Inductees By Class
2024
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024
IndividualsRichard "Scooter"Barry '84 (Basketball) |
CoachesFrank Allocco (Basketball) |
Teams2010 Football |
Hall of Fame biographies for each of the inductees are available below. Additionally, the full induction ceremony video, individual induction videos, and a photo gallery will be available after the ceremony is concluded.
De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024
- Richard "Scooter" Barry '84 - Basketball
- Matt Biel '04 - Swimming
- Damon Jenkins '03 - Football
- Rudy Ramirez '04 - Wrestling
- Clayton Tanner '06 - Baseball
- Frank Allocco (Coach) - Basketball
- Scott Hirsch '82 (Coach) - Water Polo & Swimming
- 2009 Wrestling Team
- 2010 Football Team
Richard "Scooter" Barry '84 - Basketball
Richard “Scooter” Barry ’84 was a two-year varsity basketball player at De La Salle and was a captain during his senior season. He earned a first-team All-Catholic Athletic League selection by helping the Spartans post a 20-7 overall record during the 1983-84 season.
Following his time at De La Salle, Scooter played at Kansas University (1984-89). He averaged 15 minutes per game for a team that went to the NCAA Final Four in 1987 and was the Sixth Man on the 1988 Division 1 National Championship team.
Scooter was named the Midwest Regional MVP after scoring 25 points in a win over a Kansas State squad that featured NBA Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond to advance to the Final Four. As a senior at Kansas, he was a starter for Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams.
In the fall of 1989, Scooter was the last cut of the Boston Celtics before spending two seasons in the NBA’s Developmental League. He played professionally for 17 years in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Australia. Recently, he ran the Barry Basic Training Basketball Camp for two summers at De La Salle and has returned to campus numerous times to participate in the annual basketball alumni game.
Matt Biel '04 - Swimming
Matt Biel ’04 was De La Salle’s first-ever individual North Coast Swimming championship winner. In 2004, he won the 200 and 500 Freestyle at the NCS Championships. It took 18 years for De La Salle’s swim team to produce another two-time NCS individual champion (Tom Roder ’22). Matt’s high school swimming resume also included being the team captain and top individual point scorer for De La Salle during the 2003 and 2004 NCS Swimming championship meet.
During his senior year at De La Salle, Matt represented the United States in international competition as a member of the US National Junior Team. Later that year, he was recognized as USA Swimming’s Male Pacific Swimmer of the Year. He still holds two school records in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Two months after his 2004 graduation, Matt became the first DLS swimmer to compete in the United States Olympic Trials, participating in the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Matt received an athletic scholarship from the University of Arizona where he was a four-year letter winner. In 2008, Matt was a member of the University of Arizona’s first-ever Division 1 National Championship swim team.
As a volunteer, Matt coached the San Francisco MLK Blue Dolphins, a team comprised of multiracial age group swimmers from the Bayview-Hunters Point District of San Francisco as part of USA Swimming’s Diversity Program.
Damon Jenkins '03 - Football
Damon Jenkins ’03 was a three-year starter at defensive back for the De La Salle football team from 2001-03, helping the Spartans to three consecutive undefeated seasons. In his senior year, Damon was rated as one of the best cornerbacks in the country and ranked as the 48th-best prospect in the West and 19th-best cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com.
A three-star recruit who committed to play at Fresno State, Damon was a two-time first-team all-BVAL selection, earned top-100 recognition by the Contra Costa Times, and was named an All-State Student by Sports Magazine.
At Fresno State, Damon played for the Bulldogs from 2004-07 and, in his 2006 junior season, led the team with three interceptions. He returned one of those interceptions 56 yards for a touchdown against No. 14 Boise State.
Damon is currently in his third season as the head varsity football coach at Kerman High School in Kerman, Calif. Beyond the game of football, Damon serves as a mentor and role model, providing guidance, support, and encouragement to students as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and prepare for their future endeavors. Through his work as a teacher, he aims to impart not only academic knowledge, but life lessons that will serve them well beyond the classroom. With dedication, enthusiasm, and a belief in the power of mentorship, he is committed to shaping the leaders of tomorrow and making a positive impact in the lives of his students.
Rudy Ramirez '04 - Wrestling
Rudy Ramirez ’04 was a four-time varsity letter winner in wrestling at De La Salle and was the individual Bay Valley Athletic League individual champion all four years. Rudy had four top-5 finishes at the North Coast Section Championships, including individual championships in 2003 (112 lbs) and 2004 (119 lbs). Rudy qualified for the CIF Boys Wrestling Championships three times (2002-04).
In 2004 as a senior, he finished the year with a fifth place finish at the CIF State meet. He would go on to compete in wrestling at the collegiate level at Fresno State, where he was a member of the wrestling team for the 2004-05 season.
After the Fresno State wrestling program was discontinued following his freshman season, Rudy returned to De La Salle as an assistant coach from 2007-11.
Clayton Tanner '06 - Baseball
Clayton Tanner ’06 was a two-year starting pitcher for the Spartans in 2005 and 2006, receiving first-team all-league honors in both years. During those two seasons, he posted a 15-5 overall record with a 1.35 earned run average and 167 strikeouts in 124.1 innings pitched. As a senior, Clayton had a 1.39 ERA and a 10-2 record with 106 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched, and as a junior, he was 5-3 with a 1.31 ERA and 61 strikeouts.
Following his senior season, he was a First-Team All-BVAL selection, a First-Team All-State honoree by Cal-High Sports, a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, and ranked as the 99th best prospect nationally by Perfect Game.
Clayton turned down a scholarship to pitch collegiately at Pepperdine after the San Francisco Giants selected him in the third round of the 2006 MLB Draft. Born in Mona Vale, New South Wales, Australia, Clayton played for Australia in the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
After his playing days, Clayton began coaching youth players in the Bay Area. Currently, he is the pitching coach for the De La Salle varsity baseball team and is now in his sixth season with the Spartans. He also coaches the Diablo Valley Oaks developmental baseball program. Clayton resides in Concord with his wife Cynthia, and their two children, Colton (6) and Cali (4).
Frank Allocco (Coach) - Basketball
Frank Allocco spent 18 years as De La Salle’s Head Varsity Basketball Coach. During that time, he led the Spartans to 17 league titles, nine North Coast Section titles, three NorCal Championships, and two State Championships. Frank guided De La Salle to a 487-71 overall record while posting a 229-7 record against league competition. Combined with his 167 coaching victories at Northgate High School (1991-97), he was the 27th coach in state history to win 600 games (654-99) – reaching that milestone faster than any coach in the history of California interscholastic basketball competition.
Frank ended his 24-year high school coaching career with an .868 winning percentage, which was second all-time in California, and he is the only coach in California high school basketball history to win a State Championship at two different schools. In addition, under Frank’s tutelage, more than 60 players moved on to play basketball in college.
In 1981, Frank founded the popular Excel in Basketball summer camp, which serves as a teaching camp for basketball skills and provides a motivational base for thousands of youngsters in California and New Jersey. Impacting thousands of lives, Frank has also provided keynote speeches for businesses, leadership conferences, youth groups, schools, clinics, church groups, and more. Frank currently serves as the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations at the University of San Francisco.
Scott Hirsch '82 (Coach) - Water Polo & Swimming
Scott Hirsch ’82 was named the De La Salle Head Water Polo Coach in 1993. During his first six years leading the program, the Spartans won four league championships. He also guided the Spartans to three straight North Coast Section championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002, before capturing another section title in 2004.
In 2006, Scott was selected as the NCS Honors Coach for boys water polo. In his 21 seasons as the head coach at De La Salle, he guided the Spartans to 13 league titles and four NCS Championships. In addition to his time on the pool deck coaching water polo, he also served as an assistant coach for the De La Salle swimming team (2022-24), while serving as the head coach of the Carondelet swimming program in 1986 and again from 1990-99. As the head swimming coach at Carondelet, he guided the Cougars to an NCS Championship in 1998 and was named the NCS Honors Coach for girls swimming in 1999, and also coached Olympic champion Natalie Coughlin.
A 1982 graduate of De La Salle, Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from UC Santa Barbara in 1986. He returned to his high school alma mater in the fall of 1989, where he has been teaching Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry to De La Salle students for the past 35 years. He also spent time as a varsity water polo assistant coach from 2017-19 and a junior varsity water polo assistant coach from 1989-92 and again from 2014-16.
2009 Wrestling Team
During the 2008-09 De La Salle wrestling season, the Spartans posted a 10-0 meet record, which included North Coast Section Duals, East Bay Athletic League, and the NCS Team championships. The 2009 team won the school’s first NCS Championship, sparking the Spartans to win 14 of the last 15 NCS Team Championships. NCS Individual champions were: Vinny Moita ’10 (103 lbs), Tyler Sheridan ’09 (152 lbs), and Luke Sheridan ’11 (160 lbs); while Nick Jansen ’09 (171 lbs) finished second, Justin Walker ’12 (189 lbs) and Jordan Felix ’10 (215 lbs) finished fifth, Alex Abono ’10 (125 lbs) finished sixth, and Curtis Siegfried ’11 (135 lbs) finished eighth. Moita, Jansen, and the Sheridan brothers advanced to the state meet, collecting enough points for De La Salle to finish 17th overall. Moita’s third-place finish at 103 pounds, highlighted the state finish, while Tyler Sheridan had a seventh-place finish at 152 pounds. At the time, the third-place finish by Moita marked the best individual state finish for any De La Salle wrestler in school history and currently ranks tied for the fifth-best finish.
2010 Football Team
The 2010 De La Salle Football team stands as one of the all-time best the school has seen. This team posted a 14-0 record and finished as the No. 1 team in the country by MaxPreps. The Spartans outscored their opponents 656 to 139, winning by an average margin of victory of 46.8 to 9.9 per game. The squad defeated Serra, Saint Mary’s of Stockton, Bishop Gorman, and Servite, which was ranked #1 in the country that season. The 48-8 victory over Servite came in the state championship game, to complete the Spartans’ perfect season, marking back-to-back state titles for De La Salle. The Spartans racked up 527 total yards (475 on the ground) while holding the Friars to 197 total yards. Lucas Dunne ’11 did the majority of the damage, rushing for 240 yards in 28 carries and scoring four touchdowns. The team included 16 players who went on to play football in college, including NFL players Austin Hooper ’13 and Dylan Wynn ’11. Five others went on to play college rugby and another moved on to track and field in college.
2023
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023
IndividualsJohnny De Los Reyes ’11 - Golf |
CoachesTerry Eidson (Football/Baseball/Golf) |
Teams1996 Football Team |
Hall of Fame biographies for each of the inductees are available below. Additionally, the full induction ceremony video, individual induction videos, and a photo gallery are available as well.
De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023
- Johnny De Los Reyes '11 - Golf
- Lincoln Gunn '06 - Basketball
- Kristian Ipsen '11 - Diving
- Mawuko Tugbenyoh '96 - Football/Track & Field
- Terry Eidson - Football, Baseball, and Golf Coach
- Bob Ladouceur - Football Coach
- 1996 Football Team
- 1998 Volleyball Team
Johnny De Los Reyes '11 - Golf
Johnny De Los Reyes '11 was a three-year varsity golfer at De La Salle, earning three 1st Team All-East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) honors. In 2009, he was named the Contra Costa Times Golfer of the Year. Following high school, Johnny went on to play golf for Saint Mary’s College where he finished his collegiate career with the lowest scoring average in the school’s history. During his time at Saint Mary’s, he led the Gaels to a West Coast Conference Championship in 2016. Johnny was also the WCC Player of the Year and team MVP in 2015 and was a three-time all-WCC selection.
Today, he continues to compete around the country and internationally. Johnny holds the course record at Oakdale Country Club (62) and is currently teaching and coaching youth and adult golfers at Spring Creek Country Club in Ripon, CA.
