If you follow Cal sports, environmental politics, or the City of Berkeley, then chances are that you have heard about or seen the hippies living in the trees at California Memorial Stadium.
Unfortunately, this is not some giant publicity stunt to draw attention to Wonder-Coach Jeff Tedford and the California Golden Bears.
Instead, the Ewoks have taken to the trees to prevent the University from cutting them down to make progress on retrofitting the stadium and building a new sports complex near the site. The tree-sitters claim that the University is threatening to cut down one of the last old-growth woodland areas in Berkeley.
The biggest problem with their argument is that it isn't an old growth woodland area nor is it one of the last surviving woodlands around.
The trees around the stadium were planted by the University and only four predate the stadium itself: three oaks and a redwood. Those who make a short trek to another shrine to Cal athletics, the Tilden Statue near Haas Pavilion, will find themselves surrounded by a lush woodland protected by the University. In fact, many other wooded areas exist on campus, several with University protections to prevent the flora and fauna from being disturbed.
The University has agreed that some environmental disruption will occur as a result of the new construction, but plans to mitigate the damage by planting three new trees for each one that is removed. Further, it is important to note that the University planted those trees on University land several decades ago as part of a landscaping design. It should be well within the ability of the University to remove the trees. Besides, the stadium is of more historical, cultural, and economic value than the trees in question.
What is most interesting is what groups have entered into the fight: most notably, the Panoramic Hill Neighborhood Association (PHNA). PHNA has a long history of being a thorn in the side of the University, the students living on Southside, the Greeks, and Coops. It is no secret that they have opposed construction on the stadium on the basis of the noise, lights, and traffic in the area. They have latched onto tree preservation because it is just the latest in their many attempts to stop the progress of the University community.
The Panoramic Hill Neighborhood Association doesn't love trees; they hate student life.
In conclusion, Berkeley hippies, Ewoks, and the PHNA are forming an evil axis that hates students, Cal, and college football. They should be opposed at all costs.
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tedford to Stay at Cal, Remain Deity Until 2013
In recent history, Berkeley has seen a series of losing seasons culminating in a season so bad that we only won one game...versus Rutgers...post season...in the snow...And we didn't have the Axe for most of a decade.
Then we let Tom Holmoe go and hired up Jeff Tedford.
After a stunning win in Michigan followed by other stunning wins against formidable opponents both on the road and at home (not to mention a recapture of the Axe!), Berkeley became filled with "Tedford is God" shirts. He certainly did play the part of a deity-he turned a struggling, highly overrated Kyle Boller into a quarterback worthy of playing in the NFL.
We were always proud to be the California Golden Bears, even in the dark days. But under Tedford, it is that much easier.
This week, the Cal Athletic Department has announced a tentative agreement with Tedford to extend his contract through 2013. Although he is currently making approximately $1.5 million each year, under the new contract he will see a raise. It is also assumed that the contract continues to hinge on the new athletic center and stadium renovations currently held up in the courts by the people living in the trees next to Memorial Stadium. The official contract can't be finally approved until the Regents vote on it.
Nearly $2 million is a lot to spend on a coach. He is already the highest paid employee of the University of California system. Granted that Tedford's leadership has led to a profitable football team that has bolstered Cal's popularity (leading to even more income), it is hard to imagine spending so much money each year on one man. Still, if any Pac-10 coach is worth it, it would have to be Jeff Tedford.
I haven't seen the contract, nor do I know any specifics about it. I do hope that the contract is strong enough to keep Tedford working his magic in Berkeley through 2013. Cal actually has a real shot at being a Rose Bowl contender before this contract expires. Under Tedford, we are a top-20 team and beginning to gain respect as a football school once again.
And we still have the Axe!
Then we let Tom Holmoe go and hired up Jeff Tedford.
After a stunning win in Michigan followed by other stunning wins against formidable opponents both on the road and at home (not to mention a recapture of the Axe!), Berkeley became filled with "Tedford is God" shirts. He certainly did play the part of a deity-he turned a struggling, highly overrated Kyle Boller into a quarterback worthy of playing in the NFL.
