In 1983, Rich Pucci’s son Jeff enrolled at Terra Nova High School. That sparked the beginning of a longtime relationship between the school and Pucci as he quickly joined the Booster Club.
Two years later, 1985, he took leadership of the booster club as president. From the very start, club membership dramatically increased as did all of the club’s fundraisers. For the next six years, funding to all boys’ and girls’ sports also increased.
Pucci served six years as president of the booster club, thus becoming the longest reigning president of the organization since its inception in 1961. From the time he actually joined the boosters until his final year, 1998, he had served 15 years.
For Pucci’s commitment to Terra Nova and the community and his advocacy of youth athletics, he will be inducted into the City of Pacifica Sports Hall of Fame.
This year’s PSHOF awards dinner will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Grosvenor Hotel, South San Francisco. No-host reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner and program to follow at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public.
Tickets are $45 per person. A table of 10 may be purchased for $450. Tickets may be obtained by calling 650-355-1034 or email to horaceh1@yahoo.com. Tickets will be available on a first come – first served basis. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Joining Pucci as inductees into the PSHOF Class of 2011 are Terra Nova soccer coach Ernie Brockmeyer, Hazel Beck, youth sports advocate and Allan Hale, coach and sponsor of recreational adult softball.
“School booster clubs are more than important to schools, they’re vital,” said Pucci, who remained on the booster club executive board for six more years following his exit as president. “Without booster clubs, uniforms and equipment would not get replaced in a timely manner and some sports might have to be eliminated altogether. It’s even happening at the college level.”
“Parents should get involved,” he adds. “They can and will make a difference and I’ll guarantee them that they will meet some great people with whom they will be friends for life.”
Through his leadership as president, Pucci and the booster club raised thousands of dollars for uniforms, equipment and awards. He also spearheaded efforts to maintain the football lights and upgrading the bleachers and scoreboards. Throughout all of his years of leadership, the booster club remained both visible and responsive to the needs of the student athletes and their programs.
Pucci recalls one of his fondest memories as being president of the booster club was the 25th anniversary of the Anchor Game in 1986, saying, “there was great team work between the Terra Nova and Oceana Booster Club members. The events leading up to game day and the planning days gave me a great sense of community. It was a very exciting time, and a thrill to be part of this hometown event.”
Pucci will be remembered as a hard worker, a person who worked at being involved with the booster club year-round, making sure that all teams, both boys’ and girls’ got what they needed and was fair with the many requests.
“Whether we replaced uniforms or added padding on the gym walls, they were all gratifying and important to us,” said Pucci, “But maybe the most important was keeping the football lights maintained so that night football could continue.”
Since the early days of Terra Nova, the booster club has sponsored the all-night graduate party. Pucci was the director and chairperson of this event for 13 continuous years.
“I have been rewarded by watching student athletes grow, mature and succeed,” exclaims Pucci. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”
Today, Pucci can be found at various Terra Nova sporting events.
“I’m back where I started, being an avid fan of Terra Nova, watching games with my hot dog and nachos.”
