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December 15 -- December 21, 2025
Issue No. 620
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How Good Are The 49ers?
by Bruce Macgowan
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The question that NFL fans around these parts are asking is:
Just how good are the 49ers? Are they a team that has a realistic chance of going deep into the post season or have they simply taken advantage of a weak schedule to run up a 10-4 record?
The answer probably lies somewhere in between. The 49ers have beaten some excellent teams, (the Rams and Seahawks,) as well as some of the league’s lesser lights such as Arizona and the Giants.
The Niners’ offense exploded for 37 points Sunday in a less-than-impressive win over the Titans, one of the worst teams in the NFL. Brock Purdy had as good a game as one would expect against a lousy Titans’ defense, shredding Tennessee for just under 300 yards passing and three TD strikes. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and tight end George Kittle combined for 14 catches while Jauan Jennings hauled in a pair of catches for scores.
Despite injuries to Purdy, who missed eight games earlier with a badly injured toe, and a less than impressive looking offensive unit, coach Kyle Shanahan has been able to get the most out of the team with an innovative system that has had opposing defenses playing on their heels much of the season.
Having Purdy unavailable for two months might have been the best thing that could have happened. It gave backup Mac Jones a chance to take major steps in his early career and it gave Shanahan the assurance that if Purdy goes down again, the Niners’ offense will be in good hands. Those two months off also meant that Purdy is not worn down, is fresh and should be able to play effectively down the stretch.
The major concern for the 49ers is their defense. When you lose two leaders and Hall of Fame caliber players to season-ending injuries, it means lesser lights and unknowns are going to have to step in and try and fill the breach. Without Nick Bosa’s sacks and Fred Warner’s leadership, the 49ers’ defense has been sorely tested and they did NOT look impressive against QB Cam Ward and the Titans’ offense on Sunday, as they failed to sack Ward even once while allowing the Titans to stay in the game until midway through the fourth quarter.
If the 49ers are to gain a playoff berth -- which they should -- the defense must tighten things up in the playoffs. The NFC is loaded with top-tier teams such as the Rams, Eagles, Seahawks and Green Bay. The Chicago Bears, who will visit Santa Clara a week from Sunday are also no bargain. The 49ers will have to probably play one of those teams in the first round and it could be a road game.
The last two seasons have seen this team hit by a stunningly high number of injuries and it’s a credit to Shanahan and his players that the 49ers have gone 10-4 in 2025. Having a weak schedule this season has helped but even so, the 49ers won seven of those games by 11 points or less. San Francisco has two of the best offensive weapons in tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey but if either of those guys goes down in the final three weeks of the regular season, it will be very tough to go far in the playoffs
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Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Magowan published in Sports Today, click HERE.
| | Above credits: Carl Macki | | |
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To add to your holiday sports enjoyment, don't overlook visiting our website, superbly maintained by webmaster Medhavee Upadhyaya
www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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San Francisco
49ers -- 37
Tennessee
Titans -- 24
| | | San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy | | |
This hard-fought battle was highlighted by Brock Purdy and his posse of receivers. Along with the 49ers' rugged defensive play, San Francisco was simply too much for the Tennessee Titans to handle.
Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers Game Highlights |
NFL 2025 Season Week 15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2ek5rSech0 (14:05)
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CFP:
Updates and Predictions
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My Rodney Dangerfield picks of JMU and Tulane each won. Should some of my initial selections now face each other, I'll stay with the Underdogs, as I have in all the contests on December 19th and 20th.
#12 James Madison vs. #5 Oregon: People often have Hindsight Bias when they think of the American Revolution and that victory over the world's largest empire, England, was inevitable. However, without James Madison, who cobbled together the Bill of Rights, there would have been no Constitution and no United States. Therefore, despite the vast Empire and resources of the Oregon Ducks, I shall stay with the James Madison Dukes and Virginia grit and guile.
#9 Alabama vs. 8 Oklahoma: Two words I never thought I would utter utter: "Roll Tide" -- but 'Bama is poised to go on a roll.
#10 Miami vs. #7, Texas: Two words I will never utter: "Go Texas." The 'Canes will uphold their rightful inclusion as the ACC representative, to the exclusion of Notre Dame. That's a "2-fer." No Notre Dame, no Texas. Go 'Canes!
#11 Tulane vs. #6 Ole Miss: Rodney Dangerfield continues to win. It's the Green Wave over the Coach-crisis Rebels.
