SHARE:  

December 2 -- December 8, 2024

Issue No. 566

Letters to the Editor

49ers Lose Snowball Fight in Buffalo


The 49ers started out with a new intensity on both sides of the ball, with savage tackles and some great runs by McCaffery and Mason. CMC looked like he was back to last season's form. They ran to the 10-yard line, but had to settle for a FG.


As the snowfall and wind increased, traction became difficult for the 49ers D-Line, the Bills put together some runs for a TD and, shortly after, busted a 65-yard run to make it 14-3, Bills. A knee injury then forced CMC to leave the game. Jordan Mason ran hard but Brock Purdy was tackled and SF punted to the three-yard line. Buffalo better managed the intense weather and scored on a short TD pass as the first half wound down. A 55-yard Moody FG attempt was short in blustery winds, and the first half ended 21-3. 


The start of the second half gave hope to 49ers fans. Deebo returned the kickoff to the Bills' 30-yard line, and a pass to "Mr. Clutch" Jauan Jennings and a Mason run put SF on the nine-yard line. However, "Old Reliable," #44, Juszczyk, had the ball punched out on the two-yard line. Buffalo was forced to punt but Purdy passes to both George Kittle and J.J. were dropped. Buffalo next scored on a rare, mishandled Josh Allen pass which was transformed into a TD when Amari Cooper flipped it to back to him for a TD run. What could have been 21-10 was now 28-3. A Deebo kickoff return to the 50, Mason runs, a pass to Mr. Clutch for 26 yards and a TD pass from Brock to Isaac Guerendo made it 28-10 at 2:54 of the third, still within range of a comeback. However, Purdy lost control of the ball as he began a pass, an error soon converted into a Bills TD and the final score,

35-10.

 

'It was the best of times," (for about 10 minutes), and then "it was the worst of times," (for the rest of the game).


San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills Game Highlights (13:46)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrOIYYT8e94&t=14s


Robert A. Moselle, Esq.

https://www.cce-mcle.com

Marketing Director, Sports Today


College Football Playoffs Carousel 


With the new College Football Playoffs (CFP) structure, only certain teams are guaranteed spots in the "Official CFP." An impressive number of others must wait in the outer circle, their CFP eligibility, 

or alternative traditional Bowl Game placements, to be determined after next week's games. Likely rankings could be (top 12): 1. Oregon, 2. Texas, 3. Penn State, 4. Notre Dame, 5. Georgia, 6. Ohio State, 7. Tennessee, 8. SMU, 9. Indiana, 10. Boise State, 11. Alabama, (the "Teacher's Pet" pick) 12. South Carolina, and 13. Arizona State.


So, it's time to play the DESELECTION Game and pick four teams you may actually want, or believe will inevitably march towards the ultimate title. Fear not, your personal favorites may end up in one of the traditionally named Bowl Games. For example, "my team," Duke, has won each of their last five appearances in bowl games and has a good defense, so I hope they get a good matchup in a key Bowl game, as they are unlikely to make the CFPs.


For the CFP "FINAL FOUR," I select Oregon (to win it all), Tennessee, Boise State (let's have some fun with this), and Ohio State. As the dice are rolled and matchups determined, my alternates are SMU (ACC) and the "Teacher's Pet" pick, Alabama. If Miami somehow gets in, I'll take them to go far, with their dangerous QB. Likewise, ARMY -- they deserve to be included after a great year.


LUDI INCIPE: (Let the Games Begin)


Robert A. Moselle, Esq.

https://www.cce-mcle.com

Marketing Director, Sports Today

Join Us Today -- FREE!

Contents

Games

Cal Bears (MBB) 83, Sacramento State Hornets 77

San Francisco 49ers 10, Buffalo Bills 35

Stanford Cardinal (MBB) 90, Cal Poly Mustangs 97

USF Dons (MBB) 87, Mercyhurst Lakers 59


Features & Commentary

Aiyeee! It must be the end of the world! by Howard Pearlstein

Jim Otto, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.

Oakland's Fumbling Politicans, 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

Cal Bears 83

Sacramento State Hornets 77

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA

Sunday, November 24, 2024

The Golden Bears extended their win streak to three games as they faced off against the Hornets from Sacramento State in a non-conference game. The scoring would start slowly and stay close until Cal built a 15-point lead but needed a late push to hold off the surging Hornets to win. Above, early in the first half Jeremiah Wilkinson (#0) throws down an alley-oop dunk after receiving a pass from Rytis Petraitis (#31) in the foreground.

Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

Senior transfer student and starting guard Christian Tucker (#22) takes to the air to create a passing lane across the baseline late in the first half. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

Taking a swipe across the face during the drive to the basket, Rytis Petraitis (#31) held on to follow up with a pull-up jumper to score two points but did not draw the foul in the first half. 

Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

With the defensive push late in the game, Mady Sissoko (#12) blocks a Hornet shot. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

Leading the Golden Bears in scoring with 20 points, Andrej Stojakovic (#2) drives to the basket in heavy traffic to take the shot. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page 

or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net

Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.

A Sports City's Demise


Oakland's

Fumbling

Politicans



by Dave Newhouse


There is nobody in Oakland, certainly no politician, who feels the loss of Oakland’s sports identity more deeply than Ignacio De La Fuente.


