An institution in San Francisco handball, Michael “Mike” De La Pena (1909–1991) was a ubiquitous presence at the Club for 60 years as a player, instructor, mentor and promoter of handball.
A product of the handball courts in Golden Gate Park, he was recruited to the Club by famed commissioner John Januet in the early 1930s. His competitive career spanned the eras of Al Banuet and Bob Brady, both three time national champions. He won two Club singles and six Club doubles titles with partners Dan Marble (1936 and 1942 national finalist), Roy Leu (13 time OC doubles champion), and Jack Clements (1942 national champion; national finalist 1938–1940).
De La Pena oversaw the Club’s handball program as instructor and coach from 1961- 1979. He built a strong junior program, while open and masters players continued to dominate regional and national competition. He recruited competitive players; two examples of his recruiting work for the Club are being inducted into the Hall of Fame with him tonight, Joe McDonald and Mike Dunne, Sr.
Mike De La Pena was inducted into the Northern California Hall of Fame as both a contributor and player.
