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January 13 -- January 19, 2025
Issue No. 572
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College Football
Playoffs Carousel
(Part VII)
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The 2025 CFP National Championship Game is set for January 20 at 4:30 P.M., PST. on ESPN
The College Football Playoffs Carousel, which once had 12 customers, now has only two teams with tickets to ride: #7 Notre Dame and #8, Ohio State. The Fightin' Irish defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions (boo-hoo) in the Orange Bowl, while Ohio State beat Texas (Awww) in the Cotton Bowl. The game will be played in Atlanta, GA. The average ticket price, if you are a true zealot, is said to be over $2,600.00, a new record.
Both teams feature strong defenses, but after the way Ohio State's defense came through in the clutch in the final minutes vs. Texas with a dramatic 83-yard sack-and-score by Jack Sawyer (against his former teammate at OSU before he transferred, Texas QB Quinn Ewers), I give OSU the edge. That strong pass rush will frustrate Irish QB "Wily Riley" Leonard's opportunities to effectively utilize the capabilities of his stable of excellent receivers.
The Buckeyes' line play on both sides of the ball has been impressive, with players who outweigh their 49ers counterparts, and their OL will help unleash their explosive running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. OSU QB Will Howard is a natural leader, not prone to mistakes.
Notre Dame has its own dynamic running duo: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and Leonard is an experienced dual-threat quarterback. The Irish also have a strong defense which has only allowed 14.3 points per game all season. This game will be a bona fide battle for the first "CFP Carousel Gold Ring." Ohio State will need to flawlessly execute a strategically sound game plan to walk away with that prize, and in my judgment, they will do so.
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle
Marketing Director, Sports Today
Reader's Note
So sorry about our teams! None have been doing well – hockey, football, basketball, etc. I guess we are used to be spoiled by all of our teams – this past year was rough!!! Good people all around but due to the circumstances, we failed. Hopefully we shall overcome! Have a good week and stay well.
Carpe Diem and thank you.
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore, CA
Reader's Praise
Another year, another challenge. I am well aware publishing this outstanding publication is no longer a challenge for you, and I know you will keep this excellent product at a top of my magazines. It's unparalleled.
Stay the course.
Arif Khatib
Founder & President, Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame
Author: In the Shadow of Obscurity...Toiling In A Reluctant Society
Remember Their Sacrifice....Stories of Unheralded Athletes of Color
Film Producer: Because They Believed
Cultural Ambassador -- Indian American Hindu Community
www.multiethnicsportshof.com www.becausetheybelieved.co
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears (MBkB) 68, Virginia Tech Hokies 71
Cal Bears (MBkB) 75, Virginia Cavaliers 61
Cal Bears (WBkB) 82, Florida State Seminoles 70
Cal Bears (WBkB) 78, North Carolina State Wolfpack 71
Golden State Warriors 99, Sacramento Kings 129
Major League Table Tennis
Stanford Cardinal (MBkB) 88, Virginia Cavaliers 65
Features & Commentary
Jimmy Carter, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
NJPW Battle in the Valley, by Darren Yamashita
Not Much Fun Thinking About Bay Area Sports, by Howard Pearlstein
Ruth Among The Greatest Pitchers, Too, by Dave Newhouse
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
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San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Nighthawks
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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Cal Bears 68
Virginia Tech Hokies 71
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, January 11, 2025
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Coming from a slow start and only shooting 16% from the field in the first half, the Golden Bears would rally from a 22-point deficit to tie the score with six minutes to go in the second half. Cal had the chance to tie the score with a 3-point shot at the buzzer. Exciting, hard-fought, never quit, that’s Cal basketball. Above, didn’t see that one -- the pass from Christian Tucker (#22) went by the defender unnoticed in the first half. The University of California (Cal) Golden Bears played host to the Virginia Tech University Hokies in ACC Conference Men's Basketball at Haas Pavilion on Saturday, January 11 in Berkeley, CA.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Cal Bears 82
Florida State Seminoles 70
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Sunday, January 12, 2025
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Cal Bears sophomore guard Lulu Twidale scored a team-high
19 points with five three-pointers as the #24 Bears defeated the Florida State Seminoles, 82-70, at Haas Pavilion on Sunday, January 12th. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Stanford Cardinal 88
Virginia Cavaliers 65
Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA
Saturday, January 11, 2025
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Stanford Cardinal center Maxime Reynaud recorded his nation-leading 13th double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Cardinal defeated the Virginia Cavaliers, 88-65, at Maples Pavilion on Saturday, January 11th. Caption and photo by
Darren Yamashita.
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Ruth Among
The Greatest
Pitchers, Too
by Dave Newhouse
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Babe Ruth, the greatest pitcher? Well, that’s a stretch, but not too great of one, because the Bambino once was as dominant on the mound as he would later become at home plate.
Before sold to the New York Yankee in 1920, Ruth was a Boston Red Sox pitcher from 1914-1919, helping the Red Sox win three World Series, including a three-year stretch with his pitching records of 18-8, 23-12 and 24-13. Then he decided to become an everyday player because of his home run power. Thus in 1919, he was 9-5 while pitching fewer games, but adding a major-league leading 29 homers during the “dead ball” era.
