Tucker Field coming at OCC

Orange Coast College will name its football playing surface Dick Tucker Field in honor of the school’s former longtime football coach and athletic director who guided the Pirates to national championships in 1963 and 1975.

A ceremony marking the change will be held Sept. 3, when OCC plays its first home game against East Los Angeles, prior to the 6 p.m. kickoff. The field’s name will appear on the scoreboard.

Tucker coached the Pirates for 24 seasons and was the school’s athletic director for 10 years before retiring in 1995. In addition to the two national championships, his football teams won six conference championships and made six postseason/bowl appearances. His 129 career wins are the most in OCC history and in 2004, Tucker was inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame.

“When I first heard about the honor, I was surprised beyond belief,” said Tucker, 88, a Newport Beach resident. “It is such a nice gesture and I really appreciate all of the people who ran with this idea and made it possible.”

The idea, approved by the Coast Community College Board of Trustees on June 15, was spearheaded by Tucker’s son, Clay, a former Corona del Mar High quarterback who played for his father at OCC in 1981 and 1982. The proposal was advanced by Doug Bennett, the school’s executive director of college advancement, after Bennett heard requests from Tucker’s family members as well as many former players and community members who wanted to see this honor take place.

“The request came from alumni, community members and Coach Tucker’s family after the 50th anniversary celebration for Dick’s 1963 national championship team and the 40th anniversary of his 1975 national championship team,” Bennett said.

The football stadium opened in 1955 and was originally named Orange Coast College Stadium. In 1967, the stadium was renamed Harry Le Bard Stadium in honor of Harry R. Le Bard, a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the then-Orange Coast Junior College District.

In addition to the Pirates, numerous high schools use the field for games. It is also the home field for Golden West College football.

Bennett said the name change has been endorsed by OCC coaches, the kinesiology and athletics division, and the college’s Institutional Advancement and Effectiveness Planning Council. It is recommended that the title of Dick Tucker Field would be subject to review in one generation (about 20-25 years).

In 1996, Tucker was inducted into the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he was inducted into the OCC Athletics Hall of Fame. He was conference coach of the year six times and state coach of the year twice.

In addition to 11 seasons at Brea Olinda High, which he guided to two CIF Southern Section championships, his 35-year coaching record was 231-115-5

“I put a lot of wonderful years into Orange Coast College and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Tucker said. “Again, I am so appreciative of everyone who helped make this happen.”

— From staff reports

— From staff reports