Stockton in San Joaquin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Excellence
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 3, 2022
1. Excellence Marker
Inscription.
Excellence. .
1949 Team - Terrific Pacific. The 1949 Tigers were nationally recognized as one of the finest teams in the country, and their undefeated season was the greatest in the history of Pacific Football. In his third season, Larry Siemering and assistants Hugh McWilliams, Dean Richardson, Ernie Jorge, and Wayne Hardin (who also played) developed a creative offense that lead to an 11-0 season, earning the Tigers a final ranking of 10th in the country by the Associated Press. The small school Tigers topped the nation in total offense (502.9 yards per game), and set an NCAA single-season record with 575 points scored (against only 66 points allowed)., The Tigers were led by 19-year-old quarterback Eddie LeBaron, who also starred as a safety and punter. LeBaron executed a double-spin move and trickery on offense that would fool even the game officials and unleashed the potent running of Eddie Macon, Bruce Orvis, Don Hardey, and Walt Polenske, and talented pass receiving of John Rohde and Phil Ortez., Playing as an Independent with no conference affiliation, the Tigers soundly beat larger colleges and universities across the nation. In addition to its national marks, this team set school records that were never surpassed over the next 46 years of Pacific Football: yards gained (3,910; rushing touchdowns (63); punt return yards (751 yards on 45 returns); extra points (57); fewest yards allowed (2,021); pass interceptions (31 for 458 yards); fewest touchdowns allowed (10); highest single game point total (88 vs. Cal Poly)., Sixteen players were selected in the NFL Draft, and 6 had careers as professional players. Eddie LeBaron was selected first team All-American and All-Pacific Coast, and Pacific had their first two representatives in the Annual East-West Shrine Bowl All-Star Classic in LeBaron and Rohde., The team was shunned for postseason play by the southern bowl committees, due in part to their segregation policies. Thus Unbeaten, United, and Uninvited became the defining phrase for this remarkable team., DATE - OPPONENT RESULT September 17, 1949 . San Francisco . W 7-6 September 23, 949 . at Loyola (CA) . W 52-0 October 1, 1949 . Cincinnati . W 34-7 October 8, 1949 . Nevada . W 47-6 October 15, 1949 . at Portland . W 75-20 October 22, 1949 . San Diego State . W 62-14 October 28, 1949 . at San Jose State . W 45-7 November 12, 1949 . Utah . W 45-6 November 18, 1949 . Fresno State . W 45-0 November 24, 1949 . at Cal Poly . W 88-0 December 16, 1949 . at Hawaii . W 75-0,
Air Pacific. As head coach for his alma mater, Walt Harris (1989-91) devised a run-and-shoot offense known as Air Pacific that set school, conference and NCAA Division I records. Troy Kopp was the first quarterback in NCAA history to have consecutive 500 yard passing games, including a conference record 564 yards against New Mexico State (1990). Kopp led the NCAA in touchdown passes in 1991 with 37 and his career total of 87 ranked third all-time on the NCAA career touchdowns list. In 1991, wide receiver Aaron Turner led the NCAA in total receiving yards (1,604) and yards per game (145), while also setting an NCAA record with 11 consecutive games with at least 100 yards and a touchdown. By the end of his career, Turner was the NCAA career receiving leader in all three major statistical categories: receptions (266), yards (4,345) and touchdowns (43). Running back Ryan Benjamin was the first player in NCAA Division I history to surpass 2,500 all-purpose yards in two seasons (1991 and 1992). In 1991, Benjamin led the NCAA in yards per game (237.8), all-purpose yards (2,996, second in NCAA history), and became the first player in conference history to record 50 passes while rushing for over 1,500 yards. Collectively, all three players hold almost every Pacific offensive record, and both Kopp and Benjamin went on to play professional football. Those Air Pacific teams also produced three longtime NFL players in offensive lineman Greg Bishop, wide receiver Daryl Hobbs and defensive lineman Shawn Price., Despite its small school size and limited resources, Pacific had a reputation for competing and at times prevailing over notable schools around the country. Victories against USC, Minnesota, South Carolina, Cal, Stanford, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA brought great pride and notoriety to the university. Many players set national records during their Pacific careers, and during the 1950s Pacific had more alumni playing in the NFL than any other university. This reputation for athletic prowess aling with an emphasis on academic excellence attracted talented student-athletes who wanted to compete against the best and enjoy a well rounded college experience in earning a Pacific degree.,
National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete 1979 Bruce Filarsky, g . 1992 Kale Wedemeyer, wr.