But Ruth's overall pitching record was 94-46 with a stunning 2.28 ERA, including a 5-0 record while spot-pitching for New York. Not only did Ruth have a winning record against the great Walter Johnson, he also set a World Series record of 29 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings which lasted more than 40 years until broken by Whitey Ford in 1961.
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In 1916, Ruth won 23 games and posted a league-leading
1.75 ERA. He also threw nine shutouts—an American
League record for left-handed pitchers which still stands.
(It was tied in 1978 by the Yankees' Ron Guidry.)
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This settles the argument for me of who is baseball’s greatest player. Willie Mays is the game’s greatest position player without question. But its greatest overall player was Ruth, who will continue to hold that distinction unless Shohei Ohtani shows he can hit and pitch like the Babe.
In the interim, Ruth deserves to be in my Top 20 list of all-time pitchers, which I’m breaking down into two categories of 10, not in any order of merit, but loosely chronologically.
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Cy Young's 511 victories are a major-league record which most
likely will never be broken
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So here goes the first 10:
Cy Young
Christy Mathewson
Walter Johnson
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Babe Ruth
Lefty Grove
Carl Hubbell
Bob Feller
Whitey Ford
Warren Spahn
Young won 511 games; even more amazing, he lost 316 games. On those numbers alone, he deserves the annual pitching award named after him. Johnson, not Young, might be baseball’s greatest right-handed pitcher with 417 victories, while Mathewson and Alexander each won 373 games. Grove had 300 wins exactly, but Lefty wasn’t as productive as another lefty, Spahn, who compiled 363 victories. Feller was a fire-balling strikeout artist, while Hubbel and Ford were as crafty as they come. If this group needed a pitching coach, Jim Turner of the mid-20th Century Yankees would be ideal.
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In 1968, Bob Gibson authored the greatest season by a pitcher in modern history. His 1.12 ERA established an all-time record for 300 or more innings. During one stretch, he surrendered merely two earned runs over 95 innings
Now for the next 10:
Bob Gibson
Sandy Koufax
Juan Marichal
Ferguson Jenkins
Steve Carlton
Nolan Ryan
Don Drysdale
Tom Seaver
Randy Johnson
Greg Maddux
There are no 500-game winners, nor 400 in this grouping, but all 10 were classic pitchers. Koufax won only 165 games, but some baseball purists believe he's the game’s greatest southpaw pitcher. Gibson and Drysdale would drill batters, while Ryan (seven no-hitters) would make them shake in their cleats with his unmatched heat. Johnson had the same effect with his 6-10 height. Marichal, Maddux and Seaver were control masters, while Jenkins and Carlton grinded down opponents. My pitching coach for this bunch would be Dave Duncan of the Oakland A’s. Just look what he did for Dennis Eckersley's and Dave Stewart’s careers.
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Mariano Rivera played for the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2013. He holds the record for the most career saves (652) and is known for his postseason dominance, with a 0.70 ERA in 96 playoff games and five World Series championships
Now for the top six relievers:
Mariano Rivera
Rollie Fingers
Goose Gossage
Dennie Eckersley
Trevor Hoffman
Lee Smith
It doesn’t get any finer than with Rivera on the mound, or more fearful with Gossage tossing gas. His drilling of the Dodgers’ Ron Cey in the helmet in a World Series game is the most frightening thing I’ve ever watched on the diamond. But those A’s relievers, Fingers and Eckersley, were two of the best closers ever. Hoffman and Smith were consistently productive.
I’m sorry to exclude Dazzy Vance, Dizzy Trout and Dizzy Dean among other wonderful pitchers not selected, adding Eddie Plank, 326 wins, to the group. It’s not a perfect list, just my list, so your criticisms are welcomed, and, I’m sure, sometimes justified.
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Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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Cal Bears 75
Virginia Cavaliers 61
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Thursday, January 8, 2025
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The Cal men’s basketball team made history by beating the University of Virginia Cavaliers for their first ACC Conference win ever, 75-61, in Haas Pavilion on January 8, 2025. The game started slowly but then Cal got hot and capitalized on several defensive stops, with Mady Sissoko logging four blocks. Andrej Stojakovic led all scorers with 23 points. His 24.25 points-per-game average places him at the top of the ACC Conference Above, playing to the crowd after hitting a 3-point shot, DeJuan Campbell (#3), would finish the game with 11 points, as the University of California (CAL) Golden Bears played host to the University of Virginia Cavaliers, ACC Conference Men's Basketball, at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, CA.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Golden State Warriors 99
Sacramento Kings 129
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, January 5, 2025
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It wasn’t for lack of effort the Warriors didn’t win. Curry had 26 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Photo by Rich Yee. | |
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New Japan Pro Wrestling
San Jose Civic, San Jose, CA
Saturday, January 11, 2025
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El Phantasmo (midair) defeated Jeff Cobb (on ground) to defend his New Japan Pro Wrestling World TV Championship during the NJPW Battle in the Valley event at the San Jose Civic on Saturday, January 11th. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
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Sumie Sakai is thrown into the air by fellow wrestlers after her retirement match. Sakai, 52, was the inaugural Ring of Honor Women of Honor champion and retired after a 27-year career.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Cal Bears 78
North Carolina State Wolfpack 71
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley
Thursday, January 9, 2025
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Cal Bears forward Marta Suarez made all four of her three-pointers, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds as the #24-ranked Bears defeated the #21-ranked NC State Wolfpack, 78-71, at Haas Pavilion on Thursday January 9th.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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"If you enjoy your free, weekly Sports Today, we sure would appreciate any contributions to help with the costs involved in its publication. Thanks!" | |
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Cy Young award-winning pitcher Justin Verlander will be
wearing a Giants uniform in the New Year.
Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Verlander, 3-time Cy winner, signs
1-year deal with Giants
Maria Guardado / @mi_guardado
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado’s Giants Beat
newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe
to get it regularly in your inbox.
Justin Verlander and the Giants on Saturday finalized a one-year deal that was first reported earlier this week. Verlander's contract is worth $15 million, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Verlander, who turns 42 next month, is only two seasons removed from winning his third Cy Young Award in 2022 with the Astros. He signed two-year, $86.7 million with the Mets after that season and then was dealt back to Houston at the 2023 Trade Deadline.
A likely future Hall of Famer, Verlander is a former MVP, two-time ERA title winner and two-time World Series champion with the Astros. He was hampered by shoulder and neck injuries last year, pitching to a 5.48 ERA over 17 starts, but the Giants are taking a flier on his veteran clubhouse presence and playoff pedigree.
The Giants, under new president of baseball operations Buster Posey, were in the mix for top free-agent ace Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million contract with the division-rival D-backs last month.
continued...
www.sfgiants.com
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"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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Rickey Nelson Hendley Henderson.
Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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'We're all going to miss him':
A's imagine Spring Training
without Rickey
Martín Gallegos @MartinJGallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Hello! Welcome to another edition of the A’s Beat newsletter.
SACRAMENTO -- Three weeks after the passing of the legendary Rickey Henderson, the shock felt by Athletics players and coaches still has not worn off.
Henderson, who died on Dec. 20 at age 65, was a larger-than-life character. Yet inside the A’s clubhouse, the "Man of Steal" was just one of the guys. During his frequent appearances in Spring Training and during the regular season over the past couple of years, Henderson fit right in with the rest of the group, often challenging players to a game of cards or holding court inside the locker room to share tales from his 25-year Hall of Fame career.
• 'Truly one of a kind': Baseball world reacts to Henderson’s passing
The thought of showing up to Spring Training next month in Mesa, Ariz., and not seeing Rickey strolling around the facility remains a strange reality for this current group of A’s. During a visit to Sacramento earlier this week, MLB.com caught up with A’s right fielder Lawrence Butler, left-hander JP Sears and manager Mark Kotsay to reflect on their favorite memories and lessons learned from the greatest leadoff hitter in MLB history:
continued...
Martín Gallegos covers the A's for MLB.com
www.oaklandas.com
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2025 Schedule Announced
The Oakland Ballers announce their schedule for the 2025 Pioneer League season. Coming off a second-half championship, the 96-game regular season commences on Tuesday, May 20 with Opening Night against the Ogden Raptors, whom they will face for the first time in franchise history. The Ballers will face nine of the other 11 Pioneer League teams, including three for the first time with Ogden, Grand Junction, and Missoula.
Oakland will also face their regional rivals the High Wheelers in their new home in Yuba-Sutter. The two Northern California teams will face off 18 times in the 2025 season with six games at Raimondi Park and 12 games at Bryant Field in Marysville, CA.
Fans will be able to catch a different team each week at Raimondi, with eight different teams traveling to Oakland to face off against the Ballers.
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www.oaklandballers.com
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Advertise in Sports Today!
Special Rates Available!
Ann Cooke, Sales Director
Or call (510) 414-5394
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Earthquakes Acquire All-Star Forward Cristian Arango in Trade with Real Salt Lake
“Chicho” arrives in San Jose after 37 goal contributions in last 41 games; Quakes trade $1.4 million in GAM, 2026 international slot to RSL for versatile Colombian attacker
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has acquired forward Cristian “Chicho” Arango from Real Salt Lake via trade in exchange for $700,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2025, $700,000 GAM in 2026 and a 2026 international slot. Arango will occupy a Designated Player spot on the roster.
Arango, 29, is coming off a two-year spell at Real Salt Lake where he emerged as one of the elite all-around forwards in Major League Soccer. In 41 total games with RSL from 2023-24, “Chicho” amassed 37 goal contributions (23 goals, 14 assists). In 2024, he earned his first MLS All-Star berth and was one of only seven players in the entire league who finished top 20 in both goals and assists (17g/12a). Among players with at least 50 MLS games played, Arango currently stands seventh in league history in goals scored per 90 minutes (0.702).
“We’re pleased to add one of Major League Soccer’s top goalscorers in Chicho Arango,” said Earthquakes Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “With his ability to score and set up his teammates for goals, he'll offer another good option to our attack.”
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www.sjearthquakes.com
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PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT
Bay FC is proud to welcome a three-time All-American midfielder Taylor Huff to the club! Huff joins the club on her first professional contract from Florida State University.
Huff was also recently selected to the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team Futures Camp taking place from January 14-21 in Carson, California.
READ MORE>>
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Not Much Fun Thinking About
Bay Area Sports
by Howard Pearlstein
The Forty-niners’ season ended with a dull thud. The Warriors’ season is either stumbling or heading into a free fall. But don’t blame the coaches. More about that later, but first, there is some sort of good news. I know it’s kind of meager, but still…
Neither team is in the playoffs and that’s good news. Year after year, we’ve been delighted to see them heading toward grabbing the gold ring on the merry-go-round. And that has had a cost.
