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The 2025 Doc Buchanan Award is presented to Mr. René Errotabere. René was selected to receive this honor because of the breadth and scale of his impact on Clovis Unified athletics and the character and values promoted within these programs.

René Errotabere served as a teacher, coach and administrator for 32 years, first in Fresno Unified and then for 24 years in Clovis Unified. He retired in June 2003. René attended Fresno Unified schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School in June, 1965. It was during his high school years that his talents and love for the sport of wrestling and athletic competition began to develop. At Roosevelt, he served in several positions of leadership including Senior Class President while playing football for two years and competing in varsity wrestling all three years. During the 1965 wrestling season, René was the undefeated League Champion at his weight and finished 4th in the Valley, while serving as team captain.

He graduated from Fresno State in 1971, but his passion for competition and wrestling continued, becoming a business teacher and the first varsity wrestling coach at Fowler High School. After two successful wrestling seasons at Fowler High, he moved on to Fresno High School, coaching varsity teams from 1973-1979 and winning the NYL championship in 1979 by beating powerhouse Clovis High School.

Mr. Errotabere’s career in Clovis Unified began in 1979 when Dr. Floyd Buchanan recruited him as a learning director at Clovis High School. His 24-year leadership career in CUSD was filled with many accomplishments. He served as a learning director at Clovis High and Clark Intermediate (1979-1986); Clovis High Principal (1986-1991); Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources (1991-1993); and Area Superintendent for the Clovis High Area (1993-1994) and the Buchanan Area (1994-2003). René was a constant advocate for high school athletics and served in several leadership roles including chairperson of the Central Section Wrestling Committee, president of the North Yosemite League, director of the California State Wrestling Tournament and as a member of the California Interscholastic Federation Wrestling Advisory Committee. He was an active member of the CIF Wrestling Advisory Committee and played a major role in Clovis Unified schools winning seven State Wrestling Championships during his tenure. He was also pivotal in bringing the 1987 State Wrestling Championships to Selland Arena.

During his time as CHS Principal, the school was recognized as a California Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School. René had many talents and redeeming character values. He will always be remembered for his friendly, charismatic and witty personality; high degree of integrity; passion for sports and competition; love for the students he served; and loyalty to his friends, family and school district.

René passed away on January 27, 2004, after a prolonged battle with brain cancer. He would often tell students, “No matter what the odds are, never give up.” He would coach students to find what they were good at and develop that talent to its fullest. He believed in competition
in any form to develop one’s talents.

After his death, family and friends created the René Errotabere Memorial Scholarship in memory of this great educator, to support high school athletes in pursuing their future educational goals. Annually, this scholarship recognizes scholar athletes in Clovis Unified as a way of perpetuating the educational philosophies, character and work ethic professed by both René and Doc Buchanan.

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Weldon Elementary School
• Clark Intermediate School
• Clovis High School

High School*

• 1945 Mixed Doubles Champion
• 1946, 1947 Girls Singles Champion
• 1947 Northern California Interscholastic Tennis Singles Champion
• *Tennis & Swimming were the only high school sports offered for girls during Nadine’s years at Clovis High School.

College

• Fresno State University Tennis Team

Accomplishments

• 9 Fresno County Tennis Tournament Championships (4 Singles, 5 Doubles)
• 1953, 1954, 1957 National Championship with Fresno Rockets Softball Team
• Played Tennis Competitively for Over 45 Years

Professional

• First Female Certified Public Accountant to Practice in Fresno

Background

Interview

Coaching History

• 1977-1991 Clovis West High School
• 1991-2011; 2018-2021 Buchanan High School
• 2011-2014 Lemoore High School
• 2016-2018 Clovis High School

Accolades

• Opened Clovis West High School and Buchanan High School
• 700 Career Wins
• 1979 Girls League Championship, Clovis West
• 1979, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991 Boys League Championships, Clovis West
• 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988 Boys CIF Section Runner Up, Clovis West
• 1982, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991 Boys CIF Section Championships, Clovis West
• 1993, 1994, 1995 Girls League Championships, Buchanan
• 1994, 2000 Girls CIF Section Runner Up, Buchanan
• 1995 Boys League Championship, Buchanan
• 1999 Girls CIF Section Championship, Buchanan

Background

Interview

Coaching History

• 1990, 1991, 1996 Softball Coach, Kastner Intermediate School
• 1990-1995 Girls Basketball Coach, Kastner Intermediate School
• 1991-1997 Girls Tennis Coach, Clovis West High School
• 1997 Boys Tennis Coach, Clovis West High School

Athletic Administrative History

• 1999-2001 Assistant Athletic Director, Clovis East High School
• 2001-2008 Athletic Director, Clovis West High School

