A Farr-Reaching Family : Tackle Toils at CSUN While Relatives Play at UCLA

Until recently, Mario Farr did not know exactly how deep his athletic roots reached.

He knew about Chris Farr, a relative who plays point guard for the Cal State Sacramento basketball team. Another relative, Mike Felder, plays baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Farr’s brother Andre is a redshirt freshman on the UCLA football team. Another brother, D’Marco, is a 6-3, 245-pound high school player who should be bound for a major college in another year.

What Mario did not know is that Mel Farr Jr., starting fullback for UCLA, and Mike Farr, a reserve wide receiver, are distant cousins.

Andre discovered this after signing with the Bruins. Mel Jr. and Mike are sons of Mel Farr Sr., the former UCLA All-American running back who was rookie of the year and All-Pro for the Detroit Lions.

Impressive bloodlines, indeed.

Unfortunately for Mario, he got the short end of the family’s genes.

He is 240 pounds, but only 5-10, which at least partially explains why he wears red and white and plays--sometimes--in North Campus Stadium instead of wearing baby blue and gold and playing in the Rose Bowl.

Farr, 20, a third-string nose tackle, arrived for Northridge’s summer practice sessions out of shape and without a scholarship. A two-year starter at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Calif., he earned All-Bay Conference honors but little attention from Division I scouts.

Meanwhile, “little” brother Andre, 6-4, 250, was being wooed by just about every college west of the Mississippi.

It wasn’t supposed to be that way.

Mario is the one who taught his younger brother the fundamentals of football.

“Until about eighth grade we were the same size,” Andre said. “Then I grew about four inches in a year. Mario stayed the same.”

Size was not a factor at Kennedy High in Richmond, Calif., where Mario was selected All-Northern California. “Everywhere Mario has played he’s succeeded to the highest level,” Andre said. “He has one of the biggest football hearts you’ll ever find.”

Farr chose Northridge because he heard the team needed linemen and he was looking for a school with a strong business program. He knew he was a longshot when he walked into camp.

“I know I have to make my name down here,” Farr said. “Sure, I’d love to start, but there are two people on scholarship ahead of me.”

Farr is a member of the traveling squad but plays behind Tim Siaki, a 6-3, 275-pound senior, and Dennis McConnaughy, a 6-0, 240-pound junior.

He has been in on only two tackles this season.

“Because of his size, he has to give 150% versus a guy who’s 6-4, 250,” defensive line coach Jerry Campbell said of Farr. “He works real hard and when he goes in the game he does a real good job.”

And for now, Farr is happy to do just that.

“I know I have no pro career,” he said. “I just want to get my degree, play out my eligibility and wave goodby to the school.

“My mother always told me to face reality. I mean, if I have a growth spurt and grow six, seven inches in a year, then maybe I’ll give the pros a shot. If not, I’ve got two years of college left before I hang up the cleats.”

He would like to leave the same favorable impression at Northridge that his relatives are making down the freeway at UCLA.

But first there is the matter of earning more playing time.

Coach Bob Burt expects Farr to battle for more minutes next season.

“I’m sure going to work hard to do it,” Farr said. “It’s just not in the Farrs to give up.”