Other teams finish their seasons and they’re done for a while. Their players and coaches are getting healed – physical therapy, perhaps much-needed surgery. More sleep, more Sundays.
Time to remember the people they are when they aren’t wearing a number, who they are with friends, family, lovers. People who have the time for hikes, fishing, taking the kids to the zoo (and getting the VIP tours because the docents are fans).
They get a few months to rest and recover and then gear up for the new season (or retire if “one more time” is one too many).
But our guys, going for the prize, have had an extra 2, 3 weeks of games, almost every year, and all against the top teams. Each game is sudden death -- win and keep going, or the season ends when the game clock runs out. The higher they go, the lower the draft picks.
Hell, the Niners not only went to the Super Bowl, they played the Chiefs to a tie. The CHIEFS!
And then in overtime, ONE false-move, ONE failed defensive play. And it was over.
And then, like a mean-spirited roulette wheel, the ball stops on the name of someone or something to blame. History generally shows that trying to fix blame when what is needed is to fix the problem usually makes things worse.
Bob Dylan put it simply: “A lot of people got nothing to eat, but they got a lot of knives, and they gotta cut something.”
So, the Dubs handed the Pistons their first loss of 2025, and did it without Wiggs or Kuminga or Podz or GPII.
The only good thing about so many injuries was the return of Gui Santos finally getting enough minutes to show what he could do. He burned up the court with 3’s and rebounds and assists and steals.
The next night, with two more starters out (Steph and Draymond) it was Gui and Quinten Post and Lindy Waters and Spencer and Moses and Kevon and Buddy Hield and TJD and Slo-Mo and Schroeder who kept it close all the way to the end. Ten players total, anyone fouls out or is ejected, nine.
As for the Niners, it’s too complex to know what to fix. Players holding out? Owners making new contracts a battle. The NFL’s salary caps. And injuries, injuries, injuries. Replacements don’t know the plays. It’s all just one giant steaming pile of organically interconnected mess. We can’t blame players or coaches or the organization because no one seems to know what to fix, or even where to start.
But the blame really goes to their success, the things we love, the ethos that says “You gotta play hurt.” This year, without post season playoffs, maybe there’s time to find what to fix.
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Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Jimmy Carter -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was a sprint football player
for the Navy Midshipmen and a standout freshman
cross-country runner.
I met him at a book signing in San Francisco and he signed these two books for me. I was able to shake his hand but no selfies
were allowed. President Carter recently passed away on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 114: Assessing The Concept Of A Neutral Arbitrator Determining Whether NIL Deals Are Kosher
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
On December 23, 2024, a Question and Answer document was added to the docket of the House v. NCAA case, where a settlement is pending final approval from Judge Claudia Wilken. The Q&A intends to provide insight as to the impact of the proposed settlement on current Division I athletes.
Question No. 6 is: "May student-athletes sign an NIL agreement with anyone?" The answer is yes, but if an athlete signs an agreement with certain boosters or a NIL collective, then the money paid must be for a "valid business purpose" with "payments at fair market value rates." I discussed the conundrum of figuring out what a "fair market value rate" is in last week's volume of this newsletter. I also have no clue how someone is to objectively determine whether the money paid is for a "valid business purpose."
Question No. 8 is: "Who determines whether the money provided by an associated entity or individual is at a fair market rate?" The answer is that the "designated enforcement entity" will decide whether such an agreement is impermissible. I think that is supposed to be Deloitte, which is in no position to decide what is or is not permissible. If that designated enforcement agency says a deal is not kosher, then athletes may challenge the decision through a "neutral arbitration system," which has yet to be defined. Then, if the neutral arbitrator decides the designated enforcement entity made the right call, the athlete and the booster/NIL collective can still renegotiate the agreement in an attempt to prove there is a "valid business purpose" and "fair market value rates."
What a cluster-you-know-what.
For one, I don't see how athletes can be bound by a decision that their agreements with boosters and collectives, which typically have clauses that address choice of law, jurisdiction, and how disputes are adjudicated, must now be beholden to an arbitration process that is unilaterally decided by the NCAA.
Separately, I envision more litigation the moment an arbitrator decides that an agreement entered into voluntarily between an athlete and a booster/collective violates this concept of "valid business purpose" and/or "fair market value."
continued...
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Dan Gurney’s 1961 Chevrolet Impala Debuts as Pace Car for Dan Gurney Saloon Car Trophy Race at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Justin Gurney Celebrates Family History with Dad’s Brash Impala
MONTEREY, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025—Few would call American racing hero Dan Gurney subtle when he entered a slightly modified stock 1961 Chevy Impala to race against smaller displacement cars at the British Saloon Car Championship at Silverstone. Now, 63 years later and under the rightful ownership of his son Justin Gurney, this original Impala will be driven by Justin as the pace car for the aptly named Dan Gurney Saloon Car Trophy race at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Aug. 13-16 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“My dad loved this car and always talked about it,” explained Justin Gurney, president and CEO of the famed All American Racers. “There’s a photo of him driving it in our office’s hallway and a large mural in the shop.”
