Trinity League

The Trinity League is a high school athletic conference in Southern California, United States. In 2019 the Trinity League was named by MaxPreps as the toughest high school football league in the United States.[1] In baseball, it placed as the 168th-toughest league. It is part of the CIF Southern Section.

Kiki Mendoza served as the football coach at St. John Bosco High School for 12 years until 2010 when he was fired after the team did not make the playoffs. He was replaced by Jason Negro. Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times criticized the firing of Mendoza, stating "Yes, the Braves had trouble finishing in the upper echelon of the brutally tough Trinity League that includes Santa Ana Mater Dei, Anaheim Servite and Orange Lutheran, but who wouldn't?"[2]

History

The Trinity League is the latest iteration of what was originally known as the Angelus League (1961–1991), founded in 1961. There were various early members of the Angelus league, which, in addition to Servite and Mater Dei, included St. Paul, Cantwell and Salesian. Cantwell and Salesian dropped out of the league, due to its competitiveness, and were replaced by St. John Bosco and Verbum Dei. In the late 1960s, St. John Bosco and Verbum Dei dropped out and were replaced by Bishop Amat and Pius X. This iteration became the core, blue blood members of the Angelus League. This iconic league members were: St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs), Mater Dei (Santa Ana), Servite (Anaheim), Bishop Amat (La Puente), Pius X (Downey) and St. Anthony (Long Beach). In the late 1970s, things started to shift again. St. Anthony dropped in 1977 and was replaced by Bishop Montgomery.Pius X dropped in 1980. Bishop Montgomery in 1981. In 1982, Pius X came back a new member, Serra (Gardena) joined. Serra dropped in 1984 and was replaced by Bishop Montgomery again. In 1986 Pius X was gone and replaced by St. Bernard. St. Bernard only lasted two years and dropped in 1988. In 1989 Montgomery and Iconic member, St. Paul dropped and were replaced by Loyola and St. John Bosco. That was the last form of the Angelus League as it was disbanded in 1992.

In 1999, a rebirth of the Angelus league appeared under the name of the Serra League. Its core members were: Servite, Mater Dei, St. John Bosco and Santa Margarita. This lasted through 2001. The next year two new teams were added, Loyola and Bishop Amat. This lasted until 2006, when Loyola and Bishop Amat were moved to the Mission League and were replaced by Orange Lutheran and JSerra.

Five of the six teams have won a CIF-SS championship. Mater Dei (8), Servite (4), St. John Bosco (2), Santa Margarita (1) and Orange Lutheran (1). Four of the six teams have won State championships. Mater Dei (2), St. John Bosco (2), Servite (1) and Santa Margarita (1).

There is a current Angelus League which consists of the following members: Cathedral (Los Angeles), St. Francis (La Canada) and Salesian (Los Angeles) and Crespi (Encino).

Members

School	City	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname
JSerra Catholic High School	San Juan Capistrano, California	2003	1,150	Lions
Mater Dei High School	Santa Ana, California	1950	2,100	Monarchs
Orange Lutheran High School	Orange, California	1973	1,322	Lancers
Rosary Academy	Fullerton, California	1965	369	Royals
Santa Margarita High School	Rancho Santa Margarita, California	1987	1,700	Eagles
Servite High School	Anaheim, California	1958	920	Friars
St. John Bosco High School	Bellflower, California	1940	820	Braves

Champions

Football

Year	Team	Record
2019	Mater Dei	5–0–0
2018	St. John Bosco	5–0–0
2017	Mater Dei	5–0–0
2016	Mater Dei	5–0–0
2015	St. John Bosco	5–0–0
2014	St. John Bosco	5–0–0
2013	St. John Bosco	5–0–0
2012	St. John Bosco	5–0–0
2011	Servite	5–0–0
2010	Servite	5–0–0
2009	Servite	5–0–0
2008	Servite/Mater Dei	4–1–0
2007	Servite	4–1–0
2006	Orange Lutheran	4–1–0

Notable athletic alumni

JSerra

• Nick Harris (2015), current NFL offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns
• Austin Hedges (2011), current MLB catcher for the San Diego Padres
• Royce Lewis (2017), first overall pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft
• Dante Pettis (2014), current NFL wide receiver for the New York Giants
• Chase Strumpf (2016), a second baseman in the Chicago Cubs organization
• Davis Wendzel (2016), a third baseman in the Texas Rangers organization

