Former Kennedy High Basketball Players Honor Coach
Six former athletes gathered to celebrate the legacy and influence of coach Craig Raub.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Awards
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Six former Kennedy High School basketball players reunited in Los Angeles to honor their former coach, Craig Raub. The event recognized his influential nine-year career leading the school's girls' basketball program.
Why it matters
The reunion serves to celebrate the lasting impact of athletic mentorship on students' lives and careers. It highlights the profound connection formed between a dedicated coach and his players decades after their time on the court.
Coach Craig Raub led the team to nine league titles, three City Section 4-A Division championships, and a 90-game league winning streak. All six players who attended the reunion are college graduates.
The players
Craig Raub
He is a 77-year-old former coach who led the Kennedy High School girls' basketball program to significant success.
Lisa C. Williams
She is a former player who participated in the basketball program under coach Craig Raub.
The details
The group organized a surprise event at the Kennedy High football field before a homecoming game followed by a reception at WellSpring Foursquare Church. The reception featured memorabilia from the era when Raub led the girls' basketball team to unprecedented success.
Timeline
Craig Raub coached the team from 1978 to 1987.
Lisa C. Williams played for the team between 1980 and 1983.
Raub concluded his tenure as head coach in 1987.
Raub officially retired from Kennedy High School in 2013.
The reunion event took place in October 2026.
Culture Shift
This reunion reflects a broader trend of celebrating the early pioneers of high school girls' sports who paved the way for modern athletic participation. It highlights the lasting societal impact of coaches who fostered academic and athletic success for young women.
The event highlights how local community spaces like WellSpring Foursquare Church serve as hubs for long-term social connections. It encourages former teammates to organize similar grassroots celebrations to honor the educators and mentors who shaped their formative years.
The takeaway
Maintaining connections with former mentors can provide lasting inspiration and validation for one's personal and professional journey. Readers can replicate this by reaching out to former teachers or coaches to express gratitude for their past guidance.
Further reading
Explore more local honors and celebrations on the Los Angeles Awards page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The San Fernando Valley Sun.
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Is it important for local communities to actively recognize the lasting contributions of former teachers or coaches?
