Homecoming at MPC

by Denise Sallee, MPC Library Archivist

By the 1920’s, American college and university campuses were enthusiastic about the celebration of “Homecoming Week.” The central focus is a football game in the fall, usually between longstanding team rivals, a parade of student-made floats and a dance that celebrates the Homecoming Court.

Homecoming Court 1954, El Paisano

MPC’s first football team played in 1948 as the campus was under construction.  The yearbook for 1949 reveals how our team valiantly struggled – making up for lack of experience with enthusiasm and pride in their new college.  The first coaches, Dan Dillon and Ralph Smith, knew their team was full of a “never-say-die type of spirit.”  Team co-captain and star, Luke Phillips went on to become one of MPC’s most successful football coaches.

  
MPC's first Footbal team in 1949, El Paisano

MPC rooters or yell and cheer leaders were an important part of infusing football games with plenty of energy and enthusiasm and helped to encourage supporters to never give up their hopes for a victororious outcome. These MPC cheerleaders, from the 1950’s, were an important part of the student community.

Cheerleaders, 1950s

MPC’s longstanding rival team has always been the Hartnell Panthers. This rivalry soon led to a multi-college team event held in Salinas and aptly named the Lettuce Bowl. The first year’s program featured a cover by local cartoonist Hank Ketcham, creator of the Dennis the Menace comic strip. MPC won the first Lettuce Bowl of 1961 with the amazing help of coaches, George Porter, Luke Phillips and Tor Spindler.

1961 Lettuce-Bowl: MPC players with trophy

  
Lettuce-Bowl 1961 program (left), Coaches Porter, Phillips and Spindle (right)

Monterey Peninsula College has produced a long list of winning football teams and outstanding players since those first games of the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. The 1961 and 1965 teams both rank among MPC’s all-time best football teams and featured some of our greatest players who later starred at four-year colleges and professionally in the NFL.

Football circa 1980