We were always proud to be the California Golden Bears, even in the dark days. But under Tedford, it is that much easier.
This week, the Cal Athletic Department has announced a tentative agreement with Tedford to extend his contract through 2013. Although he is currently making approximately $1.5 million each year, under the new contract he will see a raise. It is also assumed that the contract continues to hinge on the new athletic center and stadium renovations currently held up in the courts by the people living in the trees next to Memorial Stadium. The official contract can't be finally approved until the Regents vote on it.
Nearly $2 million is a lot to spend on a coach. He is already the highest paid employee of the University of California system. Granted that Tedford's leadership has led to a profitable football team that has bolstered Cal's popularity (leading to even more income), it is hard to imagine spending so much money each year on one man. Still, if any Pac-10 coach is worth it, it would have to be Jeff Tedford.
I haven't seen the contract, nor do I know any specifics about it. I do hope that the contract is strong enough to keep Tedford working his magic in Berkeley through 2013. Cal actually has a real shot at being a Rose Bowl contender before this contract expires. Under Tedford, we are a top-20 team and beginning to gain respect as a football school once again.
And we still have the Axe!
Monday, November 20, 2006
To Settle a Bet
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Boi from Troy and I had a friendly wager over the game on Saturday.
Cal won't be going to the Rose Bowl...again.
Because I am a man of my word, below you will find a few photos of the hottest man from Troy, Brian Cushing.
Ok, so this may not be the most revealing pic of Brian Cushing ever taken...but he is cute.
He would be perfect (if he went to Cal and wore less Red)
Strong Man!
Here's to you, Brian Cushing!
Oh, wait! That's not Cushing! That's Cal freshman kicker, Nick Demopoulos, Cal's Hottest Player! If the Bears had kept the game going into the fourth quarter, we'd all be looking at pics of Nick instead of Cushing.
So that's it, folks. The bet is paid off. Luckily, Cushing is easy on the eyes.
But don't expect to see this much red on the Land of Fruits and Nuts for a long, long time.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
I'm Too Sexy For My.....Jersey?
I mentioned a while back that Cal wore hideous new uniforms when they went Duck hunting a couple weeks ago. While the Bears look a little Crayola-esque, the look is starting to grow on me. Sure, I would have preferred our team dressing in something a little more traditional and classy, but these bright yellow jerseys are helping our boys to draw a little more attention. If you still have doubts about the new look, I suggest you check out KateOnSports.com and watch this week's episode on new jerseys. She does a great look at whether a new look can motivate a team to do better. And, damn, that girl knows her sports!
Speaking of which, go...watch KateOnSports! Our favorite Mic Lady does a great show. Whether you are an Old Blue Cal Fan, like to watch sports in general, or (God forbid) a fan of the U$C Trojans or the stanfurd cardinal, you are gonna like Kate. If she were a guy, I would be all over her!
Friday, October 13, 2006
Football Odds and Ends
- Our boys have new hideous uniforms. Seriously. These are the ugliest uniforms I can remember the Golden Bears wearing.
- What's the deal? We are finally a top 10 team and we can't get on TV? WTF?!
- If you are in Berkeley on Saturday, the Athletic Department has announced that a live video feed will be played on the scoreboard at Memorial Stadium. They are encouraging people to bring their own food and drinks because the concession stands will not be open. Also, alcohol is not allowed. As much as I love the Bears, I don't want to watch a video screen in a half empty stadium without the benefit of booze.
Are You Ready For Some Football?
Ok, so our Golden Bears haven't won in Pullman since 1979. For those keeping track, that was when Carter was still President. Considering the current senior class was born in 1985, we can safely say that the recent series history is definitely not in our favor.
Still, California is on a roll! I have personally witnessed Cal shattering losing streaks including the 26-year streak to Washington that ended on October 5, 2002 at Seattle. When we beat the Huskies, they were a top 15 team with a 17 game winning streak at home and we were still coming off of the dark days of Cal Football known as the Holmoe Years.
Wazzu is far from a top 15 team. We could easily end the losing streak. Or not. They are so inconsistent that it is hard to tell.
