During that time, I met my husband, Derrick Villa, ’92 Radio-Television-Film, and we started dating. After a year at the University of Minnesota, the stars aligned, and I came back to San José State in 1996 to work for Lawrence. I’ve been here ever since. My husband and I got married two years later and our daughter Grace was born in 2002. She graduated from San José State in 2024. She, too, has fond memories of coming into the office and seeing Mr. Lawrence.

Lawrence and I worked together until his sudden death in February 2022. SJSU Athletics offered a meaningful memorial service that spring, and Lawrence’s presence lives on in the staff, student-athletes and Spartans that remember him. As we prepare for the next century of Spartans, it feels right to recognize Lawrence’s 42 years of service to his beloved San José State. For the uninitiated, I’m proud to present: Lawrence Fan.

For 42 years, one man worked tirelessly to promote the accomplishments of the San José State Athletics Department, including Spartan student-athletes, coaches, staff members and alumni. Lawrence Fan was recognized as the go-to expert on Spartan Athletics by local, state and national media.

Fan joined the San José State Athletics Department in 1980 as the sports information director (SID) for men’s athletics. When the men’s and women’s departments merged in 1987, he became the SID for the entire program. The oldest of three children, Fan was thrilled when his sister Lilian started at SJSU in 1980. He had a special bond with his brother’s and sister’s kids. San José State was his second family.

For 501 games, Fan was ever-present on the sidelines of San José State football. He covered the team from his first day on campus to his final day. One of his proudest moments came on November 13, 2021, when he worked his 500th consecutive San José State football game. Fan left the press box during the game to receiving accolades and honors from the fans. He was very proud of his accomplishment, allowing a local television station to follow him around for a day. The Fox Sports 1 crew broadcasting the game covered the recognition and presented him with a cake for the occasion.

Being featured in Washington Square brings Fan’s time at SJSU full circle. For many years, he was a part of the editorial board for the magazine, sitting in meetings deciding which stories should be covered in the next edition, assisting writers with interviews and even writing a few stories himself.