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July 29 -- August 4, 2024

Issue No. 548

Publisher: Christopher Weills

Marketing Director: Robert Moselle

Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski

Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee. Kenny Karst (retired).

Contributors: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young

Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim, Ammar Bhaiji

Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net

Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com

Letters to the Editor

The G-MEN Band: Ready to ROCK 'N ROLL!  

The influence of San Francisco Rock Music is legendary, and the Giants are ready to take that musical legacy and transform it into Baseball. After a sweep of the Colorado Rockies, here's a lineup to kick off the Tour. Players selected here may be personalized by readers, as the G-MEN's lineup is composed of only true Professionals. This is not a band made to play dinky night clubs. Concerts and Festivals only. 


Vocals: After the last two weeks as a monster slugger, it has to be Tyler Fitzgerald, struttin' around the stage like Jagger himself. Lead guitar: "The Yaz"; Rhythm guitar: All-Star Heliot; Synthesizer: Jorge "Souler"; Drums: Patrick 'Beatle' Bailey; Piano: Lefty Conforto; Background Vocals: Webb, Harrison, Snell and Doval; Guest vocal soloist: It HAS to be Hayden BIRDSONG; Organ: K.C. Schmitt; Horn Section: Chappy Chapman with special appearances by 'Latenight' LaMonte and Brett "The" Wisely; and on-stage dance and audience arousers the G-Men's own Sportsmanteau, FlorStrada and the famous duo of Kruk and Kuip; Road Manager: "BOMEL" Jones.


With the rigors of constant road tours, this band lineup may be tuned from time-to-time. Just get ready to ROCK 'N ROLL with the G-MEN! This is San Francisco!


http://www.laruerocks.com/index.html


Robert A. Moselle

Marketing Director, Sports Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle/ 


A Common Bond

Kudos to old Dave Newhouse and young Benson Wong for their enlightening essays in the July 25 edition of Sports Today (Issue #547 / https://conta.cc/3LxjZDx).


I say “old” Newhouse, because we’re apparently both sufficiently elderly to remember the Kennedy assassination vividly. In my case in 1963, I was working part-time in the news department of a Pennsylvania radio/TV station while in my sophomore year in college. Between classes the morning of November 22, I ran into one of my professors who said he’d just heard a radio report that “something had happened in Dallas involving Kennedy”, and I immediately sprinted to the TV station just a few blocks away. There in the newsroom, I began ripping United Press International dispatches off the teletype machine to prepare news reports for our radio station and TV broadcasts later in the day. Somewhere in my personal effects stored back East, I have the teletype report from the UPI correspondent at Parkland Hospital announcing that Kennedy had died. And yes, unfortunately, I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when President Kennedy was killed.


David Esler

Retired Journalist 

Berkeley, CA  


July Issue

The story from Benson Wong about Willie was great! (Sports Today, Issue #547 / https://conta.cc/3LxjZDx.) Also much appreciate your noting all the sports academic awards. Keep up the amazing work.

Bill Hool

San Rafael, CA

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Contents

Games

Bay Area Panthers 40, San Diego Strike Force 49

Oakland A's 8, Houston Astros 2

Oakland Roots SC 2, Miami FC 1

San Francisco Giants 5, Colorado Rockies 4

San Jose Earthquakes 1 (4), Chivas Guadalajara 1 (3)


Features & Commentary

A's vs. Giants Rivalry, by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Donate Today! Add Your Name To The List Below!

Elephant In My Room, by Andy Dolich

Mark McGwire, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

The Weekly Longer NIL Thought, by Darren Heitner, Esq.

To My Readers, by Howard Pearlstein

Williams' 40-Year NFL Battle, by Dave Newhouse



Organizations

Bay Area Falcons

Bay Area Panthers

Bay FC

Cal Bears

Cal State University East Bay

Golden State Warriors

Oakland A's

Oakland Ballers

Oakland Roots SC

Oakland Soul SC

Oakland Spiders

Saint Mary's College Gaels

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Nighthawks

San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose State Spartans

Santa Clara Broncos

SF City

Sonoma Raceway

St. Francis Yacht Club

Stanford Cardinal

UC Davis Aggies

University of Pacific Tigers

USF Dons

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna

Seca

Subscribe Now -- FREE!!!

San Francisco Giants 5

Colorado Rockies 4

Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA

Sunday, July 28, 2024

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs as the Giants completed a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with a 5-4 victory on Sunday, July 28th at Oracle Park. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Giants designated hitter Jorge Soler also collected three hits while scoring once and driving in a run. Caption and photo by

Darren Yamashita.