De La Fuente, former longtime city councilman and three-time mayoral candidate, has been more closely involved with Oakland sports teams than any political figure other than four-term mayor Lionel Wilson in the previous century.


Thus to watch the destruction and disappearance of Oaktown’s big time sports identity has hit De La Fuente extremely hard, believing there were missed opportunities to keep, at least partially, some of that identity.


“For some reason, the response by Oakland people to losing all three franchises was surprising. No outrage, no outcry. I never even felt anger,” he said. “It’s a big loss. No identity in sports, really.

Oakland City Council President Ignacio de la Fuente, Alameda County Supervisor Gail Steele, and Raiders owner Al Davis held a press conference at the Oakland Coliseum revealing the end of the PSL arrangement on Nov. 2, 2005. (Nick Lammers/Staff Archives) 

“I’ve lived in the city for 50 years. I talk to businesses, some which have left, and you want to cry about the homelessness. So it’s no time to talk about sports, for the city is hurting very badly. But the Raiders, Warriors and A’s gave the city its pride, something to look forward to, for what do we have to look forward to today? It’s a sad story.”


De La Fuente remembers those glory days when Oakland was atop the sports world, winning national championships in all three sports, nearly simultaneously in the mid-1970s. He also remembers the sellout crowds in those sports, and the diverse costumed fans who gave Oakland a singular image. Now he drives by a Coliseum Complex devoid of its three franchises, who now operate elsewhere, and with no replacements forthcoming on the national scene.


“People really don’t know what they’re missing,” he said, pointing the finger at city council comrades who let this parade pass them by. "We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can’t pinpoint one time when it starting going bad for good, but had there been a mayor or council who cared, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”


De La Fuente lacked council brethren who felt that way so strongly, and he lost three times running for mayor. So he was powerless in the big picture to stave off this mass evacuation.


“I felt we had to do everything we could to keep those teams,” he said. “Al Davis told me: ‘Every time I’ve talked to the city, I've talked to someone different.’ What all these mayors missed is what the three franchises brought to the city.”


That would be hard to miss: Revenue, popularity and that same familiar word, identity. Oakland, frankly, became a better place to live in because of those three successful sports teams, producing some of the best athletes on the planet.


Plus the Coliseum Complex was located in the perfect spot, surrounded by BART, railway tracks, and a freeway, while situated in the middle of five Bay Area counties, with an airport 10 minutes away. For sports access, Oakland also was No. 1.

Board members and city councilmen Ignacio De La Fuente and Larry Reid were dazzled by Wolff's presentation. Oakland A's owner Lewis Wolff revealed the team's ballpark plan to the Oakland - Alameda Co. Coliseum Authority board of commissioners on 8/12/05 in Oakland, Calif. (Photo by Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

“We have 150 acres at the Coliseum-Arena site, the best location for sports anywhere,” De La Fuente said. "But nothing happens without a champion, a mayor who is willing to work and appreciate what history has given us. We haven’t got anybody.


"We used to have pride in Oakland, now we have nothing.”


Had De La Fuente become mayor long ago, what would he have done to stem the current that has carried those three teams out of town?


“I think we would have had a shot with the Raiders and A’s, but not the Warriors,” he said. “You have to have face-to-face meetings with the teams, that’s what a mayor should do, but we haven’t had that kind of mayor in quite some time.


“Al Davis told me this about Oakland’s leadership: ’There’s no one who can make a deal or deliver a deal.’”


So where does Oakland go from here in a major sports franchise search, when nothing in that quest has worked before?


“Unfortunately, it’s not a very good sports future,” De La Fuente projected. “There’s no leadership here or understanding in having pride in professional sports.


"Thomas Jefferson said: ’Sometimes, people get the government they deserve.’ And Oakland’s leaders have taken their sports teams to the basement.


“We have no one representing Oakland who will fight to get an expansion team. No one cares. Hopefully, something will happen. It will take a lot of work, but the way I see it, it isn’t in the cards."

* * *

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.


Don't Miss Our Next Issue!

Stanford Cardinal 90

Cal Poly Mustangs 97

Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA

Saturday, November 30, 2024

With 30 points from guard Owen Koonce and five three-pointers from guard Isaac Jessup, the Cal Poly Mustangs celebrate after upsetting the Stanford Cardinal, 97-90, at Maples Pavilion on Saturday, November 30th. Caption and photo

by Darren Yamashita.

Stanford Cardinal center Maxime Reynaud scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds in the defeat. Caption and photo

by Darren Yamashita.

Junior guard Benny Gealer came off of the bench to contribute 17 points and five steals. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Senior transfer Jaylen Blakes added 17 points and a game-high eight assists. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

USF Dons 87

Mercyhurst Lakers 59

Sobrato Center, San Francisco, CA

Sunday, December 1, 2024

USF Dons guard Malik Thomas scored a season-high 29 points as the Dons returned from their Thanksgiving break to defeat the Mercyhurst Lakers, 87-59, at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center on Sunday, December 1st. Caption and photo

by Darren Yamashita.

Graduate student transfer Carlton Linguard Jr. added 14 points and four rebounds. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Freshman Tyrone Riley IV chipped in with 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

The San Francisco Dons bench reacts after a basket by guard Malik Thomas (foreground) during the second half. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. 