Lincoln Gunn '06 - Basketball
Lincoln Gunn '06 was a two-year varsity basketball letterman and De La Salle’s basketball varsity team captain in 2006. Known for his attention to detail and work ethic, Lincoln broke the all-time scoring record at De La Salle and also holds the school record in free throw percentage in a single season. As a senior, Lincoln earned all-league, Contra Costa Times, and 1st Team all-state honors. He also led his team to a CIF State Championship and was named De La Salle Athlete of the Year in 2006.
After De La Salle, Lincoln continued his academic and athletic career at Princeton University where he became a two-year starter for the Tigers. Lincoln has been a long-time supporter of De La Salle’s athletics programs and has been a resource for the school’s basketball staff.
He currently resides in Oakland, CA with his wife and daughter and is the Vice President of Partnerships at Fandom, Inc.
Kristian Ipsen '11 - Diving
Kristian Ipsen '11 was a four-year varsity diver and four-time NCS individual champion (2008-11) and still holds the NCS record for points. In 2010, Kristian was named De La Salle Athlete of the Year. He went on to compete at Stanford, where he won three NCAA championships and was an eight-time PAC-12 champion. A highly decorated junior diver, Kristian won 16 junior national championships, 15 senior national championships, two junior world championships, and two senior world silver medals. A member of the United States National Team, Kristian represented his country around the world in 2006, as well as from 2008 until 2016. He earned a silver medal in the 2009 World Championships, a bronze medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics (in the 3-meter Synchronized Diving event), and a bronze medal in the 2016 FINA World Aquatics Championships.
Today, Kristian volunteers his time coaching diving at Southern Methodist University. He currently resides in Texas with his wife and is the Director of Business Development at Medallion.
Mawuko Tugbenyoh '96 - Football/Track & Field
Mawuko Tugbenyoh '96 was a three-year varsity football player and an All-East Bay 1st Team selection in 1995. Known as one of the most dominant defensive players in school history, he also lent his skills to the track team, competing in relays. While at De La Salle, Mawuko led both his football and track teams to two NCS Championships. He earned a scholarship to Cal, where he went on to represent the Golden Bears for four seasons. After college, he played professionally in the NFL Europe from 2002 to 2003 and in the Canadian Football League from 2004 to 2005. Mawuko returned to De La Salle to coach football from 2010 to 2020, during which time he had a huge impact on young Spartans.
Today, Mawuko is the Program Director at the Community Youth Center, a non-profit in Concord, CA where after-school athletics and education programs are made available to children from all walks of life. He resides in Concord with his wife and children.
Terry Eidson - Football, Baseball, and Golf Coach
Terry Eidson has worn many hats at De La Salle over the last 42 years. In addition to coaching football, baseball, and golf, Terry has been the Director of Student Activities, the Assistant Dean of Students, the head of the Religious Studies Department, and the Athletic Director. While he is mostly known for the football games that the school won along the way, Terry also coached countless Spartans in baseball and golf. His impact on high school athletics is so prolific he amassed awards like the Aflac Assistant Coach of the Year (2002), the NCS Athletic Director of the Year (2003), the De La Salle Coach of the Year (1984 and 1992), the NCS Honor Golf Coach (2019), and the CIF Coach of the Year (2020). He was also named the 2022 Distinguished Lasallian Educator of the Year by the District of San Francisco New Orleans. Over four decades, Terry has spearheaded several philanthropic initiatives at De La Salle, including 20 years with the school’s annual Toy Drive. Today, he works with students in De La Salle’s Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program, which is designed to support students and families from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds, including first-generation college-bound students.
Bob Ladouceur - Football Coach
Bob Ladouceur was one of the country’s most successful high school coaches and holds the record for the most victories in California history (399-25-3). Over 34 years, his teams won 28 NCS Championships and 19 State Championships, and had the longest consecutive game-winning streak (151) in U.S. high school football history. Bob was named the National High School Coach of the Year by USA Today three times and became the NFL’s first Don Shula High School Coach of the Year recipient. In 2001, he was inducted into the NFHS Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2014, he was part of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters from his alma mater, San Jose University, for distinguishing himself through humanitarian and philanthropic contributions to society. Bob’s coaching legacy can be seen across the high school football landscape. He has coached more than 80 athletes who received athletic scholarships at top universities and colleges across the country. Many continued on to professional careers in the NFL. He has also inspired countless alumni to become coaches and leaders themselves.
1996 Football Team
The 1996 Football Team was one of the most dominant teams in school history. Going undefeated and winning the NCS title was just the tip of the iceberg. This Spartan team shut out seven opponents, allowing an average of just 4.4 points a game. The team’s defense even out-scored opposing offenses. One of the many highlights was defeating highly-ranked Rancho Buena Vista High School on De La Salle’s first trip to Southern California. The Spartans then defeated Pittsburg High School in the NCS 4A Championship game to cap off a perfect 12-0 season.
1998 Volleyball Team
Under the tutelage of new head coach, Tea Hieta, the 1998 Volleyball Team won the first of five straight NCS championships. They were known for camaraderie, competitiveness, and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Captains Dominic Uchikura ‘98 and Stefan Yeoman ‘99 led their peers to be better people and teammates and helped set a positive culture. While it was a highly competitive season, all the pieces fell into place at the right time and they swept through the NCS Playoffs to win the championship match against Northgate.
2022
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022
IndividualsKevin Bacharach '03 - Swimming/Water Polo
|
CoachesSteve Guthrie - Swimming & Diving |
Teams2007 Football Team |
The individual induction videos for each of the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022 are available in their biographies below. Additionally, the full induction ceremony video and a photo gallery are available at the bottom of this page.
De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022
- Kevin Bacharach '03 - Water Polo/Swimming & Diving
- Atari Callen '99 - Football/Track & Field
- A.J. Kuhle '00 - Basketball
- Chase Wheeler '09 - Track & Field/Football
- Chris Wondolowski '01 - Soccer/Track & Field
- Steve Guthrie - Swimming & Diving Coach
- Robert O'Meara - Lacrosse Coach
- 2007 Football Team
- 2009 Soccer Team
Kevin Bacharach '03 - Water Polo/Swimming & Diving
Kevin Bacharach ’03 excelled in the water for both the De La Salle water polo and swimming teams from 1999-2003. Kevin was a four-time All-American in swimming and helped the Spartans to the 2003 North Coast Section (NCS) team championship when he anchored the 200-yard freestyle relay team to the event title. In water polo, Kevin was a second-team All-American and the Contra Costa Times Player of the Year in 2002, helping the Spartans win their third straight NCS championship. Additionally, Kevin was named the Bay Valley Athletic League (BVAL) Most Valuable Player and was a First Team All-NCS selection following his senior season. He was also a team captain for both the water polo and swimming & diving teams. Kevin, along with his financial management team, recently stepped away from Wells Fargo Advisors, where he worked for 12 years, to start BPGE Capital Management LLC in September of 2022, where he is the Branch Manager and Managing Director.
Atari Callen '99 - Football/Track & Field
Atari Callen ’99 had an outstanding career on the De La Salle football field and on the track, and was named the De La Salle Athlete of the Year in 1999. As a football player, Atari collected 3,806 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns, to go along with 180 tackles and four interceptions in his three years. Atari helped the Spartans collect three NCS Championships from 1996-98, and was the lead running back on De La Salle’s 1998 squad that defeated Mater Dei for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Championship game, which resulted in the school being named the USA Today National Champions that year. He was also the Northern California Player of the Year, a PrepStar All-American, and was named to the Cal-Texas Shrine All-Star game following his senior season. On the track, Atari is just one of two athletes to win the 100-meter event at the NCS Meet of Champions three times and was a two-time state finalist in the same event. These days Atari is racking up wins coaching high school football in Idaho, and being recognized for his civil rights work by the city of Pocatello.
A.J. Kuhle '00 - Basketball
A.J. Kuhle ’00 was a three-year varsity letter-winner in basketball, helping De La Salle capture NCS championships in 1999 and 2000, and back-to-back-to-back Bay Valley Athletic League titles (1998-2000). As a team captain of the 1999-2000 squad, the All-BVAL selection helped De La Salle defeat Jesuit for the NorCal Division I State title, then the Spartans defeated Clovis West, 47-46, to win the CIF Division I State Basketball Championship. After De La Salle, A.J. played four years at the Air Force Academy, three years as a starter. A team captain his senior season, he helped the Falcons win the Mountain West Conference championship (the programs only conference championship), earning an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004. After his playing days, A.J. coached at the collegiate level at the Air Force Academy (2004-07) and at the University of Denver (2007-15), before returning to De La Salle as the head varsity basketball coach for the 2015-16 season. His 2003-04 Air Force team was inducted to the Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. Today, A.J. embodies the spirit of his Lasallian high school education through his work at ACE Scholarships, which seeks to expand education opportunities for low-income students in grades K-12.
Chase Wheeler '09 - Track & Field/Football
Chase Wheeler ’09 was selected as the 2009 De La Salle Athlete of the Year after starring on both the track & field and football teams. During the 2008-09 school year, Chase won an individual state track and field championship in the long jump with a distance of 25.02.25 feet. On the football field, the wide receiver and defensive back helped the Spartan football team post a 13-0 record in 2007 and a 12-2 record in 2008, capturing back-to-back NCS championships. Following his collegiate days at Cal, Chase returned to De La Salle as an assistant track & field coach from 2013-15. Now, Chase is leveraging his past experience as a biotech and cancer researcher to provide (through his company Whealthy Performance) free education to individuals looking to prioritize their health.
Chris Wondolowski '01 - Soccer/Track & Field
Chris Wondolowski ’01 was a two-time Bay Valley Athletic League First-Team selection in 2000 and 2001 for the De La Salle varsity soccer team. During his senior season, he helped the Spartans capture the NCS Championship, and was named the 2001 BVAL, NCS, and Contra Costa Times Player of the Year. Chris also helped the track and field team to a BVAL Championship in 2001, running in the 800-meter and 1600-meter races. After four years at Chico State, where he was a Division II All-American in 2003, Chris enjoyed a 17-year career in Major League Soccer (MLS), playing for the San Jose Earthquakes (2005, 2009-21) and the Houston Dynamo (2006-09). A five-time MLS All-Star, two-time MLS Cup Champion, two-time Golden Boot award winner, and league MVP in 2012, Chris ended his professional career in 2021 as the league’s all-time leading goal scorer with 171 goals. From 2011-16, Chris made 35 appearances as a member of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team. He was also a member of Team USA for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Off the pitch, Chris has used soccer as a tool for social change. He was the first American soccer player to donate a portion of his salary to the Common Goal movement and is an ambassador for both Soccer Streets USA and the Nike N7 Fund.
Steve Guthrie - Swimming & Diving Coach
Steve Guthrie was a high school swim coach for 42 years, leading the De La Salle swimming & diving program for 29. He led the Spartans to a streak of 44 consecutive dual meet wins and then 138 consecutive dual meet victories, while guiding De La Salle to 19 league titles, five North Coast Section (NCS) titles, and multiple CIF State Championship appearances, with his best finish of third place coming in 2015. He coached more than 20 high school All-Americans and had five USA Olympic Trial qualifiers. Steve was named the Contra Costa Times Boys Coach of the Year, the De La Salle High School Coach of the Year, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), and CIF Boys Coach of the Year, and won Distinguished Service Awards from the NCS and National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA). He’s been a member of the NCS swimming committee for more than 35 years, serving as the meet director for the NCS swimming championships for 30 years, and currently serves on the state’s swimming committee. Prior to coming to De La Salle in August of 1987, where he’s been a mathematics teacher for 35 years, Steve coached water polo, soccer, and swimming, and served as the Athletic Director at Salesian High School. He’s a tri-athlete for the South End Rowing Club in San Francisco. He has also worked numerous fundraisers in the Oakland Diocese and was named the Man of the Year by the Saint Theresa Church in Oakland. Steve and his wife Sarah of 35 years have four children, Ben ‘06, Andrea CHS ‘07, Jared ‘10, and Aidan ‘14, all who attended De La Salle or Carondelet.
