The Willow Glen Resident

Professional Advice: Willow Glen resident Eddie Taylor (center) speaks to a crowd of high school football players at a camp he co-hosted with Merton Hanks (right) of the San Francisco 49ers.

Hanks, Taylor host football camp

High school players put through their paces at Gunderson

Merton Hanks returned to the football field last week.

But the four-time All-Pro free safety wasn't on the field for training camp, preparing for another season for the San Francisco 49ers.

No, Hanks took the field as a coach, not a player, when he teamed with longtime friend Eddie Taylor to host the annual Merton Hanks/Eddie Taylor Football Camp for high school football players.

The camp was held June 17-20 on the field at Gunderson High School in San Jose, and Hanks and Taylor were joined by a host of local high school football coaches who put 80 players through their paces in preparation for the upcoming 1998 season.

Taylor is a former San Jose State University football star who went on to play professionally in the NFL and in Canada. He now works with the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall and resides locally in the Willow Glen area with his wife, Val.

Taylor was an outstanding defensive back for the Spartans before going on to play for the 49ers and Denver Broncos. He went on to play four years in the Canadian Football League, three for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and one with the British Columbia Lions.

His finest season was in 1993 with the Lions when he intercepted five passes, was in on 48 tackles and recovered four fumbles.

Hanks will begin his eighth season as a pro this fall. He went to his fourth Pro Bowl last year after leading the league in interceptions. The 49er star was an All-American at the University of Iowa.

The camp was open to players entering grades 9-12 this fall, and campers were offered intensive position coaching each day, as well as motivational and personal development instruction.

Among those joining Hanks and Taylor for guest appearances at the camp were Terrell Owens, running back for the 49ers, Derrick Lavelle, running back for the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, Jay Taylor, defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Carmen Policy, president of the San Francisco 49ers.

High school coaches played a key role as instructors at the camp. Among those high school head coaches participating were Myron Zaccheo, the veteran area coach who recently retired as the Pioneer head coach, Mark Krail of Pioneer, Kevin Collins of Del Mar and Mike Machado of Valley Christian.

Players attending the camp came from as far away as Monterey, but most campers were from schools in the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

"Camper of the Day" honors were presented following Thursday's session, and Pioneer football players dominated, with Grant Murdock (linebacker), Kevin Sparrer (defensive line), John Rieland (offensive line) and Craig Sanchez (offensive back) each winning awards.

[ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ]