Monday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020
Issue No. 351
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A Sportscaster's Memories |
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Macgowan's favorite celebrity-sighting experience was the legendary
jazz musician, Stan Getz
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Unusual Encounters at the Ballpark
By Bruce Macgowan
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Bruce Macgowan, Bogey, wife Colette and daughter Molly
Celebrity sightings at sports events are not at all uncommon.
If you've covered as many as six thousand sports events as I’ve been lucky enough to have over the course of many years, no doubt you’ll run into fascinating characters, some of whom are quite famous.
Over the years I’ve met celebrities such as musician Jerry Garcia, actress Jessica Lange and former president Richard Nixon, but my favorite celebrity-sighting experience involved a legendary jazz musician.
My parents were big jazz fans and in the 1960s my mom and dad would play records featuring the likes of Dave Brubeck, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Ella Fitzgerald.
My dad particularly favored the ‘cool jazz’ of the West Coast that featured standouts as Chet Baker, Paul Desmond and a man I would meet in at Candlestick Park during a summer afternoon back in 1988.
I was covering a weekend game between the Giants and San Diego Padres that day, and when I arrived at the ‘Stick' that afternoon, a nondescript looking middle-aged fellow was sitting in the third row of the cramped press box, in a seat next to where I usually sat.
The press was half empty, as it was still an hour or so before the first pitch would be thrown. I started to move into my seat, placing my bag that had things such media guides, notepads and pens, my cassette deck and mic and my score book near my seat.
The fellow looked over at me cautiously and then asked: “Oh, I’m sorry. Is it okay to sit here?”
I noticed he had one of those temporary press passes strung around his neck and I had never seen him at a game before. Perhaps he was a visiting writer or someone who was at the park doing a feature story for some magazine or newspaper.
“No, please don’t worry about it,” I told him. “The fellow who normally sits here will not be here for another hour or so. He usually doesn’t get here until the first pitch so you can hang out here.”
I noticed a large black case under his feet, looking as if it held some kind of musical instrument.
“Are you playing the national anthem today?” I asked him.
The fellow immediately brightened up and replied, “Yes I am!”
I then asked him what kind of instrument he played.
“Oh, it’s the saxaphone.”
“So you play what, jazz?” I asked, now feeling like a panelist on the old TV show, ‘What’s My Line?’
“Yes I do,” he replied.
“Where do you play.”
“Oh, all over. Clubs around the country, overseas, and this week I’m playing over at Yoshi’s.” (Yoshi's was a popular jazz club in the East Bay, now temporarily closed due to the pandemic.)
“Wow, that’s great. I’m a big jazz fan. Perhaps I’ve heard of you. What’s your name?”
“Well, I’m Stan Getz, and your name is?”
To say I was flabbergasted would be an understatement. I always loved Stan Getz’s music, especially when he combined his talents with Jobim and the seductive Brazilian singer, Astrud Gilberto, in the knockout record album which included the iconic The Girl from Ipanema, a song which brought Brazilian jazz into the mainstream of popular American music.
Trying to stay ‘cool’ and calm, I ended up having a casual conversation with a man who seemed without any pretension. I later learned that Getz, as with many of his fellow-jazz artists, had dealt with a very serious drug problem earlier in his career, as substances such as cocaine and heroin were sadly popular ‘recreations’ among many. Many years of drug use would eventually lead to an early death for Getz.
But when we met, he was still very much alive and in relatively good shape and playing at clubs from time to time around the country.
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Stan Getz and singer Astrud Gilberto (The Girl from Impanema)
“I will try to come out and see you play. Are you at Yoshi’s all week?” I asked him.
“Tell you what,” he answered, “Why don’t I leave you a couple of tickets to the show tomorrow night. Bring a friend or two. I’ll come over to your table after a set and say hello.”
A few nights later, I invited my parents to meet me at the club. I was really happy to have them along, as Dad and Mom had taken me, when I was younger, to local jazz clubs such as the Trident in Sausalito or some of the more well-known places in San Francisco to see such performers as Vince Guaraldi, the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, or one of their favorites, Nat King Cole.
Our tickets for Getz’s show were front and center, as he had given us a prime spot. There were perhaps six or seven dozen other jazz fans at Yoshi's that night and Getz performed with a standard combo that included a bass player, a drummer and a piano player.