Robert O'Meara - Lacrosse Coach
Robert “Bob” O’Meara was the first head coach of the De La Salle lacrosse program, which began in 2001. Over his 15 seasons as the Spartans’ head coach, he compiled a 222-79 (.737 winning percentage), before retiring after the 2015 season. He was named the 2007 East Bay Times and Alameda News Group Coach of the Year after guiding De La Salle to 19-3 overall record and the school’s first North Coast Section lacrosse championship that season. During his tenure, he led De La Salle to 11 straight NCS appearances from 2004-2015. His teams appeared in eight NCS Division I Boys Lacrosse Championship game appearances, resulting in four NCS titles in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2014. He also received the 2015 Northern California Lacrosse Referees Association (NCCRA) Sportsmanship Award and the 2017 Lacrosse Honor Coach Award by the North Coast Section. Bob and his wife Joanne have three children named Patrick, Bridget, and Caitlin.
2007 Football Team
The 2007 Football Team posted a 13-0 record and averaged more than 47 points per game while eclipsing the 50-point plateau five times. De La Salle defeated Centennial of Corona to win the CIF Division I State Championship when Noah Perio scored the game-winning touchdown in a 37-31 victory. The 2007 season marked the 16th straight North Coast Section title for the Spartans in football.
2009 Soccer Team
The 2009 Soccer Team posted a near-perfect season with a 23-1-1 overall record. The Spartans captured the East Bay Athletic League and North Coast Section Championships, as Dom Daley was named the NCS and Contra Costa Times Player of the Year. The Spartans finished the season ranked in the top 10 nationally by Adidas National Collegiate Soccer Athletic Association (NSCAA).
Class of 2022 Induction Ceremony
2022 Hall of Fame Photo Gallery
2021
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021
IndividualsMark Halvorson (posthumously) - Wrestling Coach |
Team1994 Football Team |
The individual induction videos for each of the Class of 2021 Inductees are available on their biographies below.
De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021
- Mark Halvorson (postumously) - Wrestling Coach
- Noah Merl '01 - Soccer
- Travis Pfeifer '97 - Football
- Jason Price '06 - Track & Field
- Kevin Simon '01 - Football
- Dan Vinson '04 - Lacrosse
- Brandon Zoetewey '05 - Wrestling
- 1994 Football Team
Mark Halvorson (postumously) - Wrestling Coach
Mark Halvorson (coach) will posthumously be inducted into the De La Salle Athletics Hall of Fame. Mark was named the head varsity wrestling coach at De La Salle in 1999 and led the school’s program until 2020 when he died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 57. In his 21 years as the head coach of the De La Salle wrestling program, he led the school to 11 North Coast Section championships, 13 NCS Dual Championships, and two top-4 finishes at the CIF State Championships, while sending nearly 100 Spartans to state meets, where they claimed 23 medals and two individual state championships (Peyton Omania ‘18 in 2018, Kyle Parco ‘19 in 2019). He also coached for Team USA Wrestling in Singapore, Mexico, and Brazil, and in 2016 he was selected as a Greco-Roman volunteer coach on Team USA for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Noah Merl '01 - Soccer
Noah Merl ’01 was a standout soccer player for De La Salle for three seasons (1998-2001), earning two First Team All-BVAL selections. A team captain of the 2001 North Coast Section championship team, he was named to the All-Contra Costa Times Team following his junior and senior seasons. Noah played college soccer at UC Berkeley (2001-04) where he was a three-time All-Pac 10 selection, a three-time Pac-10 All-Academic honoree, and a three-year team captain. After being selected in the third round of the 2005 Major League Soccer Draft by the San Jose Earthquakes, and missing the 2006 season, he played three seasons with the Seattle Sounders (2006-08), winning a United Soccer League (USL) Championship in 2007, before finishing his playing career with the Seattle Wolves of the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL).
Travis Pfeifer '97 - Football
Travis Pfeifer ’97 excelled as an offensive and defensive lineman at De La Salle, earning three varsity letters. Travis was named a Prep All-American by PrepStar, which ranked him as the sixth-best offensive lineman in the region. Following his All-American senior season, he earned First Team All-State, All-City, All-League, All-East Bay, and All-Bay Area honors as an offensive lineman. Additionally, he was selected as the City Player of the Year, the East Bay co-Offensive Player of the Year, and the North Coast Section Defensive Player of the Year. He helped De La Salle win three straight Division I state championships (1994-96), as the Spartans were 38-0 during that stretch. As a sophomore, he was part of the 1994 football team that won the program’s first national championship. As a junior, he earned First Team All-City, All-League, All-County, and All-East Bay honors, helping the 1995 Spartans to a number-four national ranking. As a senior, the 1996 football team ranked second nationally at the end of the year. He earned a full scholarship to play football at Stanford University, where he was a three-year letter winner at nose guard and defensive tackle and was a member of the Cardinal’s 2000 Rose Bowl team and 2001 Seattle Bowl team that ranked 11th in the country.
Jason Price '06 - Track & Field
Jason Price ’06 was a three-year standout on the De La Salle varsity track and field team. During his senior season, he posted the third-fastest 400m time in school history (48.28) and finished second at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions. He also ran the first leg for the Spartans’ 4x400m relay team, which set a school-record time of 3:17.27, before finishing first at the NCS MOCs in 2006. After De La Salle, Jason attended the University of Southern California (USC) where he was a member of the track and field team for four seasons. A team captain as a junior and senior, he was an Academic All-American in 2010 and a two-time All-American as part of USC’s 4x400m relay team, placing fifth at the 2010 and seventh at the 2009 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He graduated from USC in 2010 with a degree in Business Administration and as a Presidential Scholar. Jason also graduated from Harvard Business School in 2018 and has been on the boards of various sports-related organizations, including founding Crossover Into Business while at Harvard, a non-profit that helps professional athletes accelerate their business careers and impact their communities.
Kevin Simon '01 - Football
Kevin Simon ‘01 was to be inducted into the class of 2020, but due to scheduling conflicts, he will be inducted with the class of 2021. Kevin excelled at football at De La Salle and beyond, as he was a star linebacker and running back for the Spartans from 1997-2001. He played on two De La Salle USA Today National Championship Teams (1998 & 2000) and contributed to the school’s national-record 151-game winning streak, spanning from 1992-2004. As a senior, Kevin scored 16 touchdowns as the team’s leading running back. He was named 2000 Rivals National Defensive Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports’ State Defensive Player of the Year, USA Today, Parade, PrepStar, and Super Prep All-American and was rated the No. 1 Linebacker in the nation by ESPN and Rivals.com. Kevin played in the inaugural U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2000, before playing football at the University of Tennessee from 2001-05, before a brief NFL career. He was selected by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. After his playing days ended, Kevin has coached at both the collegiate and NFL levels.
Dan Vinson '04 - Lacrosse
Dan Vinson ’04 was a four-year starter for the De La Salle Varsity Lacrosse team (2001-04) and was a member of the team during the program’s inaugural season in 2001. A team captain for the Spartans in 2003 and 2004, Dan earned All-American honors by US Lacrosse, both as a junior and a senior. He was also a member of the school’s National Honor Society, was a Peer Helper, and a Youth Educator. After graduating from De La Salle, he attended Georgetown University, where he walked on to the men’s lacrosse team, playing four seasons with the Hoyas from 2006-09.
Brandon Zoetewey '05 - Wrestling
Brandon Zoetewey ’05 was a four-year letter winner in wrestling for the Spartans, a three-time Bay Valley Athletic League champion (including an undefeated season in 2005), and a two-time North Coast Section individual champion. As a junior at De La Salle, Brandon placed sixth at state in the 112-pound weight class. As a senior, he posted a sixth-place state finish in the 119-pound division, then earned All-American honors after a fifth place finish at senior nationals. After graduating from De La Salle, he attended California State University, Bakersfield, where he was a three-time letter winner on the wrestling team and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 125-pound weight class in 2008 and 2009. He compiled a 74-40 record during his four years at CSUB, which included three top-five Pac-10 Championship finishes.
1994 Football Team
The 1994 De La Salle Football Team posted a perfect 13-0 record, en route to the school’s third straight and 10th North Coast Section Championship in 13 years. The 1994 Spartans outscored their opponents 115-14 in the three playoff games, as “the streak” was extended to 39 consecutive wins. Following the 35-0 victory over James Logan in the NCS Championship game, De La Salle was named national champions by the National Sports News Services (NSNS) and the World Features Syndicate National Prep Poll (WFSNPP), marking the first of seven national titles for the De La Salle football program.
2021 Induction Ceremony Photo Gallery
2021 Induction Ceremony Video
2020
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class for 2020
IndividualsBryan Byrne '02 - Baseball |
SupporterTom Bruce |
Teams2005-06 Basketball Team |
De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020
- Bryan Byrne '02 - Baseball
- Matt Clizbe '90 - Football, Baseball, Track & Field
- Theo Robertson '05 - Basketball
- Jacob Yount '05 - Golf
- Tom Bruce - Supporter
- 2005-06 Basketball Team
- 1993 Football Team
Bryan Byrne '02 - Baseball
Bryan Byrne, class of 2002, played baseball at De La Salle. His senior year, he led the team with a .410 batting average and was the Most Valuable Player. A two-time All-BVAL honoree, Bryan helped lead the Spartans to a league championship in 2000. He received a scholarship to Saint Mary’s College for baseball, and was honored as the 2003 West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year. That year he led all WCC freshmen with a .358 batting average, while leading the Gaels in eight offensive categories. He was also a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and earned First Team All-WCC honors. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005 and played six seasons, primarily at first base, at the AA and AAA levels. He was voted as a Southern League (AA) All Star in 2008 and 2010. He was awarded the best offensive player by the Mobile Bay Bears, where he broke the franchise RBI record. Bryan was the Director of Baseball Operations at Saint Mary’s College before joining the Houston Astros as an area scout in 2012. After four years with Houston, he joined the Washington Nationals where he currently works as an Area Supervisor.
Matt Clizbe '90 - Football, Baseball, Track & Field
Matt Clizbe, class of 1990, was a three-sport varsity athlete in football, baseball, and track and field at De La Salle. A three-year varsity football player, Matt was named All-East Bay in 1988 and 1989 and EX All Bay Area, All-NorCal, and was a member of the Bay Area News Group Cream of the Crop in 1988. He went on to play football at UC Berkeley where he was a defensive back and running back for the Golden Bears. In 1993, he was named the special teams most valuable player. After graduating from Cal, Matt continued on to play in the Canadian Football League for the Birmingham, Alabama Barracudas for one season. Today Matt works as a Relationship Specialist for Fremont Bank.
Theo Robertson '05 - Basketball
Theo Robertson, class of 2005, set basketball records at De La Salle for 3-point percentage and overall field goal accuracy and finished his career with 1,220 points. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a two-year captain and standout forward on the basketball team. Theo played for the Bears from 2006-10, earning Pac-10 All-Freshman Honorable Mention in 2006, All- Pac-10 second team honors as a senior in 2010, and was named to the 2010 Pac-10 All-Tournament Team. He was a key part of Cal’s 2010 Pac-10 championship team, earning team MVP honors after averaging 14.2 points per game. He finished his career as the school’s all-time three-point shooter, making 44.0 percent of his attempts beyond the arc, and ranks among Cal’s top 25 career scorers with 1,315 total points. Following graduation, Theo has worked at the Pac-12 offices, two stints at Cal, first when he finished as Director of Operations during the 2013-14 season, and then back again in 2017 as an Assistant Coach. Theo then spent two seasons with the Warriors, where he was part of the 2015 NBA Championship-winning program as the team’s video intern, working with Steve Kerr’s coaching staff assisting with game preparation. He was promoted to video coordinator/player development prior to the 2015-16 season, working on-court with players in addition to his game-planning responsibilities. After his second stint at Cal, Theo returned to the Warriors, in his current capacity as a Player Development Coach.
