Two years after its' original announcement, Pacific Athletics and the Pacific Alumni Association partnered to host a Pacific Football Reunion Weekend in conjunction with the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame & Honors Dinner. The reunion brought back over 75 former Pacific Football players and coaches to celebrate its' storied legacy.
The weekend kicked off on Friday, April 29th with "Beers, Brats, & Baseball" out at Klein Family Field where guests were invited to mix and mingle with fellow football players, coaches, and supporters, while cheering on the Tiger Baseball team as they took on Saint Mary's. The evening was a huge success with over 175 guests in attendance and a comeback win from the Tigers as they downed the Gaels 8-7.
Memories were shared, stories were told, and even tears were shed as some reunited for the first time in 20+ years!
Guests enjoyed a great dinner, including brats from Evergood Sausage Company courtesy of Pacific Football alum, Harley Miller. Overall it was a great start to what was soon to be an amazing weekend!
Saturday morning, guests were invited to the "Legacy Celebration Brunch" where Pacific Athletics hosted a dedication ceremony for the new Stagg Memorial Football Plaza, which is part of the Pacific Football Legacy Project.
The purpose of the project is to celebrate and memorialize the positive impact that Pacific Football has had on the University, the community, nationally and, more directly on the thousands of students who participated on our teams and in student support positions.
The Plaza is 9,000 sq. ft. and is located off of Larry Heller Drive across from the Alex G. Spanos Center. It is envisioned as a gathering place for alumni and students who will learn of the storied history of Pacific Football through the stories and signage encircling the plaza. It will also serve as a campus destination hosting several tailgates and gatherings annually associated with athletic and campus events.
Stagg Memorial Football Plaza Dedication Ceremony Highlights
Director of Athletics, Janet Lucas, kicked off the program by welcoming nearly 200 guests in attendance.
University President, Christopher Callahan, provided his remarks next as he explained the importance of the project and the impact it will have on the University.
Pacific Football Legacy Project Co-Chair, Cindy Spiro '76, took to the podium next to share more information on Memorial Stadium and the Amos Alonzo Stagg legacy.
Pacific Football Legacy Project Co-Chair, Ted Leland '70, 74 explained how the overall project came to be and broke down the 4 values that represent the football program prominently featured on the brick pillars in the plaza - FAMILY, EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP, & COMMUNITY.
Janet Lucas concluded the program by sharing how the Legacy Project would impact future Tigers through two endowed scholarships; one being the Robert & Mimi Eberhardt "Forever Football" Endowed Scholarship, which will benefit a current student-athlete.
The last order of business was to cut the ribbon! Pacific Board of Regent and Legacy Project Committee member, Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt '76, 80, joined President Callahan and First Lady Jean Callahan, Spiro, Leland, and Lucas for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Legacy Project Committee members in attendance were the first to step foot in the Plaza.
Legacy Project Committee
Stagg Memorial Football Plaza Dedication Full Recording
Stagg Memorial Football Plaza Brick Campaign
Pacific has partnered with Fund Raisers Sports to officially kick off a memorial brick campaign to allow former players, alumni, and fans of the program to purchase a personalized brick to be placed in Stagg Memorial Football Plaza. Each brick will allow supporters to memorialize the Legacy of Pacific Football in their own unique and personal way. Bricks are limited at 350 and will be installed in late July and early August for the start of the 2022-23 academic year.
If you are interested in purchasing a tax-deductible brick, click below. For any questions, contact Executive Associate Athletics Director for Development, Tim Dickson.
The last event of the weekend was the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame & Honors Dinner on Saturday evening in the Janssen-Lagorio Gymnasium. It was a night all about Pacific Football as all award winners and inductees were Pacific Football alumni.
Award winners and Hall of Fame inductees arrived early to take pictures with their families and University President, Christopher Callahan, and Director of Athletics, Janet Lucas.
Hall of Fame Intro Video
Former Tiger Football player, Tom Zenner '89, served as the evenings master of ceremonies.
A special thank you to all of the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame & Honors Dinner event sponsors
President Christopher Callahan provided his remarks to kick off the evening.
Director of Athletics, Janet Lucas, addressed the crowd and expressed her gratitude and support of the Pacific Football legacy.
Carl Kammerer '61 was the first honoree of the evening as he was named an Amos Alonzo Stagg award recipient.
Carl Kammerer played three seasons (1957, 1958, 1960) with the Tigers, sitting out his junior year due to injury. Following his final season at Pacific, Kammerer enjoyed a nine-year career playing professional football after being selected in the second round of the 1960 NFL Draft. His stops in the league included seven years with the Washington Redskins and two with the San Francisco 49ers. One of his best NFL memories included sacking “Dandy” Don Meredith on his one-yard line and on the very next play blocking the punt of Danny Villanueva in the end zone for the touchdown to win the game.
After his retirement in 1969, Kammerer worked in numerous government positions, including as a senior executive at the Atomic Energy Commission and its successor agency, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Now retired as a charter member of the federal government's senior executive service, Kammerer serves as a liaison for sports and recreation for the Walter Reed Society Board of Directors. He spends much of his time arranging golf tournaments for former NFL players and wounded veterans.
Fa'Tafa Jefferson was the second honoree of the evening, also being named an Amos Alonzo Stagg award recipient.
