Super Bowl Coaches to Join Golfers at AHS Alumni Association Golf Classic & Auction

February 10, 2019 by

In Classic Colonist style, New York Giants Super Bowl Coach Jim Fassel ’67 and his son, John, the LA Rams Special Teams Coach who recently made his Super Bowl debut, will be among participants at the 10th Annual ASHAA Golf Classic & Auction, Monday, Feb. 18, at Western Hills Country Club.

Jim Fassel ‘ 67 holds the NFL Golden Football sent to AHS for his contribution to Super Bowl history. His son, John, is Special Teams Coach for the LA Rams.

The tournament’s Hall-of-Fame lineup will include many other outstanding Colonist athletes like football legend Mickey Flynn ’57. AHS Coaches, many of whom are Anaheim alumni, are forming golf foursomes, and will be joined by Dan Miller, former athletic director and head basketball coach.

A day of sunshine is predicted for the President’s Day tournament that will raise funds for the AHSAA’s Spirit Scholarships and the Athletic Department’s facilities improvement campaign.

Along with a day of golf, the event includes a 2 p.m. lunch, awards, and an auction and opportunity drawing, both featuring an array of donated prizes. All are welcome to attend, with lunch tickets available for $30. To signup, click here or contact the AHSAA at anaheimalumni@yahoo.com.

A big thank you to the sponsors and donors who make this top fundraiser possible!

The AHS Alumni Association is pleased to welcome first-time GOLD sponsor Selman Chevrolet.

Thanks also to Pride Sponsor Al Rodriguez and his AHS Foursome; and Blue Sponsors Boydstun Realty & Property Management, owner Reon Boystun Howard ’74; Gerald Woodward ’59, Michael La Torre ’65.

Colonist cheers to our beverage sponsor Jerry Zomordian from Anaheim ARCO, as well as to Ron Davini ’65, an AHS Hall of Famer who has sponsored lunch for several years to feed our event volunteers.

Tee-signs will be displayed through course, thanks to sponsors such as Jeff Morris ’67 in member of his classmate Mark Uhlich ‘67.

Questions may be directed to anaheimalumni@yahoo.com or by calling AHSAA Events Director Debbie Vidana, 714-883-2389.

Filed Under: AHS Football Legacy, Alumni Spotlight, Hall of Fame Tagged With: ,

AHS Holds Record for Alumni Super Bowl Appearances!

February 3, 2019 by

Anaheim High alumni have made history as players or coaches in the Super Bowl. In fact, Anaheim High holds the record for the most grads from  an Orange County high school to participate in pro football’s ultimate game.

Now  let’s put the icing on the cake by adding that Anaheim High’s 1967 Drill Team made an appearance in the first Superbowl! Hard to top!

But first let’s talk about the players.

Anaheim’s Reuben Droughns, Class of 1996, played on special teams for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The most prolific running back in Anaheim Colonists football history, Droughns is the only Anaheim running back to surpass 1,000 yards rushing three times, and ended his career with 4,958 yards, the second highest total in Orange County history up to that time. Check out the Hall of Fame listing on this website to learn more about his pro career and what’s he’s doing now.

Gerry “Moon” Mullins, Class of 1967, is the main man when it comes to playing in Super Bowls. He played in Pittsburgh’s first four Super Bowl champions (IX, X, XIII, XIV). 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. Read more about this Anaheim High great in the Hall of Fame list on this website.

Jim Fassel, Class of ’67, was named NFL Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm in New York, when he led Giants to Super Bowl XXXV.  He’s stilling winning football games as head coach of the Las Vegas Locomotives, leading the United Football League team to two back-to-back championships. You can read more about his career on this website under the Hall of Fame listing.

 Better yet, meet Jim in person at the Feb. 21 AHS Alumni Association Golf Classic and Dinner. This President’s Day event at Western Hills Country Club is not just for golfers. All alumni, family and friends are invited to enjoy a day on the course, in the club house, at a post-game reception, silent auction and dinner. Jim will lead a live auction of items he’s donating, including a Las Vegas package. Jim is a true “Blue and Gold” Colonist and donates an annual scholarship in the name of his father, Bud Fassel, also an AHS graduate who served as equipment manager and was part of the legendary Clare Van Hoorebeke football program.  

