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May 26 -- June 1, 2025
Issue No. 591
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REAL NFL NEWS --
When Push Comes to Shove and
ZZ Top
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ZZ Top is back on the pages of Sports Today. Several weeks ago Scottie Scheffler shaved his "ZZ Top beard" after criticism in Sports Today (Issue 586: ATTN: American Golfers, It's Tee Time, not Tea Time) and benefited from the sage advice as he won the PGA Championship. Now the Band's classic tune, Just Lookin' for Some Tush, has resurfaced as an NFL term, used to describe the Tush Play, i.e., the employment of two tons of offensive linemen who collectively push and shove their QB into the end zone.
After much controversy, NFL owners have now reached a Decision, but the only similarity with ZZ Top is the title. A proposal to ban the play, which the Philadelphia Eagles made famous, failed to pass Wednesday at the NFL's owners' meetings and the OWNERS kept it as an approved play. The 49ers reportedly voted in favor of the ban. Why? My speculation is that it reveals a perceived weakness in their
Line Play, a sentiment which may be shared by many of the 22 owners who also voted in favor of the ban. When push came to shove, they apparently believed they had neither the push nor the shove in
sufficient quantity to make it part of an effective goal line offensive strategy, or to stop it on defense.
Reports are that all but one team that plays against the Eagles in 2025 voted to ban the tush push.
So here is your Tush Push Menu:
Tush Push a la NFL (San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUDjO9U19lY (:40)
Tush Push a la ZZ TOP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rzaYa_gm1g&list=PLi_6NBoVwFxhjf-_kCQhjTycKh4JlJxGp&index=79 (2:15)
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/
Marketing Director, Sports Today
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Rewarding Competition
I took myself off to the NorCal playoff for the Community College Baseball Association the other day at Santa Rosa JC, whose Bear Cubs ended their regular season at 40-1. That's 40 wins. They were in the final playoff game against a college in Sacramento (Sierra JC) that they'd beaten three times in the regular season, playing for an
all-time historic season of wins. And they lost it, 3-1, against an incredibly strong pitcher. A great game, a big crowd, an historic loss, and $3 nachos and $2 Pepsis and a seat 30-feet behind the batter's box where I could call strikes and fouls. Community college baseball is where it's at. I'm an instant fan! You'd have loved it. Check out the story in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Jon Stewart
Sonoma, CA
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Contents
Games
Athletics 5, Philadelphia Phillies 4
Bay FC 2, Houston Dash 2
Oakland Ballers 9, Odgen Raptors 2
Oakland Roots SC 0, New Mexico United 3
Oakland Spiders 21, Seattle Cascades 16
San Francisco Giants 1, Kansas City Royals 3
San Jose Earthquakes 3, Houston Dynamo FC 3
Features & Commentary
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Selleck Deft, Ageless Author Of Youth Sports, by Dave Newhouse
Spicy Challengers New Mexico United Burn the Oakland Roots, 3-0,
by Lydia Chain
Sugar Ray Leonard, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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
San Francsco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
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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San Francisco Giants 1
Kansas City Royals 3
Bruce Lee Night and
Chinese Heritage Night
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Monday, May 19, 2025
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Monday, May 19 was Bruce Lee Night and Chinese Heritage Night at Oracle Park during which the iconic San Francisco figure was honored and his legacy recalled. Above, Amy G (left) interviews Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee and Mark Young
of Stand With Asians. Caption and photo by Ed Jay.
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Shannon Lee is interviewed during pregame ceremonies.
Caption and photo by Ed Jay.
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San Francisco Giants DJ Umami entertains pregame fans. DJ Umami was a Golden State Warriors DJ from 2012 - 2021.
Caption and photo by Ed Jay.
| Singer sunkis throws out the first pitch. A viral sensation with over 500 million streams, sunkis is a Taiwanese-American singer and songwriter. Caption and photo by Ed Jay. | |
Members from a local San Francisco high school perform a modern Asian-influenced dance routine.
Caption and photo by Ed Jay.
| Jung Hoo Lee, of Korean ancestry, has emerged as a star on the San Francisco Giants. Caption and photo by Ed Jay. | |
San Francisco reliever Tyler Rogers pitched one inning of relief in the eighth, giving up a two-run homer to Phillies first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino which decided the game.