Giants designated hitter Jorge Soler is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Second baseman Casey Schmitt put the Giants on the board with a solo home run in the first inning. Caption and photo by

Darren Yamashita.

San Francisco Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) hands his bobblehead to a fan after signing it before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park. Caption and photo

by Darren Yamashita.

A San Francisco Giants fan inspects his bobblehead of center fielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page  and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

San Francisco 49ers



Williams'

40-Year

NFL Battle

by Dave Newhouse


Delvin Williams played eight seasons in the National Football League, incurring a lifetime of body damage. He has been fighting the NFL for 40 years, seeking compensation for his unending pain and suffering.


“You feel like a stepchild in a family,” he reflected on his ongoing battle, “a family that you’re fighting to prove how much you love them or how much you're loved by them, but they want to love you in their own way.”


Williams is 73, a long time removed from his respected career with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, rushing for 1,000 yards with each franchise, and earning All-Pro honors twice in the process.


But after six NFL surgeries and 11 more surgeries afterward, his suffering doesn’t just disappear, not with both hips being replaced, his neck and lower back rebelling, his one leg shorter than the other, and he certainly could use a knee replacement.


“The NFL is supposed to take care of you,” he lamented. "Call me naive, but all I’ve ever done is follow the rules. It’s terrible to be treated like that. You thought the NFL would be more honorable.”

San Francisco selected running back Delvin Williams out of Kansas with the 49th overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft


The NFL is a billion-dollar corporation, yet treats its players like paupers after they're done playing with injuries. But injury compensation is difficult to achieve in many cases, because the NFL isn’t exactly big-hearted when it comes to its alumni.


Williams, in 1995, received disability from the league, guaranteeing him between eight and nine thousand dollars monthly for the rest of his life, while the NFL pays its commissioner, Roger Goodell, 63.9 million dollars a year.


“That’s how I’ve been living,” Williams said from his Auburn home. “But they haven’t paid me workers compensation, which the courts say I’m entitled to. And I’m also responsible for attorney fees, but now I can’t get an attorney. I can’t hire one.”


After Williams taking on the NFL legally all this time, attorneys have backed away from his situation, which isn’t unlike hundreds — thousands? — of NFL alumni, who fail to receive compensation despite football-ravaged bodies.


“The NFL can make money off of its players, but they don’t have respect for you,” Williams said. “If they paid me for my injuries, they’d have to pay all these other guys. Why don’t they? Money, I would assume.”

In his book, Delvin Williams brings readers on the long journey

from Houston’s Fifth Ward to the packed stadiums 


A new phase of Williams’ health concerns is Amyloidosis, a rare disease that can make such organs as the heart, kidneys, liver and spleen work improperly, right along with the nervous system and digestive tract. Is this condition connected to football? Probably not, but maybe so, who can say? A football career really takes it out of you physically.


“I have a doctor’s appointment for Amyloidosis, which can mutate into cancer of the heart muscle,” Williams said in late July. “I don’t know if it’s football-related, but exercise affects the heart.”


Williams knows the pro football code only too well — you better play with injuries, because if you don’t, someone is ready to take your place, even right here in the Bay Area. Right, Alex Smith? Remember Colin Kaepernick?


“You have to learn the difference between pain and injury, or you won’t be around,” Williams acknowledged. “My thing right now is to get my case re-opened. It’s either backing away or fighting it in Congress, but this experience has had its impact on me.”


Williams delineated this experience, including his life story, in the book, Fifth Ward To Fourth Quarter: Football’s Impact on an NFL Player’s Body and Soul, (Texas A&M University Press, 2022).


Williams rose out of a Houston ghetto to graduate from Kansas University in four years despite being ineligible for football his freshman year based on his high school education. He then became a second-round draft pick of the 49ers in 1974.


Finding sympathy for player injuries, Williams is convinced, won’t be coming from NFL fans.


“Do they want to see players helped by the NFL?” he asked. “The fans like the violence. Their only relationship with you is through football. I don’t think they care about the injuries. Next man up. That’s the way they think.”


NFL fans fill stadiums, but players can feel isolated, like they’re on some lonely island.


“My situation with the league is going to come to an end,” Williams said of his four-decade fight. “But can I say what the outcome will be or when? No.”