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Golden State Warriors

Warriors Announce Season of Giving Efforts for 2024 Holiday Season


Events Throughout The Bay Area Planned To Spread Holiday Cheer To Underserved Communities


SAN FRANCISCO – As part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving league-wide campaign, Golden State Warriors players, coaches, and front office staff will host a variety of events this holiday season to brighten the lives of local families and youth.

 

To tip off Season of Giving, the Warriors will host Dessert with the Dubs, presented by ampm, at Warriors Shop in Thrive City, tomorrow, November 26 at 3 p.m. During the event, Warriors forward Kyle Anderson and center Quinten Post will join youth from Mobilize Love for a dessert decorating experience followed by a shopping spree.

 

Additional upcoming Warriors Season of Giving events are listed below. This schedule is for planning purposes only and is not to be pre-promoted.

 

  • Generation Thrive Tree Giveaway: On Tuesday, December 3, students and families of Willie Brown Middle School, the adopted school of the Warriors Community Foundation, will be invited to pick up a complimentary holiday tree, a box of ornaments, and more.

 

  • Kaiser Permanente Children’s Hospital Visit: Pediatric patients at Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland Medical Center will receive Warriors-themed gift bags and a surprise visit from a Warriors player on December 7.

 

  • Swishes for Dishes, presented by Kaiser Permanente: In partnership with Kaiser Permanente and The Athletes’ Corner, Warriors staff members will help pack groceries for community members at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank on December 19.

 

  • Warriors Community Foundation Holiday Auction, presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort: The Warriors Community Foundation will host a Holiday Auction, presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort, from Thursday, December 19 to Monday, December 30, with an array of items including one-of-a-kind experiences, autographed memorabilia, and more, with all proceeds benefitting the Foundation’s annual grants program.

 

  • Holiday Market, presented by Kaiser Permanente: As part of Swishes for Dishes, presented by Kaiser Permanente, and in collaboration with The Athletes’ Corner and Feeding America, the Warriors will host a pop-up Holiday Market at Thrive City on Sunday, December 22, to provide community members with free grocery items that can be used to prepare a holiday meal.


  • Warriors Christmas Day Game: Prior to tipoff of the Warriors matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, December 25, both teams will surprise Bay Area youth with holiday gifts.

 

Earlier this month, the Warriors hosted a Chop ‘N Chat at Generation Thrive Oakland on Thursday, November 15, where Bay Area educators and nonprofit practitioners learned how to make a healthy, holiday themed meal from former Warrior Festus Ezeli and celebrity chef Nikki Shaw. For video, CLICK HERE.


continued...

Click Here

Advertise in Sports Today!

Special Rates Available!

Ann Cooke, Sales Director

Or call (510) 414-5394

anncooke510@gmail.com

Don't Overlook!!!!

SPECIAL LINKS TO BACK ISSUES

Years of Back Issues, Facebook Albums,

Autographs and Haikus


Sports Today Links

https://conta.cc/4fYdPJw


Facebook Links

https://conta.cc/3Z4Ahdv



Autograph Links

https://conta.cc/4fC7a8b


Sports Haiku Links

https://conta.cc/4fJ59an

Sign Up Today -- FREE!

San Francisco Giants

Two-time champ Crawford announces retirement after

14 seasons


by Maria Guardado @mi_guardado

This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado's Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe 

to get it regularly in your inbox.


SAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Crawford, a two-time World Series champion who spent 13 seasons starring for his hometown Giants, announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Wednesday.


"Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and for the rest of my life I will be thankful for the opportunities and experiences it has given me," Crawford wrote on Instagram. "Time is precious. I'm incredibly grateful for all the years I spent playing the game I love, but now it is time for me to spend it with the people who I'm most thankful for."


continued...

Click Here

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

click above

www.oaklandballers.com

Oakland Roots SC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11.25.2024

 

Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots SC have announced the return of Center Back Kai Greene who was part of the Club in the 2021 inaugural USL Championship season. Kai played the last three seasons down the road in Monterey where he was captain of the club in 2024. The USL veteran from New Jersey has made more that 230 appearances in the USL Championship sitting inside the top 25 all-time in minutes played and appearances in USL.

 

“Kai is a no-nonsense, hardworking defender who always puts the team above all else,” said Head Coach, Gavin Glinton. “I know how good he was here in Oakland in 2021, and now he’s become an even bigger leader, having served as a captain in 2024. We expect Kai to step right into a leadership role back here in Oakland and make a big impact on our defense.”

In 2021, Kai Greene played a crucial role on an Oakland Roots team that initially struggled but rallied to secure a playoff berth on the season’s final day. Once in the playoffs, the Roots defense, with Greene as a key component, posted two shutouts, including a game that many consider one of the biggest upsets in USL Playoff history in El Paso. Their journey came to an end in a heartbreaking penalty shootout after a scoreless match against Orange County, who would go on to win the championship that year. In total Kai made 30 appearances scoring one goal in 2021 for Oakland.

 

“I’m excited to be back in Oakland. It’s one of the few places that have genuinely shown love for me, which was a big reason why I decided to come back. I remember we were robbed back in 2021 and I’m just here to try and finish the job and bring home some silverware,” said Kai Greene about rejoining Oakland Roots. 