Caption and photo by Ed Jay.
| Pasquantino's home run swing provided the winning runs for a 3-1 win. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Caption and photo by Ed Jay. | | | | |
Selleck Deft,
Ageless Author
Of Youth Sports
by Dave Newhouse
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George Selleck is a man to be admired, for there aren’t too many men like him. He is a force of nature, in spite of a challenging health condition at 90.
That’s right, 90, soon to be 91, and yet he’s just written his 10th book, slated for publication in August.
The title is The Magic of Sports, written by a magician himself in terms of Selleck’s personal wizardry, comparable to stuffing a dozen rabbits in one top hat.
He was a great athlete at Stanford, eschewing professional careers in basketball and baseball, because he wanted more for himself academically.
So he achieved a doctorate in counseling psychology — yes, he’s Dr. George Selleck — before becoming a Presbyterian minister. But he never strayed too far from the world of sports in becoming a college basketball referee, before deciding to merge his athletic and academic backgrounds into literary form.
And that’s how he arrived as an author, focusing on sports in helping youngsters, but all of us really, to understand there’s a humane way to teach the game, and a purposeful way to play it.
“I’ve tried to help others get the most out of their potential, and not just limited to being a winner or a loser,” he said in an interview for this column. “I’m captivated by the word ‘potential.’ Most of my books is a matter of serving people. The greatest thing about our country is serving one another.”
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George Selleck is one of Stanford’s greatest basketball players,
a dynamo guard in the 1950s
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He has achieved that purpose by compiling all aspects of sports into a teaching manner, a learning experience that helps the athlete reach the ultimate athletic involvement, even it stops shy of a college scholarship or a pro contract: Thus a book for most athletes.
“It’s the love of sports,” he explained. “The effort is more important than the results. It’s progress rather than perfection.”
Selleck has converted his excellence as an athlete — he’s one of Stanford’s greatest basketball players, if evaluators reached back to the 1950s when he was a 5-foot-8 playmaking guard — into writing brilliantly about sports.
“I’ve always been a problem-solver,” he self-evaluated.
“Coming down the court with a basketball in my hand, what needed to be done to get the job done. But I’m going to play until the clock stops.”
That competitive metaphor takes different directions. “Until the gun goes off,” he added. Selleck will be 91 in August, but he approaches writing as if he were 41. He begins writing each day at 5 a.m., takes a breakfast break at 6:30 a.m., then resumes writing until 5 p.m. some days, even though that fierce dedication has created further medical issues he doesn’t need.
“That’s when my body went down,” he said of finishing book No. 10. “I’m battling three diseases — the heart, leukemia, and the kidney. I’ve had kidney chemotherapy for five years.”
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Selleck has written a lovely, yet educational, book about
his bright, young grandson
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He omitted mentioning one arm he can’t use successfully, and the cane that lessens his wobbly walk. But he isn’t asking for sympathy.
“What I’m going through physically,” he said, “doesn’t dominate my experience, causing me to be depressed. I’m still trying to make the best of this game of life.”
Which he is doing admirably with a loving, supportive wife, Barbara, and an interesting barely school-age grandson who led Selleck to write the book Kian and Me: Gifts from a Grandson (Post Hill Press). It’s a loving, thoughtful, educational work of prose that should be read by parents and scholars alike.
The Magic of Sports will be published by Coaches Corner, with former Warriors basketball star Tom Meschery, an author himself, slated to write the foreword.
Selleck doesn’t ever use his age as a roadblock. He has an 11th book in mind, which he’ll keep private for now. He’ll let us know more when it comes out, at 92 or whenever.
We can all learn from Dr. George Selleck. If not from his books, then his example.
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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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Athletics 5
Philadelphia Phillies 4
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
Sunday, May 25, 2025
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Athletics catcher Willie MacIver receives a Gatorade bath from Lawrence Butler (left) and Max Schuemann (right) after driving in the winning run in the eighth inning with his first Major League Baseball hit as the A's defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-5, on Sunday, May 25th at Sutter Health Park. Caption and photo
by Darren Yamashita
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Jacob Wilson receives congratulations in the dugout after leading off the first inning with his sixth home run of the season, helping the A's snap an eleven-game losing streak. Caption and photo
by Darren Yamashita
| | Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (7) walks to the clubhouse entrance in left field after being thrown out of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita | |
Oakland Ballers 9
Ogden Raptors 2
Raimondi Field, Oakland, CA
Saturday, May 24, 2025
| | Musical artist Lyrics Born (center) performs with the Lincoln Square Park Lion Dancers as part of AAPI Heritage Night before the game between the Oakland Ballers and the Ogden Raptors at Raimondi Field. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita | | Oakland Ballers vice president of baseball operations Don Wakamatsu throws out the ceremonial first pitch as part of AAPI Heritage Night before the game against the Ogden Raptors. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita | | |
Oakland Ballers starting pitcher Reed Butz threw seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits as the Ballers defeated the Ogden Raptors, 9-2, in a Pioneer League game on Saturday, May 24th.