* * *

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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Oakland A's 8

Houston Astros 2

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Lawrence Butler drove in two runs with a double, triple, and home run as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Houston Astros, 8-2, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Tuesday, July 23rd.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Starter Osvaldo Bido struck out six over five innings to earn the win.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Brent Rooker hit his 23rd home run of the season, one of five Athletics home runs on the night. Caption and photo by

Darren Yamashita.

Oakland Athletics center fielder JJ Bleday (33) watches a ball hit by Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini (not shown) fly over the wall for a home run during the third inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page  and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Battle of the Bay




A’s vs. Giants Rivalry




by Amaury Pi-González


OAKLAND–The Giants arrived in San Francisco from New York in 1958; ten years later the A’s arrived from Kansas City in Oakland. The Bay Area rivalry between Oakland and San Francisco has grown, drawing huge crowds at the stadiums on both sides of the Bay.


The rivalry became more intense (but still friendly) after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake on October 17, 1989, a few minutes past five in the afternoon, when the ground shook at Candlestick Park.


It all began at Oakland. The first two games of the World Series took place at the Oakland Coliseum; the Athletics won 5-0 and 5-1. We moved to San Francisco’s Candlestick Park for games three and four, but on game three, a surprise when the earth moved violently with a 7.1 intensity earthquake (later downgraded to a 6.9), still enough for interim Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent to postpone the World Series for 11 days until both teams resumed the action in early October for games three and four, which the A’s also won, 13-7 and

6-5.

On October 17 at approximately 5:04 PM PDT, prior to the start of Game 3, the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, causing severe damage to both Oakland and San Francisco


For us, broadcasting that classic was an experience we will never forget for the rest of our lives. This is the first and only time a World Series has been stopped and postponed because of an Earthquake. Note: The Giants returned to the World Series in 2002 (13 years later) and lost to the Anaheim Angels, four games to three.


The famous and historic 1989 World Series, which began at the Oakland Coliseum, was the first held there since the team won the last of three consecutive World Series in 1974. Fifteen years later, the Oakland A’s were the talk of baseball and the Oakland Coliseum was “the place to be.” Coliseum attendance in the 1989 regular season was 2,667,225.


The Good Old Days at the Oakland Coliseum, as we remember this 2024, is a historic year and the last season they will play at this huge facility.


Schedule: The Oakland A’s face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on July 30-31. The last time these Bay Area rivals will face each other is next August 17-18 at the Oakland Coliseum. All these games will air live in Spanish on KIQI 1010AM Bay Area/990AM Sacramento, on the Oakland A’s Spanish Radio Network.

* * *

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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Our contributors are highly respected journalists, authors and photographers providing a wide array of in-depth articles and images, and our Letters to the Editor delights readers.

 

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Sports Today!

thanks the following generous donors!

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San Francisco Giants

15th Annual Giant Race presented by Alaska Airlines

August 17 & 18, 2024


Don’t delay - Join us on Sunday, August 18 for a 5K, 10K or Half Marathon along the San Francisco Bay and cross the finish line on the field at Oracle Park. Don’t miss these awesome perks, included with every registration:

Signature Patrick Bailey Race Bobblehead * Custom Finisher’s Medal

* Official Race T-Shirt Commemorative Race Bib

* SF Giants game ticket  * Restrictions Apply

Register Now!

The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant

"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

Calling all Paramore, Green Day, and Blink-182 fans! Head to the Coliseum on Saturday, Aug. 3, for the Pop-Punk Fireworks Show presented by UBEO Services. After we take on the Los Angeles Dodgers, head down to the field and sit on the outfield grass to rock out to the sky-high show

featuring pop-punk music.

Buy Tickets!
Buy Tickets!



Elephant In My Room



by Andy Dolich



During my years with the A’s (1980-1994) I collected a number of Items and fifty-six years at the Coliseum will come to an end on September 26th. Over the next few months I’ll be sharing some of my favorite pieces of Oakland A’s Memorabilia in the pages of the Ultimate’s Sports Guide’s Sports Today.


Just in case you don’t know how the A’s adopted an Elephant, the origin dates back to 1902. John McGraw held a news conference about him becoming manager of the New York Giants. A reporter asked McGraw about the Philadelphia A’s. McGraw responded, “The Philadelphia club will make no money. They have a big “white elephant on their hands.”


