WEIGHT ROOM
Strength & Conditioning Facilities

Lakewood's conditioning facilty ranks among the best high school weight rooms in the country with its state-of-the-art equipment enhanced by beautifully polished hard wood floors, mats and a stereophonics sound system. It is the pinnacle center that is both functional and attractive, while providing an ample amount of room for the athletes to work out.

Players have an array of equipment at their disposal, which allows them to complete their workouts in less time and do not have to wait around for a certain piece of equipment or station. Another benefit for the players is the high energy, motivational factor of seeing their teammates working out all at the same time.

Any football program in the country would be proud of such a magnificent facility. The weight room, located next to the football locker rooms, rests behind Ford Stadium where the Lakewood Lancers play host to football games, soccer tournaments and many other events.

The training facility at Lakewood certainly rivals any football strength & conditioning complex at the interscholastic level. Coaches have been quick to point out the recruiting advantages of the facilities. There's no question that this training complex demonstrates the seriousness of Lakewood's conditioning for all its players.

 

FORD STADIUM
House of Thrills

The Lakewood Lancers have played some of the greatest games in LHS history at John Ford Stadium. This great facility is located in the heart of Lakewood, just off the I-605. With its rich history and tradition, you won't want to miss a single game!

Address:
4400 Briercrest Ave.
Lakewood, CA 90713
Playing Surface:Grass
Capacity Seating:4,000
Phone: 562.425.1281

Getting There:

From Los Angeles: take the I-5 S., merge onto I-605 S., exit at Del Amo Blvd. toward Lakewood, turn right onto Del Amo Blvd., turn left to stay on Del Amo Blvd., then turn right onto Briercrest Ave.

From San Diego: go north on the I-5 toward Los Angeles, merge onto CA-73 N. toward Long Beach, merge onto I-405 N., exit at Bellflower Blvd., then turn right and head northbound on Bellflower Blvd., turn right onto Harvey Way, turn left onto Briercrest Ave.

From Riverside: go west on the I-91 toward Corona/Beach Cities, exit at Bellflower Blvd., turn left onto Bellflower Blvd., head southbound and turn left onto Centralia St., turn right onto Briercrest Ave.

From Santa Monica: take the I-405 S. toward Long Beach, merge onto I-110 N. toward Los Angeles, merge onto CA-91 E., exit at Bellflower Blvd., turn right and head southbound, turn left onto Centralia St., turn right onto Briercrest Ave.

LAKEWOOD FOOTBALL GIVES BACK TO COACH FORD
Current team helps the man credited with building program

Press-Telegram
Saturday, April 16, 2005

By Samantha Gonzaga

He taught them manners, made them run laps when they failed classes and, through unbreakable discipline, delivered Lakewood High School football from infancy.

John "T" Ford is a legend at the high school and surrounding Lakewood Park community. Often credited with jump-starting the school's football program, he inspired those he coached during his 1963-1979 tenure.

"When he came here, we were the laughingstock," said Lakewood High Principal Al Taylor, who played varsity defensive end for Ford in 1963. "In two years, he turned that around. He brought the community together, and made football the biggest thing in Lakewood."

The biggest thing for 40 current varsity, junior varsity and freshmen football team members Saturday was going to the retired coach's home to complete chores too challenging for the 78-year-old Ford.

They dismantled a deck and shed, did yard work and cleaned debris. It's not unusual for the teams to do volunteer work during the off-season they do twice a month, as a gesture of appreciation for the community's support but helping Ford has special significance. "I wanted to be sure it was close to our school and something for the community," said head coach Mike Christensen of the Lakewood Community Clean-up project. "Coach Ford is a supporter."

Ford loves and lives football. By the team he left his Texas alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University, in 1950, he set a record 26 touchdown passes that stood for 12 years. He even tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles. But he didn't fade into the sidelines. Ford coached high school and college football until 1991. His resume lists many local and regional football teams: Lakewood, Jordan High School, Arizona State University, Rio Hondo and Cerritos colleges.

Retirement was rough those first three years, Ford said. "I thought, 'I shouldn't have quit," he said. He left an impression on his former players. "The guys still come by to see him," his wife, Fern Ford, said. "I think, for me, his greatest accomplishment is working with them."

And he worked them hard. Former players described him as disciplined. Ford described himself as "real mean." "I was a disciplinarian," he said. "They had to be there for practice. If they had to miss, it was either for the death of a family member or their own." The boys learned to respect their elders, work as a team and prioritize their school work.

Discipline became a part of his legacy. "We try to pass on Coach Ford's traditions and beliefs," said assistant coach Danny Graham. "We tell these young men what he's done. A handful of them have dads who played for him. ...We're not afraid about working hard. It's very demanding to be a student athlete today. We instill in our young men that they have to give back to the people."