www.dyamaphoto.com
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Left fielder Marques Titialii went 2-for-4 with a home run
and four RBI. www.dyamaphoto.com
| | Center fielder Michael O'Hara crashes into the wall after making a running catch in the eighth inning. www.dyamaphoto.com | | |
Oakland Ballers interim manager Aaron Miles (right) argues with the home plate umpire during the fifth inning against the Ogden Raptors at Raimondi Field. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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San Jose Earthquakes 3
Houston Dynamo FC 3
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
Saturday, May 24, 2025
| | San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd #19 celebrates his first goal of the evening. The Earthquakes tied Houston Dynamo FC 3–3 in a MLS Matchday 15 game at PayPal Park on Saturday evening, May 24, 2025 in San Jose, CA. Caption and photo by Alex Ho. | | San Jose Earthquakes defender Max Floriani #25, forward Preston Judd #19 and defender Daniel Munie #5 celebrate Munie’s first MLS goal in the 76th minute. Caption and photo by Alex Ho. | | |
Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust and a Sports Town’s Fight for Survival, written by Andy Dolich and Dave Newhouse (Triumph Books), transitioned from hard cover to paperback in April.
The book, dealing with Oakland’s disappearance as a major sports town, has sold in excess of 3,000 copies, thereby prompting the move to paperback.
All aspects of Oakland’s sports dissolution is covered by the authors, including interviews with civic leaders, economists, politicians and sports figures, plus in-depth studies of team owners who lifted Oakland to the top of the national sports scene, then left for San Francisco and Las Vegas (twice), stamping Oakland as America’s most abandoned sports city.
Sports commentator Chris Berman wrote on the book cover: “Goodbye Oakland takes us through all of it, from when the sky was the limit to when the bottom fell out.”
Oaktown is trying to recover with minor-league baseball and men’s and women’s soccer, but it’s a significant uphill climb.
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Oakland Roots SC 0
New Mexico United 3
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Saturday, May 24, 2025
| | Los Roots marching in to rally the troops | | | | |
Spicy Challengers New Mexico United Burn the Oakland Roots,
3-0
by Lydia Chain
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New Mexico United brought the heat of the southwest to our little town by the bay. Like simultaneously eating spicy New Mexican chiles and being blazed by the desert sun, the Roots were roasted with nowhere to hide. When I heard that Raphael Spiegel was subbing for Kendall McIntosh, I wasn’t sure how to feel. Maybe Spiegel had some amazing skills and he was to be an iron wall against the opposition?
Well, six minutes in and it was clear why New Mexico United’s Alex Tambakis is thought of as the best keeper in the league. He was extremely vocal and directed his team from the rear. In this case, he worked as an excellent communicator and guided his team to two early goals – within the first six minutes! The Roots were down two-nil to a team with two novice scorers, Christopher Gloster in the third and Zico Bailey in the sixth.
I would like to say that I was wrong about substitute keeper Raphael Spiegel and that the mistakes from the first half would be remedied in the second. Fans were hoping a locker room talk would get him pumped up and perhaps more aggressive. However, despite a few exciting near misses, the Roots could not capitalize, and Spiegel allowed another one in the net by Mukwelle Akale in the 89th minute, really slamming the final nail into the Roots chances.
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Yes, there was a flurry of yellow cards, and perhaps the Roots could have capitalized on some, but simple mistakes from the team, plus not much excitement coming from the keeper, prevented progress from occurring. I would love to be able to talk about Jürgen Damm’s fancy footwork, and constant effort to drive the ball forward, or Baboucarr Njie’s constant beautiful crosses to try to get someone the ball. Unfortunately, again, whether it is a lack of consistency in training or not the right formula…something isn’t clicking. With so many losses, the coaching staff has to be thinking far more creatively to turn the Roots’ season around. Everyone has a little glimmer of talent and drive but it just seems to not be able to galvanize that potential.