Now back to the Drill Team . . .Becky Scott, a Class of ’67 grad, well remembers the experience of performing during the half-time show for the first Super Bowl, which was played in Los Angeles. 

Green Bay and Kansas City were the opposing teams and the Arizona and Grambling University Bands were featured in the half-time ceremony, along with the AHS Drill Team. Becky remembers that the bands and AHS Drill Team formed an outline of the United States and several of the AHS girls were picked to carry NFL team flags and march onto the “map” where the teams were located.  Becky carried the San Francisco 49er’s flag. 

Anyone with photos or addtional memories of this Super Bowl appearance is encouraged to share them. Please email anaheimalumni@yahoo.com with your special memories of Anaheim High.

Filed Under: AHS Football Legacy, Alumni Spotlight Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Documentary of Historic ’56 Football Game Endorsed by AHS Hall of Famer, NFL Coach Jim Fassel ’67

May 11, 2017 by

With nearly half of the $24,000 goal realized for initial funding, Anaheim High’s Jim Fassel (’67) is working with film maker Paul Molina to push for the final amount needed to turn a documentary of  the historic 1956 CIF championship football game into a realty.

Click here to view Jim’s promo!

With hundreds of hours of research, filmed interviews and footage already in place, “A Last Hurrah” is closer to being realized. The documentary is aimed at PBS audiences, and a special Orange County premiere of the film is being planned for sometime in 2018.

All donations are tax deductible if made through the AHSAA. Mail to P.O. Box 389, Anaheim, CA 92815. Please write “A Last Hurrah” in the check memo line.

Let us know your donation is in the mail by dropping a note to anaheimalumni@yahoo.com.

Depending on the donation amount, acknowledgment gifts are available, including premiere tickets, a copy of the game film and program, or even a film credit if you want to see your name in lights. Donations will also be acknowledged on the project website: www.alasthurrahmovie.com.

Questions may be addressed to Paul Molina at 651-492-2011 or alasthurrahmovie@gmail.com

Click here to see photos from Anaheim High’s recent 60th anniversary celebration of the game with former players, cheer, yell leaders and fans.

Thanks for your support of a project that immortilizes Anaheim High’s football program led by Hall of Famers Clare Van Hoorebeke, Mikey Flynn and other legendary Colonist players.

 

 

Filed Under: "A Last Hurrah" Documentary Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Football + Fassel = New Fitness Center at AHS

October 23, 2016 by

Jim Fassel with Colonist athletes who will benefit from new fitness equipment.

What do you get when you add an alumnus who grew up on Anaheim High’s athletic fields with access to Grade A exercise and training equipment? Happily, for AHS, the answer is a new fitness center, a first for the Colony campus.

Three semi-trucks filled with state-of-the art weight room, training equipment, furniture and more has been donated to Anaheim High by alumnus Jim Fassel (’67). Ultimately, the donation will fill two refurbished rooms remembered by some alumni as the auto and machine shops. These large workspaces will house equipment valued at more than $100,000 to create a fitness center and a top-notch training room. Fassel has also funded new flooring for the facility that will be named the “Fassel Family Fitness Center” once approval is received by the AUHSD.

Bud Fassel working on a pair of shoulder pads.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of Anaheim athletes were shaped and guided by Jim’s father, Bud Fassel (‘39), who served as right-hand man to Clare Van Hoorebeke in his role as equipment manager. But Bud did much more than care for athletic equipment, according to Gerald “Woody” Woodward from Class of ’59, who serves as AHS Alumni Association president.

“Bud counseled, guided and supported the young men who were part of the Anaheim High athletic program,” said Woodward. “He cared for the kids and was a father figure to us all.“

Woodward said there were many occasions when Bud asked his wife to pack extra sandwiches in his lunch that he shared with students too poor to afford lunch.  He also hired students to work in the equipment room so that they could afford to buy lunch or pay for the medical insurance that the student-athletes had to purchase. “He was one of the most caring and generous people I have ever known.”

AHSAA President Gerald Woodward congratulates Luis Amaya, recipient of the Bud Fassel Memorial Scholarship.