Two weeks ago, WSU fought the Trojans and nearly won. They played a remarkable game. A week later, they stumbled repeatedly and barely pulled a victory against Oregon State, a week after the Bears slaughtered the Beavers.
Our offense is nearly unstoppable and if we can pull the same defense we did last week against Oregon then we could give even U$C a run for its $$. But with our loss to Tennessee still lingering, we have to remember that nothing is certain and, while we should win tomorrow, nothing is certain.
Still, California is on a roll! I have personally witnessed Cal shattering losing streaks including the 26-year streak to Washington that ended on October 5, 2002 at Seattle. When we beat the Huskies, they were a top 15 team with a 17 game winning streak at home and we were still coming off of the dark days of Cal Football known as the Holmoe Years.
Wazzu is far from a top 15 team. We could easily end the losing streak. Or not. They are so inconsistent that it is hard to tell.
Two weeks ago, WSU fought the Trojans and nearly won. They played a remarkable game. A week later, they stumbled repeatedly and barely pulled a victory against Oregon State, a week after the Bears slaughtered the Beavers.
Our offense is nearly unstoppable and if we can pull the same defense we did last week against Oregon then we could give even U$C a run for its $$. But with our loss to Tennessee still lingering, we have to remember that nothing is certain and, while we should win tomorrow, nothing is certain.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Duck Season
Now don't get too excited, guys. The Bay Area liberals haven't suddenly become lovers of the Second Amendment on us. Besides, these Ducks may prove to be more difficult to down.
Oregon will be visiting Memorial Stadium this weekend in what is expected to be one of the biggest match-ups of the year. As of yet, Oregon (#11) is undefeated (4-0 and 2-0). With a similar record, we are 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. I won't mention where our embarassing loss came from.
Moreover, some of you younger Cal fans may not remember the dark seasons before the Tedford Years. For your benefit, I will remind you that after Holmoe was banished from the sacred walls of Memorial Stadium by the ghosts of such great heroes as Pappy Waldorf and Andy Smith, we were left without a coach. Soon afterward, we managed to find a new hero: a former Fresno State Bulldog with an amazing record that was then employed by the Oregon Ducks.
For good reason, they know what we are going to do before we do. They have a killer offense, but one of the weakest defenses in the Pac-10. Unfortunately, they know how Tedford's mind works. Still we have some of the best runningbacks in the conference. Also to our benefit, Oregon's punter is terrible and gave up a TD to ASU last week.
This should be a great game! Don't miss it...Even if the Mic Men suck!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Kate on Sports!
Ok...well, so she isn't standing on the platform anymore and I doubt she will be wearing ties to every football game anymore. Still, our favorite Golden Bear hasn't gone into hibernation yet. Her latest project is a weekly podcast about sports.
What has always been great about Kate is that she actually knows sports. In her days at the microphone, she led cheers at the right moments and kept everything going with the flow of the game. Next time you are standing in the Cal student section, notice how often the Mic Men of today lead the wrong cheer for the situation, don't lead a cheer, or fail to successfully lead the section at all. More importantly, pay attention to how many times the crowd starts chanting, "We Want Kate!" There is a reason for this--KATE ROCKED!
And now we can have all the Kate we want on her new podcast found at KateOnSports.com. Even though her new podcast show is about all sports, if I know Kate, she will feature the Bears prominently.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A Star is Born!
Yet another anonymous political blog has hit the scene!
Wait...that isn't news at all!!!
Just like everybody else, this blog will provide criticism and praise for the goings on in the news. My goal is to bring you interesting stories and critiques with a spin that you might not have heard yet. More specifically, look for me to bring you posts on my favorite topics: Cal Football (Go Bears!), GOP politics, and Gay Rights.
Wait...that isn't news at all!!!
Just like everybody else, this blog will provide criticism and praise for the goings on in the news. My goal is to bring you interesting stories and critiques with a spin that you might not have heard yet. More specifically, look for me to bring you posts on my favorite topics: Cal Football (Go Bears!), GOP politics, and Gay Rights.
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