The Historic Sports Legacy of Stockton, California

Stockton has been a home for many athletes throughout the years. From baseball to football, combat sports to the Olympics, our Port City has produced or guided past, present, and future gladiators that have made an impact in athletic competitions.

Fun Fact: Stockton was once the summer home of the San Francisco 49ers.

Laying the Foundation

One of the first to change the game in their field was the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg, who coached at the University of the Pacific and was pioneer of college football. Most recently, Pacific opened the Stagg Memorial Football Plaza—a 9,000 sq. ft. open space designed as a gathering place for alumni and students to learn of the storied past of Pacific Football through the narratives and interactive displays.

Amos Alonzo Stagg with the College of the Pacific Football Team at University of Chicago Stagg Field, October 10, 1946.
(Photo courtesy of University of the Pacific Archives)

Legacy of UOP

The University of the Pacific was also the collegiate home of two legendary coaches in the NFL. A Super Bowl champion, former Raiders head coach, and inductee into the NFL Hall of Fame, Tom Flores was a 1958 graduate of the illustrious university back when it was called the College of the Pacific. About two decades later, Pacific would produce another Super Bowl-winning legendary coach for the NFL: the Seattle Seahawks’ own Pete Carroll. Additionally, current Lodi High coach Greg Bishop was Stockton born and a UOP graduate. All three of these men were inducted into Pacific’s own Hall of Fame.

The NFL’s Vice President of Officiating & Fox Sports’ Rules Analyst Mike Pereira is Stockton-born, having attended many of the Portuguese festivals in our city. Also, two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer at the 1964 Olympic games in Tokyo Cathy Ferguson was born right here in Stockton. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1978.

Cathy Ferguson at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.
(Photo courtesy of Swimming World Archive)

And of course, we can’t talk about athletes in Stockton and not mention the great fighting spirit that is rooted in this city. Stockton is the adopted home of legendary boxer Alvaro “Indian Yaqui” Lopez and his Fat City Boxing Club, which provides a space for underprivileged youth to channel their energy. Then, there's the two brothers who dominate the octagon. The creators of the “Stockton slap.” They are MMA legends Nick and Nate Diaz—the latter of which was honored with the key to the city by Mayor Kevin Lincoln. The Diaz Brothers provide a local training venue with the Nick Diaz Academy, a big part of Stockton's Jiu Jitsu community that teaches adults Gracie Jiu Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling. They also provide classes for local youth as well. And finally, Stockton's own Gabriel Flores, Jr. has made a name for himself early in his young career. The 24 year-old continues the Flores and Stockton boxing legacy with his current reign as the WBA Continental Champion—having won the title at the March 16, 2024 "Reloaded" fight at the Adventist Health Arena and later defending it July 20 at the Stockton Ballpark.

Check out the complete list of Stocktonian athletes below. The names in bold are those who were born right here in Stockton:

Ricky Barnes (born 1981), professional golfer
Bob Beckham (1928- ), softball hall of famer
Greg Bishop (born 1971), NFL offensive tackle
Dallas Braden (born 1983), MLB pitcher
Brooke Bryant (born 2001), hockey player for PWHL in Minnesota
Tony Calvelli (1915-1979), former NFL lineman for the Detroit Lions & San Francisco 49ers
Pete Carroll (born 1951), NFL coach
Shante Carver (born 1971), NFL defensive end
Erik Centeno (born 2002), soccer player for Atlanta United
Brandin Cooks (born 1993), NFL wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams
Nate Diaz (born 1985), mixed martial artist
Nick Diaz (born 1983), mixed martial artist, Former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion
Dennis Edwards (born 1959), NFL defensive end
Frederick Feary (1912–1994), boxer, 1932 U.S. Amateur champion and Olympic bronze medalist
Cathy Ferguson (born 1948), swimmer, 2-time Olympic gold medalist
Conn Findlay (1930–2021), 2-time Olympic gold medalist rower and sailor (America's Cup)
Ed Fisher (born 1949), NFL and USFL guard
Gabriel Flores, Jr. (born 2000)
Bob Garibaldi (1942-2023), former relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
Jacki Gemelos (born 1983), WNBA player
John Gianelli (born 1950), pro basketball player
Brian Goodell (born 1959), Olympic gold medalist and world record-holding swimmer
Eddie Guardado (born 1970), MLB relief pitcher
Wayne Hardin (born 1927), College Football Hall of Fame at Navy and Temple (attended and coached at University of the Pacific)
Willard Harrell (born 1952), NFL running back
Von Hayes (born 1958), MLB outfielder
J. D. Hill (born 1948), NFL wide receiver
Dan Inosanto (born 1936), martial arts instructor
Hue Jackson (born 1965), NFL coach (attended and coached at University of the Pacific)
Trumaine Johnson (born 1990), NFL cornerback
Derek Kennard (born 1962), NFL guard and center
Dean Kremer (born 1996), Israeli-American MLB starting pitcher
Eddie LeBaron (born 1930), NFL quarterback, College Football Hall of Fame (attended University of the Pacific)
Mike Macfarlane (born 1964), MLB catcher
Doug Martin (born 1989), NFL running back
Mike Merriweather (born 1960), NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl linebacker (attended University of the Pacific)
Pete Morelli (born 1951), NFL referee
James Nunnally (born 1990), pro basketball player
Michael Olowokandi (born 1975), NBA center, first pick in the 1998 NBA Draft (attended University of the Pacific)
Brian Peets (born 1956), NFL tight end
Mike Pereira (born 1950), NFL vice president of officiating, rules analyst for Fox Sports
Louis Rankin (born 1985), NFL and CFL running back
Jose Rojas (born 1990), racquetball player
Brad Schumacher (born 1974), two-time, two-sport Olympian in swimming and water polo, 2-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming (attended University of the Pacific)
Bill Simoni (born 1928), softball legend
Webster Slaughter (born 1964), NFL wide receiver
Andre Spencer (1964–2020), basketball player
Ed Sprague Jr. (born 1967), MLB third baseman
Amos Alonzo Stagg (1862–1965), pioneer of college football, coach at University of the Pacific
Jane Swagerty (born 1951), swimming, Olympic bronze medalist (attended University of the Pacific)
Julius Thomas (born 1988), NFL tight end
Marvin Wigley (1929-2015), volleyball pioneer
Eric Williams (born 1962), NFL defensive lineman
Dolores Wilson (born 1928), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League outfielder
Jim Winn (born 1959), MLB relief pitcher
Kenny Wooten (born 1998), NBA power forward