Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room

Title: Dewey Guerra Papers

Identifier/Call Number: MC 74

Physical Description: .25 Linear Feet 1 Archival Folder

Date (inclusive): 1940-1979

Abstract: Collection contains a diverse set of paper formats that cover the life of legendary Sacramento high school football coach Dewey Guerra.

Dewey Peter Guerra, Jr., was born on April 20, 1927, in Oakland, California. After high school, he entered the military and was posted to Duke Field, Florida, and then Camp Beale, California, as a member of the United States Army Air Force. After the service, Guerra attended college at San Francisco City College and San Francisco State College where he excelled as a fullback and defensive end. He married Bonnie D. O'Brien in October 1949 in Alameda, California. Guerra then pursued a career as both a football coach and physical education teacher. During his tenure at Folsom High School of Folsom, California, and Cordova High School of Rancho Cordova, California, Guerra's teams became regional and state powers, utilizing the revolutionary "wishbone" offense. Folsom was the best team in Northern California in 1962 while Cordova – through the 1970s – compiled a 106-7-1 record, earning it the fearsome title of the "Big Red Machine." Guerra's 1975 team was the first in Northern California to finish No. 1 in the country. He went on to coach the America River College football team from 1976 to 1984. Guerra died on August 23, 2012, and it interned at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California.

Occupying a single acid-free folder are photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, sport programs and other ephemera covering the life of Guerra and his squads. Sacramento Superior Court probate records regarding the estate of Dewey Peter Guerra, Sr., have been removed and are restricted from viewing.

[Identification of item], Dewey Guerra Papers, MC 74, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California.