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On April 29, 1992, Los Angeles was rocked by the largest civil disturbance in American
history. Firefighters fought an exhausting battle to save a burning city. When the smoke
cleared, it became obvious to many that a new thinking would be required if the problems
plaguing the communities were ever to be resolved.
In May of 1992, Los Angeles City Firefighter Ron Harmon founded the Los Angeles
Football, Inc., a non-profit organization composed of Los Angeles city and county
firefighters. Harmon met with Los Angeles Police Officer Tom Hazelton and agreed to put a
game together between the LAPD Centurians and the not-yet- formed L.A. HEAT. The
LAPD played the role of the lead agency of setting up the game.
During the late 80’s a group of firefighters from the Los Angeles, Orange County and
South Bay area played a one game season for a designated charity with the South Bay
Police Department. The Los Angeles HEAT team was formed utilizing only L.A. City
firefighters and L.A. County firefighters for the team. Harmon selected the “Children of
The Night” as the Los Angeles Heats’ designated charity.
A bit of history had preceded the first Los Angeles HEAT game with the LAPD Centurians.
Approximately 30 years prior there had been a tackle football game between a Los
Angeles City Fire Department team and a Los Angeles City Police team. In 1927 in front of
80,000 fans, the L.A. City Fire Department football team defeated the Los Angeles Police
Officers 20-0.
In 1993, the newly formed Los Angeles HEAT football team played its first game and
gained their first victory against the Corona Regional Correction officers on January 30th.
The second game of the season was played against a group of Los Angeles Cleveland
High School All-Stars that had gone on to play Division 1 football and some to the NFL.
The Heat prevailed 14-7 in that game. The third game of the season was against the
LAPD Centurians at El Camino Junior College before a near capacity crowd of 20,000
screaming supporters for both teams. Fire Chiefs from the L.A. City Fire Department, the
Los Angeles County Fire Department, the L.A.P.D Police Chief, Los Angeles City Mayor
and many L.A. City Council members were in attendance at this inaugural game throwing
their support behind the Los Angeles teams. The HEAT team was playing against the
defending 5-time National Police Champion Centurians, undefeated for 5 years, and
shocked the Centurians with a 20-0 shutout duplicating the score of some 30 years
earlier. The HEAT finished the 1993 three game football season undefeated and as the
mythical “1993 National Public Safety Champions”. Armando Hogan, a Los Angeles City
Fire Inspector, was the first Head Coach of the Los Angeles HEAT in 1993.
The 1994 football season was led by Head Coach Scott Graham, a then Los Angeles
County Firefighter/Paramedic. The following 1995 season, Chris Ferragamo, a Los
Angeles high school coaching legend guided the HEAT as their head coach. The HEAT
continued as the premier West Coast team during these two seasons.
In 1996 Harmon contacted Jim Costello, who was the Head Coach of the Orange County
“Fire” Football team and the two agreed to merge the two football programs. The HEAT
and Orange County “Fire” had been competing for the same fire department players for
the past 3 seasons. The merger of the two teams in 1996 produced a 4 game undefeated
season with the HEAT not being scored on by any opponent. The 1997 season was also
an undefeated 4 game season sweep by the HEAT football team.
1998 produced the first loss for the HEAT coming at the hands of the visiting FDNY
Football team in overtime in a driving rainstorm at Santa Monica City College, 14-7. 1998
also introduced the addition of the first police officers and sheriffs to the HEAT football
team roster. Since 1998 the HEAT have had sworn law enforcement officers as part of our
team maintaining a designated ratio of firefighter players and law enforcement players.
The HEAT joined the N.P.S.F.L. at the start the 1998 season when the league reorganized
and included fire department teams as part of their membership. FDNY and L.A. HEAT
were the first non-police teams in the N.P.S.F.L.
Former HEAT player, Tom Richards, took over the job of President for the 1999 and the
2000 season. Tom brought in financial support for the team and organizational skills to the
program. Jack Bauerle was named as the team’s new head coach succeeding Ron
Harmon. Jack and Tom took the HEAT to their first out of state road game to East Lansing,
Michigan playing a police team in 1998.