That diss by McGraw got back to Philadelphia A’s owner Connie Mack, who was amused by the comment so much that he made a white elephant the team’s unofficial mascot. Three years later, when the A’s and Giants met in the 1905 World Series, Mack had the A’s players’ sweaters displaying a white elephant and presented McGraw with a white elephant statue before Game 1.

Used in a number of Oakland A's commercials


For the next 50 years, the elephant continued to be a part of A’s tradition, eventually becoming the primary logo on the front of the team’s uniform.


When the club moved to Kansas City in 1955, new owner Charlie Finley removed the elephant. In ’65 Finley decided to change the team mascot to a mule, the state animal of Missouri. A real mule wearing a “KC” hat was often seen clomping on the field inside Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium.


The A’s moved to Oakland in 1968 without an elephant. When Finley sold the team to the Haas Family in ‘80 the elephant made its return. We proudly placed the Elephant logo on the left sleeve of our uniforms.


The enclosed photo of the one-of-a-kind 9-inch tall clay statue of the elephant was used in a number of our TV ads. The campaign was inspired by the Dancing Raisins. Our ad agency, Hal Riney and Partners, along with the animation gurus at Scupltoons, created a fantastic chapter in the A’s Elephantine history. (To enjoy other A's commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJsKSGherg)

* * *

Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 50 years of experience as an executive in professional sports, working with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and hockey and soccer teams. Dolich is also the co-author of Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today! click HERE.

Piece of Cake!

A woman's work is never done...

Goodbye, Oakland

Authors Dave Newhouse and

Andy Dolich sold out at Oakland's Fans' Fest

Goodbye, Oakland has been a remarkable success story

For purchase through Triumph Books

https://www.triumphbooks.com/goodbye--oakland-

products-9781637272152.php

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San Jose Earthquakes 1(4)

C. D. Guadalajara (Chivas) 1(3)

Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Goalkeeper Daniel returned from injury to record five saves and a stop during the shootout as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated Liga MX's Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), 1(4)-1(3) in the opening match of the 2024 Leagues Cup on Saturday, July 27th at Levi's Stadium. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Vitor Costa scores the final goal in the shootout to propel the Quakes to the victory. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Forward Jeremy Ebobisse opened the scoring with a header in the sixth minute. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

San Jose Earthquakes fans cheer and release smoke into the air after a goal by forward Jeremy Ebobisse (not shown) against C.D. Guadalajara during the first half at Levi’s Stadium.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Guadalajara midfielder Roberto Alvarado (center right) is congratulated by forward Cade Cowell (center left) after scoring a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Levi’s Stadium. (Cowell, who played for the Earthquakes from 2019-23, was transferred to Chivas in January for a club-record fee.) 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

C.D. Guadalajara fans throw beer into the air after a goal during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at Levi’s Stadium.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

The main scoreboard displays the attendance which breaks a Leagues Cup record during the second half between the San Jose Earthquakes and C.D. Guadalajara at Levi’s Stadium. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Oakland Roots SC 2

Miami FC 1

FIU Football Stadium, Miami, FL

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Oakland Returns to Winning Ways on the Road in Miami

 

After a very slow start from both sides, Oakland Roots took the lead over Miami FC through a beautifully worked goal from Memo Diaz, assisted by Johnny Rodriguez. The visitors took the lead in the 38th minute with the first shot on target in the match.

 

The game opened up as Paul Blanchette was called on in Oakland Roots' goal to keep the lead at 1-0 into the half, as Miami grew into the game.

 

Oakland made it 2-0 when the pinpoint cross from the left foot of Justin Rasmussen found Johnny Rodriguez for his 9th goal of the season, midway through the second half.

 

Frank Lopez struck in response for Miami FC with 15 minutes to go, pulling the game back to within one for the home side to make it 2-1 Oakland in the 75th minute.

 

Oakland held on in the end for the 2-1 victory keeping pace at the top of the Western Conference Standings. 

 

Oakland will now have a bye weekend before preparing for Loudoun United at Home on August 10th. 


continued...

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Mark McGwire -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

This is a baseball I had signed by Oakland A’s slugger Mark McGwire. He was at the San Francisco Macy’s promoting Reebok merchandise in 1995. That day he signed two photos, two baseball cards and one baseball for me. He was a very friendly person and

was glad to shake my hand.


Rich YeeSports Today Photographer

Sports Precis

To My Readers


Have been suffering a temporary neurological after-effect of extended heat wave. This is a real medical thing, the result of combining too many days in a row above body temp with what they politely call being a senior. 