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Carnival dancers bringing the flavor of Brazil to the East Bay.
Yes, they were freezing their behinds off, but total professionals
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A representative of the Oakland Zoo, who is partnering with the Roots this season, giving out limited edition trading cards
to promote conservation!
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Despite the stinging loss, there was still that old Oakland “You can’t keep us down even though it’s the 93 minute and we are still down 3-0” spirit. At the top of their lungs, the smallest voices in the crowd continued to shout “Let’s go Oakland!” Los Roots still drummed out a procession, looking more jovial than funerary. It’s the only time I’ve ever been part of a fandom that had a team get slaughtered, where everyone was excited afterwards and still having a good time.
All photos: Lydia Chain
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Bay FC 2
Houston Dash 2
Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX
Saturday, May 24, 2025
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Match Recap: Bay FC comes from behind, earns a point in Houston with 2-2 draw at Shell Energy Stadium
HOUSTON (May 24, 2025) — Bay FC and Houston Dash played to an eventful 2-2 draw at Shell Energy Stadium Saturday night. After going into the halftime break down a goal, Bay FC scored twice in three minutes to start the second half and take the lead. Forward Penelope Hocking scored in her third straight match with her 53rd minute score, before forward Rachel Hill opened her 2025 scoring account moments later in the 56th minute. Houston tied the contest with just two minutes remaining, sending each side home with a point.
“It was a good point away from home, one that hurt a little bit since we were up 2-1 in the second half. But it showed a lot of character from our team being down 1-0 at halftime, it’s the first time this season we’ve been able to come back and come out with at least a point,” said Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “We came out in the second half with the right mentality, created opportunities, made some changes that allowed us to get forward a little bit more. Overall, I thought we played some really good football.”
Both clubs nearly found the net early on. Just six minutes after the opening whistle, Midfielder Caroline Conti and forward Racheal Kundananji combined inside the penalty area to open up Conti from 10 yards out, but the midfielder’s effort sailed just high of the bar. Houston threatened three minutes later after getting out on the break, but Dash forward Avery Patterson’s attempt from inside the box was denied by a leaping stop from goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz in goal.
Midfielder Taylor Huff came inches from her first pro goal moments later. After a long switch by midfielder Hannah Bebar, making her first start of her pro career, fell to Hocking on the left flank, Kundananji got on the end of service into the box and helped the ball along to Huff, who redirected the header toward the left post, but just wide of the target.
continued....
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Oakand Spiders 21
Seattle Cascades 16
Fremont High School, Oakland, CA
Saturday, May 24, 2025
| | Ideal conditions, mild winds, and the love from the home fans propelled the Oakland Spiders to continue their winning ways, staying undefeated at 5-0 after dispatching the Seattle Cascades, 21-16. The secondary storyline was that a good portion of the Spiders' roster was unavailable, as many were away playing for their schools at the Nationals Championship Tournament, which gave a unique opportunity to two local high schoolers, Selim Jones (#1) and from Alameda, Henry Garcia (#11) to get their professional ultimate debut. Above, coming out of nowhere to slide in to capture the disc off a deflected pass was Matthew Crawford (#5). Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | | |
Right before halftime Henry Garcia (#11) hit a cutting Eli Kearns (#92), who fell to the turf to catch the disc for the score, giving young Mr. Garcia his first professional assist. Photo and
caption by Ron Sellers.
| | Taking a moment before the game, the wily veteran Eli Kearns (#92) offers the rookie Henry Garcia some insight to help prepare him for what's about to happen. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers | | |
DESTINATION SPORT TRAVEL NAMED AS SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS' OFFICIAL
TRAVEL PARTNER
- Destination Sport Travel to partner with San Francisco Unicorns for the 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season.
- Destination Sport Travel has existing arrangements with 50+ elite teams, governing bodies, and federations.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 19, 2025) — The San Francisco Unicorns has announced that Destination Sport Travel will be its Official Travel Partner for the 2025 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season, which begins on June 12, 2025, in Oakland, CA.
Destination Sport Travel, a market-leading specialist in professional sports travel management, has established itself as a trusted provider to more than 50 elite teams, governing bodies, and federations around the world.