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Note to Readers:
Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced
by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears (MBkB) 79, Northwestern State Demons 70
Las Vegas Raiders 17, Denver Broncos 24
Stanford Cardinal (WBkB) 78, Cal Bears 69
Features & Commentary
How Good are the 49ers?, by Bruce Macgowan
Kent Deserves Cooperstown, Unlike Bonds, by Dave Newhouse
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Sergio Romo, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
So. It Was All About TV, by Howard Pearlstein
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 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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Cal Bears 79
Northwestern State Demons 70
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, December 13, 2025
| Tied at halftime, 37-37, the Golden Bears would battle the Demons from Northwestern State all game, with 14 lead changes and few scoring runs until the last 2:01, when Cal would go on for a 12-0 run to take the final lead and finish the game with the 79-70 win. Above, John Camden (#2) puts up a three-point shot in the opening seconds to start the Golden Bears' scoring. He would finish as the game's high scorer with 25 points, as the University of California Golden Bears played host to the Northwestern State University Demons for a preseason non-conference game at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, CA. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Getting his first start, Semetri (TT) Carr (#3) steps back and launches a three-point shot in the first half. He would finish with 13 points and seven assists. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Scoring 20 points, Cal's Dai Dai Ames (#7) drives to the basket with a scoop shot to avoid the defenders midway through the second half. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | |
Cal's Lee Dort (#34) dominated the boards, with a season-high 13 rebounds (3 offensive and 10 defensive) while contributing a season-high three blocks To view a photo album, visit visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Stanford Cardinal 78
Cal Bears 69
Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA
Sunday, December 14, 2025
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The Stanford Cardinal and the Cal Bears opened ACC conference play on Sunday, December 14th at Maples Pavilion, with the Cardinal emerging with a 78-69 victory. Forward Lara Somfai recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
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Junior Courtney Ogden made 10 of 12 shots to lead all scorers with 25 points while also contributing seven rebounds.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
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Cal freshman Taylor Barnes led the team with 16 points as the Bears dropped to 8-4 on the season. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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LSU transfer Mjracle Sheppard scored all nine of her points in the first half, while adding five rebounds. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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California Golden Bears forward Naya Ojukwu (center) is defended by Stanford Cardinal forwards Lara Somfai (left) and Nunu Agara (3) during the fourth quarter at Maples Pavilion.
To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
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Jeff Kent is the leading career home run hitter
among second basemen
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Kent Deserves Cooperstown Unlike Bonds
by Dave Newhouse
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When it comes down to voting in politics and sports, I concentrate harder on who gets elected to the highest office in the land and the most enduring athletic hall of fame.
Why such concentration? Because at the end of my life, I don’t want to look back on my choices with serious regret in either category.
Politically, I could never vote for the peroxided pumpkin with the foul mouth currently occupying the White House, just as I never voted for Tricky Dick in the previous century.
Sports-wise, I was so disturbed by the questionable character of some nominees for the Baseball Hall of Fame that I gave up my vote rather than elect a steroids-using cheater.
I have suspicions about a handful of Cooperstown inductees who might have sinned, but escaped disgrace. However, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and others suspected of using steroids to inflate their bodies and statistics know full well why they haven’t been inducted.
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Kent averaged 29 homers and 115 runs batted in during his six seasons with the San Francisco Giants, forming a
one-two punch with Barry Bonds
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And now I don’t have to vote at all, because I surrendered my treasured privilege as a means, however futile, of protecting the signature sport of my lifetime. Other Cooperstown voters don’t mind voting for cheaters, but that’s their own conscience to deal with.
So congratulations to Jeff Kent for his election into the baseball hall, after having the guts to openly condemn steroids while favoring drug testing. Here is one inductee who is above skepticism.
Kent’s hallmark time in baseball were his six seasons as a San Francisco Giant, when he batted behind Bonds, a combination which aided Kent’s offensive statistics. Bonds', too. It’s well known that these two weren’t chummy teammates, just the opposite, but they co-existed for the most part.
However, Kent made it into the BHOF on his own, for he is the leading home run hitter among second basemen. Kent’s 351 (of 377 career homers) were hit while playing second and thus are the benchmark by a player at that position.
So he is Cooperstown worthy.
And Kent, a Cal alumnus, was voted in by the Contemporary Era Committee, the hall’s new strategy to induct candidates. Kent never received more than a 46.5 % vote from the Baseball Writers Association of America, a rather strange omission.