 

Fortunately it gave me a warning, i.e. catching myself the other day accidentally trying to put dirty clothes in the microwave instead of the adjacent washing machine. Caught it in time but the unmistakable message was received: Don't drive anywhere and better all around if you don't do anything else that requires what usually passes for reasonable intelligence. (I hope if it happened to you too, you also got enough warning to keep yourself and innocent bystanders safe.)

 

For that reason, I have no useable column today. But cheers for the cool California Current (what they used to say was the Humboldt Current), the temperature at noon, on my front porch, which yesterday was 85 degrees, today was 56 degrees, allowing something happening that feels a bit like recovery. And if that's so, all things working out, my weekly attempt to amuse and inform you will be back next week.

 

-- Howard Pearlstein

Bay Area Panthers 40

San Diego Strike Force 49

SAP Center, San Jose, CA

Sunday, July 28, 2024

San José Mayor Matt Mahan participates in the coin toss. The Panthers will lose in this playoff game to the San Diego Strike Force, 49-40, ending their 2024 season. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

Prior to the game, Sara LaGrande is selected as the Fan of the Year. Sara is also a diehard Raiders fan. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

Miss California, Kimberly Vernon, was on hand to make the first toss to owner Roy Choi. She then walked around the Arena to meet with fans the entire game. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

QB Daquan Neal utilizes his running skills to score a TD, one of the many times in this tough loss to the San Diego Strike Force. 

Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

The Panthers' defense has been stout all year, just coming up short in this playoff loss. Photo and caption by Ed Jay.

 Special Offer from a Sports Today Reader

  Tim from the Midwest is making his 2024 San Francisco Giants season tickets available, as follows: Section 106, row 1, seats 5/6. Prices will vary and the entire season is available. Prices are for both seats and there is no parking.


26 games are 136.50, 28 games are 196.50, 17 games are 296.50,

6 games are 342.50. One is a DH, 3 games are 454.50. (View from 106, Row 1, Seat 7, one seat closer to home plate than seats 5 and 6.)

https://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/143157/Oracle+Park/section-106/row-1/seat-7/


These are Tim's costs, no markups, no fees, tickets are all via smart phones. For more information: Tim Maroney, 610-519-0125

Tpmmd@hotmail.com

 If you are interested, please contact Mr. Maroney directly via his email or phone. Sports Today does not receive remuneration --

we are simply happy to make these seats available to our readers

and as a favor to a loyal subscriber, Tim Maroney.

Vol. 90: Florida Officially Allows NIL In High School; What's Up With Texas?

The Weekly Longer NIL Thought


by Darren Heitner

Founder of HEITNERLEGAL


Florida high schoolers can finally enter into NIL deals without fear that they will be penalized by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).


Well, kind of.


Earlier this week, the FHSAA held an emergency meeting to amend and clarify language surrounding the continuing prohibition on high schoolers entering into deals with NIL Collectives.


Under the FHSAA's definition, an NIL Collective includes a group, organization, or cooperative enterprise that exists to collect funds from donors, individuals, or businesses to:


  1. Help facilitate NIL deals for athletes;
  2. Facilitate payments to or transfer funds to athletes;
  3. Create ways for athletes to monetize from their NIL and/or
  4. Otherwise promote NIL for schools or athletes.


I suppose this language was intentionally drafted to be vague and overbroad. I think most NIL Collectives would argue that they don't exist to collect funds from donors, individuals, or businesses, even though that is a component of their operation.


Anyhow, net win for athletes in the State of Florida.


But what the hell is going on in Texas?


continued...

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10th Anniversary

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Bill Warner Named Grand Marshal of Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion


Historian, Author, Photographer and Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Founder Brings Passion and Expertise to Monterey August 14-17


MONTEREY, Calif., July 25, 2024—To usher in the 50th anniversary of historic racing in Monterey will be automobile impresario Bill Warner, who today was named Grand Marshal of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 14-17 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Mr. Warner was an early advocate of the original Monterey Historic Automobile Races, which for 36 years altered the vintage racing landscape. Since 2010, when the historic race was rebranded as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, he has championed the gathering from multiple perspectives.


“My entire life has been dedicated to racing, cars, and the people who share my passion,” Warner explained. “To be named Grand Marshal of the most important race of its kind in North America is an honor that is hard to absorb. Honestly, I never expected nor pursued this recognition and responsibility. Being Chief Steward among my peers is great, but Grand Marshal is beyond my dreams. Words escape me and for those who know me, that is a rarity.”