But it was bittersweet as the Impala was banned before the next race after its lone appearance where he was leading before a wheel broke on the second to last lap. “Dad wasn’t very happy with the ban prior to the second race and tried to argue his case, but in the end realized he couldn’t fight city hall and sold it on the spot.”
continued...
www.weathertechraceway.com
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Drive on Track and Make an Impact:
Take a Lap in Your Car on Sonoma Raceway’s Famed Road Course
SONOMA, Calif. (January 9, 2025) – Sonoma Raceway invites you to hit the track for a good cause at the “Drive For Charity” event on Saturday, January 25. Bring your own street-legal vehicle and take it for a spin on the legendary 2.52-mile, 12-turn road course – with all proceeds benefiting children and families in need in Sonoma County through Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) Sonoma, the charitable arm of Sonoma Raceway. This popular event sells out quickly, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
Event Highlights:
- Three Lead-Follow Laps: Participants will enjoy three guided laps around Sonoma Raceway’s renowned road course driving their own street legal vehicles.
- Professional Photo: Each driver will receive a high-quality photo of their car on track, delivered via email after the event.
- Intimate Group Experience: Sessions will consist of no more than six vehicles, allowing for a higher speed and more personalized experience.
“We’re thrilled to offer this exciting opportunity on what is normally a very active racetrack. People will experience what it’s like to drive on the same racing surface as the pros while supporting a cause that directly impacts our community,” said Courtney Kiser, Director of Speedway Children’s Charities Sonoma. “Every lap driven is another contribution to helping local kids and families in need.”
For more information about SCC Sonoma, to register for the event, donate or to get involved, visit SpeedwayCharities.org.
Tickets and select camping options are available for 2025 Sonoma Raceway events at SonomaRaceway.com.
Sonoma Raceway is a 2.52-mile and 12-turn road course and quarter-mile drag strip located at Sears Point in Sonoma County, California. Built in 1968 the track is carved into rolling hills with 160 ft of total elevation change. It is host to the only NASCAR Cup Series race in California and one of the few that are run on road courses. It is one of the world’s busiest racing facilities, with track activity scheduled an average of 340 days a year. A complete and versatile motorsports complex, it is home to one of the nation’s only high-performance automotive industrial parks, with approximately 70 tenants.
www.sonomaraceway.com
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Major League Table Tennis
Pleasanton, CA
Saturday, January 11, 2025
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Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) is the first and only professional table tennis league in America. In its inaugural season, there are eight teams in cities throughout the U.S. with elite athletes from across the globe competing in a unique teams-based formats. MLTT is committed to advancing the sport of table tennis by providing the ultimate table tennis experience for all involved. We are dedicated to growing our league and supporting our athletes as they compete at the highest levels of the sport. Above: The Major League Table Tennis team visited the Bay Area on their 12 city tour for the 2024-2025 season. The teams are made up of players from around the world and feature national champions and Olympians. https://mltt.com. Photo by Ed Jay. | |
The Bay Area’s own, Lily Zhang is a four-time Olympian having competed in Paris. She is also a six-time National Champion. She plays for the Bay Area Blasters. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
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Benedek Olah, of Finland, plays for the Princeton Revolution team and is known for his backhand spin serve. Photo and
caption by Ed Jay.
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"If you enjoy your free, weekly Sports Today, we sure would appreciate any contributions to help with the costs involved in its publication. Thanks!" | |
No. 6 Bears Place 3rd At Sprouts Collegiate Quad
Cal Posts Season Highs On Every Event
OKLAHOMA CITY – The second session of the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City lived up to hype with four of the top gymnastics programs in the nation battling it out on national television Saturday afternoon. The No. 6 California gymnastics team had an excellent showing, placing third with a team score of 197.275 which was a full point improvement from its last meet.
No. 1 Oklahoma (197.950) took the top spot with the highest mark by any team this season in what has been a low-scoring start to the year for every other program. No. 2 LSU finished in second with a 197.650 and No. 4 Utah finished fourth at 196.800.
The Golden Bears were consistent and timely all afternoon hitting strong routines when they needed to. After seeing four 9.90+ routines in its season opener last week, Cal posted seven under the bright lights and didn't count any scores under 9.825.
The Bears began the day on the uneven bars and got going right away with senior Mya Lauzon collecting a 9.90 in the lead-off spot, which was the team's top score of the rotation and the eighth highest in the meet. To avoid counting a fall the final three Bears all had to hit, and all rose to the occasion. Senior Ella Cesario clutched up and posted a 9.850 and despite battling illness all week senior Maddie Williams posted a 9.875 in the five spot. With just one routine to go, junior Casey Brown was subbed into the anchor spot and in heroic fashion posted a career-high tying 9.875 to give the Bears a 49.325, their highest event score of the season for the moment.
Cal matched that season-high score on the next rotation as Cesario (9.825) and Williams (9.875) got the team off to a strong start on the balance beam. Senior Jordan Kane and Frazier collected back-to-back 9.90's and Lauzon finished off the event with a 9.825. The Bears' 49.325 was the third-highest beam score in the entire Sprouts Collegiate Quad.
The best score of the night and the season came on the floor exercise as Cal collected a 49.350 to increase its lead over the Red Rocks heading into the final rotation. Cesario and sophomore Kyen Mayhew each tallied a 9.850 and freshman CJ Keuneke made her collegiate debut and anchored the lineup with an impressive 9.825. Lauzon collected her second 9.900 of the day and Frazier earned the team's top score of the meet at 9.925.