Specializing in team travel management business travel and coordination of major event travel projects, Destination Sport Travel counts considerable experience in cricket including work on behalf of the U.S. organizing committee of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, Cricket Scotland, Barmy Army and Marylebone Cricket Club, the owner of Lord’s Ground and the guardian of the laws of the game.
Additionally, Destination Sport Travel counts a growing client base throughout the U.S. sport landscape, including as the league-wide travel partner to Major League Rugby, and to numerous top-flight clubs within the NWSL, Professional Volleyball Federation and Major League Soccer.
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Sugar Ray Leonard -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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I met Sugar Ray Leonard at a dental convention in Los Angeles many years ago. He was signing autographs at a vendor's booth and if you purchased their products, he would sign certain items for you. We purchased enough items to where he signed a boxing glove and also this photo for us. Since this was a convention we really did not have much time to chat with him.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 133: The Antitrust Trap -- Why College Sports' New Sheriff May Be Walking Into Many Lawsuits
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
There has been a lot of discussion this week about the NCAA ceding enforcement of NIL to a new entity—the College Sports Commission (I know, every trademark lawyer is thinking, 'this is not at all generic!')—which will soon choose a CEO who "will have the final say in doling out punishments and deciding when rules have been violated."
This entity, and the CEO in charge, will have the daunting task of enforcing new rules and regulations, including but not limited to the "fair market value" (FMV) analysis, governed by Deloitte and LBi Software, that I have discussed and criticized so often in prior volumes of this newsletter.
This week, we learned a bit more about the Deloitte/LBi Software FMV process. Per Amanda Christovich: "The clearinghouse itself wouldn’t be able to block certain deals—instead, it would just flag them. Schools will be in charge of determining the difference between a booster and collective versus a non-affiliated brand. And Deloitte will potentially charge hefty fees, anywhere from $5,000 to $500,000 per school." If a deal is rejected, then the transacting athlete can terminate it, renegotiate the compensation section for what could be subjectively deemed to be FMV, arbitrate the matter, or “proceed at risk of eligibility consequences.”
As I said to Amanda for her article, the framework is a major legal issue. Determining "fair market value" for NIL deals is subjective and could lead to disputes between athletes, businesses, and the clearinghouse. Plus, there is an inherent issue with obligating athletes to disclose these contracts to a third party in the face of what are often very strict confidentiality provisions found within these contracts.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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QUESTION:
Which driver won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in the same year, and became the first Mexican-born driver to qualify on the front row
for the Indy 500?
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Answer: PATO O'WARD
Pato O’Ward will start on the front row for this Sunday’s 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, but before becoming an NTT INDYCAR Series star, he won some of the most legendary endurance races in all of motorsports. In 2017, the popular Mexican-born driver claimed wins at both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in the Prototype Challenge class. O’Ward, along with his Performance Tech Motorsports teammates, would go on to win every IMSA SportsCar Championship race that year except for Road Atlanta. The streak of wins was easily enough to earn the season title.
O’Ward’s pivot to INDYCAR and championship-winning ways would continue the following year. In his 2018 debut season in the Indy Lights series (now known as INDY NXT), O’Ward would go on to win nine of the 17 races. The impressive string of victories earned him the championship and Rookie of the Year title.
continued...
Photo: Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski
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Sonoma Raceway Launching New Teen Safe Driving Program to Build Confidence and Save Lives
SONOMA, Calif. (May 15, 2025) – Sonoma Raceway is proud to announce the launch of its Teen Safe Driving Program, a comprehensive new initiative aimed at equipping young, inexperienced drivers with the skills and confidence needed to navigate today’s roads safely and responsibly.
Designed for teen drivers looking to build a strong foundation behind the wheel, the program combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on training in a controlled environment. Participants will drive behind the wheel of an official Sonoma Raceway vehicle to gain a deeper understanding of vehicle dynamics and essential car control techniques—knowledge crucial for accident avoidance and overall road safety.
“Too many young drivers hit the road without a full understanding of how their vehicle responds in emergency situations,” said Brian Flynn, EVP & General Manager of Sonoma Raceway. “This program is designed to fill that gap, giving teens the experience they need to make better decisions and stay safe.”
The course places a strong emphasis on practical application, offering teens the rare opportunity to safely explore the limits of braking, swerving, and recovery from loss of control. Instructors guide students through exercises that simulate real-world emergency situations, such as sudden stops, evasive maneuvers, and managing oversteer.
