Virgin Gladiators

Pittsburgh born, Baby boomer, Brad Martinkovich migrated to Fullerton California in the early nineteen seventies. Soon after his arrival he became involved coaching Pop Warner Football, he was assigned a team of non experienced 7-8-9 year old boys, thus this odyssey began. Inadvertently he discovered a wonderful new world through the eyes of the boys he mentored and the camaraderie of their trusting parents. Currently semi retired and living in Medford, Oregon he has decided to share these stories about those “Virgin Gladiators.” This was an era when only boys played tackle football and girls were cheerleaders. His coaching style of rugged sportsmanship, team unity and personal accountability are as valid today as back then.
A time gone by but not forgotten.
1973 2010