Jack Bauerle continued as head coach and became the HEAT’s new President in 1999.
Jack continued building the Los Angeles HEAT into the status of the nationally recognized
football program that it currently enjoys to this day. Jack established the first full Board of
Directors to assist in the everyday operation, planning and fundraising activities for the
Los Angeles HEAT. Additionally, Jack Bauerle was responsible for bringing the Chapman
University Athletic training staff to the HEAT when he joined the team in 1996. These
student trainers have attended every practice, scrimmage and game, providing player
taping, injury care, and rehabilitation for the HEAT players. The student trainers of
Chapman University have served the HEAT Football Team continuously for 10 years.
Craig Bennett was the head of this training staff until 2004. Craig is nationally recognized
for his expertise in the athletic training and injury care field. Two of the volunteer student
trainers each season are rewarded for their service by having the players pay for their
airfare and lodging to the HEAT’s travel game. The HEAT training staff has set the
standard for athletic trainers in the N.P.S.F.L.
1999 marked the year that Alfredo Martinez joined the HEAT as defensive coordinator.
Alfredo has served as defensive coordinator since that time to present, providing the
HEAT with sound defensive schemes and his motivational skills.
Dr. Gary E. Brazina, M.D., began providing game day medical care for our injured players
and follow-up care for injuries sustained in practice or on game day. Dr. Brazina is also
known as the “Joc Doc”. He specializes in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine with
over 20 years of surgical experience. Dr. Brazina has treated some of the nations top
athletes. He has been featured in articles in Sports Illustrated, Women’s Fitness
magazines and appeared on CNN, LA Today and Skiing America television. Dr. Brazina
travels routinely with the HEAT to road games around the country and attends all home
games. The HEAT is fortunate to have Dr. Brazina caring for our players since 1999.
In the 2003 season, Jack Bauerle was joined by Jeff Eastman (Culver City Fire Chief) as
co-Head coach of the HEAT. Jeff wrote by-laws that continue to govern the HEAT
organization. Jeff had been a former player for the old South Bay Fire team and as a
coach for the HEAT in previous seasons. Vast numbers of new and former players for the
HEAT joined the Heat football team during these years bringing a resurgence of talent to
the HEAT football program. The Heat football team was unique in that it was the only
public safety team to have an active fire chief as its head coach. Jack Bauerle and Jeff
Eastman left the Heat football team in October of 2005.
Ray Mayo was elected as HEAT’s new Team President in 2006. Ray had been a player
from the origination of the Heat football program and also served as a defensive line
coach once his playing days were over in 2001. Ray became the logical choice to lead the
HEAT with his outgoing personality and charisma. A new Board of Directors was elected,
and the Board named Jim Costello to become the new 2006 Head Coach for the Los
Angeles HEAT. Jim had been the former defensive coordinator for the HEAT from 1996 to
1998, and returned as an assistant coach from 2003 through the 2005 season.
The HEAT has traveled to New York City to play the FDNY, NYPD and N.Y City
Corrections teams. The HEAT football team has also traveled to East Lansing, Orlando,
Miami, Phoenix, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Las Vegas to play games for charity
The Los Angeles HEAT Football team continues to raise money as a 501c3 charity for its
current designated charity, The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation in Glendale, CA. From
its inception, the firefighters, police officers, and other public safety professionals who play
for the Los Angeles HEAT Football Team do so on their own time and at their own risk.
These dedicated public safety professionals and volunteer civilian Board members
contribute their time and efforts to raising money for the Burn Foundation. Neither the
players nor the board members are compensated for their time. All expenses incurred to
play (uniforms, pads, etc.) and to travel (air, food, lodging for loved ones) are paid for by
the players, coaches and board members. The money raised from advertisements and
sponsorships goes directly to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and our other
charitable functions, once operating costs are covered.
history. Firefighters fought an exhausting battle to save a burning city. When the smoke
cleared, it became obvious to many that a new thinking would be required if the problems
plaguing the communities were ever to be resolved.
