Santa Clara: A Legacy in Sports

Feedback

The City of Santa Clara has a proud tradition of producing athletes, coaches, and sports figures who have made a lasting impact on the local, state, national, and even international stage. This page celebrates individuals from our area whose achievements in sports have brought recognition to themselves and to our community.

This list has been compiled in 2025 to recognize the achievements of our community as we prepare to host both Super Bowl LX and FIFA World Cup in 2026.

The individuals included here have been recognized for significant contributions to athletics through competition, leadership, or influence in the sporting world. Selections are based on:

Connection to our community (born, raised, or long-term resident).
Notable accomplishments in state, national, or international competition.
Meaningful contributions to the growth, recognition, or development of their sport.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | V | W | Z

Last Name, First Name	Sport	Santa Clara Affiliation	Primary Achievements
Anderson, Wayne	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1964 Summer Olympics
Aozasa, Margueritte	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	Head coach of UCLA 2022 NCAA D1 Championship Team
Arellanes, Frank	Baseball	SCU Baseball	First Mexican-American to play in the American League.
Awtrey, Dennis	Basketball	SCU Basketball	16-year career in the National Basketball Association
Baicher, Jeff	Soccer	SCU Men's Soccer	1989 Hermann Trophy Winner, Major League Soccer player, member of USMNT
Ballouchy, Mehdi	Soccer	SCU Men's Soccer	Midfielder, Major League Soccer
Barker, Bryan	Football	SCU Football	16-year career as a punter in the National Football League
Bartkowski, Steve	Football	SCUSD Buchser High School	2x Pro Bowl quarterback in the National Football League
Barton, Carrie	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2000 Summer Olympics
Bartosik, Alison	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	2x Bronze Medalist, 2004 Summer Games
Bartz, Jenny	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1972 Summer Olympics
Bennett, Ben	Football	SCUSD Peterson High School	Arena Football League Hall of Fame Class of 2000
Berk, Brent	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1968 Summer Olympics
Bianco, Suzannah	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Gold Medalist, 1996 Summer Olympics
Boccabella, John	Baseball	SCU Baseball	12-season career in Major League Baseball
Bochte, Bruce	Baseball	SCU Baseball	12-season career in Major League Baseball
Boitano, Brian	Figure Skating	SCUSD Peterson High School	Gold Medalist at 1988 Winter Olympics and 2x World Champion
Bottom, Joe	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Silver Medalist, 1976 Summer Olympics
Bravo, Paul	Soccer	SCU Men's Soccer	1989 NCAA D1 Co-Championship Team, Major League Soccer player, member of USMNT
Bruce, Tom	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Medalist, 1972 Summer Olympics
Buckingham, Greg	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Silver Medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics
Burke, Lynn	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Gold Medalist, 1960 Summer Olympics
Cannon, Joe	Soccer	SCU Men's Soccer	2001 MLS Cup Champion Goalkeeper
Carey, Mike	Football	SCU Football	First African American referee to officiate an NFL championship game (Super Bowl XLII).
Carver, Chris	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Coach, Synchronized Swimming, 2004 Summer Games
Chastain, Brandi	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	2x Gold Medalist and 2x World Cup Champion with USWNT
Clark, Steve	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	3x Gold Medalist, 1964 Summer Olympics
Connelly, Craig	Football	Santa Clara resident	50+ years with the Santa Clara Lions Pop Warner youth football program
Cosbie, Doug	Football	SCU Football	All-Pro Tight End, National Football League
Crow, Tamara	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Bronze Medalist, 2004 Summer Games
Culp, Janet	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2008 Summer Olympics
de Varona, Donna	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Gold Medalist, 1964 Summer Olympic Games
Dobratz, Erin	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Bronze Medalist, 2004 Summer Games
Dyroen-Lancer, Becky	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Gold Medalist, 1996 Summer Olympics
Edmunds, Polina	Figure Skating	SCU Alumni	2014 Winter Olympian and 2013 U.S. National Junior Champion
Ertz, Julie	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	2x World Cup Champion with USWNT and professional soccer player
Faylor, John	Football	SCU Football	Defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers
Finn, Bridgit	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2000 Summer Olympics
Finneran, Sharon	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Silver Medalist, 1964 Summer Olympics
Fitzpatrick, Jim	Rugby	SCU Rugby Club	Gold Medalist, 1920 Summer Olympics
Grote, Kurt	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Gold Medalist, 1996 Summer Olympics
Gustavson, Linda	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	3x Medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics
Haines, George	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Santa Clara Swim Club founder and coach Olympic Medalists
Hait, Paul	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Gold Medalist, 1960 Summer Olympics
Harrison, George	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Gold Medalist, 1960 Summer Olympics
Hencken, John	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	5x Olympic Medalist, 1972 and 1968 Summer Olympics
Henne, Jan	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	4x Medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics
Hogan, Happy	Baseball	SCU Baseball	Player and manager in the Pacific Coast League for 12 seasons
Hooven, Kate	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2008 Summer Olympics
Hunter, Lou	Rugby	SCU Rugby Club	Gold Medalist, 1920 Summer Olympics
Ilman, Gary	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Gold Medalist, 1964 Summer Olympics
Ivey, Mitch	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Medalist, 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics
Jager, Tom	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	7x Medalist, 1984, 1988, and 1992 Summer Olympics
Jamison, Cathy	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1968 Summer Olympics
Jenkins, Margaret	Track & Field	SCUSD Santa Clara High School	First United States Women's Team, 1928 and 1932 Summer Olympics
Jezek, Linda	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Silver Medalist, 1976 Summer Olympics
Job, Brian	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Bronze medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics
