Gerry Mullins – Class of 1967

A star player for Clare Van Hoorebeke’s renowned 1966 varsity football squad, “Moon” Mullins continued on to have the most distinguished football career of any Anaheim graduate. He was a member of three Rose Bowl teams as a tight end for John McKay at USC before being selected in the fourth round (86th overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Playing under Chuck Noll, Mullins established himself at left guard, and was an integral part of the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s. He started in all four of Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl victories, blocking for the Pro Football Hall of Fame backfield duo of Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris. Mullins spent his entire eight-year career with the Steelers, retiring after Pittsburgh’s victory in Super Bowl XIV. He settled in Western Pennsylvania, where he currently is in business.

Phil Anton – Class of 1963

Phil Anton - Class of 1963

Phil Anton – Class of 1963

Kit Salness-Howser – Class of 1972

KIT SALNESS - AHS SWIM TEAM '72Kit Salness-Howser from Anaheim High Class of 1972 was a nationally ranked platform diver and was a member of the 1980 United States Olympic team.

While at Anaheim High, Kit participated in cheerleading, swimming, diving, track, volleyball, basketball and archery. Runner up for the G.A.A. Girl of the Year in 1972, Kit competed in the Indoor National Diving Competition and placed 12th in the 10-meter and 37th in the 3-meter board.

Kit’s family members were all Colonist, either as students or ardent supporters. Head of family Gordon Salness, a practicing physician in Anaheim for numerous years, was Anaheim’s football team doctor.

Matriarch Betty worked for the Anaheim Union High School District starting in 1964, first as a Braillist at Fremont and Anaheim High, then as a special education teacher for Oak, Los Alamitos and Lexington.

Her brother Ty is a doctor of internal medicine in the Indian Service Hospital in Kiletrken, Alaska. Ty was a USC teammate of OJ Simpson and was on the 1967 National Championship football team. Now part-time doctor and spends his retirement hours at him home in Panama. For 22 years he was a high school football coach at six schools.

Another brother, Kym, is a doctor who had a fellowship at UC Irvine and studied pulmonary diseases. He became UCI’s medical director and later held the same position at Pennsylvania State in Hershey. Now retired and living in Pennsylvania.

Sister Jo Salness Waldman, now retired was a physical education teacher in the Fullerton district and for 25 years was a high school volley ball coach at University High School in California. She’s now retired on a 70-horse ranch in Elk Washington.

Brother Lad is a high school teacher and head coach at Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon.

Tom Daly – Class of 1972

Tom Daly has literally spent his life in public service, including as Anaheim’s mayor for 10 years and, currently, as Orange County’s Clerk-Recorder.

Starting at age 8, he walked door to door, helping his father hang doorknob flyers for Thomas Kuchel’s (AHS Class of 1928 graduate) State Senate campaign. His first county job was as an intern for then Supervisor Ralph Clark.

While at Anaheim High, where his father taught history, Tom was yearbook editor, a member of the California Scholarship Federation, a pitcher for the varsity baseball team, in addition to being a math and science major.
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Frances Martinez – Aug. 10, 1937 – March 5, 2009

Beloved Anaheim High School staff member Frances Martinez was a unique, strong-willed individual who always inspired, gave, motivated, and believed.

Her love of life was only exceeded by her love of work. She gave 28 years of her life to the students and families of Anaheim High as a community liaison, translator, secretary, parent, mentor and role model. No matter what hat she was wearing, Frances touched countless lives.

The impact she had on the lives around her is a testament to love and kindness she shared with the people who surrounded her. She was always one to give without ever expecting to receive anything in return except for maybe a smile or a thank you.

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Coach Bob Salerno – April 6, 1937- July 7, 2010

Bob Salerno, former head football coach at Anaheim, and a longtime assistant coach at several county schools, died July 7, 2010 in Yorba Linda. He was 73 years old. Bob was inducted into the Anaheim High School “Hall of Fame” in 2005 for his outstanding contributions to Orange County youth.

Born in Trinidad, Colorado on April 6, 1937, Salerno attended Holy Trinity High School, where he was a two-time all-state tackle. At the University of Colorado, Salerno earned three varsity letters and was a team captain as a senior and earned all-conference honors. Although he was drafted by both the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) and the Boston Patriots (1959)

Injuries prevented a professional football career and he ended up doing a stint in the U.S. Army before moving out to Southern California.

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Brian Noble – Class of 1980

Arizona State / Green Bay Packers 1985-1993

As a star football player for the Colonists in the late 70s, Brian Noble twice earned All-Freeway League honors on two playoff teams and was named an All-CIF punter following his senior season. He continued on to play at Fullerton College, then at Arizona State. In 1985, Noble was a fifth-round choice (125th overall) of the Green Bay Packers in the 1985 NFL Draft.

Establishing himself as a starter during his rookie season, Noble would start 110 of 117 games that he played in, becoming a stalwart on the Packers defense during the late 80s and early 90s while facing off regularly against Pro Football Hall of Fame running backs Walter Payton and Barry Sanders.

His nine-year NFL career (in which he led Green Bay in tackles four times) came to a premature end with a knee injury suffered early in the 1993 season. Following the end of his playing career, Noble spent several years as a television sports reporter in Green Bay, while also hosting an outdoor sports show. He later became head coach and later owner of the arena football franchise the Green Bay Blizzard.

Arwin L. “Bud” Mahoney – Class of 1941

A love of country, the City of Anaheim and his alma mater has directed this outstanding citizen through a lifetime of leadership and community service.

Bud led his classmates while at Anaheim in student government and sports, his fellow soldiers as a Naval office during WWII, his community as a business man and member of numerous boards, commissions, and as a non-profit volunteer, including a stint as president of the Anaheim’s High Football Booster Club.

Bud is truly a product of the Anaheim school system. Born in 1923 in Anaheim, he attended Horace Mann Elementary, Fremont Junior High and Anaheim High School, where he was freshman class president and student body president in his senior year. After his junior year at AHS, he was selected to the California Boys State in Sacramento and voted in as Attorney General.

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Alyson Reed – Class of 1976

Alyson Reed - Class of 1976

Alyson Reed – Class of 1976

Tim Flannery – Class of 1975

Tim Flannery 1975

A lifelong baseball man and former Major League infielder with the San Diego Padres, Tim is currently coaching 3rd base for the San Francisco Giants, a position he’s held since 2008.

Tim, who probably had a guitar in his hand before a baseball glove, is also an accomplished musician who has been described by Garth Brookes as a “two-sport star.” He released his 10th record in 14 years, “Traveling Shoes,” on Oct. 30, 2009.
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