Saddleback College will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its 1985 National Championship football team on Saturday, Oct. 17, at halftime of the Gauchos’ homecoming game against Grossmont College.
The 1985 team, coached by Ken Swearingen, went 11-0 that season, defeated Fullerton College in the PONY Bowl, 32-13, and was named the mythical state and national champions. Saddleback outscored its opponents 400-179 that season.
The Gaucho Football Alumni Club will be holding a social event inside the stadium starting at 4 p.m. that evening with the football game scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. The four members of the Gaucho family who will be inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Visalia in March will be introduced before the game with the 1985 coaches and team taking center stage at halftime.
Bill Cunerty, who served as Saddleback’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 1980 to 1994 before taking over as head coach from 1995 to 1997, will be one of those inducted into the CCCFCA Hall of Fame along with Vince McCullough, who served as the Gauchos’ defensive coordinator from 1969 to 1998. They will be joined by college administrator Bill Kelly along with Saddleback record-setting tailback Toby Whipple (1969-70).
Those members of Saddleback’s 1985 National Championship football team who have not yet been contacted but would like to participate in the GFAC event and halftime activities are encouraged to contact Charlie Wright at 760-705-6501.
