California High School Football Hall Of Fame Announces The Selection Of A Talented Class For Induction

CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE SELECTION OF A TALENTED CLASS FOR INDUCTION 

20 Players and Five Coaches will be induced as the second-ever class to the Hall of Fame, located at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.

 

PASADENA, Calif. (September 11, 2024) The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, on behalf of the California Interscholastic Federation and the National Football Foundation, announced today the second-ever class to the California High School Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame’s second class includes 20 players and five coaches, following its inaugural class of 100 players and 13 coaches.  

A look inside the California High School Football Hall of Fame located at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

The second class, along with all inductees, will be honored prior to and during the UCLA vs. Fresno State football game at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

California High School Football History display featuring helmets and memorabilia.

Class of 2024 - Players (in alphabetical order): 

• Willie Buchanon, Oceanside High School, DB, 1969 (San Diego Section)
• George Buehler, Whittier High School, OL, 1965 (Southern Section)
• Shawn Cody, Los Altos High School, DL, 2001 (Southern Section)
• Ron Cuccia, Wilson High School, QB, 1978 (Los Angeles City Section)
• Zach Ertz, Monte Vista High School, WR/TE, 2009 (North Coast Section)
• Jared Goff, Marin Catholic High School, QB, 2013 (North Coast Section)
• Gaston Green, Gardena High School, RB, 1984 (Los Angeles City Section)
• Matt Grootegoed, Mater Dei High School, DB, 1999 (Southern Section)
• Jim Harbaugh, Palo Alto High School, QB, 1983 (Central Coast Section)
• Jamelle Holieway, Banning High School, QB, 1985 (Los Angeles City Section)
• Edwin “Babe” Horrell, Pasadena High School, OL, 1924 (Southern Section)
• Daryle Lamonica, Clovis High School, QB, 1958 (Central Section)
• Rey Maualuga, Eureka High School, LB, 2006 (North Coast Section)
• Daylon McCutcheon, Bishop Amat High School, DB, 1995 (Southern Section)
• Kory Minor, Bishop Amat High School, LB, 1995 (Southern Section)
• Donn Moomaw, Santa Ana High School, LB, 1949 (Southern Section)
• Craig Morton, Campbell High School, QB, 1961 (Central Coast Section)
• Ron Pritchard, Antioch High School, LB, 1966 (North Coast Section)
• Dennis Thurman, Santa Monica High School, DB, 1973 (Southern Section)
• Ed White, Indio High School, OL, 1965 (Southern Section)

Class of 2024 - Coaches (in alphabetical order):

• Mike Alberghini, Grant High School (Sac-Joaquin Section)
• Steve Grady, Loyola High School (Southern Section)
• Tom Hamilton, Pasadena High School (Southern Section)
• Bob Hitchcock, Temple City High School (Southern Section)
• Bruce Rollinson, Mater Dei High School (Southern Section)

Classes are elected every other year by a state-wide committee representing all ten CIF state sections and after a public nomination period.  The next class will be open for nomination and voting in 2026.

The project, which was established and opened in 2023 as a result of two leadership pledges to the Foundation from prominent philanthropists and business leaders Brian Panish and Mickey Segal, is located at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.  Philanthropist and ardent Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation supporter Brian Kennedy also provided a key commitment to elevate the project’s impact.

The establishment of the California High School Football Hall of Fame, a Legacy Foundation project, will be opened in partnership with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the National Football Foundation (NFF), the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Stadium.  The project honors the history, quality, and overall impact of players, coaches, and integral moments that have shaped the landscape of high school football in the state.  The Hall of Fame is open to all ticket holders on major event days, through the Stadium Tour program and on special requests.  

“Congratulations to all the California High School Football Hall of Fame inductees,” said CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti. “The influence of these honorees extends far beyond their athletic accomplishments, modeling the character and aspirations of those who follow in their footsteps.”

“The National Football Foundation (NFF) is proud of our partnership with the Rose Bowl Stadium, CIF, and Pro Football Hall of Fame in the establishment of the California High School Football Hall of Fame,” said Steve Hatchell, President and CEO of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, Inc. :From our founding in 1947 through today, the NFF has been steadfast in promoting all that is good in the game. Recognizing the very best that ever played interscholastic football in California, reflects that ongoing push. Congratulations to the class of 2024, we look forward to honoring your greatness this fall.”

The foundational donors to the project, Panish and Segal, have regularly supported Legacy’s efforts to preserve, protect, and enhance the Rose Bowl Stadium’s future over the years, both consider their time on the gridiron as value-shaping experiences that have crafted very successful careers. 

Panish, a former football student-athlete at St. John Bosco in Bellflower and Fresno State, has been involved in football for his entire life.  Bosco’s state-of-the-art stadium in Bellflower bears the Panish family’s name.  Panish is an Advisory Board member for the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation as part of a group continuing to preserve, protect, and enhance the future of the venue.  His competitive passion under the helmet has led to his leadership as the Founding Partner at Panish, Shea & Boyle LLP where he has become a national leader in his own right by obtaining some of the most significant jury verdicts and settlements in U.S. history on behalf of plaintiffs.

Segal is a former football student-athlete at local Pasadena High School and played under legendary coach Tom Hamilton for which tunnel 4 at the Rose Bowl is named.  The PHS Bulldogs compete annually on the hallowed Rose Bowl turf as part of the Turkey Tussle against rivals John Muir High School, the alma mater of the great Jackie Robinson. Segal is currently the President of the Legacy Foundation’s Board of Directors and is the Chair of its ongoing capital campaign in honor of the venue’s centennial.  He has been involved with the Foundation since its inception in 2010 and has heavily committed to the Stadium’s heritage including a 2017 major gift to renovate and open one of the Rose Bowl’s original locker rooms as a museum. Mickey is a Founder and Managing Partner of NKSFB, building a firm that started in 1981 into the largest business management firm in the United States.  

“The Rose Bowl Stadium is excited to recognize the next class of inductees to the California High School Football Hall of Fame,” said Rose Bowl Legacy Vice President for Advancement, Brian Brantley. This unique and cherished space continues to be the place to recognize top athletes, coaches, and administrators, and will inspire greatness for the next generation both on and off the playing field.”