Tribute to Lupe Sanchez – Mt. Whitney Pioneer Legend Friday, we honor one of the greatest athletes ever to wear the Pioneer uniform — Lupe Sanchez, Mt. Whitney Class of 1979. Born in Tulare and raised in Visalia/Goshen, Lupe grew up dreaming on the same fields we stand on today. As a Mt. Whitney Pioneer, he was a fierce competitor and a quiet leader, helping guide his team to an undefeated 1978 season — one still remembered as one of the greatest in Central California history. After graduating from Mt. Whitney, Lupe continued his football journey at UCLA, where he became one of the most respected defensive backs in Bruin history. Over his four-year career, he recorded 13 interceptions, a total that still ranks among the top five in school history. In his senior season, he earned First-Team All-Pac-10 honors, was named AP Honorable Mention All-American, and received UCLA’s Kenneth S. Washington Award for Outstanding Senior. Lupe’s drive and talent took him to the professional level. He was drafted in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft, played in the USFL for the Arizona Wranglers and Orlando Renegades, and went on to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played from 1986 to 1988. As a Steeler, he recorded four interceptions, including a 67-yard touchdown return, and became known for his toughness and heart on the field. Beyond football, Lupe Sanchez built a successful career and gave back to his community with humility and kindness — always proud of where he came from. His journey from Mt. Whitney High School to UCLA to the NFL stands as a shining example of what hard work, faith, and perseverance can achieve. Lupe Sanchez passed away in April 2025 at the age of 63, but his legacy will forever live on in the hearts of Pioneers, Bruins, and Steelers alike. Friday, we retire #85 in his honor — a number that will never again be worn at Mt. Whitney High School. It will instead serve as a reminder of excellence, dedication, and the lasting spirit of a true Pioneer. Thank you, Lupe Sanchez — once a Pioneer, always a Pioneer.