While the program focuses on accident-avoidance skills, its deeper mission is to develop a level of anticipation and situational awareness that helps drivers avoid hazardous situations altogether.
The Teen Safe Driving Program will be held at Sonoma Raceway, and sessions will be offered throughout the year, beginning June 10. Enrollment is now open to teenage drivers with at least a learner’s permit and 20 hours of driving experience. Additionally, a minor waiver must be completed in person by a parent or guardian if under the age of 18.
For more information or to register, visit SonomaRaceway.com or email our team at drivingexperience@sonomaraceway.com.
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RELIVE THE ACTION OF THE 2024 ROLEX
BIG BOAT SERIES
And mark your calendars for September 10-14, 2025!
Sixty years, one excellent regatta! Take a moment to watch a recap video from the 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series, and mark your calendars for next year. We look forward to seeing you on the water September 10-14, 2025, at St. Francis Yacht Club!
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contribution to help defray costs
would be appreciated.
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Bears In 10th After 36 Holes At
NCAA Championship
Zhou Shines With Bogey-Free 68 In Second Round
CARLSBAD – California freshman Ziqin (Eric) Zhou carded a bogey-free 4-under-par 68 to pace the Golden Bears in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Golf Championship at Omni La Costa on Saturday. Cal – the 29th seed in the 30-team championship field – shot 7-over-par 295 in the second round and is in 10th place overall at 8-over (289-295–584) through 36 holes.
The Bears, who started the second round in eighth at 1-over, own a four-shot lead on three teams – Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Texas A&M – that are tied for 15th at 12-over entering Sunday's third round. Following 54 holes of competition, the top 15 teams, along with the top nine individuals not on an advancing team, will advance for one additional round of stroke play on Monday to determine the top eight teams for match-play competition and the 72-hole stroke-play individual champion.
Zhou was masterful a day after tallying only one birdie to three bogeys in a 2-over 74 opening round. The Cal rookie sank four birdies on holes 4, 5, 10 and 11 while climbing 51 places into a tie for 12th on the individual leaderboard at 2-under. Charlie Berridge (-1) is one shot behind Zhou despite a 3-over 75 on Saturday; the senior – who will return to Cal for a fifth year in 2025-26 – was tied for fourth to start the day after shooting a 68 in round one. Daniel Heo, who also went low Friday with a 3-under 69, shot 76 in the second round and is tied for 32nd at 1-over.
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Photo: Tim Cowie
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Polisky Completes All-America Trifecta
Stanford sophomore becomes second player in program history to earn three separate All-American honors in single season
STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford sophomore Aliya Polisky continues to reap the postseason accolades in 2025, becoming the second player in Stanford history to be named to three separate All-American lists having been named an Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Second Team All-American, the organization announced Thursday.
Polisky, who was also named to the Third Team for both USA Lacrosse and ILWomen earlier this month, joins Ashley Humphrey as the only two players to have been named to three separate postseason All-American lists. Humphrey was an ILWomen Media Second Team and IWLCA Third Team All-American while also earning USA Lacrosse All-American Honorable Mention honors in 2022.
Having been named to the All-ACC First Team in Stanford’s inaugural season in the conference, Polisky broke two single-season program records during the 2025 campaign, amassing a program-best 150 shots and 65 goals to lead the Cardinal to a 15-6 record and its first NCAA Tournament win since 2016. The Tennessee native also set a new career-high in hat tricks with 17 on the season.
Polisky has now been named an All-American in both of her first two seasons on The Farm after earning USA Lacrosse and ILWomen All-American Honorable Mention honors a season ago. She was an ILWomen Preseason Second Team All-American and USA Lacrosse Preseason Third Team All-American Selection heading into the 2025 campaign and solidified herself as one of the most formidable attackers in the nation, placing 14th in the nation heading into the NCAA Tournament in goals and 41st in DI with 75 points.
continued...
Photo: Matthew Huang / ISI Photos
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Spartans Fall to Fresno State in Mountain West Championship Final
MESA, Ariz. – Zach Chamizo went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double to lead the No. 6 seed San José State baseball team (29-30, 13-17 MW) in a 9-1 loss to the No. 2 seed Fresno State (31-27, 18-12 MW) at Sloan Park on Saturday afternoon in the title game of the Mountain West Championship. This game marked the fourth consecutive season the Spartans played in the Mountain West Championship game.
