SAN JOSE, Calif.— Former San José State quarterback and San Jose Sports Hall of Famer Wayne "Benny" Pierce passed away on Feb. 11, 2023. A memorial service is planned in his honor this Saturday, March 25, at Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, Calif.
- Pierce played quarterback for the Spartans after graduating Los Gatos High School in 1951
- In Pierce's best season at SJSU, he completed 42 passes for 577 yards and was a two-time letterwinner in 1953 and 1954
- After completing a three-year commitment to the Air Force, Pierce started as the varsity football head coach at the newly established Saratoga High School in 1959. He spent 36 seasons coaching and 32 years teaching physical education there
- After 31 winning seasons, 16 league championships and four CCS championships with the Falcons, Pierce was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He was later inducted into the Los Gatos High Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014
- The football field at Saratoga High School is named in his honor
- Pierce is survived by his daughter Brenda Skrabe, son Larry Pierce, granddaughters Lindsay Picone and Kelsie Skrabe, grandson Brad Pierce, great-grandchildren Remington Nails and Mila Picone, and sisters-in-law Robin Strothers and Megan Hassler
#AllSpartans