Mater Dei

• Matt Barkley (2009), current NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers
• Colt Brennan (2002), former NFL quarterback for the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins
• LeRon Ellis (1987), former NBA power forward and center for the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Los Angeles Clippers
• Danny Espinosa (2005), current MLB second baseman for the Washington Nationals[3]
• Reggie Geary (1992), former NBA guard for the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers
• Tiki Ghosn (1995), defensive back on the undefeated National Championship team in 1995; professional mixed martial arts fighter, at one time competing in Strikeforce MMA, the WEC, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship[4]
• Matt Grootegoed (2000), former NFL linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Vince Hizon (1988), American-born former Philippine Basketball Association player
• Khaled Holmes (2008), current NFL Center for the Indianapolis Colts
• Mike Hopkins (1988), former NCAA basketball guard, former assistant coach at Syracuse University and current head coach at Washington Huskies
• John Huarte (1960), Heisman Trophy winner (1964) at Notre Dame and former NFL quarterback for the Bears, Chiefs, Eagles, Patriots, and Jets
• Chris Jackson (1988), former NFL Wide receiver for the Dolphins, Packers, Titans, Seahawks, & Buccaneers
• Stanley Johnson (2014), No. 1 F/G recruit commits to play at Arizona Wildcats.
• Taylor King (2007), former NCAA basketball forward for Villanova University
• Matt Leinart (2001), Heisman Trophy winner (2004) and current NFL quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.[5]
• Bobby Meacham (1978), current MLB First-Base Coach for the Houston Astros and former shortstop for the New York Yankees[6]
• Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (2011), current NCAA women's basketball guard for the University of Connecticut Huskies
• Robbie Rogers (2005), current MLS winger for the Los Angeles Galaxy
• Jamal Sampson (2001), former NBA forward-center for the Bucks, Lakers, Hornets, Kings, and Nuggets
• Sergio Santos (2002), current MLB relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
• Miles Simon (1994), current NCAA basketball analyst for ESPN and former NBA guard for the Orlando Magic
• D. J. Strawberry (2003), former NBA point guard for the Phoenix Suns
• Matt Treanor (1994), current MLB catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
• David Wear (2009), current NCAA basketball forward for the UCLA Bruins
• Travis Wear (2009), current NCAA Basketball forward for the UCLA Bruins
• Larry Williams, NFL player
• Max Wittek (2011), former NCAA football quarterback for the USC Trojans
• Greg Woepse silver medalist at the 1979 Pan Am Games in the pole vault
• JT Daniels (2017) Current Starting Quarterback for the USC Trojans
• Amon-Ra St. Brown (2017) Current Wide Receiver for the USC Trojans

Servite

• Steve Beuerlein (1983), Former Notre Dame and NFL quarterback.[7]
• Derek Brown (1989), NFL running back[8]
• Steve Buechele (1979), MLB third baseman.[9]
• Patrick Cantlay (2010), golfer
• Sean Estrada (2003), University of Pennsylvania, San Francisco 49ers Offensive lineman.[10]
• Cody Fajardo (2010), quarterback at the University of Nevada
• Ben Francisco (1999), MLB outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies
• Chris Galippo (2007), Middle Linebacker at University of Southern California and US Army Bowl MVP
• Ryan Garko (1999), MLB first baseman for the Seattle Mariners.
• A. J. Gass (1993), former CFL player.[11]
• Dennis Sean Houlton (1997), major league baseball pitcher[12]
• Frank Kalil (1977), NFL & USFL center
• Ryan Kalil (2003), Offensive lineman at the University of Southern California starting center for the Carolina Panthers.[13]
• Matt Kalil (2008), offensive tackle at USC and member of the Minnesota Vikings[14]
• Blaine Nye (1964), former NFL offensive lineman, and economics consultant.[7]
• Chris Pontius, (2005) soccer player, D.C. United midfielder
• Marc Rzepczynski (2003), Major League Baseball pitcher
• Turk Schonert (1975), former Stanford and NFL quarterback, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator[15]
• Matt Slater (2003), NFL Wide receiver for the New England Patriots
• Kurt Vollers (1997), former NFL tackle[16]
• Matt Willis (2002), NFL Wide receiver for the Denver Broncos
• Mike Witt (1978), MLB pitcher, pitched perfect game September 30, 1984.[17]

St. John Bosco

• Josh Rosen (2014), former UCLA and current Miami Dolphins quarterback
• Steve Carfino (1980), former basketball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Australian National Basketball League[18]
• James Cotton (1992), former NBA player with the Seattle SuperSonics[19]
• Joe Cowan, (2003), holds numerous school records in track and field as well as football; played for the UCLA Bruins' football program.
• Patrick Cowan, (2004), an NFL free agent who was signed to New Orleans Saints but later released. Former starting quarterback for the UCLA Bruins football team.[20]
• Tim DeRuyter (1981), American football coach
• Nomar Garciaparra (1991), from 1996 to 2009, played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Oakland Athletics. He was most famous during his tenure with Boston Red Sox during which he was a member of the "Holy Trinity of Shortstop", along with Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.[21]
• Jelani Gardner (1992), former McDonald's All American basketball player for Cal and Pepperdine
• Todd Husak (1996), former Stanford and NFL Quarterback[22]
• Dennis Lamp (1971), from 1977 through 1992, Lamp pitched for the Chicago Cubs (1977–80), Chicago White Sox (1981–83), Toronto Blue Jays (1984–86), Oakland Athletics (1987), Boston Red Sox (1988–91) and Pittsburgh Pirates.[23]
• Evan Longoria, (2003), San Francisco Giants third baseman.[24]
• Leon McFadden, (2009), Cleveland Browns cornerback.
• Keith Price, (2009), starting quarterback for the Washington Huskies football team[25]
• Bud Smith (1996), MLB pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 2001–2002 season. He is noted for being one of only 18 pitchers in MLB history since 1900 to throw a no-hitter during their rookie season.[24]

Re'al Mitchell (2018) Led the Braves to win their second title in the 2016 CIF Southen Section Championships against De La Salle. Currently plays at Iowa State.