Fresno State struck early, plating runs in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings to put the game out of reach. Chamizo was a bright spot for the Spartans, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the sixth that brought home Alex Fernandes for the Spartan’s lone run of the day. Drew Giannini also added a double in the game.
On the mound, starter Luca Staiano (2-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs over 2.1 innings. Relievers EJ McGrew and Nolan George combined to throw the final 5.2 innings, with George tossing 3.2 scoreless frames and striking out three.
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Fernandes, Tyler Albanese and Kyle Calzadiaz were named to the Mountain West All-Tournament Team
- The Spartans advanced to the Mountain West Championship game for the fourth consecutive season
- The sixth seeded Spartans won three out of four elimination games in the tournament, defeating the number three seed, five seed and one seed
- The Spartans were picked to finish last in the Mountain West preseason poll
- Chamizo finished the season with a 21 game hit streak and a 26 game on base streak
- The Spartans finish the season with 29 wins, marking the fourth consecutive season SJSU has won 20 games or more
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
BSB | Bats Explode for 6-Run Eighth as Gaels Take Down Zags to Advance to Winners Bracket in WCC Tournament
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Saint Mary's got great outings from their bullpen once again in night two of the WCC Tournament, allowing for the bats to explode for a six-run eighth inning to pull away from two-seed Gonzaga for the 14-6 victory. A pair of Gael hitters also etched their names into the WCC Tournament history books as Eddie Madrigal homered twice to tie the single-game record and a two-RBI single in the eighth from freshman Ian Armstrong would give him a tournament record five hits in the game.
Talin Gardini picked up his third win of the season with a career high five innings pitched after taking over in the second for Garret Plata. Gardini recorded four strikeouts on the night and was able to pitch to contact to limit big innings, allowing just three runs with zero walks. The Gaels offense got going early with a combined eight runs over the first two innings as they finished the night with a season high 19 hits including a two-homer night from Madrigal and a two-run shot in the first from Brian Duroff for his sixth of the season.
Saint Mary's moved to 2-0 in the tournament for the first time since 2023 and will take on LMU who upset top-seed San Diego earlier in the day 8-3. The two teams will face off for the first time since April 27th where Saint Mary's won the conference series two games to one. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM and can be streamed live on ESPN+.
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Ellis McKean Qualifies for NCAA West Regional
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Following a record-breaking season, Ellis McKean of the University of San Francisco men's track and field program has qualified for the NCAA West Regional, competing in the 3000-meter steeplechase, in College Station, Texas, hosted by Texas A&M.
All competitions' first, second, and quarterfinal rounds are scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, through Saturday, May 31. The University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, Fla., is set to host the East Regionals, while Texas A&M will host the West Regional. Qualifiers from the two regions will compete in the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship, held in Eugene, Ore., at Hayward Field.
Making his first appearance in an NCAA West Regional, McKean is slated to compete in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Breaking multiple records throughout the season, McKean secured the program record in the event with a time of 8:50.30, surpassing Ryan Driscoll, at the Payton Jordan Invitational on April 25. He broke his record a week later at the Oxy Invite with a time at 8:48.43 to earn his second first-place finish of the season.
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Women's Rowing Lands Seven on All-Academic Lists
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Santa Clara women's rowing had seven student-athletes honored by the West Coast Conference for their work in the classroom.
Eliana Schaer (3.853, Sociology), Olivia McConaghy (3.825, Marketing), Ingrid Hurst (3.758, Accounting), Gabi Trbovic (3.649, Psychology), Emily Cole (3.558, Environmental Science), Sophia Ehret (3.466, Biochemistry), and Addie Chappell (3.309, Environmental Science) were all named to the honorable mention list.
It is the second honor in a row for Schaer, McConaghy, and Chappelle who were on the honorable mention list last season as well
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Bobo, Waldon Named WCC Honorable Mentions
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference announced its 2025 baseball all-conference awards Tuesday morning with Pacific earning a pair of end-of-season accolades.
Fifth year John-Howard Bobo and redshirt senior JT Waldon were named All-WCC Honorable Mentions for their outstanding performances on the field during the 2025 campaign.