Jacob Yount '05 - Golf
Jacob Yount, class of 2005, had an outstanding varsity high school golf career for the Spartans. He was a medalist at the local qualifying tournament for the 2005 US Amateur at Montreux Country Club in Reno, Nevada. In 2004, he made it to the round of 32 in the US Junior Amateur at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, won the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) junior golf event at Singing Hills in nearby El Cajon by firing rounds of 66-70, and won the Country Youth Classic in Illinois by 13 shots, posting rounds of 67-64. He was ranked among the Top 50 Junior Boys in 2004 by Golfweek magazine. Jacob was a FCWT All American and also posted one top 10 and three top five finishes in his American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) career. Collegiately, he attended the University of San Diego, where he continued his stellar golf career. Jacob was named the 2008 West Coast Conference Player of the Year, after winning medalist honors at the WCC Championships in sudden death, shooting a three-round total of 218 (73-71-74). Currently, he is a Regional Director of Sales for AppDynamics, leading an enterprise field sales team, and he continues to stay busy with his amateur golf career.
Tom Bruce - Supporter
Tom Bruce has been an integral part of the De La Salle Community for over 30 years. Tom was a De La Salle parent, who fortunately for the Spartans, never left, after having two sons, Andrew ’00 and Matthew ’97, graduate from De La Salle. Tom is a graduate of Saint Mary's College in Moraga from the class of 1967. He Joined the De La Salle Athletic Assistants (Whitecoats) in August of 1993 at the Freshman Football meeting. He was appointed Coordinator of the Volunteers Team, several years later. His professional career included management positions with Emporium Capwell, as Regional Vice President of Stores, Branch Manager for Wohlberg-Michaelson Staffing and Area Director for Regus Limited. Tom’s additional volunteer positions include President of the Saint Mary's College National Alumni Association and Chair of the Gaelsports Board of Directors, a fundraising body for Saint Mary’s College Athletics. Tom continues to be an active member of the De La Salle Hall of Fame voting committee and he leads a team of volunteers at each Hall of Fame event. Tom is always there when extra volunteers are needed and it is not just that he volunteers his time, but he plays an integral role of managing all of the White Coat volunteers. Tom is an excellent, well-deserving, honoree for the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame and a true Spartan, inside and out.
2005-06 Basketball Team
The 2005-06 Basketball Team had a record of 32 wins and 1 loss, that led to Bay Valley Athletic League, North Coast Section, and CIF State Division 1 championships. The team won their 27th game in a row when they beat Clovis West in the CIF State Division 1 Championship game at Arco Arena in Sacramento. The team ranked in the top 25 nationally for the entire season. After graduation the players have continued to support De la Salle and their local communities by giving back their time, talent, and treasure in true Spartan spirit.
1993 Football Team
The 1993 Football Team was undefeated, North Coast Section Champions, and split CIF State Champions. Over the course of the season, the defense and special teams outscored their opponents combined point total. Nine guys who went on to play football at NCAA Division 1-AA or higher programs. The team’s offensive rush yards averaged over 9.8 yards per carry. The players have continued to support and coach for De La Salle over the years, including the class of 1994 starting a financial aid endowment to support future Spartan families in need.
2019
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2019
IndividualsJustin Alumbaugh '98 - Football, Baseball |
SupporterBrother Michael Saggau |
Teams1995 Football Team |
De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2019
- Justin Alumbaugh '98 - Football and Baseball
- Brian Bacharach '02 - Water Polo and Swimming
- Matthew Boelk '00 - Volleyball
- Parker Hanks '04 - Baseball and Football
- Terrance "TK" Kelly '04 - Football
- Robert "Bam" Portis '94 - Football and Baseball
- Brother Raymond Michael Saggau - De La Salle Supporter
- 1995 Football Team
- 2006 Golf Team
Justin Alumbaugh '98 - Football and Baseball
Justin Alumbaugh, class of 1998, was a two-sport varsity star at De La Salle in football and baseball. Alumbaugh was an all-state selection on offense and defense in football in 1997, and an all-state honoree in baseball in 1998. In 1997, Alumbaugh was the varsity football team captain and helped extend the Spartan football team win streak to 73 games, breaking the previous national record. After graduating from De La Salle, Alumbaugh attended University of California, Los Angeles, where he was a walk-on baseball player. Before he began his first classes at UCLA, he started coaching football at De La Salle, and would continue for the next four years before UCLA classes began for him each fall. After graduating from UCLA in 2002 with a degree in history, Alumbaugh began as a long-term substitute and coach football at De La Salle, eventually taking over as the head varsity football coach in 2013. Today, Alumbaugh continues to lead the De La Salle football program, is an Associate Enrollment Officer for the school, and teaches in the social studies department.
Brian Bacharach '02 - Water Polo and Swimming
Brian Bacharach, class of 2002, was a two-time All-American in water polo, a three-time, First Team All-North Coast Section selection, as well as a North Coast Section MVP, and Junior Olympic All-American, while at De La Salle. He helped the Spartans capture NCS water polo titles in 2000 and 2001 and helped Team USA to a Junior Olympic water polo championship in 2000. He led De La Salle in scoring three consecutive years, tallying over 300 career goals. Bacharach also competed on the varsity swimming team for four years, earning All-American honors. He competed for the United States in the 2000 Maccabi Games in Netanya, Israel in swimming. In 2003, Bacharach was a Senior Nationals All-American. In the summer of 2005, he earned first-team All-American honors as a member of the Lamorinda Water Polo Club. Bacharach went on to University of California, Berkeley, where he was a four-year letterman in water polo. After graduating from Cal in 2006, Bacharach went on to earn a pair of graduate degrees from the University of Southern California in 2012, earning a master’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Real Estate and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development. Brian is the Development Director for Acadia Realty Trust in the New York City area.
Matthew Boelk '00 - Volleyball
Matthew Boelk, class of 2000, helped lead the De La Salle volleyball program to its first three North Coast Section Championships, including a 33-1 record his senior season, and a three-year varsity record of 90-5. Named to the Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 list twice, he was rated as the 17th best player in the county from the class of 2000. Twice named First Team All-BVAL, while leading the Spartans in aces and kills during his junior and senior seasons. He also set a DLS and league record for most kills in a match in his junior season with 47. Boelk was selected to the Contra Costa Times Top 100 Athletes in 2000, but perhaps his most proud moment was winning the De La Salle Slam Dunk Contest in 2000. After graduating from De La Salle, Boelk went to the University of California, Santa Barbara on a Division I volleyball scholarship where once hit .769 in a victory over a #4 ranked BYU team. He graduated with a double major Bachelor of Art degrees in Geography and Religious Studies, with a minor in Sports Management. After 10 years of running his own successful eco friendly, and made in the USA apparel factory and collection, Boelk is now a residential and commercial Real Estate Professional in Los Angeles.
Parker Hanks '04 - Baseball and Football
Parker Hanks, class of 2004, was a three-year starter in baseball, as a catcher, and in football, as a linebacker. On the football field, he was a first team All-BVAL selection, a second-team all-state linebacker as a junior and senior, and was named the Contra Costa Times Defensive Player of the Year and the De La Salle Athlete of the Year in 2004. Hanks led the football team in tackles his junior and senior years as a part of the back-to-back Spartan national championship football teams. Hanks was named all-state in baseball as a junior and was a first team all-state selection as a senior, when he was selected to play in the Area Code Games and was named to the Team One Top-10 West team. Hanks began his college career at UCLA on a baseball scholarship, before transferring to Vanderbilt University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Human and Organization Development. He then went on to earn a Juris Doctorate Degree from Pepperdine University, School of Law. Hanks is currently a Senior Real Estate and Legal Counsel for Equinix in San Francisco.
Terrance "TK" Kelly '04 - Football
Terrance "TK" Kelly, class of 2004, was named by the coaching staff as the Most Valuable Player after he helped the school win its fifth USA Today national title in 2003. Kelly was a versatile athlete, who started at running back during his senior season when injuries struck the Spartans’ backfield. He also started at linebacker, making 122 tackles, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery that year. Kelly was a First Team All-BVAL selection at the running back and linebacker positions. Ranked No. 4 on the Contra Costa Times “Cream of the Crop” list of the region’s top college football prospects for 2004, Kelly was named to the all-state team and was first team selection for the All-Times football team. He was named one of the Contra Costa Times’ Top 100 athletes of 2004. He also earned a full-ride athletic football scholarship to the University of Oregon.
Robert "Bam" Portis '94 - Football and Baseball
Robert "Bam" Portis, class of 1994, was a two-sport star at De La Salle where he played football and baseball. He was running back and corner back for the football team and played outfield and pitched for the baseball team. Portis is listed as a member of the 30 years of the Cream of the Crop (Bay Area News Group). Portis earned All-East Bay and All-Times honors in 1993. He ranked No. 18 on the East Bay Cream of the Crop in 1994, was on the top recruiting list for high school football, and was invited to the North-South Prep All-Star Game in 1994. Portis received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Colorado, Boulder to play football.
Brother Raymond Michael Saggau - De La Salle Supporter
Brother Raymond Michael Saggau embodies what it means to be a De La Salle Spartan. He’s shown love and guidance to countless students, faculty, and staff over the years. His dedication and commitment to DLS Athletics has been an inspiration to so many who feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be in his presence for so many years. He worked at De La Salle from 1967 to 1969 as Vice Principal, Teacher, and Sub-Director. He returned to De La Salle in 1996 through 2018 in various positions including; Area Supervisor, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Admissions, Counselor, Co-Administrator of the Brotherhood Fund, and the Director of St. Joseph’s Camp. Brother Michael also worked at a number of other Catholic schools including; Saint Mary’s College, San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, and Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco. Brother Michael has a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga and a master’s degree in English from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Brother Michael is now retired at Mont LaSalle in Napa.
1995 Football Team
The 1995 Football Team was undefeated (13-0), won the school’s fourth consecutive NCS Championship, and extended the Spartans historic win-streak to 52 games. The coaching support from Bob Ladouceur earned him the National Football League’s inaugural High School Coach of the Year award. After completing the fourth straight undefeated season, the 1995 football team were State Champions and finished the year ranked in the top-10 nationally.
2006 Golf Team
The 2006 Golf Team won the Northern California Golf Championship and the CIF State Golf Championship, earning De La Salle’s first state golf title. The Spartans edged out San Diego Cathedral Catholic 363-364 for the CIF Boys Sate Golf Championship at the Santa Maria County Club. The Golf State Championship was a perfect ending for De La Salle’s season that year, which, according to its players, hadn't played a complete round all season.
2019 De La Salle Hall of Fame Links
- 2019 Hall of Fame Program (PDF)
- 2019 Hall of Fame Induction Video
- 2019 Hall of Fame Photo Gallery
2018
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2018
IndividualsAdam Carter '94 - Water Polo, Basketball, Swimming |
Teams1996 Cross Country Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2018
- Adam Carter '94
- Jason Dennis '97
- Dr. Isiah "Dwayne" Harris '97
- David Loverne '94
- Kevin Walker '91
- 1996 Cross Country Team
- 2003 Football Team
Adam Carter '94
Adam Carter, class of 1994, was a three-sport varsity star, as a swimmer, basketball player, and water polo player. Carter was the De La Salle Athlete of the Year in 1994, a year in which he was the Water Polo Team Captain, art of the All League Water Polo Team, and named an All-American. De La Salle also claimed the BVAL water Polo Championship. Is a member of the basketball team, the Spartans also captured the BVAL titles in 1993 and 1994. After graduating De La Salle, Carter received a full-ride water polo scholar- hip to Cal State Long Beach, where he was a three-year team captain and starting player. He currently holds the third-most career saves in CSU Long Beach Water Polo history.
Jason Dennis '97
Jason Dennis, class of 1997, was a three-year varsity baseball pitcher from 1995-1997. During his junior and senior years, Dennis led his team to back-to-back NCS Championships. His career high school statistics include a .379 batting average with eight home runs and 68 RBIs. During his senior year, Dennis had an 11-1 record with a 1.20 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 87 innings. He received multiple honors, such as with the All-Contra Costa Times (1997), All-East Bay (1996 and 1997), All-County (1996 and 1997), and the California Player of the Year (High School Coaches Poll in 1996 and 1997). In 1997, Dennis was part of the Junior Olympic National Team where he won the Gold Medal. After graduating De La Salle, Dennis went to the University of California, Berkeley where he majored in American Studies and played on the baseball team. He was drafted by the Anaheim Angels and played for five teams in the Pioneer, Midwest, California, and Atlantic Leagues.
