Football: Harry Welch has prostate cancer
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Harry Welch, one of the most successful football coaches in California history, told his team at Santa Margarita Monday that he has prostate cancer and will undergo surgery during the season, OCVarsity.com reported.
Welch, 65, plans to continue to coach the team during his treatment. He’s the only coach in state history to have guided two different schools, Canyon Country Canyon and St. Margaret’s, to state bowl game victories.
Welch is in his first season at Santa Margarita.
I spoke Monday night by phone with Welch, and he sounded determined and optimistic. He said he has a doctor’s appointment for Tuesday to discuss surgery plans. He said he decided to make his illness public in the hope it might encourage others to step forward and get tested.
He said he has not missed any practices or meetings and hopes to keep it that way for as long as possible.
‘I feel OK,’ Welch said.
-- Eric Sondheimer