 

Welcome back to The Town, Kai.

Season Tickets

www.oaklandrootssc.com

MEDIA RELEASE:  Nov. 29, 2024 

 

Earthquakes Announce Roster Moves Ahead of 2025 MLS Season


Contract options exercised on four players

for 2025 campaign

 

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today their roster decisions ahead of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.


The club has exercised 2025 contract options on four players: goalkeeper Daniel; defenders Daniel Munie and Jamar Ricketts; and forward Ousseni Bouda. San Jose reached a new contract agreement with forward Preston Judd through 2026 with an option for 2027.


The following 18 players already hold guaranteed contracts for the 2025 season: goalkeeper Emi Ochoa; defenders Vítor Costa, Wilson Eisner, Paul Marie, Rodrigues, Oscar Verhoeven and Bruno Wilson; midfielders Carlos Gruezo, Hernán López, Cruz Medina, Edwyn Mendoza, Jack Skahan and Niko Tsakiris; and forwards Chance Cowell, Cristian Espinoza, Preston Judd, Benji Kikanović, and Amahl Pellegrino.


The Quakes will not exercise 2025 contract options on eight players: goalkeepers Jacob Jackson, JT Marcinkowski and William Yarbrough; defenders Tanner Beason and Tommy Thompson; midfielder Alfredo Morales; and forwards  Jeremy Ebobisse and Will Richmond.


Defenders Carlos Akapo and Casey Walls, and midfielders Michael Baldisimo and Jackson Yueill are out of contract following the 2024 season.  


For select players who are either out of contract or had their options declined, conversations about returning to the Earthquakes in 2025 are still ongoing.


The San Jose Earthquakes’ current roster heading into 2025, listed alphabetically by position, is below:


Goalkeepers (2): Daniel, Emi Ochoa

Defenders (8): Vítor Costa, Wilson Eisner, Paul Marie, Daniel Munie, Jamar Ricketts, Rodrigues, Oscar Verhoeven, Bruno Wilson

Midfielders (6): Carlos Gruezo, Hernán López, Cruz Medina, Edwyn Mendoza, Jack Shahan, Niko Tsakiris

Forwards (6): Ousseni Bouda, Chance Cowell, Cristian Espinoza, Preston Judd, Benji Kikanović, Amahl Pellegrino



www.sjearthquakes.com

Jim Otto -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

I had the opportunity to attend the Multi Ethic Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in Oakland several years ago and met the new inductees, including former Oakland Raider Jim Otto. After the ceremony I had quick chat and he was nice enough to sign his page in the program book.


Rich YeeSports Today Photographer

Hardly Trivial by T. Buff

Everybody talks about the 3-point record

which by the time Steph retires,

will look like one of those untouchable records. 


Which NBA player holds the record for

free throws underhand?  


You get genius status if you know what the slang name for the underhand shot is.  


answer below...

Sports Precis

Aiyeee!

It must be the end of the world!


by Howard Pearlstein


At least in the Bay Area a lot of sports fans are acting that way, as if losing some games means the universe has singled us out, cursing us with cluster confusion and clumsy cluelessness in every way possible.


The Dubs were up there with the deepest roster in the NBA, raising our hopes for another winning season. They still are, and the 10-12 man rotation is working. But now hopes are smashed because they’ve lost a couple of games they’d been winning until the last minutes. Aiyee! Or come back in late minutes but not enough. (AND that damn bridge outline on the full court is visually distracting.)


The Niners have had critical injuries, but still, they shouldn’t be looking as if they recruited Chevy Chase as tackling coach. (This is Friday. But the doubters are already saying that the Niners’ game in Buffalo will resemble Napoleon’s disastrous retreat from Russia.)


The A’s were bought by some fool who thinks summer in Nevada is a good place to play baseball. It’s cold comfort to see how Las Vegas, aware of the odds as always, is finding him as much of a bad bet as we do.


Even the amazing Bay FC NWSL team reached the playoffs in their first year and played Washington to a tie after they matched a late minute Bay score with one their own. And then, the curse? A fluke play, a corner kick into the goal line cluster grazed one head and ricocheted off the back of another, a Bay defender’s, for the Washington win. We could hear the wicked witch of Whatever cackling in her tower.


Meanwhile, the fans lost their minds, attacking the coaches and players who made those teams into winners. Sports writers acting as if the real world of real athletes is like their Fantasy version, demanding the players be traded, coaches be fired.


I was raised in Philadelphia, where the phrase, “wait till next year” was as familiar as, “with liberty and justice for all.” But they were our teams – we stuck with them and hoped for the best. They were OUR teams. In the Bay Area, we’ve had more winning teams than any place in America. But this isn’t about, “look how good we’ve got it.” It’s about, “get over it.”


And then this is not political. The universe stepped into the Leap Year tradition of anger, mistrust and paranoia they call a Presidential Election. It doesn’t matter which party any person favored because the universe made it personal. For the first time ever, it became possible that someone from Oakland could become president, a president who actually knows that San Francisco is not the only city in the Bay Area. Someone who might have even thought about the potholes on 880. (Sigh.)


