Friday Night Heroes: What's New

Friday Night Heroes featured
in Bakersfield Californian

Author Rick Van Horne was the focus of a cover story in the Sports Monday edition of The Bakersfield Californian on Monday, July 31, 2006. Here’s a link to the story on the Californian’s website: http://www.bakersfield.com/136/story/65054.html

These links sometimes expire or are archived, then you have to pay to read them, so we’ve reprinted the full text of the story below. The story and photos are copyrighted, so do not reproduce.

Press Clips

Southwest Voice

A century of Driller tradition

Description: New book offers first history of Bakersfield High School football

BAKERSFIELD (Aug. 2, 2006) — The makings of an American football dynasty took shape in 1896 with the first reported high school football game in Bakersfield. A team that would later be called the Drillers would lead the way into California's 20th century record books.

A landmark new book, "Friday Night Heroes: 100 Years of Driller Football," offers the first comprehensive history of the Bakersfield High School Drillers.

“Football is a great American tradition, and it is my hope that every football fan will enjoy the extraordinary story of one of this country's finest sports legacies,” said author Rick Van Horne of Bakersfield, who also is a former Driller player and coach.

Van Horne's new book, available in local bookstores and online at: www.drillerheroes.com, chronicles each decade of the team's history from 1896 until 1996. Based on 13 years of research, Van Horne tells engaging stories from on and off the field, based on hundreds of interviews.

"Friday Night Heroes" also contains hundreds of photographs, team and game records, lettermen lists and a new Hall of Fame consisting of players and coaches he considers among the greats of Driller history.

Bakersfield High was the training ground for Frank Gifford and other college and professional football greats.

The Drillers still rank No. 1 in California for most all-time reported wins (576) and most undefeated seasons (21) from 1896-1996. Bakersfield High also ranks 1st in the state for most CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) State Championships; Most Consecutive CIF Championships; and Most CIF Section Championships.

The famed rivalries of Bakersfield High and neighboring Kern County schools became the basis for "The Best of Times," the 1980s movie starring Kurt Russell and Robin Williams, according to the book.

More than 100 miles from the big city schools of Los Angeles, Driller team members came from throughout rural Kern County, many housed in high school dormitories that were in place until the mid-1950s. During the early years of the 20th century, Van Horne writes, some players were required to hunt for their food at pre-season football camps.

Driller Coach Dwight M. Griffith coached the team to seven state titles between 1916 and 1927. From the 1950s, Coach Paul Briggs was at the helm.

“He had a tremendous likeness to another very famous coach at the time, Paul 'Bear' Bryant of Alabama,” said Van Horne, who played for Briggs, as did the author's father, Richard Van Horne.

Van Horne is dedicating a portion of the proceeds from each sale of the book to the history program at his alma mater, where students under the direction of history teacher Ken Hooper helped compile many of the photographs, early press clippings, photographs, game announcements and other materials featured inside "Friday Night Heroes."

"Once a Driller, Always a Driller" is a team motto that is a three-generation tradition with the Van Horne family. Rick Van Horne's son, Vince, is a junior at Bakersfield High and a third-generation Driller.

Rick Van Horne will be featured at a booksigning Aug. 4 at Russo's Books in The Marketplace in Bakersfield. On Sept. 8, Van Horne will be at a booksigning at the Holiday Inn in Bakersfield coinciding with the 50th high school reunion of his father, first-generation Bakersfield Driller Richard Van Horne.

He also is asking that former Drillers and fans submit their Driller stories at the book's Web site at: www.drillerheroes.com, where photos documenting the history of the Drillers also can be downloaded.

Drilling for Heroes

By Brad Riddell

Californian staff writer

e-mail: briddell@bakersfield.com

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Monday, July 31, 2006) — Since the school opened its doors 113 years ago, Bakersfield High has been synonymous with one thing: quality football.

Frank Gifford honed his Hall of Fame skills for the Drillers. Former NFL players Jeff Buckey, Jeff Siemon, Michael Stewart and Louis Wright all played their home games at Griffith Field.

Now the stories of these players, the games they won and the records they set are all documented in one place, as Rick Van Horne is set to release his 13-year work in progress -- "Friday Night Heroes: 100 Years of Driller Football."