After a set he came over as promised to say hello. My parents, who loved his music, didn’t know what to say.
“Good to see you Bruce,” said Getz. “And these must be your parents?”
We chatted for a few minutes and then Getz excused himself to get some refreshment and get ready for the second set.
“How do you know Stan Getz?”, my mom asked me in wonderment.
“Oh, we’re friends from the ballpark,” I replied with a smile.
* * *
Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was a standout in Sunday night's victory over the visiting Los Angeles Rams, 24-16, converting a critical third down into a first down on the 49ers last possession to run out the clock. The play started with Samuel catching a Jimmy Garoppolo pass five-yards behind the line of scrimmage and bulling his way for 11 yards. The game ended two plays later. Samuel also scored the 49ers first touchdown, pulling in a six-yard pass from Garoppolo and caught each of the six passes thrown in his direction, good for 66 yards. Next up: Jimmy G returns to the home of his previous team, the New England Patriots, from which he was traded in 2017, on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1:25 p.m. (In 2018, Garoppolo signed a $137.5 million contract with the 49ers, at the time the largest contract in NFL history on an annual basis.) The 49ers are now 1-3 at Levi's Stadium this season. (Above, Samuel (19) completes a 20-yard reception in the third quarter of San Francisco's win over the Arizona Cardinals on November 17 of last year.)
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San Francisco 49ers Schedule |
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Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Thank you for the excellent article on Jeff Kent by Bruce Macgowan. It's the first in-depth study of both Jeff and the Kent-Bonds relationship. The USG articles are a rare combination of information, amusement, and expertise from your crack team of journalists and sports historians!
Robert Moselle
Counselor at Law
Executive Director, Center for Continuing Education
Monterey, CA
Dear Editor:
Thanks!!! Such a disappointing time for us between the A’s and the 49ers’ loss to the Dolphins. Jimmy will recover I am sure. Sports are having a hard time now, just like everyone else and I am sure that this is a trying time for your business as well. Take care of yourself and stay safe – the sun is still shining and the air is better! “Carpe Diem.”
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore, CA
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Ty Montgomery, running back,
New Orleans Saints
It's not surprising. The former standout wide receiver of the Stanford Cardinal, Ty Anthony Montgomery II, is now a running back in the NFL. After all, as a high school senior in Dallas, Texas, he played wide receiver, running back and quarterback in football, and was also a star athlete in baseball, basketball, track and lacrosse. Montgomery's college career at Stanford began in 2011 by playing on both offense and special teams, and in his junior year in 2013, he was voted a consensus All-American as a return specialist. During his four years at Stanford under head coach David Shaw, Montgomery caught 172 passes for 2,125 yards and 15 touchdowns. In the 2015 NFL Draft, he was selected 94th overall in the third round by the Green Bay Packers as a wide receiver, and in his NFL debut against the rival Chicago Bears, had three kick returns for 106 yards. Montgomery was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 where he saw duty as a wide receiver and running back, and was traded once again in 2019 to the New York Jets. On May 15, 2020, he signed with the New Orleans Saints, and was placed on injured reserve last month with a hamstring injury. As a six-year professional in the NFL, Montgomery has amassed to date 1,059 receiving yards, 1,073 rushing yards, and 1,264 kick return yards in both regular and postseason play. Caption and photo by Kenny Karst.
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Professional sports has only one color of fluid running through its veins and without it, you're out of their League |
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Competitive Cash in the Sports World
By Andy Dolich
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When speaking to groups I always ask them to name the color of the fluid which flows through the business veins of sports? Usually the answer comes quickly, Green, the color of money.
The sports world is struggling, like every other business in the Covid World to generate Green.
Here’s a financial snapshot of what the mountains of money look like in the sports industry. Only time will tell if the sports mint will keep printing money.
