Trueblood retires after nearly a quarter-century of service at Feather River

QUINCY - After 24-plus years of service at Feather River College, Merle W. Trueblood is retiring as Athletics Director. With the help of his staff, Merle has been instrumental in developing several new programs at FRC.  He started out in 1998 as an assistant softball coach and the Camps and Clinic Director. He was then hired on as the Director of Student Recruitment and Summer Sports Coordinator. In 2000 the Camps and Clinics programs were no longer funded by the State enrollment model so the college shifted gears and started adding sports to offset the loss of FTE’s. He contributed to the proposal put forth to increase enrollment at FRC through intercollegiate athletic programs.  Eventually, Merle became the Athletic Director and the Feather River Fitness and Recreation Director.

FRC has seen the addition of baseball, softball, men and women’s soccer, football, men and women’s rodeo, women’s cross country and track, and most recently beach volleyball since the 1990’s. When he first arrived FRC had a total of 44 athletes participating. At its highest level, the athletic department had 342 student-athletes. Athletes from around the United States and internationally participate in intercollegiate athletics and this current diverse culture is one of his proudest achievements. Integrating the student-athletes into the community was a challenge that Merle met successfully year after year. He was devoted to the youth of Plumas County and has coached youth football and several softball and little league teams.

During his tenure, FRC athletics has had over 100 playoff berths, 55 conference championships – 14 of them undefeated - 15 regional and 7 super regional appearances, 14 Elite Eight teams, 10 Final Four appearances, 7 bowl games including the American Pacific Championship, a CCCAA championship in women's volleyball and a national championship in rodeo. This past spring FRC was the state runner-up in beach volleyball, losing on the last point to Irvine Valley College.

In addition to the athletic success of the Golden Eagle programs, an emphasis on student-athlete performance continued in the classroom as well with FRC earning 10 All-Scholar team awards. His coaching staff over the years should be commended with such accomplishments; themselves earning 28 "Coach of the Year" honors. FRC is continually recognized for its transfer rates as being one of the highest among California community colleges.

As athletic director, Merle was the first from FRC and the Golden Valley conference to sit on the CCCAA Management Council, a pair of three-year terms where he was instrumental in bringing a higher level of recognition for north state schools and their athletes. Additionally, he served six years as the men and women’s statewide soccer representative, was the State Gender Equity/Title IX chair for all 110 community colleges, and was a member of the CCCAA Policies committee, Post Conference Competition Review committee, the Bylaw 2 Recruiting guidelines committee, and a member of the CCCAA Athletic Directors Association. Within the GVC, he was a representative for baseball, softball, men and women’s soccer, and worked on several ad hoc committees.

Merle expresses appreciation to Feather River College and the four presidents he served under. The support on campus is second to none and the tireless group effort of his coaches and staff is what sets the smallest community college with Athletics apart from the rest.  Merle would like to give a special recognition to Valerie Campa – Athletic Program Coordinator and Juan Nunez - Head Athletic Trainer, both of whom have helped him guide the FRC Athletic Department to be in the top 15-20 athletic programs in the state.

(Feather River College Athletics Department)