"In 1993, I noticed the records were in disarray," Van Horne said. "I went back to 1893 when the school opened and jotted down interesting facts, records that were relevant. I spent the summer doing that and I had legal pads full of stuff."

Van Horne made for a suitable historian. He attended Bakersfield as a second-generation Driller football player. After graduation in 1979, Van Horne made coaching stops at Bakersfield, East, Liberty, and for the Bakersfield Blitz of the af2. He continues to teach at Liberty High School.

"I didn't set out with the intention to write a book," Van Horne said of the information he uncovered. "I just became interested and, off and on for a year or two, I started putting it in chronological order. It started out to be more of a media guide."

As the project progressed, Van Horne began to seek out advice on publishing. What he heard indicated the process was an ordeal, but Van Horne continued to update the information each year. When he left his post as head coach of the Blitz, it seemed the perfect time to return to his project.

"I had some free time, and it began to consume me," he said.

With he completed the 100-year history, Van Horne went back to publishers. He found some interest but eventually decided to self-publish. He wanted to keep the entire project local.

The first shipment of books arrived on July 21, and the 13-year process came to an end. The book is full of pictures, decade-by-decade chapters, and finishes with a hall of fame, records and a list of BHS letterman.

Former Driller player and assistant coach Marc Sandall had the opportunity to see the book at its various stages.

"This is long overdue," said Sandall, a 1974 BHS graduate. "I knew someone had to do it, and it's fitting that a Driller with history as a coach and as a player is the one."

Sandall also thinks "Friday Night Heroes" will be of interest to non-BHS players, coaches and fans -- those who played against the Drillers and who know about the tradition.

"I think there's going to be a very large interest from Driller faithful and from people out of town," he said. "I think everyone's going to be fascinated by it."

Van Horne has already sold 20 to 30 books, and he hopes to sell dozens more as word spreads. If things take off, he hopes someday his son Vince, a current Driller football player, can add to the history in subsequent versions of the book.

But for now, it's nice to simply hold a copy of the history collected and know it's been 13 years in the making.

"I think once people see the finished product," Van Horne said, "I think people are going to be surprised an old football coach put it together."

“Football is a great American tradition, and it is my hope that every football fan will enjoy the extraordinary story of one of this country’s finest sports legacies.”

— Author Rick Van Horne


		Friday Night Heroes featured in Bakersfield Californian Author Rick Van Horne was the focus of a cover story in the Sports Monday edition of The Bakersfield Californian on Monday, July 31, 2006. Here’s a link to the story on the Californian’s website: http://www.bakersfield.com/136/story/65054.html These links sometimes expire or are archived, then you have to pay to read them, so we’ve reprinted the full text of the story below. The story and photos are copyrighted, so do not reproduce.



Press Clips Southwest Voice A century of Driller tradition Description: New book offers first history of Bakersfield High School football BAKERSFIELD (Aug. 2, 2006) — The makings of an American football dynasty took shape in 1896 with the first reported high school football game in Bakersfield. A team that would later be called the Drillers would lead the way into California's 20th century record books. A landmark new book, "Friday Night Heroes: 100 Years of Driller Football," offers the first comprehensive history of the Bakersfield High School Drillers. “Football is a great American tradition, and it is my hope that every football fan will enjoy the extraordinary story of one of this country's finest sports legacies,” said author Rick Van Horne of Bakersfield, who also is a former Driller player and coach. Van Horne's new book, available in local bookstores and online at: www.drillerheroes.com, chronicles each decade of the team's history from 1896 until 1996. Based on 13 years of research, Van Horne tells engaging stories from on and off the field, based on hundreds of interviews. "Friday Night Heroes" also contains hundreds of photographs, team and game records, lettermen lists and a new Hall of Fame consisting of players and coaches he considers among the greats of Driller history. Bakersfield High was the training ground for Frank Gifford and other college and professional football greats. The Drillers still rank No. 1 in California for most all-time reported wins (576) and most undefeated seasons (21) from 1896-1996. Bakersfield High also ranks 1st in the state for most CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) State Championships; Most Consecutive CIF Championships; and Most CIF Section Championships. The famed rivalries of Bakersfield High and neighboring Kern County schools became the basis for "The Best of Times," the 1980s movie starring Kurt Russell and Robin Williams, according to the book. More than 100 miles from the big city schools of Los Angeles, Driller team members came from throughout rural Kern County, many housed in high school dormitories that were in place until the mid-1950s. During the early years of the 20th century, Van Horne writes, some players were required to hunt for their food at pre-season football camps. Driller Coach Dwight M. Griffith coached the team to seven state titles between 1916 and 1927. From the 1950s, Coach Paul Briggs was at the helm. “He had a tremendous likeness to another very famous coach at the time, Paul 'Bear' Bryant of Alabama,” said Van Horne, who played for Briggs, as did the author's father, Richard Van Horne. Van Horne is dedicating a portion of the proceeds from each sale of the book to the history program at his alma mater, where students under the direction of history teacher Ken Hooper helped compile many of the photographs, early press clippings, photographs, game announcements and other materials featured inside "Friday Night Heroes." "Once a Driller, Always a Driller" is a team motto that is a three-generation tradition with the Van Horne family. Rick Van Horne's son, Vince, is a junior at Bakersfield High and a third-generation Driller. Rick Van Horne will be featured at a booksigning Aug. 4 at Russo's Books in The Marketplace in Bakersfield. On Sept. 8, Van Horne will be at a booksigning at the Holiday Inn in Bakersfield coinciding with the 50th high school reunion of his father, first-generation Bakersfield Driller Richard Van Horne. He also is asking that former Drillers and fans submit their Driller stories at the book's Web site at: www.drillerheroes.com, where photos documenting the history of the Drillers also can be downloaded.