But now he will be the only player inducted at the next baseball hall ceremony, voted in by a 16-member committee that has replaced the BBWAA as the exclusive selective body for Cooperstown. Only two of the 16 members are current baseball writers.
To make the hall, Kent received 14 votes, while Bonds did not receive the required five, which means he will not be eligible for the next ballot in three years.
Sympathy is hard to find for steroids users. McGwire and Sosa locked up in an epic home run battle, which motivated Bonds to take a similar illegal path to glory, which came up short for all three men in terms of the baseball hall.
Kent, who averaged 29 homers and 115 runs batted in as a Giant, will be the featured attraction at next summer’s BHOF ceremony in upstate New York. Bonds can watch on TV, if he likes.
Would I have voted for Kent had I the opportunity? Yes. Would I ever vote for Bonds? No.
Politics or sports, character counts.
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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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Las Vegas Raiders 17
Denver Broncos 24
Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, NV
Sunday, December 7, 2025
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Las Vegas Raiders standout defensive end Maxx Crosby would sack Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix for a 5-yard loss.
.Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
| Broncos quarterback Bo Nix rushed up the middle in the first quarter for eight yards for the first score of the game. The win extended the Broncos streak to 10 in a row and they now rest at an impressive 11-2. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
Raiders rookie wide receiver Shedrick Jackson, No. 4, recorded his first NFL reception for a touchdown. Jackson, above, is congratulated by quarterback Kenny Pickett. Jackson is the great-nephew of legendary athlete and former Raider Bo Jackson.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
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Raiders receiver Ian Thomas -- sporting #80 also worn by a former 49ers receiver -- had two catches for 17 yards.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
| The Las Vegas Raiders versus the Denver Broncos game at Allegiant Stadium was a sellout, with an announced attendance of 62,442. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | The Raiderettes are one of the premier cheerleading NFL squads and have a long tradition of motivating fans dating back to the 1960s. They remain undefeated. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | Long term loyal Black Hole fans from the Oakland days attend every game. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
For the holidays, this hand heart is most welcome. To view
a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
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Giants leave Winter Meetings with new HOFer, but holes to patch
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
:232:08
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.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Giants had plenty to celebrate at the Winter Meetings this year.
Franchise great Jeff Kent was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame via the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee on Sunday and hinted that he plans to go into Cooperstown with a Giants cap on his plaque.
Matt Chisholm, the club’s vice president of media relations, earned the 2025 Robert O. Fishel Award, which honors excellence in public relations. Brad Grems picked up the Home Clubhouse Manager of the Year Award, while Gavin Cuddie snagged the same prize among visiting clubhouse managers.
Despite the abundance of industry-wide recognition, the Giants ultimately departed the Signia by Hilton resort without making many moves to bolster their roster, which still has several big holes for president of baseball operations Buster Posey and general manager Zack Minasian to fill this offseason.
continued...
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Ballers,
We're still on this off-season. We've got promos, coach signings, some really cute (but empowering!) pics and video from our 'Lil Ballers program, and more! Read on.
SAVE ON SEATS
We have a number of ways to save on seats for 2026:
Friendly reminder: The Flex Pack process has been improved this season and can be redeemed in many different ways. A 12 pack could be used by one person going 12 times, a couple going to 6 games, or even a family of 4 going to 3 games. That’s quite a flex.
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THE MANAGER OF THE YEAR IS BACK
That’s right, the 2025 Pioneer Baseball League Manager of the Year, Aaron Miles, is back for 2026 and he’s bringing his whole history-making coaching staff with him. Pitching coach Jim Dedrick and Assistant Coach James Harris are also returning to run it back for the B’s. With Miles as skipper, this triumphant coaching trio has led the Ballers to the playoffs in consecutive seasons en route to winning the 2025 PBL Championship, and led the league in both ERA and WHIP. Championship culture starts at the top and this coaching staff sets the tone for the team.
Watch the B’s Cast YouTube Video that streamed yesterday, with guest Aaron Miles.
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Earthquakes to Compete in 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
San Jose to enter historic tournament’s Round
of 32 seeded as host
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they will compete in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with their Major League Soccer First Team.
The 111th edition of U.S. Soccer’s historic national club championship, which celebrates elite amateur and pro soccer in communities across the country, begins in mid-March and will conclude with a showpiece final on Oct. 21.