Meanwhile, actual real human beings are out there sweating, straining getting injured, playing hurt, pushing themselves beyond limits so that some dufus like me can sit on his couch and watch them do it. OUR teams and OUR players.


Nonetheless, the so-called fans are booing, screaming, turning on those who were recently heroes.


Their degree of loyalty is something like that of Benedict Arnold who, unlike them, had actually put it all on the line to play the game. He gave up in 1776, believing there was no way to win the revolution. He was wrong.


Doesn’t matter: 49ers faithful, Continental Congress or Dubs fans, you gotta stick with the one you love.


(Full disclosure: I’m not of the Boo-yah era. I’m from the Semper Fi generation.)

  * * *

Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.

Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 108: There Is A Lot To Be Thankful For

by Darren Heitner, Esq.

Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration


The Weekly Longer NIL Thought


I'm thankful for many things this year, including having two healthy, beautiful, smart children.


But in this ecosystem, I also have many things to be thankful for, from working with some of the most successful athletes to assisting myriad sports agencies to counseling many brands and doing some backend collective work.


Enough about me. I'm also very thankful that, more than 3 years into college athletes having the bulk of the prohibitions on them commercializing their fame removed, the system looks very strong for athletes and those who advocate on their behalf.


On July 1, 2021, the NCAA removed the blanket prohibition on college athletes entering into NIL deals, but kept some "guardrails" in place, including that athletes could not enter into deals intended to induce their commitment or enrollment at a school and that money could not be in the form of pay-for-play.


Since then, the inducement-related prohibition has been struck down by a federal judge through a preliminary injunction that remains in place. And pay-for-play has been rampant by way of NIL collectives paying athletes while throwing in NIL-related provisions to disguise the primary objective -- persuade athletes to commit and enroll in specific schools.



Today, I'm negotiating written contracts for top players while they are still in high school and it's an absolutely beautiful thing to help in even the slightest way in their pursuit to secure life-changing wealth for them and their famili...


continued...

Click Here
Worth Every Cent, As It's Free -- Join Us Today!

Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff

Rick Barry


Former Warrior great Rick Barry is the answer! 


This link will take you to a nice NPR report about the 'Granny Shot' as it is sometimes called. This link will take you to more info than you need about the

underhanded play. 


How head-and-shoulders is Curry above the rest of the three-point contenders? Take a look! 


May your holidaze go well... 


Go Celtics!

Universities & Colleges

Cal Bears

Cal linebacker Ryan McCulloch chases after SMU

quarterback Kevin Jennings.


Undermanned Bears

Fall To No. 9 SMU


Cal Closes Regular Season With 38-6 Loss

To Mustangs


DALLAS – The undermanned California football team closed out the 2024 regular season with a 38-6 loss at No. 9 SMU on Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.


The Golden Bears (6-6, 2-6 ACC) played the contest without starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was unavailable due to illness. Starting inside linebacker Cade Uluave also missed his third straight game due to injury, and running back Jaivian Thomas was also unable to play.


Despite the loss, Cal is still bowl-eligible and will find out what postseason game it is headed to on Sunday, Dec. 8.


Chandler Rogers made his first start for the Bears and completed 8 of 15 passes for 84 yards before departing in the third quarter with an injury. Third-string signal-caller C.J. Harris replaced Rogers to make his first appearance for Cal and was 6-for-11 for 75 yards and an interception.


"Injuries are part of the game. That's the way it goes," Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox said. "Nobody is going to feel sorry for us. We obviously didn't give ourselves a chance to win in the first quarter on either side of the ball."


Placekicker Ryan Coe converted on field goal attempts of 40 and 53 yards for the Bears, becoming the first kicker in program history to nail three field goals of at least 53 yards in a single season.


After the Mustangs (11-1, 8-0 ACC), who entered the game having already clinched a spot in next week's ACC championship game, scored touchdowns on three straight possessions in the first quarter, Cal's defense tightened up for most of the remainder of the game to keep the Bears within striking distance. Coe's second field goal cut the deficit to 21-6 early in the fourth quarter, but the Bears could get no closer.


"All of those quarterbacks do a great job preparing," Wilcox said. "I'm proud of the way both Chandler and C.J. stepped up to the challenge. I know they had things they would have liked to have done better, but it was an offensive issue – not just a quarterback issue."


Sixth-year senior Craig Woodson recorded seven tackles and two pass break-ups in the final regular season game of his career.


continued...

Photo: Al Sermeno / KLC fotos

Click Here

Stanford Cardinal

Stanford Names Andrew Luck to Football General Manager Position


Luck will oversee all aspects of the Cardinal Football program and begin immediately


STANFORD, Calif. - Former Cardinal quarterback and NFL standout Andrew Luck has been named Stanford Football General Manager, the Cardinal’s Jaquish and Kenninger Director of Athletics Bernard Muir announced Saturday. Luck will oversee all aspects of the Cardinal Football program and begin immediately.


“I am a product of this University, of Nerd Nation; I love this place,” Luck said. “I believe deeply in Stanford’s unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to help drive our program back to the top. Coach Taylor has the team pointed in the right direction, and I cannot wait to work with him, the staff, and the best, brightest, and toughest football players in the world.”


