Lightning In Lathrop

By Jacqui Lloyd

Fans in the Lathrop area were invited to come out and meet members of the 2008 Stockton

Lightning Arena Football Team at Sangalang Park, watch a special practice, get autographs,

and stay afterwards to mingle with players at a fundraising barbeque hosted by the Lathrop

Titans youth football program. Former Lathrop Titan head coach and Lathrop resident David

Mairs is in his second coaching season with the Stockton Lightning. This year he mainly works

with fullbacks and linebackers. He also acts as a Lightning player liaison with the Stockton

community in coordinating local community events including a youth football camp sponsored

by the Lathrop Titans.

Jaime Hernandez (President of the Titans), wife Toni, and the coaching staff served hot dogs

and Mountain Mike’s Pizza while signing up new recruits from the area. On the night before,

Jaime hade made arrangements with Brian (Manager of Mountain Mikes Pizza) for the Stockton

Lightning to make an appearance where they signed autographs and give away free stuff to

about 80 kids. The team gave the manager a Lightning shirt and a helmet displaying all of their

signatures to show appreciation for the wonderful hospitality they received at Mountain Mike’s.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Walter Nobrega was interested in signing up his son Jon

(age 9) and nephew Alexander (age 10) to play for the Titans but had concerns about the

boys getting home to the Mossdale area after each practice because he works nights. Jaime

Hernandez assured him that carpooling is available to anyone needing a ride. As to the

concerns about maintaining a 2.0 GPA to be eligible to play, Jaime explained that the Lathrop

Titans refer to players as student-athletes putting education before sports. The Titans have a

free tutoring program year round to help any team member struggling in school to excel

academically to keep them on the team. Jon Nobrega now has an incentive to apply himself

and do better in class because he wants to play football.

Former Lathrop Titan Gerome Surrell who attended the BBQ explained that football taught him

a lot about discipline. He just received a 5 year football scholarship to the University of

Nevada Las Vegas starting next year for the outstanding performances and statistics he

chalked up in his young football career thus far. Named one of the top receivers of Northern

California by scouts across the US, Gerome Surrell is destined for the NFL.

Copyright  ©   2007 Lathrop Rush -

last updated: April 9, 2008

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