A field of 80 teams will contest for a $1 million purse with a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup also up for grabs. CBS Sports will return as the multimedia rights partner for the 2026 competition.
The U.S. Open Cup format will feature seven rounds—one fewer than recent editions—to avoid overlap with the FIFA Men’s World Cup™ calendar.
continued...
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Oakland, CA - Oakland Roots Sports Club announced roster updates following the conclusion of the 2025 USL Championship Season in preparation for 2026.
“I’m extremely excited to announce — and more importantly, to work with — this core group that gives us a strong foundation heading into 2026,” said Head Coach Ryan Martin. “These are players who embody the resilience, honesty, and competitive spirit that Oakland stands for. They fit the way I see the game, and I couldn’t be more excited to help them take the next step individually and collectively.
“This group includes a Golden Boot winner, multiple champions, internationals who represent their countries at the highest level, players with experience in top European leagues, and talented young players who are breaking through and beginning their professional journey. It’s a great balance of experience and potential — but most importantly, they share the mentality and ambition we need as we build this club into one of the top teams in the USL.
“We want to sincerely thank the players who are not returning for everything they gave to the club. We appreciate their contributions and wish them every success on their journey ahead. They will always be part of the Roots family.”
2026 Roster Moves:
Ilya Alekseev, Julian Bravo, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Ali Elmasnaouy, Tyler Gibson, Neveal Hackshaw, Kendall McIntosh, Wolfgang Prentice, Danny Trejo and Peter Wilson, all have existing contracts for the 2026 season.
Faysal Bettache, Danny Gomez and Raphael Spiegel had contract options picked up by the club for the 2026 season.
Camden Riley announced his retirement following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Kai Greene is out of contract following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Contract options were declined by the club for Jürgen Damm, Gagi Margvelashvili, Abdi Mohamed and Timothy Syrel.
Panos Armenakas and Morey Doner agreed to mutual contract terminations.
EJ Johnson had his contract terminated by the Club.
ROSTERED PLAYERS FOR 2026 AS OF NOVEMBER 24, 2025:
GOALKEEPERS: Kendall McIntosh, Raphael Spiegel
DEFENDERS: Ilya Alekseev, Julian Bravo, Neveal Hackshaw
MIDFIELDERS: Faysal Bettache, Danny Gomez, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Ali Elmasnaouy, Tyler Gibson
FORWARDS: Wolfgang Prentice, Danny Trejo, Peter Wilson
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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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Sergio Romo -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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I met San Francisco Giants Sergio Romo at a local Kinder's restaurant years ago during a toy drive. He signed my baseball in exchange for a donation toy. He was very happy
to meet with his fans.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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So. It Was About TV --
TV and Sports
by Howard Pearlstein
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And how professional sports became such a huge part of our world because we could watch games for free. Meaning people who had never understood basketball or football could watch one, with a knowledgeable announcer explaining things.
Long time ago, writing for another local weekly, I did columns, but also listings: TV and books and movies and such, and as was usual in such a small operation, used several different names, so as to not admit there were only 3, 4, 5 of us there.
After writing a mean comment about Doctor Who, a show I knew only by lame special effects, I was invited to the home of a very nice couple to watch it with them, and learn why people loved it. They were surprised I was not Vietnamese, since I was using the name suggested by a friend: Tao Chu Kwan.
Not everyone returned my meanness with kindness. KQED took serious umbrage to my humorous naming the PBS habit of having a pledge drive when showing the best specials as “Pleading for Pennies’’ and “Nagging for Nickels.”
Mr. Tao was banned from studio previews.
But I also listed “Important things that TV could do,” like allow Catholics to attend Midnight Mass at the Vatican from your home, or learn yoga with Lilias. (Ok, yeah, I had a definite crush on her. Who wouldn’t?) And professional sports.
But then, as things always do, it came to money. Huge amounts. Not talking about players’ salaries. The writer Don Marquis, author of the immortal Archy and Mehitabel, once said: “If a man told you he got rich through hard work, ask him “Whose?” If it’s a professional athlete, his own. (He meant people like Elon Musk.)
But one’s own hard work or not, getting a humongous pile of loot after, having had none at all, as if often the case, changes a person. It may stimulate a kind of benevolent arrogance of largesse, spreading it around for the good of others, sharing, donating, building parks or playgrounds, whatever.