Career Leaders. Passing Yards 1. Troy Kopp . 1989-1992 . 10,258 2. Paul Berner . 1982-1984 . 4,819 3. Eddie LeBaron . 1946-1949 . 3,841 4. Craig Whelihan . 1992-1994 . 3,797 5. Dave Henigan . 1989-1993 . 3,220 Rushing Yards 1. Willard Harrell . 1972-1974 . 3324 2. Ryan Benjamin . 1990-1992 . 3,119 3. Bruce Gibson . 1974-1977 . 2,856 4. Dick Bass . 1956-1959 . 2,714 5. Tom McCormick . 1950-1952 . 2,652 Rushing Touchdowns 1. Willard Harrell . 1972-1974 . 33 2. Dick Bass . 1956-1959 . 31 Tom McCormick . 1950-1952 . 31 3. Ryan Benjamin . 1990-1992 . 26 Bruce Orvis . 1946-1949 . 26 Interceptions 1. Stan Shibata . 1978-1981 . 17 2. Eddie Macon . 1949-1951 . 17 3. Jeff Russell . 1990-1994 13 Vernie Kelley . 1950-1952 . 13 4. Harland Berndt . 1950-1952 . 12 Scoring 1. Aaron Turner . 1989-1992 . 258 2. Willard Harrell . 1972-1974 . 220 3. Dick Bass . 1956-1959 . 208 4. Eddie Macon . 1949-1951 . 204 5. Tom McCormick . 1950-1952 . 188 Touchdown Receptions 1. Aaron Turner . 1989-1992 . 43 2. Joh Rohde . 1946-1949 . 29 3. Daryl Hobbs . 1990-1991 . 26 4. Kerry Brown . 1993-1994 . 12 Kurt Heinrich . 1981-1985 . 12 Ken Buck . 1951-1953 . 12,
First Team All-Americans Ryan Benjamin 1991 . Ken Buck 1953 . Eddie Lebaron 1949 . Art McCaffray 1943 . Joh Podesto 1943. ,
Other All-Americans. Larry Bailey 1973 . Dick Bass 1958 . Ryan Benjamin 1992 . Gary Blackwell 1982 . Jack Cosgrove 1979 . Bruce Filarsky 1979 . Collis Galloway 1985 . Steve Goulart 1979 . Kevin Greene 1982 . Kirk Harmon 1980, 1981 . Willard Harrell 1973, 1974 . Nick Holt 1985 . Mike House 1979 . Vern Kellerman 1971 . Greg Koperek 1988 . James Mackey 1984 . Sander Markel 1979 . Mike Merriweather 1979, 1981 . Dallas Nelson 1979 . Stan Shibata 1977, 1978 . Aaron Turner 1991, 1992 . BradVassar 1977, 1978, 1979 . Willie Viney 1972, 1973 . Kirby Warren 1983,
Alumni who played in the NFL three or more years. Position / Player / Seasons / Years QB-P Bob Lee 12 1969-1980 . QB Eddie LeBaron 11 1952-1963 . LB Mike Merriweather 11 1982-1993 . G Duane Putnam 11 1952-1962 . FB-HB Dick Bass 10 1960-1969 . RB Willard Harrell 10 1975-1984 . G Wayne Hawkins 10 1960-1969 . DE-DT Shawn Price 10 1993-2002 . G-T-LB John Thomas 10 1958-1967 . QB Tom Flores 9 1960-1969 . DT-DE Bon Heinz 9 1969-1978 . DE-LB Carl Kammerer 9 1961-1969 . G-C Mark Nordquist 9 1968-1976 . E Clyde Conner 8 1956-1963 . TE Bruce Colset 8 1969-1976 . G John Nisby 8 1957-1964 . T-DT Bill Sandeman 8 1966-1973 . TE-T Bob Adams 7 1969-1976 . G-T Greg Bishop 7 1993-1999 . DE-LB-G Gene Cronin 7 1956-1962 . WR Lionel Manuel 7 1984 1990 . LB Donnie Spragan 6 2002-2007 . DE-T Bob Denton 5 1960-1964 . WR Daryl Hobbs 5 1993-1997 . DB Tony Plummer 5 1970-1974 . DB Kato Serwanga 5 1999-2003 . FB-G Phil Martinovich 4 1939-1947 . HB Tom McCormick 4 1953-1956 . DB Rudy Redmond 4 1969-1972 . T-DT Don Campora 3 1950-1953 . DB Honor Jackson 3 1972-1974 . C Paul Latzke 3 1966-1968 . DB-HB Eddie Macon 3 1952-1953, 1960 . C Bob Moser 3 1951-1953 . TE Brian Peets 3 1978-1981 . DB Wasswa Serwanga 3 1999-2001 . LB Kevin Turner 3 1980-1982 . E-FL A.D. Williams 3 1959-1961 . This historical marker was erected by University of the Pacific. It is in Stockton in San Joaquin County California
1949 Team - Terrific Pacific
The 1949 Tigers were nationally recognized as one of the finest teams in the country, and their undefeated season was the greatest in the history of Pacific Football. In his third season, Larry Siemering and assistants Hugh McWilliams, Dean Richardson, Ernie Jorge, and Wayne Hardin (who also played) developed a creative offense that lead to an 11-0 season, earning the Tigers a final ranking of 10th in the country by the Associated Press. The small school Tigers topped the nation in total offense (502.9 yards per game), and set an NCAA single-season record with 575 points scored (against only 66 points allowed).