	Drilling for Heroes By Brad Riddell Californian staff writer e-mail: briddell@bakersfield.com BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Monday, July 31, 2006) — Since the school opened its doors 113 years ago, Bakersfield High has been synonymous with one thing: quality football. Frank Gifford honed his Hall of Fame skills for the Drillers. Former NFL players Jeff Buckey, Jeff Siemon, Michael Stewart and Louis Wright all played their home games at Griffith Field. Now the stories of these players, the games they won and the records they set are all documented in one place, as Rick Van Horne is set to release his 13-year work in progress -- "Friday Night Heroes: 100 Years of Driller Football." "In 1993, I noticed the records were in disarray," Van Horne said. "I went back to 1893 when the school opened and jotted down interesting facts, records that were relevant. I spent the summer doing that and I had legal pads full of stuff." Van Horne made for a suitable historian. He attended Bakersfield as a second-generation Driller football player. After graduation in 1979, Van Horne made coaching stops at Bakersfield, East, Liberty, and for the Bakersfield Blitz of the af2. He continues to teach at Liberty High School. "I didn't set out with the intention to write a book," Van Horne said of the information he uncovered. "I just became interested and, off and on for a year or two, I started putting it in chronological order. It started out to be more of a media guide." As the project progressed, Van Horne began to seek out advice on publishing. What he heard indicated the process was an ordeal, but Van Horne continued to update the information each year. When he left his post as head coach of the Blitz, it seemed the perfect time to return to his project. "I had some free time, and it began to consume me," he said. With he completed the 100-year history, Van Horne went back to publishers. He found some interest but eventually decided to self-publish. He wanted to keep the entire project local. The first shipment of books arrived on July 21, and the 13-year process came to an end. The book is full of pictures, decade-by-decade chapters, and finishes with a hall of fame, records and a list of BHS letterman. Former Driller player and assistant coach Marc Sandall had the opportunity to see the book at its various stages. "This is long overdue," said Sandall, a 1974 BHS graduate. "I knew someone had to do it, and it's fitting that a Driller with history as a coach and as a player is the one." Sandall also thinks "Friday Night Heroes" will be of interest to non-BHS players, coaches and fans -- those who played against the Drillers and who know about the tradition. "I think there's going to be a very large interest from Driller faithful and from people out of town," he said. "I think everyone's going to be fascinated by it." Van Horne has already sold 20 to 30 books, and he hopes to sell dozens more as word spreads. If things take off, he hopes someday his son Vince, a current Driller football player, can add to the history in subsequent versions of the book. But for now, it's nice to simply hold a copy of the history collected and know it's been 13 years in the making. "I think once people see the finished product," Van Horne said, "I think people are going to be surprised an old football coach put it together."