Many high school athletes undoubtedly dream of becoming professional athletes, or at least reaching the big-time college level of competition. Statistically, few make it.

Even so, some people have the extraordinary opportunity to still be involved with major college and professional sports— not as athletes, but as observers and commentators. They’re living the dream and getting paid to do it.

Just a little more than six decades ago, George Maderos sat on the bench in City College of San Francisco’s gymnasium.

“How’s your ankle?” asked his coach, Al Schlueter.

“Which ankle?” Maderos responded with a grin.

On paper, it figured to be a mismatch of such huge proportions that most people involved probably pondered the need to play the game at all.

Though it was impossible to predict at the time, losing a singles match as a freshman turned out to be a pivotal moment for Matt Lucena.

It was the spring of 1985 and Lucena wasn’t even a student at Chico High School – rather, he was a ninth-grader at Chico Junior but standing tall among competitors who were typically juniors and seniors.

The students and teachers at your alma mater need your help now and in the future!  The importance and value of education have never been more crucial for our youth and for the future of our country. 

While it may seem overwhelming to change the national, state or even local systems of education, you can positively influence one school , one teacher, or one student at a place that matters to all of us... Chico High School (CHS)!

An abundance of athletic skill, solid academics and hard work, along with some good timing, proved to be the recipe for Mike Sherrard to reach the National Football League.

The 1981 Chico High School alumnus is also quick to credit his varsity football coach, John Beck, as a crucial part of that success.

From the gymnastics floor to high school hurdles to the Olympic bobsled track… Emily Azevedo could never have foretold such an odyssey.

Yet that’s exactly the path the 2001 Chico High School graduate has followed, culminating with an appearance at the recent Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Chico High School Foundation Board is proud to award $6,000 to the I-Tech Department to help purchase new computers for the lab classes taught by instructor Mike Bruggeman.

The money was raised by selling raffle tickets toward a children's playhouse built by CHS students this past summer. Ralph Meuter's ticket was pulled at the annual alumni recognition dinner held in the Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery last September and was given the keys to the playhouse a few days later.

School Board president Jann Reed recently announced that Roger Williams, former principal and current president of the Chico High Foundation, will receive the community service award in the name of Hank Marsh at the Chico Educators Hall of Fame dinner on March 10th at the California Park Pavillon. The dinner starts at 7 pm.

Mark Saturday, August 21st on your calendar!

On this date the CHS Foundation will recognize and celebrate the athletic careers of over 120 coaches who have led the varsity boys' and girls' teams at CHS. We cordially invite and encourage all former CHS athletes to attend the dinner, talk about the old days with your coach, and help raise monies for the athletic department. The Reunion will be held at the Manzanita Place/Elk's Lodge starting at 6pm. Tickets may be purchased on-line or at local business establishments.