The Tigers were led by 19-year-old quarterback Eddie LeBaron, who also starred as a safety and punter. LeBaron executed a double-spin move and trickery on offense that would fool even the game officials and unleashed the potent running of Eddie Macon, Bruce Orvis, Don Hardey, and Walt Polenske, and talented pass receiving of John Rohde and Phil Ortez.
Playing as an Independent with no conference affiliation, the Tigers soundly beat larger colleges and universities
Click or scan to see this page online
across the nation. In addition to its national marks, this team set school records that were never surpassed over the next 46 years of Pacific Football: yards gained (3,910; rushing touchdowns (63); punt return yards (751 yards on 45 returns); extra points (57); fewest yards allowed (2,021); pass interceptions (31 for 458 yards); fewest touchdowns allowed (10); highest single game point total (88 vs. Cal Poly).
Sixteen players were selected in the NFL Draft, and 6 had careers as professional players. Eddie LeBaron was selected first team All-American and All-Pacific Coast, and Pacific had their first two representatives in the Annual East-West Shrine Bowl All-Star Classic in LeBaron and Rohde.
The team was shunned for postseason play by the southern bowl committees, due in part to their segregation policies. Thus Unbeaten, United, and Uninvited became the defining phrase for this remarkable team.
DATE - OPPONENT RESULT
September 17, 1949 San Francisco W 7-6
September 23, 949 at Loyola (CA) W 52-0
October 1, 1949 Cincinnati W 34-7
October 8, 1949 Nevada W 47-6
October 15, 1949 at Portland W 75-20
October 22, 1949 San Diego State W 62-14
October 28, 1949 at San Jose State W 45-7
November 12, 1949 Utah W 45-6
November 18, 1949 Fresno State W 45-0
November 24,
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 3, 2022
2. Excellence Marker
1949 at Cal Poly W 88-0
December 16, 1949 at Hawaii W 75-0
Air Pacific
As head coach for his alma mater, Walt Harris (1989-91) devised a run-and-shoot offense known as Air Pacific that set school, conference and NCAA Division I records. Troy Kopp was the first quarterback in NCAA history to have consecutive 500 yard passing games, including a conference record 564 yards against New Mexico State (1990). Kopp led the NCAA in touchdown passes in 1991 with 37 and his career total of 87 ranked third all-time on the NCAA career touchdowns list. In 1991, wide receiver Aaron Turner led the NCAA in total receiving yards (1,604) and yards per game (145), while also setting an NCAA record with 11 consecutive games with at least 100 yards and a touchdown. By the end of his career, Turner was the NCAA career receiving leader in all three major statistical categories: receptions (266), yards (4,345) and touchdowns (43). Running back Ryan Benjamin was the first player in NCAA Division I history to surpass 2,500 all-purpose yards in two seasons (1991 and 1992). In 1991, Benjamin led the NCAA in yards per game (237.8), all-purpose yards (2,996, second in NCAA history), and became the first player in conference history to record 50 passes while rushing for over 1,500 yards. Collectively, all three players hold almost every Pacific offensive record,
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 3, 2022
3. Stagg Memorial Football Plaza
and both Kopp and Benjamin went on to play professional football. Those Air Pacific teams also produced three longtime NFL players in offensive lineman Greg Bishop, wide receiver Daryl Hobbs and defensive lineman Shawn Price.
Despite its small school size and limited resources, Pacific had a reputation for competing and at times prevailing over notable schools around the country. Victories against USC, Minnesota, South Carolina, Cal, Stanford, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA brought great pride and notoriety to the university. Many players set national records during their Pacific careers, and during the 1950s Pacific had more alumni playing in the NFL than any other university. This reputation for athletic prowess aling with an emphasis on academic excellence attracted talented student-athletes who wanted to compete against the best and enjoy a well rounded college experience in earning a Pacific degree.