Accolades

• 1992, 1993 CIF Central Section Runner Up, Girls Tennis
• 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 League Championships, Girls Tennis
• 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 CIF Central Section Championships, Girls Tennis
• 1994, 1995 Coach of the Year
• 1995 League Championship, Boys Tennis
• 1995 CIF Central Section Championship, Boys Tennis
• 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 Athletic Supremacy Award, Clovis West
• 2005 Cal-Hi Sports State Athletic School of the Year, Clovis West

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Buchanan High School

High School

• 1995, 1996 CIF State Champion
• 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 CIF Section Champion
• 1996 NHSCA High School National Champion
• 1996 Wrestling USA Magazine All-American Dream Team
• Career Record: 214-7

College

• 1998 University of Illinois Freshman of the Year
• 1999, 2000 NCAA Division I Wrestling Finalist
• 1999, 2000, 2001 NCAA Division I Wrestling All-American
• 2000 Big Ten Champion
• 2001 University of Illinois Career Record Holder for Falls (33)
• 2001 Academic All-American
• 2001 NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion
• 2001 University of Illinois Dike Eddleman Award for Male Athlete of the Year
• 2001 Graduated as the University of Illinois Career Record Holder for Wins (127) and Falls (33)
• Career record: 127-21

Coaching History

• 2003, 2004 Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of Illinois
• 2005-Present Assistant Wrestling Coach, Clovis High School

Accolades

• Started the Winner’s Circle Offseason Training Program at Clovis High School
• 6 State Wrestling Team Championships, Clovis High School
• 2014 California Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2020 University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Mountain View Elementary School
• Kastner Intermediate School
• Clovis West High School

High School

• 4 Years Varsity Swimming
• CWHS Swimming Records:
  • 100 Butterfly
  • 200 Freestyle (Broke 12-year record)
  • 500 Freestyle (Broke 16-year-old record)
  • 200 Individual Medley
  • 200 Individual Medley Relay
  • 200 & 400 Freestyle Relays
• 16-Time League Champion (Individual & Relay)
• 14-Time CIF Section Champion (Individual & Relay)
• 16-Time All-American (Individual & Relay)
• 2000 Clovis Independent All-City Team MVP
• 2000 Clovis West Athlete of the Year
• 2000 Qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials-100 Butterfly
• 4-Time All-TRAC Swimmer
• 4-Time All-Valley Swimmer

College

• 2000-2004 University of the Pacific Swim Team Member
• 13-Time All-American
• 25 Big West Conference Titles (Individual & Relay)
• 2001, 2003 Big West Conference Female Athlete of the Year
• 2003 NCAA Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year
• 2003 World University Games Gold & Silver Medalist
• 2004 Qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials-100 Butterfly
• Graduated as Most Decorated Swimmer in University of the Pactific Athletic History

Accolades

• 2011 Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2016 University of the Pacific Hall of Fame Inductee

Background

Interview

Clovis Unified History

• Reyburn Intermediate School
• Clovis East High School

High School

• 4 Years Varsity Swimming
• Still Holds Clovis East records for 50 Free and 100 Fly (Records set in 2011)
• 8-Time League Champion (Individual)
• 9-Time CIF Section Champion (8 Individual + 1 Relay)
• 6-Time Swimming All-American (Individual)
• 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 CIF Record Holder for 100 Fly
• 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Clovis East Most Valuable Swimmer
• 2008, 2011 Fresno Bee Swimmer of the Year
• 2011 Clovis East Scholar Athlete of the Year

College

• 2011-2015 San Diego State Swim Team Member
• 2012, 2013, 2014 All-Mountain West Honoree
• 2012, 2013, 2014 Mountain West All-Academic Team
• 2013, 2015 Mountain West Conference Championship

International

• 2011 FINA World Championships, Shanghai
• 2013 FINA World Championships, Barcelona

Background

Interview

• CIF Central Section Division I Champions
• Cal-Hi Sports California Team of the Year
• Ranked No. 1 in the Nation by USA Today
• Ranked No. 1 in the State by Cal-Hi Sports

Head Coach: Todd Morrissey

Assistant Coach: Skip Adams

Record: 33-3

Team Members:

• Jeanette Asher
• Erika Bargas
• Lisa Barron Cross
• Brenda Bertram
• Candice Bowlin Reneau
• Amber Bremseth Byrd
• Melina Burdick
• Jennifer Cruz
• Kristine Graham Bernardoni
• Sherry Heidebrecht Venn
• Brook Justin Silveira
• Jessica Montano
• Stefanie Reid
• Shannon Rhames Donald
• Amanda Scott
• Paula Stroud Peterson

Background

Interview