Warrior Memories: 1958 Warrior Terry DeGross

WWhen I think of Terry DeGross I can’t help but think of another Warrior from the same era.

When former Del Norte graduate Matt Kelley was working for me as an assistant football coach in Yucca Valley, the only Warrior teammate he talked about was Terry DeGross. I could tell he felt a very strong bond with Terry. When I talked to Terry I found the feeling was mutual.

Terry was a 1958 Del Norte graduate who during his four years as a Warrior left his mark on the football, basketball and baseball programs. He was a three-year varsity letterman in football. In his senior year he was a running back on a good football team. He didn’t get as many carries as he would have liked, but averaged over 7 yards per carry and never lost yardage. As a former football coach these are pretty impressive statistics.

Because of his size Terry was able to play lightweight basketball for his first three years. In his junior year playing for coach Wally Maciel the team posted a 13-9 season and was a league contender.

Baseball was where Terry was at his best. He was a four-year varsity letterman. As a senior the Warriors beat Eureka 1-0 to win the league championship. Terry was a good pitcher and during a double-header up at Hoopa he was the winning pitcher in both games. Terry was a White Star winner in baseball during his senior year. Terry was always active in other school activities such the “D” Club. I also found it interesting that he was voted the best-dressed boy in the senior class.

After graduation Terry went to Santa Rosa Junior College, where he continued his baseball career. At the end of two years at Santa Rosa, like many of us, he got drafted into the Army. When he finished his Army tour he went back and worked in the Santa Rosa area for a while before returning to Crescent City, where he worked in the mobile home business until 1984, then went to work for the road department until he retired.

He now lives in Gasquet with his wife. They have two grown children and five grandkids. Terry and his wife just returned from a six-week trip to Alaska, and said it was a wonderful experience. It was really fun for me to talk to this classy former Warrior. I look forward to getting to chat with him more, he is a very warm and special person.

Dick Trone writes on his reflections and the history of Del Norte High Warrior sports. Trone, who played football for the Warriors and graduated in 1951, had an illustrious career on the gridiron at Humboldt State University. Trone was head football coach at Del Norte High for a number of years before retiring.