Santa Margarita

• Griffin Canning - pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels
• Gavin Escobar – National Football League tight end for the Dallas Cowboys
• Kris Farris, football player[26]
• Erika Figge – Member of the United States women's national water polo team, 2007 Pan American Games Gold medalist[27]
• Brian Finneran – former National Football League wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons[28]
• Beau Hossler – Amateur golfer, finished 29th at 2012 U.S. Open[29]
• Michael Hoyos – Argentine soccer player
• Jared Hughes – MLB pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates[26]
• Katie McLaughlin – Swimmer
• Carson Palmer – Two-time Pro Bowl National Football League quarterback formerly played for Arizona Cardinals, 2002 Heisman Trophy winner[30]
• Doug Reinhardt – American League baseball player and television personality.
• Mark Restelli – Canadian Football League linebacker currently playing for Edmonton Eskimos[31]
• Chris Rix – Starting quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles (2001–2004), now broadcast announcer for Fox Sports
• Amy Rodriguez – Member of the United States women's national soccer team, 2008 Summer Olympics Gold medalist[32]
• Jason Stiles – American football player
• Klay Thompson – 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, currently plays for the Golden State Warriors[26]
• Mychel Thompson – former NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers
• Trayce Thompson – baseball player[33]
• Max Tuerk – chosen in the 2016–2017 NFL draft for the San Diego Chargers, played at USC and started all four years left tackle

References

1. "Top 10 toughest football leagues in America". October 2010.
2. Sondheimer, Eric. "Private schools' firing of football coaches is a troubling trend." Los Angeles Times. January 18, 2010. Retrieved on March 23, 2014.
3. "Danny Espinosa Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
4. "Tiki Ghosn - Official UFC® Profile". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
5. Ben Bolch, Leinart Chosen State Player of Year, Los Angeles Times, December 5, 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
6. "Bob Meacham Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
7. Osterman, David (1993-01-26). "High school lessons carry pros through careers – Discipline, appreciateion recalled most often". Orange County Register. Servite's Steve Beuerlein is ...", "Others have included Blaine Nye, a 1964 graduate of Servite, who played on three Dallas teams
8. "Panthers Cut Greene, Sign Turnbull". Long Beach Press-Telegram. 1997-08-25. New Orleans running back Derek Brown, a former Servite star
9. Smith, Sarah (1985-07-31). "Steve Buechele of Servite High Is Trying to Replace a Legend at Third Base for Texas, So It's No Wonder He Finds Himself in a Hot Spot". Los Angeles Times (Orange County ed.). p. 1. Retrieved 2008-04-15. |section= ignored (help)
10. "Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers – TE Roster". Archived from the original on 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
11. Hamilton, Tom (1992-10-03). "A.J. Gass Powers Servite Past Edison, 28-6". Los Angeles Times Orange County Edition. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
12. Zupke, Curtis (2007-07-16). "Dodgers display rare power – Kent, Kemp both homer and the team bangs out 10 hits". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
13. "Ryan Kalil". NFL.com. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2008-04-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Servite High School website
15. . Buffalo Bills http://www.buffalobills.com/team/coaches/turk-schonert/11dca9c7-0d74-4696-b8bc-738b89634a77. Retrieved 2009-03-17. Missing or empty |title= (help)
16. Terry, Mike (1996-10-11). "Live and Learn; Servite's Volelrs Hopes to Teach Mater Dei a Lesson This Time". Los Angeles Times. p. 8.
17. Terry, Mike (1997-08-10). "Former Angel Finds Baseball Salvation at Dana Hills; High school: Pitching coach Mike Witt enjoys teaching Dolphin players more about the game". Los Angeles Times. Witt was a standout baseball and basketball player at Servite High in 1975–78
18. "Hawks snare star Carfino". The Daily Reporter. 10 April 1980. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
19. "James Wesley Cotton". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
20. "Patrick Cowan". UCLA Bruins. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
21. "Nomar Garciaparra". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
22. "Todd Husak". Stanford Cardinal. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
23. "Dennis Lamp". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
24. The Baseball Cube statistics Accessed March 31, 2009
25. "17 Keith Price". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
26. Ritchie, Erika L. (September 8, 2012). "Quarter-century of achievement". The Orange County Register. p. Local 3.
27. "Erika Figge - 2005 Women's Water Polo Roster - University of Southern California". usctrojans.com. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
28. "Brian Finneran". NFL.com. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
29. Jim Seimas, "Teen Hossler earns way into our hearts at U.S. Open", Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 18, 2012.
30. http://www.nfl.com/players/carsonpalmer/profile?id=PAL249055, Carson Palmer bio
31. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-07-08. Retrieved 2009-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), Mark Restelli bio
32. http://soccer.teamusa.org/athletes/amy-rodriguez, Amy Rodriguez bio
33. "VIDEO: O.C. Rookie Trayce Thompson hits first career home run against Angels". 2015-08-11.