One of the most transformative student-athletes in school history, Luck produced a record-setting collegiate career while leading the Cardinal to national prominence.


A 2012 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in architectural design who returned to Stanford to finish his master’s degree in education in 2023, Luck led the Cardinal to a 31-7 overall record from 2009-11 after redshirting the 2008 campaign. Luck was a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up (2010-11) and concluded the 2011 season as recipient of the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.


“Andrew Luck exemplifies the Stanford student-athlete,” said Stanford President Jonathan Levin. “I’m excited he’s returning to campus to help lead our football program and ensure that our student-athletes achieve excellence in the changing collegiate athletics environment.”


continued...

Click Here

San Jose State Spartans

Spartans Win over Stanford as Nash Sets Single Season TD Record Presented by Webcor


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Nick Nash had two touchdown catches to set a new SJSU all-time record for touchdown receptions in a season to lead San José State football (7-5, 3-4 MW) in a 34-31 win over Stanford (3-9, 2-6 ACC ) in the Bill Walsh Legacy Game presented by Webcor on Friday afternoon from CEFCU Stadium.


  • This was the Spartans' first win against Stanford since 2006 and their first win against an ACC school. 
  • This win marks SJSU’s first against a "power four" school since Sept. 21, 2019, against Arkansas.
  • The Spartans finish the regular season 5-2 at home. 
  • The Spartans had 19,117 in attendance, which is the second-most this season.
  • This is the first time the Spartans have seven or more wins in three straight seasons since 1980-82 and the first time they've had seven or more wins in four of five years since 1978-82.
  • Nash's second touchdown catch of the game set an SJSU all-time record for touchdown receptions in a single season with 16, passing Chandler Jones, who previously held the record with 15.
  • Nash would finish with eight receptions for 91 yards and two touchdown receptions. 
  • Nash's two touchdown catches now give him 16 on the season and 25 for his career. 
  • Nash is now three touchdown receptions away from Chandler Jones’ SJSU all-time record for most career touchdown receptions.
  • Nash currently leads the nation once again in touchdown receptions (16), yards (1382) and receptions (104).
  • Walker Eget went 33-for-49 with 385 passing yards and four touchdown passes.


continued...

Click Here

Saint Mary's College Gaels

MBB | Gaels Handed First Loss of Season by Sun Devils in Back and Forth Contest


PALM DESERT, Calif. — The 2024 Acrisure Classic came to an end tonight, with the Gaels (7-1) narrowly defeated by the Arizona State Sun Devils (7-1), 68-64. This back-and-forth heavyweight title fight featured eight ties and nine lead changes, but Arizona State was able to take the lead with three minutes left for the final time, eventually earning the hard fought four point victory.


The Gaels picked up where they left off yesterday against the Trojans, playing stout defense and opportunistic offense, building a 31-22 lead over the first 17 minutes of the half. From that point, however, it was all Sun Devils, as for the final 2:50 of the half, ASU outscored the Gaels 10-3, with the Gaels coughing up the ball four times in that final stretch. Arizona State is typically known as a solid three point shooting team, compared to the Gaels physically imposing interior scoring style, but the script was flipped in the first half, with the Gaels shooting 5-7 from three, and the Sun Devils outscoring the Gaels by four in the points. The hottest three point shooter for the Gaels in the first half was a surprise candidate, Jordan Ross. Ross entered the game shooting 1-14 from three on the season, but connected on all four of his perimeter jumpers in the first frame, as he scored 14 points to go along with a team-best three assists and no turnovers. Luke Barrett didn't score in the half but was as ferocious as ever on the glass, ripping down a team-high seven boards, helping the Gaels to being +8 on the glass in the first half. 

 

continued...

Photo: Rich Schmitt

Click Here

USF Dons

Dons Erase Deficit, Defeat

Cougars in Five Sets


PULLMAN, Wash. – Competing in its 13th five-set match of the season, the University of San Francisco volleyball team (16-13, 9-8 WCC) earned a 3-2 victory at Washington State (16-10, 11-6 WCC) Wednesday evening at Bohler Gym.

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

  • Trailing from the jump, San Francisco dropped the first three points as two kills from Katy Ryan and Taryn Vrieling gave Washington State an early 3-0 advantage.
  • Astrid Puig and Jolei Akima provided an offensive spark for the Dons shortly after, recording a kill and service ace to trim the deficit to one, 3-2.
  • The first set remained close in the early goings, with the green and gold tying the frame at nine following a Jaden Walz service error.
  • A 16-3 scoring run for Washington State ensued as the Cougars gained control and secured the first set, 25-12.
  • San Francisco gained a four-point edge, 11-7, in a highly contested second set, following a Maria Petkova solo block. Efficient on defense at the start of the frame, the Dons totaled three blocks and forced the Cougars into six attack errors.
  • The Cougars kept the set close, tying the second at 19 with a 4-0 scoring run, capped off by an attack error from Hayden Goodman.
  • Going back and forth in the back half of the frame, the Dons recorded the final three points to win the second set, 27-25. Petkova paced the team in the final points, recording two kills.
  • Taking control in the third set, San Francisco opened with a 10-5 lead after Michalina Rola produced three kills to solidify a 4-0 scoring run. Holding the lead throughout the set, the Dons eased to a two sets to one advantage in the match with a 25-20 third-set victory.
  • Falling behind at the beginning of the fourth, 8-3, the green and gold erased the deficit with a 6-0 run, paced by the defense securing two blocks highlighted by a Rola solo rejection to take a 9-8 edge.
  • The Cougars regained the lead in the following points, posting six combined kills to take an 18-15 advantage. Washington State continued to build on its lead, winning the set by a 25-21 margin to force a decisive fifth frame.
  • San Francisco's defense continued to shine en route to a 4-1 lead at the start of the fifth set, as Petkova recorded a solo block while Delaney Ewing and Aylen Ayub teamed up for another rejection.
  • Trailing 12-11, the green and gold rattled off three straight points with a kill from Rola and back-to-back blocks to give the Dons match point, 14-12. Following a point from the Cougars to trim their deficit to one, 14-13, Petkova recorded the final kill to secure the fifth-set and match win, 15-13.


