The 35-year football reunion began early Saturday morning as the De Anza alumni were on hand to celebrate the anniversary of the football program. Athletic Director Charlie Elder organized the event. Elder, coach of the ’79 football team that won the national championship, was surprised to see so many alumni return. Members of the alumni included teams from ’69, ’78 and ’79.

Alumni and their families met up and talked with former teammates near the home stadium seats with refreshments and breakfast on hand.

The event was open to those who had alumni relations, including the baseball players of baseball coach Scott Hertler. Alumni shared memories with one another, updated former teammates on their lives and even tossed around the football with other alumni and their kids.

Present were the ’79 national champions, who were the main focus throughout the reunion. The famous team of ’79 was proud to be present at the reunion. Going to the national championship game in ’78 only to be defeated, the Dons returned going undefeated and capturing the national championship. Free safety Tracy Philyaw, outside linebacker Mike Ward and quarterback Jack Overstreet were on hand to represent just a few of the many alumni of ’79.

“Not a lot of junior colleges have reunions like this. Because we were undefeated we continued to be such a close-knit group and good friends,” stated Overstreet.

Being defeated in the ’78 season, the Dons came back next year to go undefeated and win it all. Learning from their mistakes and working together was the reason the football program did so well that year.

“To be able to come back the next year in ’79 and go completely undefeated was a tremendous experience for many of us. Thinking about the past, its just awesome to be back at this 35 year reunion,” stated cornerback Lawerence Johnson.

With all the excitement revolving around the reunion, the current Dons football team couldn’t capture a victory to make the reunion an event to remember. However, they provided the alumni with a very close game down to the last two minutes of the game.

The alumni gathered at the goal line in parallel lines to greet the players as they rushed into the field at the beginning of the game. It seemed that the alumni’s luck rubbed on to the Dons, with them scoring a touchdown early in the game. However, by the end of the first half it seemed to be fading.

The Alumni gathered at half-time for an announcement by Elder and awards After the game, everyone attended a post-game barbeque dinner and shared their final moments, as they headed off back to their regular lives.

“I had a dream and it all came true,” stated Elder on the success of the reunion.