In May of 1992, Los Angeles City Firefighter Ron Harmon founded the Los Angeles
Football, Inc., a non-profit organization composed of Los Angeles city and county
firefighters. Harmon met with Los Angeles Police Officer Tom Hazelton and agreed to put a
game together between the LAPD Centurians and the not-yet- formed L.A. HEAT. The
LAPD played the role of the lead agency of setting up the game.
During the late 80’s a group of firefighters from the Los Angeles, Orange County and
South Bay area played a one game season for a designated charity with the South Bay
Police Department. The Los Angeles HEAT team was formed utilizing only L.A. City
firefighters and L.A. County firefighters for the team. Harmon selected the “Children of
The Night” as the Los Angeles Heats’ designated charity.
A bit of history had preceded the first Los Angeles HEAT game with the LAPD Centurians.
Approximately 30 years prior there had been a tackle football game between a Los
Angeles City Fire Department team and a Los Angeles City Police team. In 1927 in front of
80,000 fans, the L.A. City Fire Department football team defeated the Los Angeles Police
Officers 20-0.
In 1993, the newly formed Los Angeles HEAT football team played its first game and
gained their first victory against the Corona Regional Correction officers on January 30th.
The second game of the season was played against a group of Los Angeles Cleveland
High School All-Stars that had gone on to play Division 1 football and some to the NFL.
The Heat prevailed 14-7 in that game. The third game of the season was against the
LAPD Centurians at El Camino Junior College before a near capacity crowd of 20,000
screaming supporters for both teams. Fire Chiefs from the L.A. City Fire Department, the
Los Angeles County Fire Department, the L.A.P.D Police Chief, Los Angeles City Mayor
and many L.A. City Council members were in attendance at this inaugural game throwing
their support behind the Los Angeles teams. The HEAT team was playing against the
defending 5-time National Police Champion Centurians, undefeated for 5 years, and
shocked the Centurians with a 20-0 shutout duplicating the score of some 30 years
earlier. The HEAT finished the 1993 three game football season undefeated and as the
mythical “1993 National Public Safety Champions”. Armando Hogan, a Los Angeles City
Fire Inspector, was the first Head Coach of the Los Angeles HEAT in 1993.
The 1994 football season was led by Head Coach Scott Graham, a then Los Angeles
County Firefighter/Paramedic. The following 1995 season, Chris Ferragamo, a Los
Angeles high school coaching legend guided the HEAT as their head coach. The HEAT
continued as the premier West Coast team during these two seasons.
In 1996 Harmon contacted Jim Costello, who was the Head Coach of the Orange County
“Fire” Football team and the two agreed to merge the two football programs. The HEAT
and Orange County “Fire” had been competing for the same fire department players for
the past 3 seasons. The merger of the two teams in 1996 produced a 4 game undefeated
season with the HEAT not being scored on by any opponent. The 1997 season was also
an undefeated 4 game season sweep by the HEAT football team.
1998 produced the first loss for the HEAT coming at the hands of the visiting FDNY
Football team in overtime in a driving rainstorm at Santa Monica City College, 14-7. 1998
also introduced the addition of the first police officers and sheriffs to the HEAT football
team roster. Since 1998 the HEAT have had sworn law enforcement officers as part of our
team maintaining a designated ratio of firefighter players and law enforcement players.
The HEAT joined the N.P.S.F.L. at the start the 1998 season when the league reorganized
and included fire department teams as part of their membership. FDNY and L.A. HEAT
were the first non-police teams in the N.P.S.F.L.
Former HEAT player, Tom Richards, took over the job of President for the 1999 and the
2000 season. Tom brought in financial support for the team and organizational skills to the
program. Jack Bauerle was named as the team’s new head coach succeeding Ron
Harmon. Jack and Tom took the HEAT to their first out of state road game to East Lansing,
Michigan playing a police team in 1998.