Total Salaries of all Players in the Big Four Sports Leagues in 2019
$16 billion dollars
Total Assets of Owners in Big Four Sports in 2019
NBA -- $174 billion
NFL -- $127 billion
NHL -- $116 billion
MLB -- $78 billion
Pro Leagues Franchise Values
NFL -- $97 billion -- 32 teams
MLB -- $78 billion -- 30 teams
NBA -- $62 billion -- 30 teams
NHL -- $21 billion -- 30 teams
Total Amount of Revenue from Long-Term National Broadcast Contracts in Big Four Sports Leagues
NFL -- $57 billion
NBA -- $24 billion
MLB -- $12.4 billion
NHL -- $5.2 billion
Total Value of Top Earners in the Big Four Sports Leagues
NFL -- $503 million over 12 years -- Patrick Mahomes / Kansas City Chiefs
MLB -- $365 million over 12 years -- Mookie Betts / Los Angeles Dodgers
NBA -- $228 million over 6 years -- James Harden / Houston Rockets
NHL -- $124 million over 13 years -- Alex Ovechkin / Washington Capitals
Highest Net Worth of Owners in Sports
$51.4 billion -- Steve Ballmer -- NBA / Los Angeles Clippers
$12.4 billion -- Hasso Plattner – NHL / San Jose Sharks
$12 billion -- David Tepper -- NFL / Carolina Panthers
$11 billion -- Phil Anschutz -- MLS / Los Angeles Galaxy
$4.8 billion -- Ted Lerner – MLB / Washington Nationals (When Steve Cohen is approved as owner of the New York Mets, he will move to No. 1 at $14.6 billion)
Minimum Player Salaries -- First Year Contracts
NBA -- $890,000
NHL -- $700,000
NFL -- $610,000
MLB -- $563,000
NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) --$16,000
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Commissioner Rob Manfred went on record saying that Major League Baseball stands to lose $4 billion if they lose the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Forbes magazine, May 18, 2020.) On Thursday, July 23,
the 2020 baseball season began
Sports Real Estate
San Francisco Giants -- Candlestick Park / $15 million dollars, opened in 1960. PacBell Park / $357 million dollars, opened in 2000
San Francisco 49ers -- Candlestick Park / $15 million dollars, opened in 1960. Levi Stadium / $1.4 billion dollars, opened in 2014
Golden State Warriors -- Oakland Coliseum Complex / $26 million dollars, opened in 1968; Chase Center / $1.5 billion dollars, opened in 2019
Las Vegas Raiders -- Allegiant Stadium / $1.8 billion dollars, opened in 2020
Inglewood -- SoFi Stadium / $5.5 billion dollars, opened in 2020
Miscellaneous Money Matters
Median US Family income in 2019 -- $40,000
Winner’s Share:
Golf -- Players Championship / $15 million
LPGA -- Women’s Open / $1 million
Tennis -- US Open / $3 million for men's and women's championships
Breeder’s Cup / $3 million, 4 legs
Indy 500 / $2.6 million in 2019
Daytona 500 / $2 million in 2020
Purchase Prices for Bay Area Sports Franchises and Their Value Today
Oakland A’s -- $185 million dollars by John Fisher from Steve Schott and Ken Hoffman in 2005 / Today's value $1.1 billion dollars
Golden State Warriors -- $450 million dollars by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber from Chris Cohan in 2010. Today's value / $3.5 billion dollars
San Francisco 49ers -- $18 million dollars (est.) by Edward DeBaratolo Sr. from the Morabito family in 1976. Today's value / $3.5 billion dollars
Oakland Raiders -- $25,000 for each AFL city in 1960. Today's value / $2.9 billion dollars for Mark and Carol Davis
San Jose Sharks -- $45 million dollar expansion fee in 1990. Today's value / $550 million dollars for Hasso Plattner
Miscellaneous Money
Richest Owner in EPL (English Premier League)
Sheikh Mansour -- Manchester City / $20 billion dollars
Largest Charity Drive by a Business Leader
Bill and Melinda Gates, “Giving Pledge” / $800 BILLION dollars from 210 business people from 23 countries
Largest lottery payout in US
$1.58 billion dollars in January of 2016, shared by three winners. $327.8 million for each if they took a lump-sum payment
Good luck with your Powerball purchases!
* * *
Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is COO of the Fan Controlled Football League (FCFL) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies.
Dolich is also co-author of the book:
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The BEST Bay Area sports photos from
Michael Zagaris, Ed Jay, Rich Yee, Darren Yamashita,
Ron Sellers, Alex Ho, Rob Edwards, Kenneth Wong,
Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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It's way too early to tell who will be in the playoffs for this NFL season, but we do know who holds the record for the longest postseason victory drought in NFL history. Who holds it and, as a bonus, how long was that drought?
