The Pacific Athletic Foundation is excited to announce a Football Edition of Tiger Talk on Tuesday, May 5th featuring the Hall of Fame inductees and Amos Alonzo Stagg Award recipients that were set to be honored at the Pacific Hall of Fame and Honors Dinner this May before being postponed due to COVID-19.
The Tiger Talk will be hosted by Zack Bayrouty and feature inductees Daryl Hobbs ’91 and Greg Koperek ’90. Representing the 1972 and 1973 Pacific Football teams will be the former assistant coach, Walt Harris ’68. Joining them will be Stagg Award honorees Carl Kammerer ’60 and Fa’Tafa Jefferson ’97.
The Tiger Talk will be live from 4:00-5:30 on Zoom. To join the conversation, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86733734873 or click here.
About the inductees:
Daryl Hobbs (1991)
Hobbs was a wide receiver at Pacific for two seasons, playing for the Tigers in 1990 and 1991. During his time in Stockton, the Victoria, Texas native engraved his name onto a number of single-game, single-season and career record lists. One of his biggest accomplishments includes when Hobbs combined with teammate Aaron Turner for a record 419 yards in a game against Utah State on Nov. 17, 1990. Individually, Hobbs totaled 228 yards in the contest. The following season, he and Turner teamed up yet again, setting a single-season record for total receiving yards by two players with 2,446.
Overall, Hobbs ranks in the top ten in multiple categories at Pacific, holding the single-season record for touchdowns (14), receiving touchdowns (12), receiving yards (848), receptions (62), and all-purpose yards (1,466). In the career record books, Hobbs ranks third in total receptions (124), receiving yards (1,690), touchdown receptions (26), and is ninth in scoring (158).
Following his time at UOP, Hobbs played seven seasons in the NFL, opening his career with the Los Angeles Raiders before going on to play for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.
Greg Koperek (1990)
Regarded as one of the most successful athletes in program history, Koperek played an integral role for the Tigers during his four years with the program. Selected as an All-American in 1988, the defensive back was named captain of the Tigers squad and the Douglass S. Vieira Most Valuable Player in 1989 despite playing a majority of the season with a broken wrist. Koperek would go on to finish his career at Pacific with 10 total interceptions. Also serving as the Tigers’ punt and kick returner, Koperek returned 29 kicks and averaged 20 yards per kick return, including 10.4 yards per return in 1988.
The three-time All-Conference selection also set two single-season records during his time with the Tigers, tallying 6 interceptions in 1989 and returning 17 kick-offs for 342 total yards in 1988.
Despite injury, Koperek always proved to come back strong on the field. Ultimately, this courage was recognized when he won the Tully C. Knoles Ironman Award, which was given to a player who exemplifies the desire for perfection in all activities despite physical limitations.
1972 and 1973 Football Teams
Under the leadership of the late Chester Caddas, the 1972 and 1973 football teams combined for a .750 winning percentage after going 8-3 in 1972 and 7-2-1 in 1973.
The 1972 team finished with the most wins by any Pacific football team in the Division I-A era and the best record by a Tiger team since 1949. The squad had one of the biggest turnarounds in school history, finishing fifth nationally in rushing defense (101.1 yds/gm) and 12th nationally in rushing offense (265.2 yds/gm).
Following the 1972 season, Caddas was tabbed the Northern California Coach of the Year by the NorCal Football Writers’ Association. Other accolades included 17 players being named All-Conference and three All-American selections, including two-time All-American Willie Viney.
The 1973 team, placed its name on a number of Pacific’s top 10 lists, including ranking first for fewest total yards allowed (62) and second for the largest margin of victory in a Big West Game, defeating Fresno State 42-0.
The Amos Alonzo Stagg Award was established in 1981 by former Graduate Manager of Athletics Bob Breeden, Pacific Alumni Director Kara Brewer, and Director of Athletics Elkin Isaac. The award recognizes a former Pacific student-athlete who has achieved significant distinction in his/her life through the notable examples of integrity, dedication, idealism, and team spirit that Mr. Stagg personified and to which Pacific is dedicated.
About our Stagg Award honorees …
Carl Kammerer (1960)
Kammerer played three seasons (1957, 1958, 1960) with the Tigers, sitting out his junior year due to injury. Following his final season at Pacific, Kammerer enjoyed a nine-year career playing professional football after being selected in the second round of the 1960 NFL Draft. His stops in the league included seven years with the Washington Redskins and two with the San Francisco 49ers.
After his retirement in 1969, Kammerer worked in numerous government positions, including as a senior executive at the Atomic Energy Commission and its successor agency, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Now retired as a charter member of the federal government’s Senior Executive Service, Kammerer serves as a liaison for Sports and Recreation for the Walter Reed Society Board of Directors. He spends much of his time arranging golf tournaments for former NFL players and wounded veterans to compete in. Since 2010, Kammerer has raised nearly $375,000 for the Walter Reed Society.
Fa’tafa Jefferson (1997)
After wrapping up his collegiate playing career at Pacific, Jefferson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1997. Despite sustaining career-ending injuries to his shoulder and ankle while playing in the NFL, Jefferson went on to launch and is now the CEO of the franchise, Amada Senior Care, which provides both in-home care and assisted living options to the ever-growing senior population. Tafa himself is a Certified Nursing Aide, and focused on care of patients with varying stages of Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Amada Care has grown to include over 400 employees and over 65 franchise locations nationwide, filling a niche of care that’s expected to continue growing and one where Tafa can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Jefferson also has a focus on bringing more women and minorities into Amada ownership. Most recently, Jefferson announced that Amada Senior Care would become the official sponsor and exclusive in-home care provider for former NFL league players, coaches, staffers, cheerleaders, and family members.
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