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Photo: Peter Fukumae
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Card Upsets No. 5 Ball State
Stanford sweeps Cardinals in Burnham
STANFORD, Calif. – Led by Moses Wagner and Theo Snoey, No. 13 Stanford bounced back in a big way with a 25-19, 25-23, 30-28 sweep over No. 5 Ball State, Saturday, in Burnham Pavilion.
Stanford (1-1) hit .361 as a team while holding Ball State (3-1) to a .271 clip. The Cardinal racked up 26 digs, five aces and 3.5 blocks in its first win of the season.
Wagner recorded a career-high 19 kills on .419 hitting, three digs, an ace and a block to lead Stanford. Snoey added 12 kill son a .429 attack percentage, three digs, two assists, an ace and a block.
Setter Theoren Brouillette dished out a career-best 42 assists and matched his career-high with eight digs. The junior was also one of five Cardinal to record an ace. Freshman libero Evan Porter finished with six digs.
Sophomore outside hitter Nate Clinton posted eight kills on .385 hitting, four digs and two blocks. On match point, he swiped the ball off the Cardinals’ block to seal the victory.
Sophomore middle blocker Gray Mandelbaum registered four kills, two blocks, two digs and an assist. Freshman middle blocker Kaumana Carreira chipped in with four kills, a block and an ace. Freshman Kai Schmitt came off the bench as a serving sub in all three sets, notching an ace.
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Spartans Get Win in Back and Forth Game Against Air Force
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Amiah Simmons led with a season-high 26 points and Djessira Diawara scored a career-high 22 points to lead San José State women’s basketball (8-10, 1-4 MW) in a 90-84 win against Air Force (10-6, 0-4 MW) from Provident Credit Union Event Center on Saturday afternoon.
- A back-and-forth affair for most of the game, the Spartans pulled away in the fourth quarter with the help of a 6-0 run and would hold that lead for the remainder of regulation.
- The Spartans’ 90 points are the most this season against a Division One opponent, as well as the most of Coach Phillip’s career against a Division One opponent.
- SJSU’s 90 points scored in this game are the most against a Division One opponent since the Spartans scored 95 against Nevada on Feb. 19 during the 2013-2014 season.
- The Spartans shot 63% from the field and 50% from behind the arc setting a season-high for the squad.
- The Spartans win snaps a two-game losing streak against Air Force.
- This is the 11th game this season the Spartans have had more than three players score in double digits.
- The Spartans outrebounded the Falcons 40-26.
- Simmons finished with 26 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals while going 10-for-15 from the field and 3-for-5 from behind the arc.
- Simmons set a new season high with her 26 points scored.
- Simmons has now led the Spartans in scoring in back-to-back games, scoring 42 points over that span.
- Diawara finished with a career-high 22 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one steal while going 9-for-11 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
- Diawara also set a new single-game career high with nine field goals made.
- Diawara now has five games this season with 10 or more rebounds.
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Amira Brown tallied 14 points to go with two rebounds, eight assists, and one steal while going 6-for-11 from the field and 2-for-5 from behind the arc.
- Brown’s eight assists and six field goals set new career highs.
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Rylei Waugh contributed seven points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal while going 1-for-3 from behind the arc.
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Sydni Summers contributed seven points with two rebounds and two assists while going 3-for-6 from the field and 1-for-3 from behind the arc.
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Gaels Put Up Best Offensive Performance of the Season,
Down Toreros 103-56
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Saint Mary's Gaels (15-3, 5-0 WCC) put together a dominant 40 minutes of action against the San Diego Toreros (4-14, 1-4 WCC), taking their first double-digit lead at the 8:47 mark of this game, and extending it out to 47 points, where the game ended, 103-58. The Gaels put up 62 points in the second half compared to San Diego's 56 for the game, one of many eye popping stats in Saturday night's SMC victory.
Jordan Ross got the Gaels going with a three in their second possession of the game, and Saint Mary's never looked back. After the game stayed within single digits for the first 11 minutes and change, Augustas Marciulionis buried a triple with 8:47 to go in the half to put the Gaels up 23-13, and would keep the pedal to the metal to extend the lead out to 17 points at the half, 41-24. Six of the eight Gaels who touched the floor in the first half scored, with five of them scoring at least six points. Captains Augustas Marciulionis and Mitchell Saxen led the charged with nine points each, as Marciulionis led the Gaels with four assists, and Saxen led his squad with six boards. Paulius Murauskas filled up the stat sheet with four points, six rebounds and two steals in the first half, while Marciulionis and Luke Barrett didn't leave the floor in the opening stanza.
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Photo: Thomas Christensen / USD Athletics
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Dons Fall Late at Pilots
PORTLAND, Ore. – The University of San Francisco women's basketball team (8-8, 5-2 WCC) concluded its Pacific Northwest road trip with a 74-60 loss at Portland (15-2, 5-2 WCC) Saturday evening at Chiles Center.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
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Portland opened the game with three consecutive field goals, gaining an early 6-0 lead at 7:37 of the first quarter. San Francisco answered with six straight points, tying the game at six at 6:16, with layups from Luana Leite and Freja Werth.