Jones, Brent	Football	SCU Football	3x Super Bowl Champion and All-Pro Tight End
Jones, Christina	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2008 Summer Olympics
Jones, Suzy	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1968 Summer Olympics
Khalipa, Jason	CrossFit	SCU Alumni	2008 World CrossFit Games Champion
Killman, Mary	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2012 Summer Olympics
Kolb, Claudia	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	3x Medalist, 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics
Kozlova, Anna	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	2x Bronze Medalist, 2004 Summer Games
Lansford, Carney	Baseball	SCUSD Wilcox High School	World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics
Lowe, Sara	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Bronze Medalist, 2004 Summer Games
Lum, Kristina	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2000 Summer Olympics
Madigan, Matthew	Rowing	SCU Alumni	Coach, Women's Rowing, 2008 and 2012 Summer Games
Malley, Pat	Football	SCU Football	Longtime Head Coach of Santa Clara Broncos Football
Mannelli, Caeser	Rugby	SCU Rugby Club	Gold Medalist, 1920 Summer Olympics
McConneloug, Mary	Cycling	SCU Alumni	Cyclist, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics
McFall, Lauren	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Bronze Medalist, 2004 Summer Games
McPherson, Bill	Football	SCU Football	Five-Time Super Bowl Champion Coach
Middaugh, Tuesday	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2000 Summer Olympics
Moe, Karen	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Gold Medalist, 1972 Summer Olympics
Morabito, Tony	Football	SCU Football	Founder of the San Francisco 49ers
Morales, Pablo	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	5x Medalist, 1984 and 1992 Summer Olympics
Nash, Julian	Soccer	Santa Clara Sporting	2017 US National Footgolf Champion
Nash, Steve	Basketball	SCU Basketball	Highly accomplished player in the National Basketball Association
Nikfar, Amin	Track & Field	SCUSD Wilcox High School	Shotputter, 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics
Nott, Andrea	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Synchronized Swimmer, 2008 Summer Olympics
Ogden, Bud	Basketball	SCU Basketball	2x WCC champion and 2 seasons in the NBA
Ogden, Ralph	Basketball	SCU Basketball	2x WCC champion and 30+ years playing and coaching professional basketball in Germany
Oldham, John	Baseball	SCU Baseball	Major League Baseball player and collegiate coach
O'Neil, John	Rugby	SCU Rugby Club	2x Gold Medalist, 1920 and 1924 Olympics
Osborne, Leslie	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	2001 NCAA D1 championship team, professional soccer, member USWNT
Pastorini, Dan	Football	SCU Football	Quarterback, National Football League
Piraro, Sam	Baseball	Mission College Baseball	Founder and longtime head coach of Misssion College Baseball
Rambis, Kurt	Basketball	SCU Basketball	9x NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers
Rast, Cameron	Soccer	SCU Men's Soccer	USMNT player, 1992 Summer Olympics
Reeder, Judy	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1964 Summer Olympics
Rickon, Kelly	Rowing	SCU Alumni	Silver Medalist, 1984 Summer Olympics
Rivero, Ray	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1968 Summer Olympics
Roth, Dick	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Gold Medalist, 1964 Summer Olympics
Rothhammer, Keena	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Medalist, 1972 Summer Olympics
Ruffo, Al	Football	SCU Football	Legal counsel and assistant coach, San Francisco 49ers
Schmidt, Henry	Athletic Training	SCU Athletics	50+ years as SCU Athletic Trainers
Schollander, Don	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	6x Medalist, 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics
Scholz, Rudy	Rugby	SCU Rugby Club	2x Gold Medalist, 1920 and 1924 Olympics
Schott, Steve	Baseball	SCU Baseball	Former owner, Oakland Athletics
Sears, Ken	Basketball	SCU Basketball	8-season career in the National Basketball Association
Serlenga, Nikki	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	Olympic Silver Medalist with the USWNT and three years of professional soccer
Shaw, Lawrence	Football	SCU Football	Head coach for Santa Clara Broncos Football and San Francisco 49ers
Simmons-Carrasco, Heather	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Gold Medalist, 1996 Summer Olympics
Slaton, Danielle	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	2001 NCAA D1 championship team, Olympic Silver Medalist with the USWNT, professional soccer player
Smith, Jerry	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	Head coach of 2x NCAA D1 Championship teams, Coach of the Year 2001
Spitz, Mark	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	11x Medalist, 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics
Stickles, Terri	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Bronze medalist, 1964 Summer Olympics
Sudduth, Jill	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Gold Medalist, 1996 Summer Olympics
Swagerty, Jane	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Bronze medalist, 1968 Summer Olympics
Townsend, Ed	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1964 Summer Olympics
Trethewey, Tom	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1964 Summer Olympics
Vidali, Lynn	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Medalist, 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics
von Saltza, Chris	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	4x Medalist, 1960 Summer Olympics
Wagner, Aly	Soccer	SCU Women's Soccer	2x Olympic Gold Medalist with USWNT, professional soccer player
Wall, Michael	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics
Warner, Anne	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1960 Summer Olympics
Watson, Lillian	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	2x Gold Medalist, 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics
Wilkens, Tom	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Bronze Medalist, 2000 Summer Games
Williams, Carroll	College Athletics Administration	SCU Athletics	SCU Basketball Head Coach and Athletic Director
Wurzel, Kim	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Gold Medalist, 1996 Summer Olympics
Wylie, Jenny	Swimming	Santa Clara Swim Club	Swimmer, 1972 Summer Olympics
Zanotto, Kendra	Synchronized Swimming	Santa Clara Aquamaids	Bronze Medalist, 2004 Summer Olympics

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and we welcome suggestions from the public to ensure it continues to grow and reflect the full breadth of our community’s sports history.

Questions or Suggestions?
If you have questions, corrections, or would like to suggest an individual for inclusion, please contact us at: librarians@santaclaraca.gov

Last Updated:

09-03-2025