coach Arslanian and played for him in his first two seasons as a Ram.

“I am saddened, but I am also reminded of Coach’s passion for football, life, friends and family,” Ehlers said. “He was always so kind to me, and so happy to talk about all the players and games from his time here. He changed my life by bringing me to Colorado State in 1980, and he changed the lives of many others throughout the years. He was such a great coach and an even better person.”

Arslanian is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Weber State, where he coached from 1965-72 and was the winningest head coach in school history when he departed for CSU, with a record of 50-26-2. He also is a member of the Dixie State Athletic Hall of Fame, the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, the Pop Warner National Hall of Fame and the All American Football Foundation honor roll.

Born Sarkis Arslanian on Feb. 4, 1924, in Fresno, Calif., he was preceded in death by his wife, Verlyn. The couple had six children, including sons Dave and Paul who followed their father into football coaching careers of their own.