The 1981 Bellarmine Bells football team was one of the strongest teams in the program's esteemed history. Under the leadership of coach Walt Arnold, the Bells went 12-0, pummeling arch rival St Francis 17-7 in the semifinals on their way to winning their first CCS championship in any sport while ending the season as the number one ranked team in the state. After making history, four of the Bells went on to play in the NFL. Ranging from Super Bowl winners to "scabs", each indi

There are two things that drive the sports industry: championships and inspirational stories. While some seasons end in glory and others simply bring inspiring stories that drive future generations to further success, very few embody the lasting legacy of Charlie Wedemeyer. While he coached Los Gatos High School's football team to numerous successful seasons, it was his final one that left an indelible mark on his legacy. This is his story. The Early Years Charlie Wedemeyer

As of Super Bowl LX, the New England Patriots have been to the big game a record 12 times. Obviously, with so many trips to the game, the franchise has featured some pretty impressive rosters. Lets take a look at the very best to suit up for the Patriots on football's grandest stage. Quarterback- Tom Brady Having led the team to nine Super Bowl appearances and winning six, this was a no brainer. From his very first Super Bowl in 2001, the greatest passer of his generations ca

More often than not, a coaching tree is a reflection of a coach. Just a quick peek at New England Patriots Mike Vrabel's resume would suggest that he had all the mental tools necessary to win as he played extensively for Ohio State's John Cooper and won three Super Bowls with Bill Belichick's Patriots two decades ago. However, high school is where the fundamentals of the game are planted in a young person's mind and it is often there, away from the spotlight and money, where

In a decade that saw so many great teams reach the Super Bowl, perhaps the best organization to never win it all was the Los Angeles Rams. They were a roving door of talent along the defensive line and always seemed to find just the right quarterback/coach combination to make the organization click year after year. The Rams reached five conference championship games during the 1970s and ended a decade filled with so much promise and hope with a loss in the Super Bowl. This is

The 49ers lost badly to the Seattle Seahawks this past Saturday. While the 41-6 spanking in the Emerald City was humbling enough, questions abound about the direction of the franchise. Let's take a look at their previous blowout losses in the playoffs and how the 49ers dealt with each humiliating loss. 1986 Divisional: 49-3 @ New York The 49ers never stood a chance. Early in the second quarter, New York running back Joe Morris dashed up the middle of San Francisco's defense

One of the most incremental aspects of quarterbacking in thee NFL is the presence of mind to lead your team when the going gets tough. In 1980, the Cleveland Browns' Brian Sipe did so well in crunch time that he earned the league MVP. But his story is so much more than that one magical season. This is his story. The Early Years Brian Winfield Sipe was born on August 8, 1949 in San Diego, California. Growing up as the only boy in a house full of three sisters, young Brian took

As the NFL season comes to a close, snow often decorates many of the home fields on the East Coast. Whether it's a light flutter or a heavy flurry, the added element always leaves spectators in awe. Since the city of Buffalo usually endures the most snow, its football stadium has become synonymous with snow. Now that Highmark (né Rich) Stadium is closing its doors, it's only fitting that we take a look back at its most memorable moments in the snow. 1/12/1991: Bills vs Dolphi

From 1924 through 1932, legendary coach Pop Warner led the Stanford football program to unprecedented success that would spur the program for years to come. This is their story. Background For the first 24 years of the 20th century, the Stanford Cardinal football team usually performed decently enough to draw a sizeable following. They had even enjoyed an unbeaten and untied campaign in 1905 and had won ten or more games three other times in their brief history. When they wen

When Saratoga High School beat Palma in the 1996 CCS Championship Game, coach Mike Machado knew that that would be his last as the Falcons coach. Although Saratoga's program was thriving in just his second year as the varsity head coach, Machado knew that he could never replace his predecessor, Benny Pierce, whose 269 wins, 16 league titles and four CCS championship triumphs from 1961 through 1994 still echo'd in Saratoga's hallways. Mike Machado knew that although he could s