(See answer below...)
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"It's an ocean planet. As the oceans go, so goes the planet."
-- Bill Carvalho, Wild Planet founder and president
Wild Planet Foods has been honored with TWO awards by Whole Foods Market -- Global Supplier of the Year AND Environmental Stewardship! The annual awards recognize suppliers who embody Whole Foods Market's mission and values through a proven commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation, and partnership.
More Awards and Counting!
Prevention -- 100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards
Men's Health -- 125 Best Foods for Men
Prevention -- Eat Clean Best Packaged Foods
Every Day with Rachael Ray -- Brand New Buy
Better Homes and Gardens -- Catch of the Day
Clean Eating -- Clean Choice Awards
Natural Health -- 3rd Annual Good Food Awards
Runner's World -- Good Catch
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Starlight Stroll (No. 5) wins the 8th race at Golden Gate Fields. Owned by KMN Racing, trained by Steve Sherman, and ridden by David C. Lopez. Okoye (No. 8) finished second and is also owned by KMN Racing. The 5 1/2 furlong maiden race went in 1:04.18 with a purse of $39,000. Photo credit:
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San Jose Earthquakes 0
Seattle Sounders FC 0
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Quakes hold Western Conference leaders to scoreless draw
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes earned a point in a scoreless draw against first-place Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday night at Earthquakes Stadium. The Quakes are now unbeaten in five of their last six matches, holding a 4-1-1 record in that span.
The Quakes' defense recorded its third shutout in the last four matches and held the league's second highest scoring offense to just four shots, a season low.
The Earthquakes will now prepare to travel north to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Portland, Ore. on Saturday, Oct. 24, presented by Valley Health Plan. Kickoff from Providence Park is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
San Jose now holds a 6-7-6 record in the 2020 regular season and sit above the playoff line in seventh place, just one point out of fourth place.
The Earthquakes now hold a 4-1-1 record in their last six matches and an undefeated 2-0-2 home record in their last four matches at Earthquakes Stadium.
Homegrown goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski secured his third shutout of the season and fourth of his MLS career. He has now recorded a shutout in three of the last four matches and holds a 4-1-2 record in seven starts this season.
Forward Chris Wondolowski made his 300th start for the Quakes, becoming the third player in MLS history to reach the milestone for a single club (Nick Rimando - RSL, Kyle Beckerman - RSL). He is the only player to accomplish the feat with his original MLS club.
The Quakes held Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris without a single shot for just the second time in his 14 starts this season.
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Georgia on my Mind
by Shelia Young
The Masters
Thursday, Nov. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 15
The pandemic has affected all things sports and next in line will be the Masters, but at least it will be played. While the attendance conditions and the date have been changed, the rare decorum and game will be the same. There will be some new players and, indeed, some very well-known names -- specifically that of Tiger Woods.
The 2020 Masters Tournament will be the 84th edition of the Masters Tournament and was originally scheduled as the first of golf's four major championships to be held in 2020.
“Since our initial announcement to postpone the 2020 Masters, we have remained committed to a rescheduled Tournament in November while continually examining how best to host a global sporting event amid this pandemic,” club and tournament chairman Fred Ridley said in a release. “As we have considered the issues facing us, the health and safety of everyone associated with the Masters always has been our first and most important priority.”
The city of Augusta, Georgia, represents the epitome of Southern Hospitality; however, during Covid-19, approximately 2 percent of its population contracted the coronavirus, so the host golf club is preparing to protect both players and assistants in every conceivable way. There will be no guests allowed for the four-day event.
Players who have played Augusta after the Labor Day holidays have made it clear that the weather for the course is not ideal for perfect golf, but then who has ever played perfect golf? Oh, sorry, most of the pros have!
I am a product of the South and I have been to the Masters, albeit only once, and clearly not in November, but I understand cold and rainy in the South. As reported by the Augusta Chronicle, Fred Couples said, “I’m not sure what the weather will be like in early November, but I will say this [when I played previously this late in the year], the greens were unreal and as good as any Masters I ever played. The fairways were a little thin, but we’re talking Augusta. Usually, it’s an 11 out of a 10 when we play.”