Bobo, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, put together an impressive year at the plate, slashing .306 with 33 hits, 22 runs, 19 RBI, four doubles and a pair of home runs in 38 games. Bobo set career highs at Pacific this past season in hits, runs, RBI, extra-base hits and home runs. During conference play, Bobo paced the Tigers with .407 with three extra base hits, a home run and four stolen bases. Bobo also provided some stellar defense throughout the season, patrolling centerfield with a perfect fielding percentage.
Waldon, a native of Sacramento, California, represented a mainstay and key power bat in the Tigers' lineup all year. Regularly playing at first base, the left-handed hitter produced a team-best .326 batting average with 25 runs, 15 extra-base hits, four home runs, 32 RBI and 17 walks in 52 games. During the WCC action, Waldon played a pivotal role in Tiger rallies with a .329 batting average across 23 conference games.
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Shinnick and Barrett to Headline Aggies at the NCAA West Preliminaries
DAVIS, Calif. – Called to action, senior Dani Barrett and junior Maya Shinnick will represent the Aggies on the track at the 2025 NCAA West First Round, starting next Wednesday, May 28th.
Barrett repeats her qualification from the 2024 season in the 10,000-meter run, seeded at 14th in the west. She was one of twelve 10k runners in the west to move onto the NCAA Championship last year and looks to find her way to Eugene once more. She earned her qualifying run at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic, where she clocked her first place-winning and self-record breaking time of 33:07.17.
Shinnick earns her first NCAA qualification of her career, coming into the event at 35th with her time of 53.31 in the 400-meter dash. She ran her NCAA-worthy time at the Sac State Hornet Invite with her first place performance that also put her second overall in the Aggie records.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
FINAL RECAP: Men’s Golf Wraps Up Season on Wednesday at NCAA Championships
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The 2024-25 season for Cal State East Bay men's golf wrapped up Wednesday in the final round of stroke play at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships. At PGA National Golf Club, the Pioneers finished in a 14th place tie on the team leaderboard, falling short of the cut to advance to match medal play.
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Easton Hether was tied for 11th on the leaderboard at an overall score of 2-under-par 214. He carded a 71 in the final round of his junior season highlighted by three birdies on the front-9. Hether finished the 54 holes with a team-high nine birdies.
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Climbing 21 spots up the leaderboard in the final round with a -1 (71) on Wednesday was Adam Brangefalt with a final score of 8-over-par.
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Brangefalt and Cooper Groshart also had three birdies each in the final round of stroke play.
Cal State East Bay head golf coach Alan Sue reflected on the team's performance and outstanding season by the Pioneers. "Today, our historic season ended unfortunately," said Sue. "We fought hard but failed to score well on par-5s and took too many high scores throughout the week. This group accomplished things this year that either have never been done before or haven't been done in nearly a decade. Even though I'm saddened, I have so many happy memories from this season. I am so excited for this team next year as none of our starters are graduating. We'll miss our seniors, Ananjan [Kaushik] who helped us win the CCAA and Aaron [Lee] who helped us start our season with three consecutive tournament wins. Our team will definitely have a chance to return to the national championship and make some noise next season."
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Photo: Trenton Hernandez
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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."
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San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
2025/26 Schedules
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, May 26, through
Sunday, June 1, 2025
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Monday, May 26
San Francisco Giants @ Detroit Tigers, 10:10 a.m.
Tuesday, May 27
San Francisco Giants @ Detroit Tigers, 3:40 p.m.
Athletics @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.
Oakland Soul SC @ Olympic Club, 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, May 28
San Francisco Giants @ Detroit Tigers, 10:10 a.m.
Athletics @ Houston Astros, 11:10 a.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ LA Galaxy, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 29
Athletics @ Toronto Blue Jays, 4:07 p.m.
Oakland Soul SC vs. Pleasanton Rage, 6 p.m.
Friday, May 30
San Francisco Giants @ Miami Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Toronto Blue Jays, 4:07 p.m.
Saturday, May 31
San Francisco Giants @ Miami Marlins, 1:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Toronto Blue Jays, 12:07 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes @ St. Louis City SC, 11:30 a.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ AV Alta FC, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 1
San Francisco Giants @ Miami Marlins, 10:40 a.m.
Athletics @ Toronto Blue Jays, 10:37 a.m.
Oakland Soul SC @ Cal Storm, 6 p.m.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
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Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Artist: Carl Macki
Webmaster/Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
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/
| | 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 | | | |
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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