continued...

Photo: Christina Leung

Click Here

Santa Clara Broncos

Women's Basketball Closes Gulf Coast Shootout With Win

Over High Point


ESTERO, Fla. – Santa Clara women's basketball closed out the Gulf Coast Showcase with a 74-65 win over High Point on Sunday. The Broncos (4-4) overcame a slow start and a couple of big runs by the Panthers (3-6) to leave Florida with the victory.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED:


  • A 13-0 early run for High Point put the Panthers up 14-2 midway through the first quarter. Santa Clara would cut into the deficit with an 8-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Alana Goodchild and Hannah Rapp, to get within five less than two minutes later.
  • Down seven to start the second, the Broncos scored the first 10 of the period to take the lead. They would stretch it out to seven with three minutes to go but High Point came back to tie it with a 7-0 run. Maddie Naro's triple in the final seconds put Santa Clara up 35-32 at the break.
  • After the Broncos lead got down to two in the third quarter, they went on an 11-0 run, featuring a triple from Naro and two from Irena Korolenko to stretch the advantage out to 53-40. Georgia Grigoropoulou would score the final six points of the period and Santa Clara held a 13-point advantage headed to the fourth.
  • The Panthers cut their deficit down to two with a 12-1 start to the final quarter. The Broncos lead would get back to five before three free throws in a row made it a 65-63 game but six in a row for Santa Clara gave the Broncos some breathing room over the final 90 seconds and late free throws iced the win.


continued...

Click Here

University of Pacific Tigers

Pacific Shuts Down Cal State Fullerton for 64-55 Win


STOCKTON, Calif. – A strong defensive effort, bundled with timely scoring resulted in a 64-55 victory for the Pacific men's basketball program over Cal State Fullerton on Saturday at the Alex G. Spanos Center.

 

The Tigers (5-4) limited the Titans (2-6) to a .333 shooting day from the floor and a .250 mark from beyond-the-arc. Pacific swatted away six blocks compared to CSU Fullerton's zero, and held a 43-29 rebounding advantage.

 

Pacific led for over 31 minutes in the game including the entire second half. The Tigers ended the first half on a 10-0 run to jump in front 29-23 at the break, and made enough plays down the stretch to thwart a comeback attempt by the Titans.

 

Junior Lamar Washington and sophomore Elijah Fisher netted 17 points apiece. Washington was 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line to go along with seven assists and four rebounds. Fisher drained six free throws and recorded four rebounds and four assists.

 

Joining the duo with double-figure scoring was senior Elias Ralph with 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks. He continued his streak of scoring in double-digits in every game this season.

 

Sophomore Jazz Gardner neared a double-double with nine points and career-highs of 11 rebounds and three blocks. A career-high in rebounding also came from senior Petar Krivokapic with 12.


continued...

Click Here

UC Davis Aggies

The Case For Lan Larison –

It Really Is A No Brainer


DAVIS, Calif. – Football is a violent ballet, a sort of choreographed mayhem that when done right creates a dance mixed with brutality that makes us all stop in our tracks and admire what we just witnessed.

 

Every time Lan Larison steps on the field, he choreographs ballet moves in a world of savagery better than anyone in the country.

 

This is not up for debate.

 

Dance moves that include hurdling numerous defenders, making one handed catches and at one point he made a behind the back catch, shed a defender and went 60 yards to score a touchdown that turned out to be the difference in an early season win at Southern Utah.

 

During the 2024 season UC Davis football's senior running back has racked up 2,132 all-purpose yards, the most in the country. The next closest, Southern Utah's Targhee Lambson, finished with 1,964. Let's put that into even more perspective, take a peek at the Football Bowl Subdivision and Heisman Trophy favorite Ashton Jeanty from Boise State. The top running back at the highest level in the country currently has 2,164 yards.

 

Doing the math that's only 32 yards more than Larison. Go even deeper and you'll see that Larsion's numbers are spread out among all categories, as he has danced to a beat no one in the nation can step to.

 

Larison has racked up 1,321 rushing yards, 755 receiving yards and 56 kickoff return yards. Also, because why not, the Caldwell, Idaho native has also thrown for 45 yards and completed five passes. Jeanty has just 102 receiving yards and 18 catches, not even close to the Swiss Army Knife production from Larison.