Dr. Isiah "Dwayne" Harris '97
Isiah “Dwayne” Harris, MD, class of 1997, was a three-year starter on the varsity soccer team. A midfield specialist, Harris was the 1997 Contra Costa Times Player of the Year. After graduation, Harris attended Duke University where he was a four-year starter on the soccer team. Harris graduated from Duke with undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry, and psychology. He attended medical school at UC San Francisco and completed his residency at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, with a focus in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Colorado, Denver, where he also obtained an Master of Science in Clinical Studies. Dr. Harris currently works at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center where he focuses on providing comprehensive reproductive care.
David Loverne '94
David Loverne, class of 1994, was an offensive and defensive lineman for the varsity football team for four years. A member of the first unbeaten “The Streak” team, Loverne played an integral role. After graduating from De La Salle, he attended Idaho State, before transferring to San Jose State University to complete his college career. Loverne was the 90th overall selection in the 1999 National Football League Draft by the New York Jets, and played for the Jets, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans over a seven-year NFL career.
Kevin Walker '91
Kevin Walker, class of 1991, was four-sport star at De La Salle where he played basketball (freshman), football (two-year varsity), baseball (two-year varsity), and soccer (three-year varsity). He was the De La Salle Athlete of the Year in 1991. In baseball, Walker was the starting center fielder. In football, he was part of a team that won two section titles. A member of the first unbeaten “The Streak” team, Walker was a starting kicker, punter, kick returner, punt returner, wide receiver, and defensive back. In soccer, Walker was part of the 1989 and 1991 NCS Championship teams where he was the starting forward. Walker was a walk-on wide receiver at UCLA and played there from 1992-1995. Walker was also a freshman football coach at De La Salle in 2013.
1996 Cross Country Team
The 1996 Cross Country Team won BVAL, NCS, and CIF State Championships. They were undefeated in dual meets and the fastest team in all state divisions in meet times. The team was honored as the 1996 Contra Costa Times Cross Country Team of the Year and ranked No.12 nationally, the only California team ranked in the Top 25 that year.
2003 Football Team
The 2003 De La Salle Football Team was the last undefeated team in the 13-year streak, that ended with 151 consecutive wins. They participated in the first-ever ESPN high school football game, where they beat Evangel Christian at Diablo Valley College in front of a national audience. They were ranked No.1 in the nation by USA Today and Cal-Hi Sports. Including players such as TJ Ward, Jackie Bates, Chris Biller (who was part of the National Rugby Team), as well as top national recruits Terrence Kelly and Cameron Colvin, this team was, in the words of Coach Terry Eidson, “probably one of the most talented teams of all time” at De La Salle. The players have continued to support and coach for De La Salle over the years.
2017
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017
IndividualsThomas Joseph '85 - Football, Wrestling |
CoachMichael Blasquez - Strength & Conditioning |
Teams2002 Water Polo Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2017
- Thomas Joseph '85
- Kevin Keane '89
- Derek Landri '02
- Michael Salvemini '87
- Nicholas Schnabel '96
- Michael Blasquez - Strength & Conditioning Coach
- 2002 Water Polo Team
- 2001 Football Team
Thomas Joseph '85
Tom Joseph was a star football player and wrestler. He won De La Salle Athlete of the Year as a junior and was a co-winner as a senior in 1985. He is one of only two athletes in the history of De La Salle to win Athlete of the Year multiple times. Mr. Joseph played three years of varsity football where he received All League, First Team All East Bay, and All NorCal accolades in 1984. He was a four-year varsity wrestler and was 38-3 overall his senior year. He was the League Champion in 1983, 1984, and 1985. He returned to De La Salle as a coach in the 1990s, where he helped coach the Freshman Football Team and was the Junior Varsity Wrestling Head Coach.
Kevin Keane '89
During his time at DLS, Kevin Keane / Class of 1989, was an all-star track and fielder as well as basketball player. Within the track and field discipline, Mr. Keane excelled at high jump where he cleared 7’ ¼” in 1989 breaking the DLS record that he still holds today. Most notably, he was a CoAthlete of the Year in 1989, won second place in the North Coast Section championship in 1987 and placed first the following year at the North Coast Section Championship as well as placing second at the California State meet in 1988. After graduating DLS, Mr. Keane continued his track and field career at UC Berkeley where he was a two time Pac 10 Champion, jumping 7’3.5”, and competed in the NCAA Championships in 1992 & 1994. After college Mr. Keane competed on the Irish National Team where he was the National Champion in 1994 and later competed for a spot on the Team for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Derek Landri '02
Derek Landri is being inducted twice this year – as an individual and as a member of The 2001 Football Team. Mr. Landri was a First Team All American by USA Today Prep and was rated as the top lineman by Parade. He was named the Lineman of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports during his final season, a season where he and his teammates gave up only six touchdowns. He was the third De La Salle player to win California Player of the Year after Amani Toomer in 1991 and D.J. Williams in 1999. He was also a three-year starter on offense. In the historic game against Long Beach Poly, Mr. Landri was instrumental in matchups against his opponents, Manuel Wright and Winston Justice, who would both go on to play in the NFL. Mr. Landri graduated from Notre Dame and played in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Michael Salvemini '87
Michael Salvemini was a four-year varsity soccer player and was the Soccer Player of the Year in 1987. In 1987, De La Salle was the first U.S. soccer team to ever compete in the 40-year-old FISEC soccer tournament for European Catholic Schools. In that tournament, De La Salle beat the top-seeded Flemish-Belgium team, and Mr. Salvemini scored in every game. While at De La Salle, Mr. Salvemini received the NCS Scholar Athlete Award with a 3.5 G.P.A. He was a wide receiver and kicker on the football squad in 1986, where he scored 83 points (4 field goals, 4 touchdowns, and 47 PATs). After graduating De La Salle, he played for the UC Berkeley Men’s Soccer team where he was team captain. Mr. Salvemini was the Junior Varsity Soccer Head Coach at De La Salle, also.
Nicholas Schnabel '96
Nick Schnabel was a three-year starting shortstop for the De La Salle varsity baseball team. According to one coach, he was one of the best shortstops in De La Salle history where “his defense was like poetry.” Mr. Schnabel made the All-Defensive Teams his junior and senior years and All-League his senior year. On offense, he was known for his strong execution on hit-and-run as well as bunting plays. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) and made it to AA. He graduated from East Carolina in 2003. Mr. Schanbel is a current coach and recruiter for the University of Michigan.
Michael Blasquez - Strength & Conditioning Coach
Mike Blasquez was a Strength and Conditioning Coach at De La Salle from 1992-2002. During that time, De La Salle varsity football teams achieved a record of 138-0. He was named the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by Professional Coaches Society in 1998. After leaving De La Salle, Mr. Blasquez went to the University of California where he worked with the basketball and football teams and was instrumental in the design for the 18,700-square foot Simpson Center for Student-Athlete High Performance.
2002 Water Polo Team
The 2002 Water Polo Team was a NCS and BVAL champion team. They are the only De La Salle NCS Water Polo team in history to go undefeated with a record of 28-0. Playing multiple games a day – including the NCS semifinals and finals on the same day – their undefeated mark is incredibly impressive. At least 11 players on the roster continued to collegiate-level teams. Many members of the team have gone on to teach, coach, and serve others
2001 Football Team
The 2001 Football Team was one of the best football teams in De La Salle history. Featuring future NFL players Matt Gutierrez ‘01, Maurice Jones-Drew ‘03, and Derek Landri ‘02 as well as many NCAA-bound athletes, the 2001 team finished the season 12-0 and brought “The Streak” to a 125-0 record. During this season, the team played what was dubbed “The Game of the Century” and defeated Long Beach Poly (then-ranked #1 in the nation) 29-15. They outscored their opponents 567-87 that year.
Additional Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Information
2016
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2016
IndividualsJohn Baker '99 - Baseball |
Teams1997 Swimming & Diving Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2016
- John Baker '99
- Mike Gibson '87
- Michael Hurlbut '98
- Jonathan Tucker '01
- Genos Derwin "D.J." Williams '00
- 1997 Swimming & Diving Team
- 1998 Football Team
John Baker '99
John Baker graduated from De La Salle in 1999 as the class Salutatorian and with a 4.0 GPA. He had a .433 batting average and earned ALL-Bay Valley Athletic League Honors as a junior and senior. He considered Pepperdine, Columbia, UCLA and Stanford before selecting UC Berkeley and majoring in American Studies. Baker was a left-handed catcher who emerged as a top PAC-10 player and was key to Cal advancing to an NCAA regional. He was an honorable mention ALL PAC-10 and honorable mention PAC-10 All-Academic. He continued on to a professional career and played for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs organizations. John received the 2009 Heart and Hustle Award from the Florida Marlins. He volunteered for Home for Haiti after the earthquake. In 2011 he received the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Service by an athlete. He was part of the first Major League group to visit the troops in Iraq. He had a career .260 batting average over 5 MLB seasons with the Marlins and the San Diego Padres. He is married to Meghan (Fryer) Baker who is a 1999 graduate from Carondelet. They have two daughters Brooklyn and Fiona. In 2015, he was hired as Baseball Operations Assistant by the Chicago Cubs.
Mike Gibson '87
Mike Gibson graduated from De La Salle in 1987. Mike lettered in football, baseball and track. He was one of the all-time great strong safeties in De La Salle football history. He was a tenacious tackler, played in secondary that has the record for most interceptions in a season (28), and was an excellent tight end as well. Gibson was All East-Bay and all Bay Area in 1986. He was athlete of the year and East Bay Cream of the Crop in 1987. Mike went on to play football at UC Berkley and Cal Poly SLO, where he earned a degree in Construction Management. After graduating in May of 1987 from De La Salle, Gibson continued to support the school as assistant football coach for the 1987 and 1988 football seasons. He currently lives in San Luis Obispo with his wife Hiedi, daughter Grace and son Gannon.
Michael Hurlbut '98
Michael Hurlbut was a water polo goalie for the ’96-97 seasons where he helped the team to consecutive BVAL titles, back to back NCS tournament appearances, was named first team all-BVAL both seasons and was co-captain the ’97 season. He was a soccer goalie for the ’96- 98 seasons and helped the team to consecutive BVAL titles, back to back NCS tournament appearances, was named first team all-BVAL in the 98 season, and was a also a co-captain that year. He was also a member of the varsity swim team and part of the varsity volleyball team that won its first of five straight NCS titles.
Michael was named DLS Athlete of the Year in 1998, becoming one of the first athletes to letter in four varsity sports in one school year. He went on to Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. where he played one season of Division I water polo in 1998, three seasons of club lacrosse, where he was a two time captain from 1999-2001, one season of club soccer in 1999, one season of club baseball in 2002, and one season of Division I volleyball where the team was a NCAA finalist in 2002.
Michael continued on to coach women’s basketball at Pepperdine for the team from 2002-2003, and helped the team to a WCC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Michael moved to Seattle to work in the marketing field before moving back to CA in 2004 where he coached varsity boys and girls volleyball at College Park HS from 2004-2005. From 2005-2006, he coached water polo, soccer, and volleyball at DLS and also coached girls’ volleyball at Acalanes High School in Lafayette. In 2008 he went back and coached volleyball for four more seasons at DLS, culminating with a 42-2 record, an NCS championship, and the #15 ranking in the U.S.
In 2007, Michael pursued a career in Law Enforcement where he had a seven year career with the Walnut Creek Police Department, before moving on to the Pleasant Hill Police Department where he currently serves as a patrol officer. He is married to his wife Raquel, and they have a son named Weston.
