South San Francisco AC

South San Francisco was a community that was growing during the 1950's. Numerous new neighborhoods were taking shape. The population was growing and acitivities to keep everyone engaged were happening throughout the city. The recreation department was expanding with multiple programs and sports, but one sport seemed to be missing. That was about to change in a very big way. The game of soccer would find its roots in South City and the person responsible for making it happen was...... Alvaro Bettucchi.

During the years from 1939-1945, Bettucchi played pick-up games during recesses at Martin Elementary School.. When in Jr. High, they taught soccer during gym classes but there was no soccer played in any High School. After returning to SSF from a summer in Italy in 1948, Bettucchi went to work part time for the receration department and after having played soccer against the local kids in Italy that summer, Bettucchi held his own and was eager to teach soccer to the South City kids.

After working with them, he convinced the group to form a team and they would go and play against teams from San Francisco at Beach Chalet. Bettucchi then turned his attention along with some of his Italian & Greek friends to try and form a soccer team in High School and play against San Francisco schools, but the coaches said no

By 1959, there were over 350 boys playing on 19 recreation teams, so Bettucchi went from school to school and his efforts eventually saw a formation of a 4 team high school league which grew to eight schools the next year. High School soccer was here to stay and in San Mateo County it became a major sport.

             South San Francisco High School Warriors - Varsity Team 1960

When Bettucchi returned from his tour of duty in the Army in the mid fifties, he sought to rebuild soccer in South City, as while he was away, no soccer had been played there. He rounded up a group of 20 SSF residents and they began playing in the 3rd Division in San Francisco. In 1957 the South San Francisco Athletic Club officially joined the Peninsula Soccer League based out of San Jose. 

                South San Francisco Athletic Club 1973-74,  PSL 3rd Division Champs

When Coach Bettucchi retired from Coaching in 1983.....his impact was obvious and his accomplishments were many. SSFAC went from the 3rd Division to the 1st Division in the Peninsula Soccer League. They won a Championship in 1978, and also had numerous 2nd and 3rd place finishes. High School soccer had flourished into High School leagues from Daly City to San Jose and Adult soccer had 6 leagues in the Peninsula Adult Division.

Words like Icon, Legend, Role Model, Mentor, & Visionary are words that can define many great individuals.....BUT in South San Francisco, they all define Mr. Alvaro Bettucchi !!

      Alvaro Bettucchi - Back Row 2nd From Left with 2022-23 SSFAC