Co-chair of the Reunion Advisory Council and Vice President of Friends of Laguna Seca Bruce Canepa said Bill is the perfect person to lead the Golden Anniversary celebration. “Bill has participated in nearly every event since 1988 as a journalist and photographer, racer and advisor. He has uniquely seen the event from every point of view to ensure it improves for all audiences each year,” Canepa said. “He richly deserves to be recognized this year for his invaluable input, knowledge and, of course, his frequent wit.”


continued...

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DENSO NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS ROAR AGAIN IN SUMMER 2025

 

SONOMA, Calif. (July 10, 2024) – NHRA fans will get to hear, smell and feel the nitro-booming 22,000+ horsepower drag racing machines again in beautiful wine country next Summer as Sonoma Raceway will retain its July date in 2025. NHRA announced today their return to Sonoma July 25-27, 2025, marking the 37th year of this thunderous event at one of the most coveted locations on the schedule.


Sonoma Raceway, known for its picturesque surroundings and high-octane action, will host the best in the business at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals as top NHRA drivers compete for glory at the racetrack’s quarter-mile drag strip. This is more than just a race weekend - it’s a celebration of speed, horsepower, and the vibrant community of drag racing fans who have made this event a staple of the summer. 


“There’s nothing quite like the energy and excitement of NHRA drag racing against the backdrop of beautiful Sonoma,” said Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn. “This event has become a cherished tradition, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for our fans and drivers.”


continued...

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Cal Bears

Hunter Armstrong (left) and Jack Alexy won gold medals on the

USA's 4x100-meter freestyle relay


Dynamic Start In Paris


Cal Hauls In 3 Olympic Medals On First Day; 18 Total Golden Bears In Action


PARIS – One day, three medals.

 

California hauled in three medals – two gold, one silver – on the first full day of competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was the Golden Bears' American swimmers who brought home the early hardware, as Jack Alexy and Hunter Armstrong won gold in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay while Abbey Weitzeil captured silver in the women's 4x100m free relay.

 

A total of 18 Cal Olympians across seven sports were in action Saturday.


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Stanford Cardinal

FIRST CARDINAL MEDAL


Stanford alum Kassidy Cook gets the medal count started with a Silver medal in the Synchronized 3M Springboard dive


PARIS - Former Stanford diver Kassidy Cook wasted no time reaching the medal stand in Paris, kicking off the 2024 Olympic Games with a silver medal performance in the 3-meter synchronized springboard alongside partner Sarah Bacon. 


The pair scored 314.64 points in the five-round competition for the United States' first medal in the event since 2012, finishing behind the Chinese tandem of Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen.


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San Jose State Spartans

SCHOOL-RECORD 128 SPARTANS HONORED AS MW SCHOLAR-ATHLETES


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — For the third consecutive year, a school-record number of San José State University student-athletes received a 2023-24 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Award as 128 Spartans are honored for their performances in the classroom during their athletic career.


The MW Scholar-Athlete Award is one of the highest academic honors bestowed by the conference. To be eligible for the award this year, student-athletes must have completed at least two semesters at the institution and have a 3.5 or better cumulative grade point average while being a member of an intercollegiate team.


The Spartan student-athletes represent 18 sports, including five teams with double-digit honorees led by women’s soccer with 19. Women’s gymnastics, in their first year as a member of the conference, was second with 15, followed by swimming and diving and football with 14 each, and women’s track and field with 11.


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Saint Mary's College Gaels

MBB | Landale, Mills Led Australia Defeat Spain in Olympic Opener


PARIS, France — The quest for the Boomers' second consecutive Olympic medal got under way in Paris with a 92-80 victory over #2 ranked team in the world according to FIBA, Spain.


Gaels alums had their fingerprints all over the victory. Leading the team in both scoring and rebounding was Jock Landale. The 2018 SMC graduate went for 20 points and 9 rebounds, shooting a stellar 9-14 from the field, while also adding five assists. Just behind Landale in scoring was Mr Boomer himself, Patty Mills. Debuting in his fifth Olympic Games, Mills dropped 19, converting on 50% of his field goals including a trio of three pointers. The finals of Patty's threes loomed the largest, ending a late 7-0 run from the Spainiards to push the Boomers ahead by nine with 24 seconds remaining. Rounding out the group of Gael Boomers was Matthew Dellavedova, who dished out a pair of assists in nine minutes of action. 