Prior to joining University of the Pacific in 1994, Jefferson attended Golden West College in Huntington Beach CA, where he earned a Second Team All-Mission Conference selection in 1993. After wrapping up his collegiate playing career playing two years for the late Chuck Shelton at Pacific, Tafa signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1997. Despite sustaining career-ending injuries to his shoulder and ankle while playing in the NFL, Jefferson went on to launch and is now the CEO of the franchise, Amada Senior Care and Amada Franchise, Inc., which provides both in-home care and assisted living options to the ever-growing senior population. Determined that he would never ask a caregiver to do anything he wouldn’t do himself, Tafa became a certified nursing aide, and focused on care of patients with varying stages of dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Amada Care has grown to include over 400 employees and over 65 franchise locations nationwide, filling a niche of care that's expected to continue growing and one where Tafa can make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Jefferson also has a focus on bringing more women and minorities into Amada ownership.
Tafa was selected by O.C. Register in 2015 as Top 40 Entrepreneur Under 40, in 2018 recognized by Inc. Magazine “fastest growing companies." He was featured in Forbes Magazine in 2019 and most recently Fortune Magazine recognized Amada Senior Care as the 2022 recipient a “great place to work”.
Following the Amos Alonzo Stagg award presentation, Mike Mangrum '78 delivered the evening's invocation prior to dinner.
Daryl R. Hobbs Sr. '91
Following dinner, Daryl R. Hobbs Sr. '91 was the first honoree to be inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame.
Hobbs was a wide receiver at Pacific for two seasons, playing for the Tigers in 1990 and 1991. During his time in Stockton, the Victoria, Texas native engraved his name onto several single-game, single-season and career record lists. One of his most significant accomplishments includes when Hobbs combined with teammate Aaron Turner for a record 419 yards in a game against Utah State on Nov. 17, 1990. Individually, Hobbs totaled 228 yards in the contest. He and Turner teamed up the following season, setting a single-season record for total receiving yards by two players with 2,446.
Overall, Hobbs ranks in the top ten in multiple categories at Pacific, holding the single-season record for touchdowns (14), receiving touchdowns (12), receiving yards (848), receptions (62), and all-purpose yards (1,466). In the career record books, Hobbs ranks third in total receptions (124), receiving yards (1,690), touchdown receptions (26), and is ninth in scoring (158). Following his time at Pacific, Hobbs played seven seasons in the NFL, opening his career with the Los Angeles Raiders before playing for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.
Hobbs' former head coach, Walt Harris '68, '69 joined him on stage along side Janet Lucas, to give him his Hall of Fame medallion.
Greg Koperek '90
Greg Koperek '90 was presented his Hall of Fame plaque by Janet Lucas and Hall of Fame medal from former head coach, Walt Harris '68, '69.
Former teammate, David Thistle '88, spoke on his behalf and presented him with an official orange coat for being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Regarded as one of the most successful athletes in program history, Koperek played an integral role for the Tigers during his four years with the program. Selected as an All-American in 1988, the defensive back was named captain of the Tigers squad and the Douglass S. Vieira Most Valuable Player in 1989 despite playing a majority of the season with a broken wrist. Also serving as the Tigers' punt and kick returner, Koperek returned 29 kicks and averaged 20 yards per kick return, including 10.4 yards per return in 1988. Koperek would finish his career at Pacific with 10 total interceptions.
The three-time All-Conference selection also set two single-season records with the Tigers, tallying 6 interceptions in 1989 and returning 17 kick-offs for 342 total yards in 1988. Despite the injury, Koperek always proved to come back strong on the field. Ultimately, this courage was recognized when he won the Tully C. Knoles Ironman Award, given to a player who exemplifies the desire for perfection in all activities despite physical limitations.
1972 & 1973 Football Teams
The coaching staff of the 1972 and 1973 football teams headed to the stage first to receive their medallions. Coaches included Walt Harris '68, '69 Gary Scott '70, Ted Leland '70, 72', Ernie Zermeno, and Jim Colletto '72. Lyn Matasci, daughter of the late Chester Caddas who was the head coach of both teams, also joined them on the stage to accept the award on Chester's behalf.
Lyn Matasci addressed the crowd on her father's behalf.
Assistant Coach for both the 1972 and 1973 teams, Walt Harris was next to take the mic.
Following Harris, the members of the 1972 and 1973 teams went to the stage to receive their medallions from their coaches.
Ted Leland then took the mic to introduce Carlos Brown '75, who would speak on behalf of the players.
Carlos Brown '75, a member of both the 1972 and 1973 teams, was the final speaker of the evening.
To end the evening, Tony Nordbeck '93, Greg Koperek '91, and Ryan Benjamin '92 led the Tiger Fight Song as the crowd sung and cheered along!
Hall of Fame & Honors Dinner Full Recording
Thank you to everyone who attended the Pacific Football Reunion weekend! We hope you enjoyed yourself and that you come visit campus again soon!
GO TIGERS!
Below is a link to a photo album containing all photos that were taken over the weekend at all 3 events. Please feel free to download, print, and/or share!
In loving memory of Jim Honegger '73 - Forever a Pacific Tiger
Credits:
Kevin Richtik, Georgia Kovich Lee, Tim Thymes Jr., Brad Lane, Marc Afshar, Michael January, G-Force Productions