Interestingly enough, the club has so many more controls than any other golf course that I have ever seen, including, a SubAir system [under the surface] that controls the temperature and moisture of all the greens and many landing areas in the fairways, and will make the course play as similar as possible as it would in April. Oh, and it’s true that if there’s a brown spot or damaged area, they will paint it green! How about that?
This will be the first time it will be played this late in the year. It has never been played outside of March or April. Weather has forced a delay in finishing the tournament more than a half dozen times; however, the last time the Masters had a Monday finish was in 1983.
As far as membership at the club, previous champions are invited to play in the Masters for the rest of their lives, if they wish, and they are invited to the Champions Dinner every year. But previous champions are absolutely not automatic members.
I’m excited about this year’s Masters, November 12-15, and my money’s on Tiger. He always has something to prove. Enjoy.
* * *
Shelia Young is a former mayor of San Leandro and a passionate golfer who is pleased to have served with the other Mayor Young of Augusta, Georgia, the home of The Masters golf tournament. While she never played Augusta National, she did have a go at Augusta Muni ... not quite the same but still in Georgia! She has on a number of occasions penned a golf article or two
for the Ultimate Sports Guide.
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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Answer: Fifty one years by the Arizona Cardinals football franchise. The 1998 NFL season saw the Cardinals break two long droughts, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. The team got their first postseason win since 1947 in St. Louis by defeating the Dallas Cowboys, 20–7, in the Wild Card Playoffs. In 2008 the Cardinals, led by quarterback Kurt Warner, won the NFC Championship Game to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. They lost Super Bowl XLIII, 27–23, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final seconds. (Above, Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner was 37 years old, playing for the third time in the NFL’s biggest game.) ~Wikipedia
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In the last seasons of the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Ultimate Sports Guide photographer Ed Jay collected images and stories of some of the Raiders most passionate and beloved fans. To view and read their stories, click on this link and revisit your all-time favorites. Above, Deadpool Raider (center).
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Jaden Rashada | Young QB ready to shine after 5,800-mile U-Turn.
Photo by Chace Bryson
Top 2023 Quarterback Recruit, Jaden Rashada, Settles Down At Pittsburg After Briefly Chasing Fall Football Hopes In Florida
by Chace Bryson
Jaden Rashada just wanted a chance at playing football in 2020.
It was that desire that led him to the house of his best friend, Rashid Williams, on an early-Summer evening — to say goodbye — before catching a 4 a.m. flight to Florida the following morning.
“It was sad,” said Williams, a talented sophomore receiver for Pittsburg High. “But sometimes you have to try to understand that maybe there’s a better situation for certain people.”
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The 2019 Fall/Winter edition of the Ultimate Sports Guide, a San Francisco Bay Area sports reference publication published twice a year for avid Bay Area and Northern California sports fans, is in the house. The Ultimate Sports Guide is distributed free of charge or may be ordered via subscription. Each seasonal edition provides professional and collegiate team coverage through commentary, photo essays and player profiles. To order, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net or send $5 to: Ultimate Sports Guide,
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Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
* Click here for 2019 editions.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, October 19 through
Sunday, October 25, 2020
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Games for most major and minor league sports, including collegiate and high school teams,
have been cancelled.
Monday, October 19
Tuesday, October 20
Wednesday, October 21
Thursday, October 22
Friday, October 23
Saturday, October 24
San Jose State vs. Air Force, 7:30 p.m., FS1
San Jose Earthquakes @ Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7 p.m., NBCSCA
Sunday, October 25
San Francisco 49ers @ New England Patriots, 1:25 p.m., CBC
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Enjoy the
Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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We can help!
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
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Join Us As A Sponsor!
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Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
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The vast majority of student-athletes dreaming of athletic stardom won't make it to the pros. Yet, the discipline and skills they've developed while balancing a sport and academics make them ideally suited for satisfying careers elsewhere. In 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, the authors draw on personal experience, interviews, expert opinion, and industry data to provide a game plan for student-athletes through key transitions at each stage of their careers, from high school through college and beyond. Modeled on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book provides a much-needed strategy for achieving career success. Readable and concise, it will be a valuable tool for students, parents, and sports administrators. To order, click here.
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5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
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Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and
4" circular bumper stickers. We have Youth and Spanish versions, too!
with questions or to order.
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Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-845-2035
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The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst, now retired. Mr. Karst continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
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