At this Saturday’s Cerritos
College home football game
against Ventura College at 7:00
p.m. there will be a special
group of fans in attendance.
Back in 1957, the college was
experiencing their first
football season in the history
of the school and that team led
the community on a ride that
took them to the pinnacle of
community college football. The
Falcon team of 1957 not only won
the Western State Conference,
they were selected to play in
the prestigious Junior Rose Bowl
in Pasadena against Arlington
(TX) College, now known as the
University of Texas at
Arlington. Although the team was
defeated, 21-12, they introduced
the brand new school and
community to a football season
many look back on with fond
memories.
The college
and the Falcon football team
will be honoring that team at
halftime of their game by
introducing the members of the
team, with 20 of the 43 players
on the 1957 roster scheduled to
be at the game. Prior to the
game, the players and their
families will be treated to a
pre-game reception where they
will view old photographs,
memorabilia and a special
showing of the Junior Rose Bowl.
The former players will also be
receiving special gifts provided
by the college and will enjoy a
brunch the following day at a
local restaurant.
From that
team of 43 players, seven of
them went on to play in the
National Football League, while
12 received college
scholarships. The team was
coached by Earl Klapstein, who
played for the Pittsburgh
Steelers and was then an
assistant coach with the
legendary Green Bay Packers
before taking the Cerritos job.
The school traveled to Utah for
their first-ever game, a 33-7
win over Weber (UT) College (now
Weber State University). They
shocked everyone by winning
their first seven games of the
season before a 12-0 loss to
perennial power Compton College
and finished with an 8-2 record.
Tickets for
the game are $5 for general
admission, $3 for seniors and
children under 12, while
students with a current ID and
college staff are free.
