SALINAS STEINBECKS FORMED THE COUNTY'S FIRST POP WARNER FOOTBALL TEAM 40 YEARS AGO
It was a youth football team, that's all—the first one Salinas ever had. An eccentric holy man started it, then convinced a local legend to become the first head coach. They bought an ad in the local newspaper announcing open tryouts for kids 10-13 years old, 85-115 pounds, then wondered if anybody would . show up. Almost 100 did.
Thirty-three made the squad, plus another 10 who were considered "reserve players."
Forty years later—wow, 40 years?—memories of that 1965 team remain remarkably fresh. The middle-aged men who became part of the "Salinas Steinbecks" recall a rich and rewarding experience that, in many cases, would help shape the rest of their lives.
"We were just a bunch of little kids who were excited about football," recalls Mike Teresa, the Steinbecks' original quarterback and captain.
"But we took some big steps toward becoming young men through that experience." Rev. Les Kinsolving was, on more than one level, the team's founding father—an Episcopal priest with a football
background. His dad had been an assistant coach at Army, alongside the iconic Red Blake. Kinsolving had been a self-described "meatball" (translation: bench-warmer) on a powerhouse University of Pennsylvania team that featured 21 future pros, including future NFL Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik.
He also had taught the game. "I was a single-wing coach, way back in ancient times," says Kinsolving, now a 76-year-old White House correspondent and talk-show host, living in Virginia
But he had a North Salinas parish to run, which left limited time, so he started recruiting and
Bill Maker, now 67 and retired
from PG&E. "I heat this tapping
on ray window, I roll it down, and Whited says, "Your nephew
(Steinbecks center Mike
Richardson) tells me you played
some football...'"
Maker, an offensive and defensive end at Boston's Northeastern University, became the line coach at age 26. Art Frolli, noseguard oft Harmell's 1950 national ' championship team, signed on as defensive coordinator. Prank Meza, who played on Hartnell's Junior Rose Bowl team, coached the defensive backs.
Salinas Califomian sports writer Jack Daugherty was added to the board of directors — a stroke of brilliance that resulted in expansive newspaper coverage. Dr. Robert Helfrich, joined the board and did all the physicals at no charge — in Kinsolving's church. Vam Baxter, ran the concession stands sprint and peddle game programs, sell ads. A cheerleading squad — young girls in full uniform — was formed. When the sun set on dailypractices, their and Kinso!
Article by Dennis Taylor of the Monterey Herald published December 11, 2005
- Steinbeck Hats & 