Former coach and athletic administrator Jim Fenwick passes away at age 69

After a year-long battle, former head football coach and athletic director Jim Fenwick has lost his fight with cancer. Fenwick had been in his second struggle with leukemia, having beaten the disease in 2005.

Fenwick first joined the Monarchs in 1987, serving as an assistant football coach. He returned to take over the head spot in 1991, during which time he led the team to four consecutive post-season battles while climbing to the number one spot in the state poll. In 1997, he became the head coach at Cal State Northridge, followed by stops in New Mexico and Eastern Oregon. Eventually, he returned to LAVC, reclaiming his spot as head coach. In 2012, he elected to take an administrative role as the college’s athletic director.

With a family background steeped in education, Fenwick continuously encouraged his players to seek success both on the field and in the classroom, once telling the Valley Star, “I was always an instructor first, meaning that I taught classes and coached football until I became the athletic director.” Through his efforts, he sent numerous athletes to the four-year level, many of those to Division I.

After 46 years in collegiate athletics, Fenwick retired in December of 2020. Fenwick, who was 69-years-old, leaves behind his wife Gayle and two sons, Casey and Tyler. Memorial information is immediately below.

(Courtesy Dale Beck)