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Following a jumper from Rhyan Mogel to put the Pilots up by one, 8-6, Werth kickstarted a 7-0 run, knocking down a corner three and two free throws while Emma Trawally Porta connected on an easy layup to give the Dons a 13-8 advantage with 2:27 remaining in the quarter.
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The Dons continued to add to the lead in the back half of the opening quarter, pushing the margin to eight, 20-12, on an Angeliki Ziaka fastbreak layup. The Pilots, however, answered with 31 seconds remaining, trimming the Dons' lead to six, 20-14, on a Lainey Spear driving layup.
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After the Pilots tied the game at 20, Werth recorded seven straight points, highlighted by a wide-open three-pointer to give San Francisco a 27-20 advantage at 6:48. Luana Leite added two free throws less than a minute later to complete the 9-0 scoring run, giving the green and gold a 29-20 edge at 6:14.
- The Pilots erased their deficit in the following minutes, using a 15-6 run to tie the game at 35 with 1:44 remaining in the quarter. Trading points the rest of the way, the Pilots closed the first half with two free throws for a 42-40 lead after 20 minutes of play.
- The subsequent 10 minutes featured three ties and three lead changes as both teams combined for 25 points in a highly defensive third quarter. San Francisco regained the lead at the 7:43 mark of the period, as Leite recorded a fastbreak layup for a 46-44 lead.
- Going back and forth to end the quarter, Mogel knocked down a corner three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Pilots a 55-52.
- Portland overpowered San Francisco in the final quarter of play, outscoring the Dons 19-8 to secure the 14-point victory.
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Photo: Christina Leung
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Second-Half Surge Powers Broncos Past San Francisco
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A tale of two halves, a tale of two games, a tale of two rivals.
The Santa Clara University men's basketball team exacted revenge Saturday, avenging an overtime defeat 12 days ago at the hands of San Francisco by running away from the Dons in the second half, winning 77-54 in a West Coast Conference showdown at Leavey Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Saturday was the teams' 237th meeting all-time, and the Broncos' 23-point victory is the largest by either team in the series since Santa Clara (12-6, 4-1 WCC) beat San Francisco (14-5, 4-2 WCC) by 32 (87-55) nearly 17 years ago, on Feb. 25, 2008, inside the Leavey Center. And this coming only 12 days after the Dons barely edged the Broncos in overtime up in San Francisco in their first meeting of the season.
- But Saturday's game nearly wasn't such an epic result.
- Santa Clara flipped the script in the second half. It trailed by seven at halftime and by nine right out of the break after USF scored the first basket to go up, 30-21. The Broncos had struggled to find consistency for the first 20 minutes, shooting 33.3% from the floor, going only 2 for 13 (15.4%) from 3-point range and turning the ball over 10 times before halftime. But that all changed with one dominant stretch.
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Santa Clara went from down five to up 20 with a 33-8 run over a large chunk of the second half – more than 11 1/2 minutes – leaving it with a 65-45 lead with only 4:35 to play. The Broncos scored 12, eight, and five points in a row at different times during the run. Carlos Stewart scored 15 points, Elijah Mahi scored 11, Adama-Alpha Bal scored five, and Johnny O'Neil had a dunk for good measure to power the run.
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Stewart finished with a season-high and game-leading 25 points, which included a season-high-tying five 3-pointers. He also had five rebounds and a team-high four assists. Mahi poured in 17 points with four boards and two assists. Bal and Christoph Tilly both chipped in 10 points.
- Malik Thomas was the only Don in double digits with 19 points. Santa Clara outrebounded the Broncos, 40-30, and scored 19 points off of 16 San Francisco turnovers. The Santa Clara bench also outscored the USF reserves, 24-10.
- The Santa Clara defense pulled its weight, too. San Francisco shot just 3 for 16 (18.8%) from the field during the Broncos' run, including 0 for 7 from deep. The Dons turned the ball over five times while Santa Clara shot 14 for 19 (73.7%) with five treys. Santa Clara's offense was nearly unstoppable in the second half, shooting 67.7% from the floor, 70.0% from 3-point range (7 for 10) and 87.5% (7 for 8) from the free-throw line.
- Santa Clara burst out of the gate in the second half, scoring seven consecutive points and going on a 10-2 run in the opening three minutes to pull within one at 32-31. Stewart scored eight of those 10 points, including bookending the run with 3-pointers.
- San Francisco went on an 8-0 run in the first half that stretched from the 10-minute to the seven-minute mark, flipping a three-point Santa Clara lead into a five-point USF advantage at 22-17. The run included the game's eighth lead change in only the first 11 minutes of the afternoon.
- Both teams went ice cold with four minutes to go in the first half. USF went 1 for 6 with two turnovers and Santa Clara went 0 for 4 with five turnovers to close the opening period. The Dons' lone basket came on a transition dunk following the Broncos' fifth and final turnover of that stretch – and 10th of the first half.
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Photo: Santa Clara Athletics
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
Washington’s Overtime Buzzer Beater Caps Heroic Performance in Win over Washington State
PULLMAN, Wash. – Down by two with 2.6 seconds left in overtime, junior Lamar Washington caught an in-bounds pass from the corner and drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer to carry the Pacific men's basketball program to a 95-94 win over Washington State on Thursday at Beasley Coliseum.