National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete
1979 Bruce Filarsky, g 1992 Kale Wedemeyer, wr
Career Leaders
Passing Yards
1. Troy Kopp 1989-1992 10,258
2. Paul Berner 1982-1984 4,819
3. Eddie LeBaron 1946-1949 3,841
4. Craig Whelihan 1992-1994 3,797
5. Dave Henigan 1989-1993 3,220
Rushing Yards
1. Willard Harrell
1972-1974 3324
2. Ryan Benjamin 1990-1992 3,119
3. Bruce Gibson 1974-1977 2,856
4. Dick Bass 1956-1959 2,714
5. Tom McCormick 1950-1952 2,652
Rushing Touchdowns
1. Willard Harrell 1972-1974 33
2. Dick Bass 1956-1959 31
Tom McCormick 1950-1952 31
3. Ryan Benjamin 1990-1992 26
Bruce Orvis 1946-1949 26
Interceptions
1. Stan Shibata 1978-1981 17
2. Eddie Macon 1949-1951 17
3. Jeff Russell 1990-1994 13
Vernie Kelley 1950-1952 13
4. Harland Berndt 1950-1952 12
Scoring
1. Aaron Turner 1989-1992 258
2. Willard Harrell 1972-1974 220
3. Dick Bass 1956-1959 208
4. Eddie Macon 1949-1951 204
5. Tom McCormick 1950-1952 188
Touchdown Receptions
1. Aaron Turner 1989-1992 43
2. Joh Rohde 1946-1949 29
3. Daryl Hobbs 1990-1991 26
4. Kerry Brown 1993-1994 12
Kurt Heinrich 1981-1985 12
Ken Buck 1951-1953 12
First Team All-Americans
Ryan Benjamin 1991 Ken Buck 1953 Eddie Lebaron 1949 Art McCaffray 1943 Joh Podesto 1943
Other All-Americans
Larry Bailey 1973 Dick Bass 1958 Ryan Benjamin 1992 Gary Blackwell 1982 Jack Cosgrove 1979 Bruce Filarsky 1979 Collis Galloway 1985 Steve Goulart 1979 Kevin Greene 1982 Kirk Harmon 1980, 1981 Willard Harrell 1973, 1974 Nick Holt 1985 Mike House 1979 Vern Kellerman 1971 Greg Koperek 1988 James Mackey 1984 Sander Markel 1979 Mike Merriweather 1979, 1981 Dallas Nelson 1979 Stan Shibata 1977, 1978 Aaron Turner 1991, 1992 BradVassar 1977, 1978, 1979 Willie Viney 1972, 1973 Kirby Warren 1983
Alumni who played in the NFL three or more years
Position / Player / Seasons / Years
QB-P Bob Lee 12 1969-1980 QB Eddie LeBaron 11 1952-1963 LB Mike Merriweather 11 1982-1993 G Duane Putnam 11 1952-1962 FB-HB Dick Bass 10 1960-1969 RB Willard Harrell 10 1975-1984 G Wayne Hawkins 10 1960-1969 DE-DT Shawn Price 10 1993-2002 G-T-LB John Thomas 10 1958-1967 QB Tom Flores 9 1960-1969 DT-DE Bon Heinz 9 1969-1978 DE-LB Carl Kammerer 9 1961-1969 G-C Mark Nordquist 9 1968-1976 E Clyde Conner 8 1956-1963 TE Bruce Colset 8 1969-1976 G John Nisby 8 1957-1964 T-DT Bill Sandeman 8 1966-1973 TE-T Bob Adams 7 1969-1976 G-T Greg Bishop 7 1993-1999 DE-LB-G Gene Cronin 7 1956-1962 WR Lionel Manuel 7 1984 1990 LB Donnie Spragan 6 2002-2007 DE-T Bob Denton 5 1960-1964 WR Daryl Hobbs 5 1993-1997 DB Tony Plummer 5 1970-1974 DB Kato Serwanga 5 1999-2003 FB-G Phil Martinovich 4 1939-1947 HB Tom McCormick 4 1953-1956 DB Rudy Redmond 4 1969-1972 T-DT Don Campora 3 1950-1953 DB Honor Jackson 3 1972-1974 C Paul Latzke 3 1966-1968 DB-HB Eddie Macon 3 1952-1953, 1960 C Bob Moser 3 1951-1953 TE Brian Peets 3 1978-1981 DB Wasswa Serwanga 3 1999-2001 LB Kevin Turner 3 1980-1982 E-FL A.D. Williams 3 1959-1961
Erected by University of the Pacific.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 37° 58.664′ N, 121° 18.966′ W. Marker is in Stockton, California, in San Joaquin County. Marker can be reached from Larry Heller Drive. The marker is mounted to a red brick masonry pillar in Stagg Memorial Football Plaza on the University of the Pacific campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1163 Larry Heller Drive, Stockton CA 95211, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
