"Welcome to the first game played at Glendale College," shouted Brian
Beauchemin over the Glendale Community College public address system.
With those words, the Vaqueros' 2005 football season kicked off,
as did a new era in Glendale College sports.
Saturday's game against Southwestern College marked the opening of
Sartoris Field at Glendale College and the first time in the history
of the Vaqueros program -- which has fielded a football team since
1928 -- that a home game has been played at the college.
It was a night of firsts.
Quarterback Steve Martinez' six-yard scoring run in the opening
quarter became the first points scored by a Vaquero on the field,
coming shortly after Samuel Ledford ran for his team's initial first
down and Martinez completed his team's first pass.
There was a first of almost everything on the field, of course --
but a first victory must wait.
Unfortunately for the Vaquero faithful, a valiant Glendale College
comeback fell short in a 39-36 loss to Southwestern. Nonetheless, the
night served a bigger purpose historically as the beginning of a
bright future for Vaquero athletics.
"It was great to come out here and play in front of these fans,"
said Martinez, who quarterbacked his team in front of a near-capacity
crowd.
The field, which bears the name of Athletic Director Jim Sartoris,
was the centerpiece of a banner day. It began with a campus luncheon
in which the field was officially dedicated to Sartoris.
"It's actually kind of embarrassing. Most of the time a field's
named after someone who's dead or donated a million dollars,"
Sartoris said with a smile. "At the same time, it's a great honor.
I'm really proud of the fact that they'd use my name."
Sartoris has been involved with Glendale College for 39 years,
first as an All-American football player and then, from 1972 to 1988,
as a head coach, posting an impressive 111-63-1 record. He coached 30
All-Americans during his time, but his most well-known former player
is Andy Reid, the Philadelphia Eagles head coach.
Reid's name sits upon the field's scoreboard -- he and his family
donated the $75,000 needed to install the state-of-the-art device.
Reid spoke by phone with Sartoris during the pregame festivities,
with the conversation broadcast to the crowd.
"For myself and my teammates, I thank you for all you've done for
us," said Reid, who played for the Vaqueros from 1976-77. A humble
Sartoris was quick to remark that the day wasn't just his -- it
