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USF Football Legend Larry Siemering Dies at 98
Aug. 4, 2009
(Watsonville, CA) – Lawrence “Larry” Siemering, a two-sport star at the University of San Francisco, passed away last Monday in Watsonville. He was 98 and leaves behind a remarkable legacy.
An All-Coast selection in football at USF, Siemering also played baseball on the Hilltop before embarking professional football career. The Lodi native spent two seasons in the NFL (1935-36) playing center for the Boston Redskins and was the oldest surviving professional football player at the time of his passing.
Siemering returned to the West Coast and began a remarkable coaching career at the prep, junior college and collegiate levels. He succeeded the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg at the College of the Pacific in 1947 and guided the Tigers to an undefeated season in 1949, highlighted by a one point win against a powerful USF team. That was the only close call for Pacific which outscored their opponents 575-66, but were ultimately denied a bowl bid because of the school’s small size.
After spending two seasons at Arizona State, Siemering spent 17 seasons coaching at Cabrillo College in Aptos. He retired in 1970. A 1935 graduate, Siemering was inducted into the USF Hall of Fame in 1959 and was enshrined in the inaugural class of the University of the Pacific Hall of Fame.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
San Francisco Chronicle Recap: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/07/30/BADL190JC0.DTL
Lodi Times Tribute: http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2009/07/29/sports/1_siemering_090729.txt