Or a “King of the world” arrogance, which I describe as “I can do anything I want and no one can stop me.” I use those words because I said them myself, when I was nine years old at the Settlement School, misunderstanding what my mother had meant when she, the daughter of immigrants, had told me about the unlimited possibilities for achievement in America. (Full disclosure: It got back to her and she disabused me of that ‘I, me, mine’ version of reality, enthusiastically.)
Still, when I see prominent people acting the same mean kid way, I wonder what they’d be like if they’d had the benefit of my mother. Because they seem to think it’s ok to change the rules of the games they broadcast, to make even more money.
But even worse, they seem unaware that by charging extra fees for what has always been free, sports fans -- those who watch their favorite teams or fans who are new to loving those games – will echo, as a matter of principle, the lines of e e cummings’ Olaf, a conscientious objector of the early 20th century who declined the military draft saying: “I will not kiss your f---ing flag. There is some s---t I will not eat.”
Even if that means giving up watching the Warriors, my team since the 1950s, now going through a fascinatingly complex transitional season. I will have to follow the balancing of Butler, Curry, Moody, Kuminga, Spencer, Post, et al via print media online.
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Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
The Football Regular Season...
is rapidly coming to an end. With the Pats in the race,
I am kinda watching football. But after watching an incredible Curry pregame shot on December 13
I got to thinking about basketball.
I looked up some stats and found a pretty incredible noteworthy stat. Who holds the record for coaching 2,487 NBA regular season basketball games?
answer below...
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 162: College Sports' Reluctant Evolution Toward Collective Bargaining
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
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"I'm not sure I can sit back today and say I'm really proud of what we've become," Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey told ESPN this week. It's the kind of raw admission that cuts through the usual athletic director playbook of confident messaging and political deflection. Dickey wasn't alone in his frustration. As dozens of ADs gathered in Las Vegas this week for their annual conference, they faced an uncomfortable truth. Congress isn't coming to save them, and the current system is bleeding out in courtrooms across America.
The House of Representatives once again balked at voting on legislation that would grant the NCAA antitrust protection. That bill (the SCORE Act) would have allowed the industry to enforce compensation caps and transfer rules without constant legal exposure. Without it, athletic directors are left managing a system where, as Lane Kiffin has openly acknowledged, teams negotiate for the biggest player payroll possible despite supposedly operating under the same $20.5 million limit.
The result? A growing number of ADs are now seriously considering what was once unthinkable, which is collective bargaining with players.
This week, we also saw Athletes.org, a group that hopes to serve as a players' association, currently representing over 5,000 current and former college athletes, release what it claims is the first comprehensive collective bargaining agreement framework for college sports. The lengthy document, developed over two years with input from athletes, athletic directors, conference commissioners, and coaches, attempts to answer the thorniest questions that have led many administrators to dismiss collective bargaining as impractical.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Appoints Dan Fearing as
New Digital Marketing Manager
Monterey, Calif. [Dec. 12, 2025] — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is pleased to announce the addition of Dan Fearing as its Digital Marketing Manager, a key role dedicated to strengthening the historic raceway’s digital presence and elevating engagement with fans, partners, and visitors across all online platforms.
Fearing will manage the raceway’s digital strategy, including social media management, digital advertising, content creation, and event-based marketing initiatives while ensuring that Laguna Seca’s digital footprint tells the story of the passion that fuels our fans, the precision that shapes every turn of the track, and the unforgettable performances that make its motorsports and community events legendary.
“This is an exciting time for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and bringing Daniel on board strengthens our team as we enter a new era of growth,” said Mel Harder, President and General Manager at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “He brings a strong digital marketing background and also hands-on motorsports storytelling experience that will elevate how we connect with fans and partners.”
Fearing brings extensive motorsport experience to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, having worked both trackside and in post-production with SRO USA, IMSA across the U.S.and Europe, and several major automotive brands. With a background spanning live event capture to high-end branded content, Fearing understands how to spark fan excitement, drive ticket demand, and keep partners engaged across digital platforms.
“Motorsports has a unique energy, where passion, precision, and storytelling all collide at speed. I’m excited to help elevate the way WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca shows that experience to the world,” said Fearing. “We’re not just promoting events, we’re building a digital ecosystem that amplifies the community, celebrates the spirit of competition, and invites new fans into the sport. I am looking forward to collaborating with the team, our partners, and this incredible fan base to create content and experiences that make people feel something real – both trackside and online.”
