ARCATA — Immortalized by his accomplishments on the football field, former Humboldt State head coach Bud Van Deren was honored by the current Lumberjack team and coaching staff after learning that he had passed away Thursday at the age of 85.

Following Humboldt State's 49-14 victory over Dixie State on Saturday, Jacks' head coach Rob Smith informed his players and staff of Van Deren's passing. The Lumberjacks dedicated their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference road win to the former coach.

"Bud's time as head coach of Humboldt State football will always represent a remarkable era in our program's history," Smith said. "His commitment and dedication to HSU will always be remembered."

Van Deren served as the Lumberjacks' head coach from 1966 to 1985, guiding the Jacks' program for 20 seasons. He was honored as league coach of the year in 1968, 1975 and 1979, and inducted into Humboldt State's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment as a head coach came in 1968, when Van Deren led HSU to the West Region Championship. The Jacks' 29-14 win over Fresno State in the Camelia Bowl capped a 10-1 season.

After serving at HSU as an assistant coach in 1962 and 1963, Van Deren was hired in the same capacity at his alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley. He returned to HSU in 1966 to take over the reigns of the Lumberjack program.

As a player at Cal, Van Deren starred at defensive end in 1947 and 1948, and was named to the All-Coast team both years. In 1983 he was selected to Cal's all-time football team as part of the football program's 100th anniversary celebration.

In the years since his career as  a coach ended, Van Deren has been recognized with induction into at least four collegiate athletics' halls of fame. He was honored by Santa Rosa Junior College, Yuba College, and Humboldt State for his coaching skills, and inducted into the Cal Hall of Fame for his prowess as a player.