Washington, who scored Pacific's (6-13, 1-4 WCC) last seven points, put the Tigers on his back as his epic three-pointer capped a career-high 40 points. Washington played all 45 minutes and was 16-of-22 from the field and 4-of-6 from three.
The Tigers led for most of regulation and were up 79-71 with 5:39 left before the Cougars (13-4, 3-1 WCC) came storming back. Washington State tied it 84-84 with 19 seconds left, and after a Pacific turnover, the Tigers had to make a stop on a three-point attempt at the buzzer to send it to overtime.
Pacific trailed 93-88 with 1:04 left in overtime when Washington made a lay-up, two free throws and a three in the last minute for the win.
Washington helped the Tigers shoot .552 from the field as a team in the game. He was one of four Tigers in double-figures including senior Petar Krivokapic with a season-high 18 points, junior Jefferson Koulibaly with 11 points and junior Elijah Fisher with 10 points.
The Tigers were without senior Elias Ralph, their leading scorer, after getting hurt just 35 seconds into the game. Ralph came out after a dunk on the team's first possession and did not return.
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Former Aggie Max Arfsten Called to U.S. Men's National Team
January Camp
DAVIS, Calif. — Former UC Davis men's soccer player Max Arfsten has been named to the 24-man roster for the United States Men's National Team's January camp under newly hired head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The camp kicks off Jan. 7 in Ft. Lauderdale, with the USA opening its 2025 schedule against 2024 Copa America quarterfinalists Venezuela on Jan. 18 at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. The team will then travel to Orlando for a friendly against Costa Rica on Jan. 22 at Inter&Co Stadium.
"We are extremely excited to work with a new group of players and continue to implement our ideas," Pochettino said. "As I have said, MLS is very important to the National Team project, and these players have earned this opportunity."
Arfsten is one of seven players earning their first call-ups to a USMNT camp. He earns his first senior call-up following a successful second season with the Columbus Crew, where the 2023 MLS Cup champion and MLS SuperDraft pick appeared in 30 regular season games (22 starts), recording four goals and eight assists. Arfsten recently signed a multi-year contract extension through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028.
In addition to his MLS achievements, Arfsten started all five of the Crew's Leagues Cup 2024 matches, contributing two assists as the Crew lifted their second trophy in nine months. The 23-year-old also made two appearances in the Concacaf Champions Cup, highlighted by converting the decisive penalty kick in a 4-3 shootout win against Tigres on April 9, helping the Crew advance to the semifinal round.
"All of us at UC Davis are really proud and excited for Max. To be recognized for the full U.S. Men's National Team is quite the accomplishment. You have to prove yourself at the professional club level to even be considered. Max proved himself to be a great college soccer player at UC Davis and now has proven himself to be an excellent pro. All of us wish him the best as he moves forward," said UC Davis head men's soccer coach Dwayne Shaffer.
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Men's Basketball Wins Second in a Row on Saturday
HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay men's basketball team showcased their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity in a commanding 82-67 victory over the Stanislaus State Warriors on Saturday evening at Pioneer Gymnasium. It was the second consecutive win for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, establishing a dominant 50-32 lead by halftime. East Bay's offense was clicking, shooting an impressive 51.6 percent from the field and a scorching 61.5 percent from beyond the arc in the opening period. The team's defensive effort was equally impressive, forcing 12 turnovers and converting them into 10 points.
Key runs in the first half set the tone for the game included a 10-2 run midway through the half extended East Bay's lead from 18-15 to 28-17. Additionally, the Pioneers closed the half on a 13-0 run in the final 3:10, capped by a Tyree Campbell 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the half.
Stanislaus State showed signs of life in the second half, outscoring the Pioneers 35-32. However, Cal State East Bay's substantial first-half advantage proved insurmountable. The Warriors managed to cut the lead to 12 points with 2:22 remaining, but a clutch 3-pointer by Payden White in the final minutes sealed the victory for the Pioneers.
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DJ Sanders and Beril Kabamba led the scoring charge for East Bay, each contributing 17 points. Sanders was efficient from the field, going 5-for-8, while Kabamba showcased his versatility by hitting a three-pointer and grabbing 5 rebounds.
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Ramsey Huff and Payden White provided a significant boost from beyond the arc, each draining three 3-pointers en route to 13 points apiece.
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Tyree Campbell filled the stat sheet with 7 points, a team-high 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
- Nine of the 10 Pioneers who entered the game recorded at least one rebound, demonstrating a collective effort on the glass, led by Campbell's six rebounds.
- The team shot an impressive 50 percent from the field and an outstanding 52.2 percent from three-point range (12-for-23).
- The Pioneers controlled the boards, outrebounding the Warriors 35-29.
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Photo: Rob Edwards / KLC fotos
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, January 13, through
Sunday, January 19, 2025
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Monday, January 13
Golden State Warriors @ Toronto Raptors, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 14
Sacramento Kings @ Milwaukee Bucks, 5 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Detroit Red Wings, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, January 15
Golden State Warriors @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 5 p.m.
Thursday, January 16
Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Columbus Blue Jackets, 4 p.m.
Friday, January 17
Saturday, January 18
Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards, 5:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ New York Islanders, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 19
Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards, 6 p.m.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, James Molgaard,
Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired).
Artist: Carl Macki
Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim, Ammar Bhaiji
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
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LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | |
The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | |
More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | |
The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | |
To Order: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | |
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The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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