Deep in the heart of Texas stands a monument that embodies the spirit of the Lone Star State. Surrounded by the festivities of the State Fair of Texas with people stuffing their faces with fried everything under the shadow of Big Tex while pondering whether or not to ride the giant Ferris Wheel affectionately known as Texas Star, the Cotton Bowl stands out for the history that has unfolded within its walls. For generations, the Cotton Bowl has provided the backdrop of countle

Located at the modern intersection of Berryessa Road and North 13th Street once stood the first theme park in San Jose's illustrious history. Luna Park was a vibrant entertainment hub built by San Jose trolley magnate Lewis Hanchett for $50,000 in 1910 who desired to attract more customers for his trolleys. The park combined baseball with carnival events such as merry-go-rounds, roller coasters and a Ferris Wheel. Local teams such as the Prune Pickers and the spring training

San Jose's first professional baseball team began in 1891. Originally known as the "Dukes" or "Gardeners", the team won the California League in their inaugural season. . From 1892-1898, the Gardeners switched between the Winter League and an independent status while warming to their surroundings in Agricultural Park. In 1898, the team returned to the Cal League as the "Prune Pickers". Five years later, the Prune Pickers joined the "outlaw" Cal State League, winning it all th

The younger brother of legendary tennis player Billie Jean King was born in Long Beach, California on October 13, 1948. After attending Cal State Long Beach, Randy Moffitt was taken 18th overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 1970 draft. He debuted just two years later as a relief pitcher. While the 4-0 loss to the Cubs was forgettable, Moffitt gave the Candlestick Park crowd something to cheer about by striking out Billy Williams in the last pitch of the game. It was the

Football is a gritty game where some of its biggest contributors almost never touch the ball. Back in the single wing days of the game, Nello Falaschi stood out as one of the very best blocking quarterbacks in the game. Although he only scored three touchdowns in 14 years as a prep, collegian and pro, his stout blocking and relentless pursuit of the opposing ball carriers set the tone for Santa Clara's unlikely and historic run towards the 1937 Sugar Bowl. This is his story.

Some of the most important moments in early college football history happened at the University of Michigan's Regents Field. Later known as Ferry Field, it hosted teams such as Fielding Yost's famed "Point a Minute Men" and was the backdrop for Jesse Owens as he set several national records, bursting onto the national landscape years before he stood up to Adolf Hitler in the Olympics. In time, Ferry Field proved too inadequate and the massive Michigan Stadium was built in its

Few rivalries are as heated as territorial. While the 49ers and Raiders may not face each other every year, their rivalry is just as important to the Bay Area as those with more national appeal such as the 49ers-Cowboys, Ravens-Steelers, Patriots-Colts and Bears-Packers. Even though they have rarely faced off with equal rosters, these two teams and their fan bases hate each other with a passion that echoes from San Francisco and Santa Clara to wherever the Raiders call home.

For years, Denver's Mile High Stadium was one of the toughest places in all of sports for an away team to earn a win. With the altitude literally a mile above sea level, many a foe succumbed to the fierce climate as well as the constant clang of 80,000 pairs of feet against the steel bleachers. Of course, things only escalated after the Broncos traded for John Elway after the 1983 NFL Draft. Bears Stadium The site that would one day hold so many memorable moments in Denver's

San Diego has had a rich history of baseball, much of which first began on the corner of Broadway and Pacific Highway in 1936. Through the 1920's, the plot of land was used by the Navy as an athletic field, eventually being outfitted for football bleachers and a racing track. On weekends, crowds would gather as motorcycle and various track events were held there. In 1936, Bill Lane moved his Hollywood Stars of the PCL to San Diego and got the Works Progress Administration (WP

While Osborn Engineering is widely renowned for its innovative designs of stadiums, little is remembered of the company's founder. This is the story of Frank Osborn. The Early Years Frank Osborn was born on December 18, 1857 in Maple Grove, Michigan. As the middle son of Reuben and Livonia Osborn, he watched as his father served the community as the town clerk and treasurer while still performing his duties as a senior physician at the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company as wel