Several of the players who started the winning tradition in boys soccer at Santa Barbara High gathered for a reunion at the home of their coach, Lito Garcia, recently.
Started in 1973 by student Alfonso Guzman, the Dons’ soccer program three-peated as CIF-Southern Section champions, winning their first title in 1975 and repeating in 1976 and ’77.
“It was a special occasion filled with rich memories of our soccer past, filled with Don pride, emotion and joy amongst the players, family and friends present to commemorate the past and rekindle past friendships,” said Peter Guzman, a member of the ’75 and ’76 championship teams.
Those early teams set the standard of success at Santa Barbara. The program has won a total of seven CIF-SS crowns and one CIF State Regional title.
The players from the three-peat championship teams attending the reunion were David de L’Arbre, Lenny Mendoza, Joaquin Paz, Trent Smith, Gus Guzman, Tavi Melero, Mario Cuevas, Rudy Ybarra, Arturo Vallecillo, Alfonso Guzman, Peter Guzman, Gallito Adame, Eric Lozano, Miguel Rodriguez, Walter Zungri, and Marcus Favela.
Lozano, Gus Guzman and Vallecillo, played on all three championship teams coached by Garcia.
The day of memories and celebration was capped by a presentation of a commemorative plaque to Coach Garcia. The plaque included the following inscription:
“Coach Lito Garcia’s life-long contribution and dedication to the Santa Barbara High School Dons Soccer program, players, and student body have generated years of soccer excellence to the greater Dons community by inspiring those who have followed you now, and, for many years to come.”