Jonathan Tucker '01
Jonathan was a standout athlete, playing football and baseball at De La Salle, all with great success. He attended the University of Florida on a baseball scholarship before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. He played on a number of professional baseball teams including the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. He coached baseball for Contra Costa College in San Pablo and the Bentley School in Lafayette. He recently started the Tuck Baseball Academy and does private baseball instruction in the East Bay area.
Genos Derwin "D.J." Williams '00
D.J. was one of the country’s best defensive backs at De La Salle and then at the University of Miami before signing in 2004 with the Denver Broncos. While playing for Denver, he was regarded as one of the NFL’s top linebackers. He was the USA Today Player of the Year, CA 2000 Gatorade Player of the Year, rated the top player in the nation by SuperPrep, and was two time First-Team All Big-East in 2002 and 2003. During his NFL rookie year, he led the Broncos with 114 tackles (82 solo), had two sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. He was the AFC combined tackles leader in 2007. He went on to play for five more seasons with the Broncos before being signed by the Bears in 2013 where he played for two more years.
1997 Swimming & Diving Team
Winners of both the BVAL and the NCS titles, the 1997 Swimming and Diving Team was one of the best in De La Salle history. Five seniors went on to swim at Division I colleges. Several also All-Americans, were on the team. Many of the team members went back to coach swimming and diving including two who have come back and to teach and coach at De La Salle.
1998 Football Team
The National Championship 1998 Football Team beat top-ranked Bakersfield and then topped Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei, in one of the biggest high school games in California history. Their dedication and commitment to one another were second to none, and they made the 1998 season a perfect season, where they won the NCS title, State Championship, and were ranked first in the nation that year.
Additional Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Information
2015
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2015
IndividualsMaurice Jones-Drew '03 - Football, Track & Field |
CoachTea Hieta |
Teams1997 Baseball Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2015
- Thomas Dixon '94
- Rashad Floyd '96
- Tom Prindiville '97
- Chad Taylor '01
- Maurice Jones-Drew '03
- Tea Hieta - Volleyball Coach
- 1997 Baseball Team
- 1992 Football Team
Thomas Dixon '94
Tommy Dixon was a starter on the varsity volleyball team for all four years at De La Salle, and a member of two league champion teams in the BVAL. Three times during his career as a Spartan, the team was runner-up in the NCS title game, and Tommy set the NCS record of 49 kills in the NCS Finals in his senior year. He was a three-time All League selection, and Volleyball magazine named him one of the nation’s Top Fifty players in 1994. He was twice a member of the USA Youth National Team. He went to Loyola Marymount University, and when he graduated he was 7th all-time in kills for a season and 10th all-time for total aces, as he led the Lions to two top-15 rankings in Division I volleyball. He played professionally in Denmark and Spain. As an assistant coach at De La Salle from 2000 to 2002, he helped lead the Spartans to three NCS volleyball titles. He has also coached at Miramonte High School, UC Berkeley, and club volleyball, and currently lives in Reno.
Rashad Floyd '96
Rashad was a standout athlete as a Spartan season after season, playing football, basketball, track, all with great success. He went to Portland State University, where he was a starting point guard in basketball and an All-American defensive back in football, all while earning his degree in Mass Media Communication and Business Development. After graduation, Rashad played nine years of professional football, setting records as a defensive back and winning an Arena Bowl Championship. Post- football, Rashad brought his media skills and business talents into broadcasting and film-making. He has been a college football analyst for NFL Network’s College Game Day and produced his own radio show in Portland. He has worked as a producer/director for Comcast Sports, Fox Sports, and other media, and is the founder of Heart and Hustle Productions. Rashad also has been an advisor to student-athletes at Portland State University, creating and implementing a Life Skills Program. He says, “My roles as father and husband are the most important roles in my life.”
Tom Prindiville '97
Tom was a premier track and cross country runner all four years of high school, winning eight letters, four each in cross country and track. He was an All-American cross country runner in 1995 after placing 15th at the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships as a junior. He was an All-State performer as sophomore, junior, and senior; and led the Spartans’ cross country squad to the California state championship in 1996. Tom was a member of the 4 by 800 meter relay team that ran 7:41.35 to break the 28-year-old De La Salle school record, and he still owns the school record of 1:53.18 in the 800-meter run. Tom was named De La Salle’s Athlete of the Year in 1997. He went on to a stellar running career at the University of Arizona, running both cross country and track, earning All-Pac-10 First Team and All-West Region honors in cross country. He won the 3000-meter race at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships in 200, running 8:47.85.
Chad Taylor '01
Chad’s accomplishments as a Spartan athlete in water polo, swimming, and soccer were extraordinary. He was all-league in all three sports, won North Coast Section titles in all three, and was named First Team NCS in water polo and soccer. He was a two-time All-American in water polo and swimming, a North Coast Section MVP in water polo, and is considered the best water polo goalie in Spartan history. He was also a captain for the varsity water polo and soccer teams. In addition to these achievements in the pool and on the pitch, he was on the varsity track and field team for two years and qualified for the NCS meet in the pole vault. Chad was also an NCS scholar-athlete all four years and a member of the National Honor Society. He was De La Salle’s Athlete of the Year in 2001, and he went on to a great college career as goalkeeper for Stanford’s water polo team, earning All-American honors and helping Stanford to the NCAA championship in 2003 and 2004. Chad has his B.A. in Economics from Stanford and his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Business, and is currently starting his own real estate development company in Marin Country. He is married, with a son and a daughter.
Maurice Jones-Drew '03
Maurice, who recently retired from the Oakland Raiders, leaving the National Football League after a stellar career that began in 2006, was one of the country’s best running backs as a high school student at De La Salle and then as a college student at UCLA, before signing in 2006 with the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. He led the NFL in rushing yards in 2011 and was twice named to the Pro Bowl. He holds several franchise records as a Jacksonville Jaguar, including most career rushing touchdowns (64); most rushing yards in a season (1,606); most career kickoff return yards (2.054); and longest kickoff return (100 yards). He also holds UCLA and NCAA records: he holds UCLA’s record for yards rushing in a single game (322) and touchdowns in a game (5). Maurice was a national figure as early as 2001, for his breakout performance in De La Salle’s 29-15 victory over Long Beach Poly. As a Spartan, he was rated the number one all-purpose back in the nation. He has never ceased to be supportive of the De La Salle mission and has been a frequent presence on campus and at practices and games, as well as a mentor to current student-athletes.
Tea Hieta - Volleyball Coach
Tea Nieminen Hieta is no stranger to halls of fame. In 2007 she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame of her alma mater, Brigham Young University, for her stellar undergraduate career as a volleyball player (an outside hitter) between 1988 to 1992. Among her BYU accomplishments: On offense, she is second all-time at BYU for kills in a season (5.22 kills per game) and third all-time in career kills (1,770). On defense, she is second all-time with 1,259 career digs and sixth all-time in digs for a single season (370). She led the Cougars to a 28-game winning streak in 1992. She was named an All-American four times, was twice named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, was a three-time first team all-conference selection, and was twice named to the All-West First Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. A young Tea Nieminen was recruited to BYU from her native Finland after her performance for the Finnish National Team. At BYU she was a fine student as well as an athlete, graduating with a degree in German, and was named a Scholar Athlete by both the school and the conference. After BYU she played professionally in Finland for two years, winning one world championship. Tea coached volleyball for the De La Salle Spartans from 1997 to 2001, leading the team to 4 North Coast Section titles. She was revered by the players to whom she was a mentor
1997 Baseball Team
The 1997 varsity baseball team won the Bay Valley Athletic League championship and the North Coast Section title. It was a dedicated, motivated, and dominating team that posted a superb record of 25 wins and 3 losses. And it was stacked with talent. All nine of the starting players went on to play college baseball, as did the team’s top three pitchers.
1992 Football Team
The core of this NCS championship team was a group of student-athletes who were stunned by their loss to Pittsburg in the North Coast Section title game in 1991 and who were determined to work together as a team to achieve their utmost. Their dedication and commitment to one another were second to none, and their motto for the new season was “Leave No Doubt.” Their intention to love one another, protect one another, and truly dedicate themselves to the greater good allowed them to thrive as a team and to reach new heights as individuals. The 1992 varsity football team is the very definition of “overachievers.” And their results were spectacular. They made the 1992 season a perfect one, including winning the NCS title. The 1992 varsity is the team that started “The Streak,” an unmatched achievement in football history. As the 1993 yearbook puts it: “This year the Spartans took it all. Avenging last year’s defeat, the varsity won back the NCS title, then went on to amazing state and national rankings—first in the state and third in the nation.”
Additional Hall of Fame Class of 2015 Information
2014
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2014
IndividualsRob Lambert '81 - Football, Baseball |
SupporterDr. John Wilhelmy |
Teams1985 Football Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2014
- Rob Lambert '81
- Greg Brown-Davis '97
- Joe See '01
- Demetrius Williams '01
- Matt Gutierrez '02
- Dr. John Wilhelmy - Supporter
- 1996 Soccer Team
- 1985 Football Team
Rob Lambert '81
Rob Lambert was a star dual sport competitor, excelling in football and baseball. Named Outstanding Back by his peers on the football team, Rob was a standout wide receiver and defensive back, earning All Northern California honors and leading the Spartan team to its first-ever ranking as one of the Top Ten teams in California. When Rob went from the gridiron in the fall to the diamond in the spring, there was no letdown in effort or achievement. Rob was one of the top players in the area earning All-League and All-East Bay honors. Rob accepted a baseball scholarship to Cal Poly and was later drafted by the New York Yankees. In his senior year of 1980-1981, Rob was honored as De La Salle’s Athlete of the Year.
Greg Brown-Davis '97
Greg Brown-Davis, a De La Salle English Instructor and a coach (wrestling and football), is a rare combination of talents. As a student-athlete, he was football player, wrestler, and aquatic diver. On the gridiron, he dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage and earned a football scholarship to Oregon State University. On the mat, he was a bear, winning the NCS and placing fourth in the state, the highest place ever to that date for a Spartan grappler. And in the pool, or rather above it, he competed in the NCS as a diver with a repertoire of more than a dozen dives. He was co-Athlete of the Year in 1997.
Joe See '01
See rhymes with free, as in free throws. Possibly the two most important shots in De La Salle history were the free throws Joe sank in the 2000 State Championship game at Arco Arena. Before Joe even stepped to the line, Coach Allocco leaned over to Coach Sullivan and said, “We just won the championship.” This was the kind of confidence that Joe merited, having started on varsity for four years and having set virtually every Spartan scoring record. His dedication to De La Salle basketball was instrumental in the elevation of the program to new heights, and he went on to play at UC Santa Barbara. Joe was a prolific scorer, but perhaps his greatest accomplishment was the respect he earned from teammates, coaches, and opponents as one of the hardest-working players ever.
Demetrius Williams '01
What do you want to do when you grow up -- play in the NBA or play in the NFL? For most of us, the question does not come up. But an athlete with the talents of Demetrius Williams has to consider it seriously early in life. Leading the Spartans in 2000 to a state championship in basketball, and racking up huge yards and touchdowns on the football field, his ability and potential were apparent to all. Demetrius accepted a scholarship to play football at the University of Oregon and was later drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, where he enjoyed several productive seasons as a wide receiver. Not too many guys can say that their last play in the NFL was an 80-yard touchdown.
Matt Gutierrez '02
Matt Gutierrez was one of the toughest competitors in De La Salle history, and (to quote several coaches) also one of the hardest-working athletes ever to suit up as a Spartan. Matt played three years of varsity football with an undefeated record, quarterbacking the team in the middle of what was known as The Streak. He was also a force on the basketball court, helping to lead the team to the state title in 2000. Matt earned just about ever accolade possible, and after graduating from DLS he played football at the University of Michigan and Idaho State. Matt went on to play several years in the NFL, and more recently is a welcome presence on the DLS campus, helping to mentor today’s student-athletes in the football program.
