April 18, 2007
Sid Brooks, who served as USC's director of equipment operations for 5 years after a 27-year career with the San Diego Chargers, died this past Saturday (April 14) in Gilbert, Ariz., of a head injury from a fall in a health club sauna. He was 72.
Services will be held this Friday (April 20) at 11 a.m. in the Immaculata at the University of San Diego. Flowers can be sent to the Brooks family in care of Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary, 5050 Federal Blvd., San Diego, CA 92102. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 225 Broadway, Suite 1530, San Diego, CA 92101.
Brooks joined USC in the summer of 2000 as director of equipment operations, overseeing all equipment room functions, before retiring in 2005.
He had spent the previous 27 years (1973-2000) as the equipment manager with the San Diego Chargers. He was credited with co-inventing the color facemask, colored football shoes, 3-color jersey numbers, zippers on football pants and form-fitting shoulder pads. The home lockerroom at Qualcomm Stadium is named after him.
Prior to joining the Chargers, he spent 20 years in U.S. Air Force, earning the rank of senior master sergeant. He supervised the Cadet Athletic Supply Branch at the Air Force Academy. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was awarded numerous service medals, including several Most Outstanding Airman of the Year commendations (one of 3 honorees in Vietnam in 1972 and one of 12 in USAF in 1970).
He was chairman of the 1971 AAU Junior Olympics while stationed at the Air Force Academy. He developed and taught a course on race and human relations in Vietnam. He was made an honorary Blue Angel in 1996.
He was involved in various civic projects, including serving on the executive committee of the University of Phoenix's San Diego campus, plus serving as a drug education volunteer. He was named 1999 Father of the Year by the San Diego Father's Day Council.
He held an associate's degree in business management, fashion merchandising and industrial supervision, with certification in purchasing and materials management.
In 2006, he wrote "Sid Brooks' Tales From The San Diego Chargers Locker Room."
He is survived by his wife, Gerri, and four children, Joey, Michael, Brett and Allison.