The 92 points were the second most scored by an Olympic squad in the opening day of competition, behind only Germany's 97 against Japan. Landale was one of seven players to score at least 20 points on the opening day of games. The Boomers will be back in action on Tuesday, taking on Canada.


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USF Dons

Lea Meyer Qualifies for the

2024 Olympics


SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Returning to the national stage for the second time in her career, former University of San Francisco cross country and track and field student-athlete Lea Meyer has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics and will represent Germany in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase.

 

Earning a place on the German National Team for the second-straight Summer Games, Meyer qualified for the Olympics after posting a fourth-place finish at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix on May 17. Her time of 9:22.51 came under the entry standard time of 9:23.00 needed to qualify.

 

Most recently, Meyer competed at the Meeting de Paris – Diamond Discipline on July 7, recording a season-best time of 9:15.48 and earning a fifth-place finish. Nearly reaching the podium, Meyer was just over six seconds behind former San Francisco teammate Lizzie Bird, who placed third.


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Santa Clara Broncos

Men's Tennis Named 2024 ITA All-Academic Team for Sixth Straight Year


TEMPE, Ariz. – For the sixth straight year, the Santa Clara men's tennis program was recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as an All-Academic team and six Broncos were named ITA Scholar-Athletes. 

 

To be considered, All-Academic teams must have a team GPA of 3.2 or higher while ITA scholar-athletes maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the current academic year and be listed on the institutional eligibility form.   

 

Sebastian BuxmanGuillaume DalmassoAlexander Watanabe ErikssonArjun HonnappaChristian Lerby, and Matthew Rodriguez were named scholar-athletes. 

 

This is the fourth time that Dalmasso was recognized as an ITA scholar-athlete and the second recognition for Lerby while Rodriguez was recognized for the first time. Transfers Buxman, Watanabe Eriksson, and Honnappa were recognized for the first time as a Bronco.  


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University of Pacific Tigers

FIVE TIGERS EARN COBALT GOLF ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR HONORS

 

STOCKTON, Calif. – Five members of the Pacific men's golf team were named to the 2023-24 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars list, which was announced Thursday. 


Alex BarclayIan FritzPetr JanikTimothy Jung and Maverick Pavletich were five of 532 NCAA Division I athletes from 180 schools that earned 2023-24 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar honors.


To be eligible for Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their associate's degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50% of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in NCAA Division III, under 78.0 in NAIA, and under 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university.


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UC Davis Aggies

Shaun Nair Wins C.T. Pan Junior Championship


DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis men's golf incoming freshman, Shaun Nair, took home the C.T. Pan Junior Championship by three strokes this past week at The Golf Club at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas .


Nair opened the tournament with an impressive 66 in the first round, followed by an even more remarkable 65 in the second round. Across these two rounds, he recorded 11 birdies without a single bogey. In the third and final round, Nair shot a 69, adding three more birdies before encountering his first bogey of the week, maintaining a bogey-free streak for 46 holes. Throughout the course of the tournament, the Katy, Texas native tallied a total of 15 birdies.


He finished the Championship at 13-under, securing a 3-shot victory. The next closest competitor was six shots behind, placing third, highlighting the future Aggie's dominance throughout.


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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers

Announcing the Pioneers Hall of Fame Class of 2024!


Cal State East Bay Athletics proudly announces the Pioneers Hall of Fame Class of 2024 that includes teams, coaches and alumni who will be remembered as proud Pioneers.


The class will be inducted on Saturday, October 19 on the campus of Cal State East Bay.



Formal induction ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, at the annual Hall of Fame Induction Gala at Pioneer Gymnasium. Ticket information and more details will be announced at a later date. The class is also invited to attend Pioneer Alumni Day, Thursday October 17th. 


With the addition of the new members, the Pioneers Hall of Fame now features 119 individuals and four teams. The school's Hall of Fame Wall, which is located throughout Pioneer Gymnasium, is open to the public during sport seasons. 


The Class of 2024 is as follows:


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St. Francis Yacht Club

The Club Buys an Island


With San Francisco summers often foggy, windy and cold, StFYC members started a search for a warmer option in the mid-1950s. In 1958, that destination was secured when a small group of members pooled personal funds and purchased a 21-acre, overgrown island in the Delta for $10,750. Our little slice of heaven on the San Joaquin River, Tinsley Island, was founded. A plaque commemorating those generous visionaries may be found in the lighthouse on Tinsley Island.


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