 

Currently Larison leads all running backs in the nation in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and he has twice finished with at least 100 receiving yards and 100 rushing yards in the same game.

 

Now, go take a look and see if you can find the next person to have achieved that feat. You won't find that person because Larison is the only person in the country to have done it once.

 

And he did it twice.


continued...

David Collins -- Director of Athletics Communications

Click Here

Cal State University East Bay Pioneers

Pioneer Swimming Finishes Fall Season With First Place at La Verne Winter Invitational


MONTEREY PARK, Calif. – From November 22-24, the No. 11 Cal State East Bay Women's Swimming dominated the point total ranked at the top in team scoring at the La Verne Winter Invitational among 16 teams competing in the meet. The meet included five individual first place finishes among Pioneer swimmers and four first place relay finishes. 

 

Below are the highlights from the relay finishes for Cal State East Bay. 

  • The 200 yard freestyle relay team of Brooklyn DresselTehani KongLily Caraway and Delaney Carlson won the event in 1:33.35, achieving a qualifying time for the NCAA Championship meet. Additionally, Dresssel's 50-yard leadoff time of 23.26 seconds was an NCAA 'B' Standard. 
  • East Bay finished second the 400 yard freestyle relay (Dressel, Kong, Kali Mull, Carlson) in 3:25.68 with Dressel's 50.71 100-yard leadoff satisfied a 'B' standard. 
  • The Pioneers took first in the 800 yard freestyle relay in 7:36.28 seconds (Dressel, Justine Garcia, Mull, Miya French).
  • Two more first place finishes came in the form of medley relays. Caraway, Kylie Beaudet, Kong and Dressel won the 200 yard variety in 1:43.37. The team of Hannah Sharp, Beaudet, Kong and Dressel topped the 400 yard medley relay in 3:47.70. 

 

Individually, several Pioneers finished in first place along with reaching 'B' standards in their respective events. 


  • In the 50 yard freestyle, Kong and Dressel touched the final wall for first and second place respectively, only 0.03 seconds apart reaching a 'B' standard with respective times of 23.36 and 23.39 seconds. 
  • Kong picked up three more in individual wins – 100 yard butterfly (55.44 seconds), 100 yard individual medley (59.17 seconds) and the 200 yard butterfly (2:04.99). 
  • Beaudet won the 200 yard breaststroke in 2:19.77. 
  • Although not placing first, 'B' standards were still met for French in the 500 yard freestyle relay (5:04.59), Beaudet in the 400 yard individual medley (4:25.53), Dressel in the and Sharp in the 200 yard backstroke (2:02.36). 


The 2024 fall season has concluded for Cal State East Bay, ranked No. 11 in the CSCAA Division II poll. The season resumes for the Pioneers on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in a dual meet at San Diego State, set for 2 p.m. from Aztec Aquaplex. 


continued...

Photo by: Catharyn Hayne / KLC Fotos

Click Here

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/

Donate Today! -- Click Here!
Dan - final
Subscribe Now! FREE!
Sports Today logo

Sponsors

Dan Siegel; The Chieftain Irish Pub;

The Yankee Way, Baseball's Greatest Dynasty;

Center for Continuing Education (www.cce-mcle.com)

Weekly Bay Area

Sports Calendar


Monday, December 2, through

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Monday, December 2


Tuesday, December 3

Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets, 7 p.m.

Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 4


Thursday, December 5

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.

Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies, 5 p.m.

San Jose Sharks @ Tampa Bay Lightning, 4 p.m.

Friday, December 6

Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m.

Sacramento Kings @ San Antonio Spurs, 5 p.m.

Saturday,December 7

San Jose Sharks @ Florida Panthers, 3 p.m.

Sunday, December 8

San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears, 1:25 p.m.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10 a.m.

Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 5:30 p.m.

Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz, 6 p.m.

Publisher: Christopher Weills

Marketing Director: Robert Moselle

Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski

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

Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, James Molgaard,

Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired).

Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim, Ammar Bhaiji

Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net

Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com

Sports Today's Book Shelf

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/

Now Available!

Insights and Outtakes,

Excerpts and Epiphanies from

the World of Sports

written by Pete Elman


Essays Recently Shared:

Do They Have Greatness in Their Future (#493)

Rocket -- Or Flawed Star? (#472)

Just Win, Baby (#473)

Knockin' on Heaven's Door (#474)

It Was More Than Just A Game (#475)

Looking Over The Ledge (#476)

The Slider That Saved Baseball (#478)

Is This The Last Dance? (#480)

The Heart of a Champion (#483)

The Warriors: An Appreciation (#485)

“A must read…an in-depth look into stories that come from all avenues of professional sports."

-- Andy Dolich, prominent Bay Area sports executive



To order: $18.50

(includes shipping)

Visit Pete Elman at  https://www.peteelman.com/insights-and-outtakes

"An invaluable and inspiring compilation that shines a light on unsung athletes of color."


To order:

https://www.amazon.com/Remember-Their-Sacrifice-Unheralded-Athletes/dp/153817197X


377

 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.

To Order
To Order

More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented.

The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author).

To Order: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704

To Order
Contact Information:

Ultimate Sports Guide

P.O. Box 4515

Berkeley, CA 94704

510-915-5664

theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com

Visit our website
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin  

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.

X Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email