As Digital Marketing Manager, Fearing will lead growth and engagement across Laguna Seca’s key social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. A strong storyteller with expertise in photography and videography, Fearing will capture on-the-ground content at races, track days, automotive gatherings, and community events—delivering compelling live updates, video features, and visual assets that showcase Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca’s vibrant atmosphere on and off the racetrack.
continued...
| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | |
Lenny Wilkens
This photo, with a short tribute acknowledging his
NBA accomplishments, is found at this link.
Wilkens was head coach in 2,487
regular season games...
Just so I can't ask about records for the number of games head coaches have coached, this link will give you a list of head coaches who have coached
more than 500 games...
The wiki link for Wilkens tells a good story. A couple of sites I looked at show Jerry West is the only player to be inducted into the Naismith NBA Hall of Fame three times. The wiki page for Wilkens establishes him as a second three-time inductee. Wilkens passed on
November 9, 2025.
Go Celtics!
Go Patriots!
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Cal Earns 10th Win, Beating Northwestern State 79-70
John Camden Scores 25 To Help Bears Claim
Seventh Straight Victory.
BERKELEY -- The California men's basketball team collected its 10th win of the season and stayed perfect at Haas Pavilion with a 79-70 victory over visiting Northwestern State today. The lead changed hands 14 times in the game before Cal unfurled a 12-0 run to take control of things late in order to tack up the Golden Bears' seventh straight win and improve to 10-1 overall. The Demons are now 2-8 overall.
Both teams enjoyed six-points leads during the first half, and it took a buzzer-beating layup from Dai Dai Ames to snarl the game up for the fourth time at halftime, even at 37-37. Cal had shot 42.9 percent from the floor in those first 20 minutes, while Northwestern State was hitting at a 54.5 percent clip and was ahead on the boards 14-13 by the break. Cal stepped things up on both ends of the floor in the second half, holding the Demons to 37.9 percent from the floor in those 20 minutes while upping its offensive effort to 48.1 percent. That left Cal at 45.5 percent overall, aiding by a 12-of-26 effort from 3-point range. Northwestern State finished up at 45.1 percent overall, with 11-of-24 landed from beyond the arc. The Bears outrebounded the Demons 34-27 and dished out 17 assists with eight steals.
continued...
Photo: Iris Wang/Cal Athletics
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Men’s Basketball Wins at
San Jose State
Rohosy and Dent-Smith set season and D-I highs in the win
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Stanford men’s basketball remained unbeaten away from home this season as it won on the road at San Jose State, 86-82, at Provident Credit Union Event Center. Stanford improves to 8-2 on the season for the second consecutive year under Kyle Smith, the Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men’s Basketball.
AJ Rohosy and Chisom Okpara scored 20 points apiece, with Rohosy setting a new Division I and season-high to go with eight rebounds while Okpara added matched a career-best with five assists. Rohosy finished 8-for-9 from the floor, while Okpara was nearly as efficient at 5-for-6, and 3-for-3 from 3-point range.
continued...
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Spartans' Late Rally Comes Up Short Against Stanford, Presented by Provident Credit Union
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Yaphet Moundi recorded a career-high 26 points and Colby Garland tallied 20 points and nine assists to lead the San José State men’s basketball team (5-6, 0-0 MW) in a 86-82 loss to Stanford (8-2, 0-0 ACC) Saturday afternoon from Provident Credit Union Event Center, presented by Provident Credit Union.
The Spartans trailed by as many as 14 but surged late behind a 10–0 run in the final minute to bring SJSU within two. The Spartans had a chance to tie or take the lead with just seconds remaining, but were unable to capitalize.
Defensively, the Spartans forced 20 Stanford turnovers, converting them into 21 points. The Spartans also shot 90 percent from the free-throw line (18–20), a season-best mark.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Brawl in Idaho Falls, Round Three – Gaels Set to Face Off with Boise State at the Mountain
America Center
MORAGA, Calif. — For the third straight year, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball will take on the Boise State Broncos on a neutral floor Sunday at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls. A marquee battle between a pair of mid-major power houses, the Gaels and Broncos have combined for seven NCAA Tournament appearances in the last four years.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels (9-1) vs. Boise State Broncos (7-3)
Sunday, December 14 at 4 PM MST / 3 PM PST
Mountain America Center – Idaho Falls, ID
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Photo: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
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Billikens Power Past Dons in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, MO - The University of San Francisco (USF) men's basketball team put together a strong first half showing on Saturday night, but ultimately fell to Saint Louis (SLU), 85-75, at Chaifetz Arena.