Dr. John Wilhelmy - Supporter
Ortheopaedic surgeon John Wilhelmy has been a member of this school community and an asset to our athletic program for more than thirty years. “Doc,” as he is fondly called, is the father of three De La Salle alumni (Chris ’03, Sean ’04, and Patrick ’07), and is well versed in what it takes to succeed athletically and academically at De La Salle. He was an innovator in bringing the medical world into the athletic world going back to the 1980’s. Not only did he fix us when we were broken, but he also worked with the Athletic Department to develop a staff and a facility on campus where injury prevention and rehabilitation can be provided to student-athletes. Doc is a leader when it comes to philanthropy, both locally and globally, and is known for tirelessly putting his medical skills at the service of those in need. Among his many generosities is the Bruce Wilhelmy Leadership Award, created by Doc and his wife Mary (“M’lu”) and named for Doc’s brother. It is given to a DLS senior who displays outstanding academic and leadership qualities in his community. (The photo shows Doc with sons Sean (left) and Chris.)
1996 Soccer Team
Winning the league title and getting to the North Coast Section playoffs has become the annual goal of every Spartan soccer team. And the great teams of 1989 and the early to mid-1990s continue to be an inspiration today. The 1996 varsity soccer team achieved an almost incredible record, going undefeated, with 20 wins and 3 draws, and allowing only three goals in those 23 games, while scoring 59 goals of their own, as they won both the league and section titles. Gritty defense, an attacking offense, and superb goalie play were all key to their achievements. And their legacy endures as arguably the best soccer team in De La Salle history.
1985 Football Team
A true band of brothers, this was also a team that earned many individual All-League awards. The program was on the rise, but this group of student-athletes brought it to a whole new level with our first nationally ranked team, setting a new standard of excellence. The 1985 varsity won the league title and the North Coast Section title, outscoring opponents 323 to 69 over eleven games. This team also opened up our boundaries by taking on teams from outside the Bay Area, at a time when it was thought that a small school like DLS could not meet such a challenge, and it is now recognized as one of the best Spartan teams of all time. Coach Ladouceur summed up their body of work best in a 1985 local TV interview. When asked if he felt his team was the best around, he said, in true Lad fashion, a single word: “Sure.”
2013
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2013
IndividualsMark Viera '71 - Basketball, Track & Field |
SupporterKenneth H. Hofmann |
Teams1989 Soccer Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2013
- Mark Viera '71
- Patrick Oswald '83
- Antonio Vernon '86
- Douglas Brien '89
- Thomas Coughlan '97
- Kenneth H. Hofmann
- 2000 Basketball Team
- 1989 Soccer Team
Mark Viera '71
Mark Viera was a three-year varsity starter in basketball, earning All-League honors, and as a senior was the first Spartan named to the All-State basketball team (and in that all-star game he led all scorers). As a high jumper, Mark went to the state finals in track and field, jumping 6’8’’ to finish third. He was DLS’s Athlete of the Year in 1971. These were great achievements, and those who saw him perform would agree that he is possibly the best basketball player ever from the Diablo Valley. But Mark’s accomplishments flowed from more than talent. The sense of community and the principle of selflessness were fundamental for Mark, as for his teammates and many other DLS students. Mark believed in the brotherhood principles taught at DLS and has lived them to this day. We as a school community can take great pride in his foundational contributions to the great traditions of De La Salle athletics.
Patrick Oswald '83
Pat Oswald competed in three sports, and was recognized as Athlete of the Year in 1983. He wrestled, he earned All-League and Catholic All-American honors on the Spartans’ first-ever NCS champion football team, and he hit “double-lead-off” for the 1983 league champion baseball team. The ultimate team player, Pat’s great contributions to our athletics program testify that success in sports is less a matter of size and brawn than of dedication, hard work, tenacity, and a willingness to give your all to benefit your team. Pat continued as a coach for years at De La Salle, mentoring other student-athletes, and remains an avid supporter of the mission of the school. Pat resides in Danville. His wife Elisa is a CHS alumna of 1984 and his four sons, Patrick, Jack, Joe, and William, represent the DLS classes of 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017.
Antonio Vernon '86
Antonio Vernon played varsity football and baseball as a student at De La Salle, winning NCS titles in both sports (football 1984 and 1985, baseball 1985). At UC Santa Barbara he played four years of varsity baseball for the Gauchos, two years as a starter, and later played in the premier amateur baseball association, the National Baseball Congress (a two-year starter for the Humboldt Crabs, and a four-year starter for the Santa Barbara Foresters). Known as “the badger” to his high school teammates and friends, Antonio exemplified what a Spartan student-athlete is all about: He listened to his coaches, believed in their philosophies and abilities, and committed himself to a work ethic like no other, in training and on the field. Antonio was (and still is) the teammate you want on your sideline and in your dugout.
Douglas Brien '89
Doug Brien played three years of varsity soccer for DLS and captained the first NCS championship team in 1989, earning All-League and All-NCS honors. In the fall of 1988, Doug joined the Spartan football team as a placekicker— and won All-League honors and a spot in California’s all-star Shrine Game. At UC Berkeley he walked on as a football player, and went on to earn a scholarship as a placekicker and multiple PAC10 awards. His scoring mark of 288 career points is still a Golden Bears record. After graduating in 1994, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers, won the 1995 Super Bowl with them, and went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL. During his football career he earned an MBA from Tulane University. Doug is a founder, and co-CEO, of Waypoint Homes. He lives in Piedmont with his wife Shanti and his three children, Lili, Ceci, and Zach.
Thomas Coughlan '97
Tom Coughlan is one of the most decorated and dominant athletes in Spartan aquatics history, making his contributions in both water polo and swimming. For the 1996 league championship water polo team, Tom was captain and league MVP, and won scoring titles, All-East Bay honors, and several national recognitions. As a varsity swimmer for three seasons, Tom took individual NCS championships and partnered with his relay teammates to earn All-American status in multiple races. Tom continued in water polo at UC Santa Barbara, where he was All-American and team MVP, and went on to play professionally in France and Ireland, helping his teams to qualify for the LEN Trophy (European Professional Water Polo Tournament). Tom has coached water polo at the youth level as well as at De La Salle and Justin-Siena High Schools. Tom remains close to the mission of our school while raising a family with his wife Jenna in the Napa Valley.
Kenneth H. Hofmann
Kenneth H. Hofmann is honored today as an exceptional supporter and partner of De La Salle athletics since 1987. He has long recognized the value that our sports programs add to the life of the school, giving our students opportunities to grow in health and strength and fitness, to learn teamwork, to form friendships, and to develop the virtues of responsibility, accountability, self-discipline, and sportsmanship. Our athletic programs are a prime area in which Spartan Brotherhood is created and strengthened. Mr. Hofmann’s generous support extends beyond Spartan athletics, however, to encompass the entire educational mission of this school. He understands how a well-rounded education prepares one for life, and he consistently supports our efforts to make this education more effective and more accessible to all families in our community who want a Catholic, Lasallian education for their sons. Everyone who has been associated with this school during the past quarter-century, whether as a student, teacher, coach, parent, or friend, is indebted to him.
2000 Basketball Team
The 2000 Spartan basketball team elevated the De La Salle basketball program to an entirely different level. A team-first group, they were the epitome of Discipline, Love, and Sacrifice. After losing in the NorCal Regional final the previous season, this team truly became a “band of brothers,” determined to bring to De La Salle its first-ever state championship in basketball. They embraced the theme: “We are building a cathedral, not chipping stone,” and developed into one of the hardest-working teams the school had ever seen. After “building their cathedral” with a great win in the NorCal final, they continued to exemplify cooperation, commitment, and effort in the California State Championship Game, coming away with a last-second, one-point win. In a program steeped in great tradition, this legendary group of competitors is still the standard of outstanding performance and excellence
1989 Soccer Team
The Spartan soccer program had won league titles but the North Coast Section title had long eluded them, with Amador dominating the section as the team to beat. The 1989 Spartans were committed to bringing the NCS title home, and they went undefeated and unscored upon in league play. The NCS series was a demanding schedule, with three games in four days. The Wednesday game went well, sending the Spartans to the Friday semi-final, which went to double-overtime, and DLS, showing great stamina, won in the penalties. The final, against Amador, was a physical game, but the Spartans showed excellent technical skills and great form; with another victory in penalty kicks, they brought the trophy home. With that game began a tradition of soccer prowess that continues. The Spartans went on to win the NCS title in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, and beyond. Today, no high school has won more NCS championships than DLS
2012
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2012
IndividualsGerald Price '75 - Baseball |
Teams1990 Swimming & Diving Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2012
- Gerald Price '75
- Chris Prietto '81
- Robert Hinckley '85
- Nicolas "Niko" Lahanas '86
- Joe McLean '92
- 1990 Swimming & Diving Team
Gerald Price '75
Gerald Price ’75, an All-League and All-East Bay baseball player and outstanding basketball player, Gerald was named De La Salle Athlete of the Year in 1975. Named the MVP at Diablo Valley College, Gerald went on to USC, excelling in baseball as he earned a degree in Business Administration. Gerald was a member of the team that helped lead USC to a win in the College World Series before he was drafted twice to the major leagues following his selection to the USA College All Star Team.
Chris Prietto '81
Chris Prietto ’81, was a league champion and NCS champion sprinter who set a De La Salle school record of 47.3 seconds in the 400-meter run and went on to captain the UC Irvine track team. Chris was one of the first great sprinters to break though the southern California stronghold and placed in the state finals his junior and senior seasons. Thirty-one years later, Chris’s 400-meter school record still stands strong.
Robert Hinckley '85
Robert Hinckley ’85, a linebacker and lineman, was an all-everything football player for the Spartans, leading them through two NCS championship games. For his efforts, Rob was named the 1984 football team MVP and was named De La Salle Athlete of the Year in 1985. He also competed in track and field during his time at De La Salle. Rob went on to Stanford where as a linebacker for the Cardinal, he was an All-American and played in the East-West Shrine Game before being drafted by the Detroit Lions. He has a B.A. in Communications, a M.A. in sociology, and a MBA from Northwestern University
Nicolas "Niko" Lahanas '86
Nicholas (Niko) Lahanas ’86, swam his way to multiple league and section titles, was a 3-time league champion, 2-time NCS Champion and a 3-time High School All-American. At age 16, he set a United States record for his age group in the backstroke and was recognized as one of the fastest teenagers in the U.S. Regarded as one of the best swimmers to ever swim for De La Salle High School, Niko went on to a successful academic and athletic career at UC Berkeley and was a member of the Olympic team representing Greece.
Joe McLean '92
Joe McLean ’92, was a 3-year starter on the Spartan varsity basketball team and was De La Salle MVP while earning All-League, All-East Bay and All Nor-Cal honors. Heavily recruited by colleges across the country, Joe was a scholarship player at the University of Arizona, where he was in three NCAA basketball tournaments and played professionally in Europe. Still willing to take it to the net, Joe is a regular competitor, taking on his younger Spartan brothers in the annual Alumni Basketball Game.
1990 Swimming & Diving Team
The 1990 Swimming and Diving Team stands as evidence that the sum of the parts can bring greatness to the whole. This 23-man squad won the league championship in 1990 and went on to be the first aquatics team in school history to win the North Coast Section title. They did it without having a single first-place finisher in any NCS event, making this one of the great team accomplishments in De La Salle’s great history.
2011
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2011
IndividualsBernie Stenson '70 - Swimming & Diving and Soccer |
Team1991 Cross Country |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2011
- Adin Brown '96
- Scott Molina '78
- Mark Panella '85
- Bernie Stenson '70
- Frank Tamony - Coach
- Patrick Walsh '93
- 1991 Cross Country Team
Adin Brown '96
Whether the goal is on land or water, Adin Brown is the guy you want in front of it when the other team is shooting. Adin played goalie in both water polo and soccer at De La Salle, and his accomplishments were extraordinary.
In the tank, he was a two-year starter and in senior year was first team all-league and second team NCS. On the grass, he was team MVP three years running, and in senior year allowed only three goals all season, recording twenty shut-outs.
