California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
John Madden is a revered former professional football coach, animated sports broadcaster and television personality, best-selling author and dedicated philanthropist. He has received numerous accolades, as a football player, coach, NFL Hall of Fame member, and earned 16 Emmy Awards for his work as a television commentator.
Mr. Madden earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1959, and his master's in education in 1961 both from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. As a Mustang, Mr. Madden played both offense and defense on the football team and was a catcher for Cal Poly's baseball team. It was during his time at Cal Poly that he met his wife Virginia, who also earned a master's in education in 1961. Mr. Madden was selected as Cal Poly's Honored Alumnus in 1975 and inducted into Cal Poly's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.
After playing professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles, Mr. Madden coached at Allan Hancock Junior College in Santa Maria, California, and later at San Diego State University. Mr. Madden began his professional football coaching career in 1967 with the Oakland Raiders. Under his leadership, Oakland never experienced a losing season.
Following his retirement as a coach, Mr. Madden joined the CBS football broadcasting team in 1979. Over the following three decades, he became one of the most celebrated analysts on television. His obvious enthusiasm for the sport appealed to even the most casual fans. Mr. Madden is a best-selling author, has served as a commercial pitchman and became the face of the wildly successful video game franchise, Madden NFL. In April 2009, Madden announced his retirement.
Mr. Madden was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2010, Mr. Madden was inducted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver into the California Hall of Fame, which honors individuals and families who embody California's innovative spirit and have made their mark on history. Mr. Madden has won 16 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Analyst/Personality. Mr. Madden is president and CEO of Madden Charities, and in June 2019, Mr. Madden once again hosted the annual “Battle of the Bay" Charity Bocce Tournament benefitting several charities, including the Special Olympics of Northern California and diabetes research efforts.
In recognition of his leadership, philanthropy and loyalty to his alma mater, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo are proud to confer upon Mr. John Madden the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.