Bud’s impact was evident when, in 1992, hundreds of former students and athletes attended his funeral to honor him for his more than 25 years at Anaheim High. His contribution to Anaheim High continues today through an annual Bud Fassel Memorial Scholarship.

Bud’s son was among the outstanding athletes produced by Anaheim High. From the days of playing football at AHS, Jim went on to a successful career in the world of football. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1997, and he took the New York Giants to Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001. Most recently, he served as head coach, manager and president of the Las Vegas Locomotives in the United Football League, winning several UFL titles during the league’s existence. He also works as an ESPN sports announcer.

Jim’s son, John Fassel, is also walking in his grandfather and fathers’ footsteps. Once a ball boy for his father at the University of Utah in 1976, John was recently named interim head coach for the LA Rams, taking a break from his usual position of special teams coordinator.

Once the new fitness and training centers are complete, the Colony community will be invited to the grand opening in 2017 to celebrate this outstanding donation by one of Anaheim’s favorite sons.

Filed Under: Alumni Spotlight Tagged With: , , , , , ,

AHSAA Gold & Blue Winter 2016 Newsletter

February 2, 2016 by

Anaheim High School Super Bowl High School Honor Roll Golden FootballsThe latest edition of the AHSAA Gold and Blue newletter is packed with exciting stories about Anaheim High, its history and its notable alumni and teachers, as well as information on upcoming events, including reunions, the Feb. 15 Golf Classic, Dinner and Auction and a March 4 Celebration of Anaheim High Authors and Colony-Inspired Literature. 

The AHSAA is especially pleased to celebrate Super Bowl 50 with an article and photos about how Anaheim High is taking the spotlight for contributing to Super Bowl history. 

Click here to read The Gold and Blue Winter 2016 Edition.

 

Filed Under: Newsletter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hall of Fame Athletes Among Golfers at Feb. 17 Golf Classic

January 29, 2014 by

AHSAA Golf Classic Tees Off for 5th Year

Several Hall of Fame athletes will be among players in the 5th Annual Anaheim High School Alumni Association Golf Classic slated for Monday, Feb. 17 at Western Hills Country Club.

Jim Fassel - Class of 1967

Jim Fassel – Class of 1967

The day will include AHS football legend Mickey Flynn from Class of ‘57 driving the course to serve beverages to golfers ranging from former N.Y. Giants Super Bowl coach Jim Fassel from Class of ’67 to Loy Petersen, a ’63 grad who played pro basketball with the Chicago Bulls.

Petersen and his award-winning coach, Don Liebhart, a Class of ’45 Anaheim High grad, will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame during the dinner portion of the event.

Other former pro athletes playing or participating include:

clint stark - St. Louis Cardinals 2Clint Stark ’59, a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals; Ron Davini ’65, College World Series MVP and Chicago White Sox; and Dick Baney ’65, who played for the Cincinnati Reds and was the World Series pitcher who beat the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium to win the pennant for the Reds.  Baney is donating some of his personal Cincinnati baseball possessions.

Also golfing is Jeff Severson, who was a defensive back with the Washington Redskins & L.A. Rams.

Golf Chairman Phil Anton ’63 and a former player with the Dallas Cowboys, announced that the stakes just got hotter thanks to Paul Schulte of Miller Toyota of Anaheim. Golfers lucky (or skilled) enough to make a hole-in-one will win a brand new vehicle, among other gifts provided by the dealership.Miller Toyota of Anaheim

Many other auction items have been donated by area businesses, as well as Anaheim alumni. At last count, there was an impressive assortment of live and silent auction items ranging from suite tickets for the Ducks and Angels, admission to nearly ever major Southern California attraction, hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates and much more.

Anton stressed that the event is open to golfers and non-golfers. With a shot-gun start, scramble format, and the availability of Mulligans, all stand a chance to win contests and prizes.

Cost to golf, including cart, range balls, lunch, dinner, goodie bag and other prizes, is $150. Dinner only is $35. Forms may be downloaded from www.anaheimcolonists.com. Reservations may also be e-mailed to anaheimalumni@yahoo.com. Contact Anton at 714/815-9562 for more information on sponsorship opportunities.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,