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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. |