At the College of William and Mary, Adin was an All-American soccer player and a member of the U.S. National Team, and in 2000 was a high pick in the Major League Soccer draft. Today he is in his 12th season of professional soccer, playing for the Portland Timbers.
Scott Molina '78
Scott was a member of the Spartan cross country and track teams for four years (he also was on the swim team as a freshman). His talent was remarkable and so was his capacity for training. He became a marathon runner at age 17 and went on in college and after to develop into a master of the new discipline of triathlons (swimming, biking, and running).
During the 1980s and 1990s he was consistently one of best triathletes in the world, with 106 professional victories, six U.S. championships, and many podium finishes in the world’s biggest races. His wins included the Ironman, the Ultraman, and the World’s Toughest Triathlon.
Scott’s professional career later came to focus on teaching and coaching, and his business is training younger athletes, including high school age, for fitness, health, and skills.
Scott’s motto is: “The first rule of being a great teacher is to keep being a student.” Scott currently lives and trains athletes in New Zealand.
Mark Panella '85
Mark displayed legendary football and baseball skills, was a leader on and off the field, and was an assistant coach with the Spartan football team at his time of induction to the Hall of Fame.
His 1984 season was one of the best by any quarterback in De La Salle’s history, as he led the team to the school’s second-ever North Coast Section title. In baseball he was East Bay Player of the Year and led the squad to its first NCS title. Not only did Mark’s accomplishments on the field set a standard, but his years of service to this school have created a legacy that is a model for the alumni coaches that have followed him.
Bernie Stenson '70
Bernie was not only the fastest guy in the water but one of the nicest guys on campus, an outstanding student, a willing volunteer in good causes, a help to other students, and a leader by example.
His selfless attitude and hard work led to incredible accomplishments: He was all-league for four years, all-state for three years, a high school All-American (De La Salle’s first ever) for three years, and won a swimming scholarship to UCLA.
He was the Spartan Athlete of the Year as a senior, and set many school records. He also played soccer. As a senior he was a captain of both the swim team and the soccer team, and he was named all-league in soccer as a goalkeeper.
Bernie was “a coach’s delight,” and later did some aquatic coaching himself at UC Santa Barbara.
Frank Tamony - Coach
Frank was a longtime teacher, baseball coach, Dean of Students, and mentor to generations of De La Salle students. In the course of his many years of service to our students, Frank became a true De La Salle institution.
A great coach, a wise and careful Dean, he never gave up on a student – even on those who had given up on themselves – and he never wanted the limelight for himself.
He helped to make all-league, all-state, and all-American players, but his greatest accomplishment, and his real purpose as a follower of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, was to build character, instill confidence, teach skills, and offer guidance.
Frank has been described as “sartorially challenged,” and it is said that the car he drove was like an equipment shed on wheels. But he was a role model for young men who were growing up, and for the faculty and staff who were privileged to work with him.
Patrick Walsh '93
Pat might be the ultimate Spartan: Tough, gritty, and passionate, he was an undersized running back with great heart and surprising power, who set school rushing and scoring records that stood for years. He set a school record with 68 career TDs, and he was named State Player of the Year as a senior.
Pat was also a superb baseball player for the Spartans and was a team captain in both sports. At graduation in 1993, he was the class valedictorian. Pat later returned to De La Salle as an assistant football coach before becoming head football coach at Serra High School, where he has guided the Padres to two WCAC titles.
1991 Cross Country Team
The 1991 cross country team was a young but fearless squad that fought its way to the school’s first-ever state title in the sport. On the varsity roster were Jason Chuderewicz, Chris Coats, Proinsias Fitzpatrick, John Kelly, Rob Koller, Matt McCoy, Mike Prindiville, Ty Walker, Jim Zachary.
The cross country team title is challenging to win, as five runners need to score, and a team is only as strong as its fifth runner. The 1991 team ran the second fastest time on the course in school history: the team time of 80:39 is an average of 16:08 (or 5:22 per mile) for 3.1 miles on dirt and over hills.
Jim Zachary and Mike Prindiville earned first team All NorCal honors, with Mike named “Junior of the Year” for NorCal runners. Ty Walker and John Kelly were named second team All NorCal runners, and John Kelly was the second-fastest NorCal sophomore in the race that day.
2008
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2008
IndividualsJon Barry '87 - Basketball |
Teams1985 Baseball Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2008
- Jon Barry '87
- Matthew Castello '80
- Jason Clark '85
- Joe Stocking - Coach
- Amani Toomer '92
- Mike Vontoure '86
- 1985 Baseball Team
Jon Barry '87
Barry was a two-year varsity basketball player, earning team MVP honors in 1987. All East Bay and All-League, he had one of the single greatest individual seasons (’86-’87) in the program’s history. Barry earned All-ACC honors at Georgia Tech before becoming an NBA first round draft pick, where he went on to play for 14 years.
Matthew Castello '80
Castello was a three-year varsity baseball player, earning all-league honors for two of those years. He received a baseball scholarship from Saint Mary’s College where he was a four-year starting player. He was the team’s MVP his junior and senior year and was elected to the Saint Mary’s Athletic Hall of Fame. After college he played professional baseball in both Europe and the United States.
Jason Clark '85
Clark was the De La Salle Athlete of the year in 1984. From ’82 to ’85 he was the North Coast Section (NCS) diving champion, winning every year of his high school career. His performance also led to high school All-American honors. He attended U.C. Berkeley for four years where he continued to compete in diving.
Joe Stocking - Coach
Joe Stocking coached cross-country, track and field and soccer. At one point early in his De La Salle coaching career, his cross-country teams went 182-9. During the 1980s his cross-country teams won five CAL (Catholic Athletic League) titles and two NCS titles. During that same period his track teams had a record of 97-10-1 with four CAL titles and an NCS championship in 1986.
Amani Toomer '92
As a wide receiver, Toomer garnered numerous accolades and records at every level of football—high school, college and professional. As a senior at DLS, he was the California Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year in 1992, averaging more than 17 yards per catch. That same year he was a USA Today, Sporting News, Parade and Super Prep All-American selection as well as Gatorade California Player of the Year and Western Region Player of the Year. He went on to play for the University of Michigan where he was second in career receptions and yards. Drafted in the second round by the New York Giants, he holds the franchise records for catches, receiving yards, touchdown catches and 100-yard receiving games. He is a member of the winning Super Bowl XLII team.
Mike Vontoure '86
Vontoure was an outstanding all-around athlete, excelling in track, baseball and basketball. He was the CAL champion in the 100m, 200m, 4x100 and 4x400m relays. He was the 200m NCS champion. He was the starting center fielder on the 1985 baseball team, which went on to win both the CAL and NCS championships. On the basketball team he was a three-year starting point guard, an all-CAL player his junior and senior year and both captain and team MVP his senior year when the Spartans won the CAL title.
1985 Baseball Team
Led by coach Bill Ross, this team was both the CAL champion and De La Salle’s first NCS champion baseball team. Even though they had a slow 4-4 start, they ended with a 24-4 record, reeling off 20 consecutive wins to end the season. By the end of the year they were ranked number one in the East Bay and number three in California. The team was well stocked with five first-team all-league starters and four of the top 10 hitters in the league. On top of their play on the diamond, the team had the highest GPA of any NCS team. Seven team members went on to play collegiate baseball.
2007
De La Salle High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2007
IndividualsBrent Barry '90 - Basketball |
Teams1982 Football Team |
De La Salle Hall of Fame Class of 2007
- Brent Barry '90
- Perry "PK" Kelly
- Erik Johnson '83
- Richard Kimball '74
- Aaron Taylor '90
- 1982 Football Team
Brent Barry '90
- All-League and All-East Bay performer as a 2-year Varsity starter for De La Salle
- At Oregon State University, twice chosen team MVP, junior and senior years
- Selected to All-Pac 10 team as a senior • During senior season 1994/95, averaged 21 pts. per game (second in Pac 10), with 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game
- Finished his career at OSU with 55 consecutive starts
- In 1995 NBA draft, was a first-round pick (#15) by the Denver Nuggets
- Won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Week in his rookie season (1995/96)
- One of the NBA’s best distance shooters, twice hitting 7 straight 3-pt. goals
- Member of the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs
- In 2007 completed his eleventh year as an NBA player, having played for the Clippers, Heat, Bulls, SuperSonics, and the Spurs
Perry "PK" Kelly
- “PK” was a Vietnam vet and helicopter pilot whose injuries never stopped him from giving 100% to his students and players
- As math teacher and science department chairman, “PK” championed the establishment of the honors curriculum in the sciences
- Swim coach from 1979 – 1987, winning the league title in his first year of coaching by defeating a Bishop O’Dowd team that had dominated De La Salle the previous year
- Coached soccer, assisted in football, and founded the school water polo program in 1986
- “PK’s” students and his players were always his first concern
- Winning was the byproduct of teaching his players to be men
- The DLS aquatics complex is overlooked by a pillar featuring his bust
Erik Johnson '83
- Four-year varsity letterman at De La Salle, batting .604 his senior year
- All-League honoree three years, All-East Bay in 1983
- Played for 4 years at UC Santa Barbara
- Twice named a preseason collegiate All-American
- Elected to the UCSB Athletic Hall of Fame
- Selected to play for his country on Team USA, touring in Europe and in the Far East
- Elected to the Tri-Valley Sports Hall of Fame
- Drafted by the NY Yankees in 1981 and the SF Giants in 1982
- Played for 7 years in the San Francisco Giants organization
Richard Kimball '74
- Twice De La Salle Athlete of the Year
- As a senior led cross country team to league championship
- Undefeated that season, setting course records on every course he ran
- Individual league and North Coast Section champion
- In 1973 posted best 3-mile time in nation and sixth-fastest prep time ever (13:43.6)
- Ran an indoor time of 3:50 at 1500m in Oakland meet
- In track, set East Bay records in the mile (4:02.6) and 2-mile (8:51.0), both in top ten all-time prep efforts, later lowering his 2-mile time to a state record 8:46.5
- 1973 NorCal Cross Country Runner of the Year
- 1973 Cal-Hi Sports State Runner of the Year
- Doubled in the mile and 2-mile at 1974 State Championships
- Cal-Hi Sports state meet Performer of the Year in 1974
- Undefeated in cross country and track & field in the mile and 2-mile from 1971-1974
- Named to the US Junior Cross Country Team
- Won World Junior Cross Country Championships at 8 km., besting a field of 74 runners from 13 countries. Rich was the only runner not of college age.
Aaron Taylor '90
- Two-year lineman at DLS, with a team record during that time of 24 - 2
- First Team All-State in 1989
- At University of Notre Dame, consensus AllAmerican at Offensive Guard (1992) and Offensive Tackle (1993)
- Senior captain of 1993 Notre Dame team
- Notre Dame Lineman of the Year 1993
- Finished his senior season having played in 30 consecutive games
- Winner of the Lombardi Award, recognizing outstanding ability and performance, and as the collegiate lineman best exemplifying the discipline of Vince Lombardi
- Twice (1992, 1993) finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s best interior offensive or defensive lineman
- Recipient of the Nick Pietrosante Award, voted by teammates for his courage, dedication, and pride as a Notre Dame player
- Green Bay Packers first round NFL draft choice in 1994
- Starred at offensive guard in the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI victory in 1997
- College football analyst for ABC Sports in 2006
1982 Football Team
- Brought home De La Salle’s first-ever CAL (Catholic Athletic League) and NCS titles
- First CAL team to win a North Coast Section title
- Record 12 – 0 for the season, capped by a 49 - 0 victory over the Arroyo HS Dons in the NCS title game
- Ranked #2 in state at season’s end (Class AA)
- Three players named to All-NorCal team
The team is described by Coach Ladouceur as one which “played with intensity, discipline, grit, and determination” to achieve its goal of bringing a championship to De La Salle. “They were the first Spartans, in the literal sense of the word—warriors whose mode of playing and teamwork marks them as standard-bearers for all DLS teams to come.” Their influence spread from the gridiron to all the fields of play at De La Salle: preparation, performance, excellence.