Lathrop native Lou Bronzan writes about his playing days in Stockton before starting a career in education.
"[I] joined the Ports in 1948 after playing football and baseball at the University of the Pacific. [I] played for A.A. Stagg, Larry Siemering, and Hugh McWilliams. The highlight was when Pacific beat Cal 1-0. [Myself] and Bill McFarland held Cal to three hits.
Coach Larry Siemering and [I] both started at Manteca High. Siemering had three undefeated football teams and in 1939 his undefeated team was listed in the New York Times that all 11 starters were all league.
It was great fun playing for the Ports because Billy Hebert field was so well kept up and Vincent DiMaggio who was the manager had a lot of room to catch fly balls that were hit to center field.
One of the highlights was against Modesto when at the bottom of the 9th inning with no outs bases loaded a [3-0 count] on the batter. [I] got them out and then Vincent DiMaggio hit a homer to win the game. Some of the players that played were Harry Clements, Jimmy Brown, Norm Grabor, Walt Pocekay, Rocee Cardinale, Bud Guildborg, Matt Zidick, Gene Celli, and Frank Totaro.
[I] played briefly in 1949 then played for Pittsburg and Lodi Wine Guild in the Sacramento Semi-Pro League. Prior to the war [I] played 1 ½ years at Modesto JC at Liberty. [I] was a teacher, coached football and baseball for 9 years and ended as principal until 1983. [I am] a director of the Liberty Hall of Fame and recipient of the A.A. Stagg award from UOP as a head football coach with five winning season."