Leading Off: Well, as we begin, January 13 is my eldest offspring's 23rd Birthday! She is off, living her best life on the East Coast...Thus, looking backwards into 2025, some of "Buy That Person a Milkshake Awards" go to...
Cal Poly Women's Volleyball. What a sensational run by the Mustangs reaching the NCAA's Division 1 Sweet 16! The Mustangs knocked off BYU and regional host USC to advance to the Round of 16..SLO is a bit of a hidden gem on the national volleyball scene, as they have historically been a very solid program. In fact, their last Sweet 16 appearance, was back in 2007, and in 2019, they advanced to the second round after knocking off Georgia...Head Coach Caroline Walters is no stranger to NCAA success. As a sophomore at Santa Clara in 2005, Walters anchored a back row that enabled her Broncos to make a run to the Final Four (Washington captured the title)...I was fortunate to announce Cal Poly when they visited CSU Bakersfield a season ago (2024); Coach Walters was insightful, and gracious with her time...one of my favorite players to cover a year ago, was Mustang setter Emme Bullis...Bulis was both tenacious and "sneaky" at the net...in basketball parlance, Bullis was the like the point guard who could score when her team needed a bucket; and could also make the big-time block on D...the Mustangs would fall to Kentucky in straight sets, hanging tough and providing some sparkling play against an immensely powerful KU line-up. The Wildcats were eventually knocked out in the semis by eventual National Champion Texas A&M...The Aggies, well, they may have played in the match to end all matches: the Ags upended unbeaten Nebraska to advance to the Final Four--winning set four in scintillating fashion 37-35...volleyball as a spectator sport is growing and growing, and to me, it simply needs to figure out a way to incorporate a little Savannah Bananas or Minor League Baseball...with so many athletes playing the sport, it would seem there is an untapped audience out in the universe...the matches can be a little longggggg--my suggestion, all sets to 21...I would let a 5th set play out to 21 as well-let the drama build! However, that winner-take-all deciding set would be reached with a tad more temp with games to 21...on a personal note, I enjoyed my first taste of calling the action for Cal State Monterey Bay and the CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Conference)...It was also a special moment calling Santa Clara's match at Bakersfield in September...my family has a long connection to Santa Clara--my sister and brother-in-law are proud Broncos; we have dear family friends who are Broncos (Flahertys), and my father was friends with longtime SCU baseball coach Sal Taromina...Coach Sal, used to come down to my hometown of Isleton to go pheasant hunting with my father's gang...calling the Broncos match, a full-circle thrill...
Mendoza Mania/Francisco Mendoza. The buzz created by Heisman Trophy Winner Fernando Mendoza, his Indiana University teammates and head coach Curt Cignetti is off the charts...and, all of those Hoosier Alumni, who apparently are the largest alunmi group in the land, are digging the ascension...with the National Champion game set fro Monday, Jan. 19 in Miami--vs. the U of Miami none-the-less--the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami could be a sea of red! Tickets cost for this National Champion are not cheap, but that doesn't seem to be affecting fans of IU and the U...Cignetti appears to be a master talent evaluator and his "veteran" ballclub, reminds me of the San Diego State Basketball team that made the run to the national finals--both teams are very mature, don't panic, and limit mistakes. Perhaps most importantly, both teams have talented players who make plays when games are on the line! (Here is a solid read on the makeup of IU's team: Cignetti's IU Bunch). Mendoza Mania is also giving hope to the many, dare I say desperate Raider fans, hoping that Mendoza brings his magic along to Las Vegas...the Raiders have the first pick in April's NFL draft...Mendoza maintains pinpoint accuracy and the ability to move around in the pocket...the former Cal Bear caught my eye while playing for the Bears in Berkeley...when he runs, he looks like someone who has played soccer--he often will utilize small steps, like those used on the pitch...all eyes will be on Francisco during the National Championship Game...one interesting note to keep an eye on is Hurricane QB Carson Beck...if Beck outshines Mendoza and leads the Hurricane to a an upset victory, the pre-draft chatter will become very interesting...By most accounts, Beck would appears to be a second or third round selection as we chat...by the way, the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, looks like a venue that could or perhaps should be on many sports traveler's Bucket List!
Broadcasting Information: This fall I am providing play-by-play for the College of Sequoias (COS) in Visalia, in the heart of Central California; and I have filled on CSU Monterey Bay telecasts that are aired on FLOCollege Sports...select games are available on YouTube, on the COS Giant channel...In the beginning of January, I was fortunate to be on the call for an instant classic, as Citrus College from Southern California outlasted COS in overtime...these two teams are filled with future 4-year players...here is a link to the epic battle (https://www.youtube.com/live/umvcscx45-Q?si=dchHAidDsmjSWNAm)...ironically years ago, our Reedley College team rode into Citrus College, and ended their 38 home game winning streak! For a peek at that game, you can check it out here (https://youtu.be/neva7qGm0GE?si=TTdzu_PdhTWgucRE)...You will notice Rob "Rocket" Hoyt early in the video--Coach Rob is now the head Coach at Columbia College...his Claim Jumpers and COS appear on a collision course for the Central Valley Conference Title! Columbia visits COS on Feb. 20, and that game should be a dandy--tune in for my call, you won't want to miss that tilt...For more notes on that game, head over to my Facebook page...quick around the horn with a couple more tardy tips of the caps:
*COS Men's Basketball Coach Dallas Jensen for earning his 200th win--the Coaching Dude is on the Uber fast track. Coach Dallas is currently entering season #9...Jensen is part of a true Basketball Family, his father and brother are also coaches, and his son--one heck of a high school player!
*CSU East Bay Men's Basketball Coach Bryan Rooney. Coach Rooney's D-II squad currently sits at 15-0, with a game scheduled vs. Stanislaus State on Saturday (1/16) afternoon...B. Rooney is a Coaching Dude, and a Bay Area Gem! Bryan played for Brian Katz at Delta College, and I believe Bill Treseler at Domincan College?!? Coach Katz and Coach Tres two of my favs...Keep it rolling Pioneers. East Bay was known as Hayward State back in the day...
*Chico State's Women's Basketball is off to a 9-0 start in the CCAA, and 13-2 overall...Chico State is coached by the Most Entertaining Gent, Brian Fogle...Foges was a player back in the day at Sonoma State, and has coached at UC Davis and San Francisco State along the way...Foges team eeked out a clutch win in OT on Thursday 1/15 vs. Cal Poly Humboldt, and will host the Lumberjacks on Saturday in Chico...all of Chico State's home games can be heard on KPAY 1290 (KPAYsports.com) out of Chico...
Here is to a Happy, Healthy, Safe & Prosperous 2026: Cheers Everyone!
Remember if you enjoy my Ramblings...you can treat the coffee!
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