Football, Class of 2006

Bruce Gelker played football at Santa Ana College in 1941 and 1942, helping the Dons compile a record of 20-1 in his two seasons while winning a national title 1942. In 1942, Gelker was honored on the All-Eastern Division Junior College Football Team and the all-Southern California Football Team at tackle. He also played baseball (first base) and basketball (guard, captain) at Santa Ana College. While playing baseball at SAC, Gelker was offered a contract by the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Gelker transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) on a football/baseball scholarship. During his time at USC, Gelker played left tackle on the 1944 Rose Bowl team and first base on Rod Dedeaux's first baseball team. 

Also while at USC Gelker trained in the United States Marine Corp V-12 Program for one year before being called to active duty in 1944. 

Gelker played on the Officer Candidate School All-Star Football team and the championship baseball team. He was the first coach of the USMC Division Basketball team in the Pacific Ocean area championship tournament in Shanghai , China . 

Another of Gelker's accomplishments includes being the co-organizer and first president of the Orange County Sports Celebrities (now called Orange County Youth Sports Foundation) which has raised over one-million dollars for various Orange County charities.

At 25, Gelker was named the President of the Orange Rotary Club which was the youngest president in its history. He later received the 1988 Good Guy Award from the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame.