Published in cooperation between Digital Whiskers and the Gilroy Dispatch
People in this region have a lot of love for our local educational establishments. One of the most obvious ways that we can show our pride is by getting behind the sports teams. Gavilan Rams athletics represents the college across a number of different sports, in both men’s and women’s competition, and the football team even won a national championship in 1973.
Everyone who attends Gavilan receives preparation for a successful life, and the athletics programs can sometimes lead to sporting achievement. Not all of the athletes who represent Gavilan become household names and the type of pro who features on the nightly highlights reels and on the best California betting apps. But there have been a few that have made it in the pro game.
Many of the student athletes currently playing on Rams teams will be hoping that their talent might be able to take them to a professional sports career. So, here are some former Rams who can act as inspiration to today’s athletes. These esteemed members of the Gavilan alumni went from being a Ram to professional sports.
Jeff Garcia, Football
Born right here in Gilroy in 1970, Jeff Garcia went on to play as a quarterback in both the NFL and the CFL, becoming a four-time Pro Bowler and a Grey Cup champion in the process. Garcia is a real local hero, having played at a high school in the city before attending Gavilan College in 1989.
Garcia played one year as a Ram, passing for 2,038 yards for 18 touchdowns, and rushing 584 yards for four TDs of his own. His performances for Gavilan saw him earn a transfer to San Jose State, where he played for three years. After going undrafted, Garcia headed north to the CFL, where he initially played for four years.
Garcia won the Grey Cup and claimed the MVP award with Calgary in 1998 and then signed on as a backup to Steve Young at the San Francisco 49ers. He would go on to play 125 regular season games—as well as another six in the playoffs—across five pro teams in a 12-year NFL career. He still jointly holds the record for the longest touchdown pass at 99 yards.
Louis Mackey, Football
First attending high school in his home town of Richmond, and then in Albany, Louis Mackey shone as a running back and a linebacker—as well as featuring on the track and field team. He would then enroll at Gavilan and became a Ram, featuring as a strong safety and a linebacker. He won all-conference honors in his two years at the school.
Mackey transferred to Akron for his junior season, but went undrafted in 2001, ultimately signing as a free agent for the Dallas Cowboys. Injuries would plague his NFL career, however, and he was waived in 2003 even though he had become an important member of the special teams unit. After leaving the game to become a teacher, Mackey made a sensational comeback in Canada, playing for another two years with the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL before retiring for good in 2007.
Frank LaCorte, Baseball
Another local, Frank LaCorte, was born in San Jose and attended both Gilroy High School and Gavilan College, where he honed his pitching technique to a level that earned him a career in Major League Baseball. He had been playing for three years as a pro when he signed with the Atlanta Braves as an undrafted free agent.
LaCorte began as a starting pitcher for the Braves before being traded to the Houston Astros after four years in Georgia. He was an important member of the Astros bullpen and played in arguably the most exciting NLCS ever, when Houston eventually lost to Philadelphia in a series that featured multiple extra innings. LaCorte finally retired in 1984, with a record of 23 Major League wins, including 372 strikeouts and 26 saves.
Figure 2 LaCorte played in the biggest stadiums in the country after starring as a Ram – Source: Unsplash
Jeff Ulbrich, Football
Spending much of his sports career in California, Jeff Ulbrich was a football and wrestling star in high school before redshirting his one season at San Jose State, and then transferring to Gavilan. Ulbrich really boosted his future career hopes as a Ram, being named as team MVP and winning first-team All-Conference honors.
Ulbrich would then play college football at the University of Hawaii and was taken by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Although injuries would cut down his playing time for the Niners, Ulbrich eventually enjoyed a 10-year NFL career as a linebacker, making it to the playoffs twice. He has gone on to enjoy a successful coaching career and is currently the defensive coordinator at the Atlanta Falcons.
Dream to Succeed
Not every student athlete at Gavilan College will have realistic hopes of turning professional. Many will see this as the pinnacle of their sports career, or even just use their time as a Ram as an important stepping stone to greater things. As a community college, Gavilan understands its role in the lives of all of its students, including the athletes representing the various Rams teams.
But everyone who attends Gavilan can use these former students as inspiration in their own journeys. It just goes to show that the foundation that is built at Gavilan can help students fulfil their dreams and become successful, whatever their chosen path.