USF had three players score in double figures, led by Ryan Beasley, who had 21 points. Tyrone Riley IV added 17 points and two steals while Legend Smiley chipped in with 13 points off the bench.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Opening the contest by playing to a 16-16 tie, San Francisco responded by using a 6-0 run with 11:16 left in the first half to take a 22-16 lead. The Dons then surrendered that lead in the closing minutes of the opening period, but entered halftime down just one, 31-30.
- Saint Louis regrouped in the locker room as the Billikens kept widening their lead after intermission. SLU grew its lead to a 77-68 advantage, but USF punched back with a quick 5-0 run, finished off by a layup from Riley IV to shrink the deficit to 77-73 with 1:17 to go in the contest. Saint Louis did not waiver and outscored the Dons down the stretch, using the strength of its home crowd to secure the victory, 85-75.
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Photo: USF Athletics
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Broncos Unable to Hold On
Against Arizona State
HENDERSON, Nev. – Santa Clara men's basketball had an opportunity to tie Arizona State at the end of regulation, but ultimately the Broncos fell 82-79 despite holding a 19-point second half advantage. SCU knocked down two late 3-pointers in the final 1:19 to fight back from a seven-point deficit and had two chances to tie the game ahead the buzzer, but neither shot found their mark as the Broncos suffered their third setback of the season to fall to 8-3.
Christian Hammond turned in his third-straight 20-point game with 22 points while Elijah Mahi chipped in 17 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- It was truly a tale of two halves as SCU knocked down 58 percent from the floor, was 9-of-15 from 3-point range and 10-for-11 at the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes, but was held to 27.3 percent shooting and just 2-for-17 from beyond the arc in the second half.
- ASU (9-2) took full advantage of the Broncos' second half scoring drought by using a 21-2 run to take a 70-66 lead with 7:26 left to play. That lead grew to seven at 80-73 with 2:05 remaining.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Pacific Breaks Margin of Victory Record in 104-50 Win, Jack Breaks Field Goal Percentage Record
STOCKTON, Calif. – For the second consecutive year, the Pacific men's basketball program broke the school record for margin of victory with a 105-50 win over Simpson University on Saturday at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
The 54-point win was one above the 94-41 victory over Life Pacific last season.
Additionally, senior Isaac Jack went 10-of-10 from the floor and broke the school record for highest field goal percentage in a game. The record, which requires a minimum of 10 attempts, was previously held by Michael Olowokandi on Dec. 6, 1997 when he was 14-of-15 against Pepperdine.
Jack's perfect shooting day came in just 18 minutes as he finished with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. He was one of two Tigers with a double-double as senior Elias Ralph notched 14 points and 10 rebounds.
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No. 8 UC Davis Football’s Season Comes To End In NCAA FCS Quarterfinals
Score: No. 8 UC Davis 31, Illinois State 42
Location: Davis, Calif. (UC Davis Health Stadium)
Records: UC Davis 9-4, Illinois State 11-4
The short story: No. 8 UC Davis football's exciting season, which saw the Aggies battle to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoff Quarterfinals for the second-straight season, came to an end Saturday night against Illinois State in front of over 9,000 fans at UC Davis Health Stadium.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneers Fend Off SPU Rally on Saturday to Remain Undefeated
HAYWARD, Calif. — Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Gymnasium turned into a defensive grind, and No. 24 Cal State East Bay fended off a late Seattle Pacific rally to stay unbeaten with a 57-54 win. The Pioneers set the tone early, built a cushion, then held firm as the Falcons' last-minute look at a tying three-pointer missed to preserve East Bay's perfect start.
Cal State East Bay struck first in a tight opening stretch, nudging ahead 10-8 before Amare Campbell rose up from beyond the arc to spark a wave. His 3-pointer ignited a 10-3 surge that pushed the home side to a 20-11 edge midway through the first half.
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Photo: Justin Willard / 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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2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, December 15, through
Sunday, December 21, 2025
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Monday, December 15
Tuesday, December 16
San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 17
Thursday, December 18
Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns, 6 p.m.
Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.
Friday, December 19
Saturday, December 20
Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns, 5:30 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Seattle Kraken, 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 21
Las Vegas Raiders @ Houston Texans, 1:25 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
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Contributors: Lydia Chain, 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
Software Engineer / Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
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: $10 hardcover, $7 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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