Jack Bauerle continued as head coach and became the HEAT’s new President in 1999.
Jack continued building the Los Angeles HEAT into the status of the nationally recognized
football program that it currently enjoys to this day. Jack established the first full Board of
Directors to assist in the everyday operation, planning and fundraising activities for the
Los Angeles HEAT. Additionally, Jack Bauerle was responsible for bringing the Chapman
University Athletic training staff to the HEAT when he joined the team in 1996. These
student trainers have attended every practice, scrimmage and game, providing player
taping, injury care, and rehabilitation for the HEAT players. The student trainers of
Chapman University have served the HEAT Football Team continuously for 10 years.
Craig Bennett was the head of this training staff until 2004. Craig is nationally recognized
for his expertise in the athletic training and injury care field. Two of the volunteer student
trainers each season are rewarded for their service by having the players pay for their
airfare and lodging to the HEAT’s travel game. The HEAT training staff has set the
standard for athletic trainers in the N.P.S.F.L.
1999 marked the year that Alfredo Martinez joined the HEAT as defensive coordinator.
Alfredo has served as defensive coordinator since that time to present, providing the
HEAT with sound defensive schemes and his motivational skills.
Dr. Gary E. Brazina, M.D., began providing game day medical care for our injured players
and follow-up care for injuries sustained in practice or on game day. Dr. Brazina is also
known as the “Joc Doc”. He specializes in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine with
over 20 years of surgical experience. Dr. Brazina has treated some of the nations top
athletes. He has been featured in articles in Sports Illustrated, Women’s Fitness
magazines and appeared on CNN, LA Today and Skiing America television. Dr. Brazina
travels routinely with the HEAT to road games around the country and attends all home
games. The HEAT is fortunate to have Dr. Brazina caring for our players since 1999.
In the 2003 season, Jack Bauerle was joined by Jeff Eastman (Culver City Fire Chief) as
co-Head coach of the HEAT. Jeff wrote by-laws that continue to govern the HEAT
organization. Jeff had been a former player for the old South Bay Fire team and as a
coach for the HEAT in previous seasons. Vast numbers of new and former players for the
HEAT joined the Heat football team during these years bringing a resurgence of talent to
the HEAT football program. The Heat football team was unique in that it was the only
public safety team to have an active fire chief as its head coach. Jack Bauerle and Jeff
Eastman left the Heat football team in October of 2005.
Ray Mayo was elected as HEAT’s new Team President in 2006. Ray had been a player
from the origination of the Heat football program and also served as a defensive line
coach once his playing days were over in 2001. Ray became the logical choice to lead the
HEAT with his outgoing personality and charisma. A new Board of Directors was elected,
and the Board named Jim Costello to become the new 2006 Head Coach for the Los
Angeles HEAT. Jim had been the former defensive coordinator for the HEAT from 1996 to
1998, and returned as an assistant coach from 2003 through the 2005 season.
The HEAT has traveled to New York City to play the FDNY, NYPD and N.Y City
Corrections teams. The HEAT football team has also traveled to East Lansing, Orlando,
Miami, Phoenix, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Las Vegas to play games for charity
The Los Angeles HEAT Football team continues to raise money as a 501c3 charity for its
current designated charity, The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation in Glendale, CA. From
its inception, the firefighters, police officers, and other public safety professionals who play
for the Los Angeles HEAT Football Team do so on their own time and at their own risk.
These dedicated public safety professionals and volunteer civilian Board members
contribute their time and efforts to raising money for the Burn Foundation. Neither the
players nor the board members are compensated for their time. All expenses incurred to
play (uniforms, pads, etc.) and to travel (air, food, lodging for loved ones) are paid for by
the players, coaches and board members. The money raised from advertisements and
sponsorships goes directly to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and our other
charitable functions, once operating costs are covered.
| P.O. Box 5185, Culver City, CA. 90231 www.losangelesheat.com |
| HISTORY OF THE LOS ANGELES HEAT FOOTBALL TEAM |
