Judy and Gary Quattrin began their lives together at Sac State and have been a significant part of the University's success ever since. (Sacramento State/Andrea Price)By Dixie Reid
Judy Marie Olive and Gary Quattrin had just arrived at then-Sacramento State College in 1962 when they met at the new-students barbecue in Alumni Grove.
They saw each other throughout the semester and started dating. She was on the sidelines as captain of the cheer squad while he was on the football field playing defensive end. He would be inducted into the Hornet Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Their work on behalf of and fealty to Sac State through the years are what led them to be selected to receive this year's Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
The couple married in 1968 and this year celebrated their 51st anniversary. They have two daughters – Michele Powell and Andrea Schwarze – and six grandchildren.
“Meeting each other is certainly a best memory of our time at Sacramento State,” Judy said. “School spirit was important. Hornet pride and University loyalty were paramount in our relationship and with our friends and teammates.”
The Quattrins are Hornets through and through, having made exceptional contributions to Sacramento State for more than a half-century.
Judy Quattrin ’66, ’99 (Recreation Administration) was recruited in 1971 by Shirley Kammeyer, professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, to teach a social recreation class. That time in the classroom awakened Judy’s passion to become a fulltime educator.
When she retired in 2001, the College of Health & Human Services established the Judy M. Quattrin Community Recreation Student Scholarship in her honor.
Among her other honors from the University, she was recognized with the Meritorious Performance and Professional Award, Superior Contributions to Instruction, and the Outstanding Faculty Advisory Participation Award from the Student Activities Office.
During her years of teaching, Judy also served as faculty advisor to the Spirit Squad, and she advised the Recreation and Park Major’s Association.
Gary Quattrin ’65 (Physical Education) had a long career as an attorney with the Sacramento firm Quattrin, Johnson, Campora & England and never lost his love for the gridiron.
He was recruited as a Hornet football coach twice, first by Ray Clemons, who coached from 1961-75, and again in the 1970s and ‘80s by his friend and former football teammate, head coach Bob Mattos.
Gary, who also played baseball for Sac State, received the first Golden Hornet Award from the Football and Friends chapter of the Sacramento State Alumni Association. He’s also served as president of the Alumni Association and is a member of the University Foundation.
Together the couple created several scholarships at Sacramento State, including an endowment to support student-athletes and fifth-year seniors who suffered a career-ending injury.
Judy is a graduate of Camarillo High School in Ventura County. Gary was a transfer student from Hartnell Community College in Salinas.
The couple continue to support Sac State because of their positive experiences as students.
“We had fabulous mentors, who truly cared about our future and supported our academic and athletic endeavors,” Judy said. “We have always been grateful to them and wanted to help students achieve their life goals in any way possible.
“It has been good to pay back and pay forward. And it has been fun.”