In summary, no negative surprises. One positive flip and at least one positive surprise expected later today. A solid recruiting class - especially in the transfer portal. Cal should add with PWOs later too, which is a positive given how well we've done with PWOs recently.
BERKELEY – Former and late California men's rowing head coach Ky Ebright has been inducted into the International Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) inaugural Men's Varsity Collegiate Rowing Hall of Fame.
Ebright coached the Golden Bears from 1924-59 and led Cal to six IRA national championships, including the program's first in 1928, and three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, 1948) in the men's varsity eight. During those times, the men's collegiate varsity eight national champion represented the United States in the Olympics.
Ebright's six IRA national championships are tied for the most by a coach in program history and he is the only man to have coached three Olympic gold medal-winning eight-oared boats.
The California men's soccer program saw both starting central backs – Wyatt Meyer and Kevin Carmichael – chosen by Nashville SC in Tuesday's MLS SuperDraft, with the club selecting Meyer with the 11th pick in the first round and taking Carmichael with the 21st pick in the second round.
BERKELEY – The California women's basketball team will play its seventh of 10 consecutive home games Thursday when it hosts Louisiana Monroe at Haas Pavilion at 2 p.m. PT.
BERKELEY – The California men's basketball team will conclude nonconference play Wednesday afternoon when it hosts UC San Diego inside Haas Pavilion. The matinee contest will tip off at 2 p.m. PST on the Pac-12 Network.
The California lacrosse team unveiled its 2024 schedule Tuesday in conjunction with the Pac-12 Networks' announcement of its spring broadcast slate. Cal will host nine of its 15 games and a scrimmage at California Memorial Stadium with the season opener set for Feb. 9 against Akron.
BERKELEY – The 2024 California softball schedule will be highlighted by 23 games against 11 NCAA Regional participants and three Women's College World Series teams from last season, head coach Chelsea Spencer announced on Tuesday.
California men's soccer captain Wyatt Meyer was named to the Academic All-America First Team on Tuesday, the College Sports Communicators announced, becoming the program's third Golden Bear to collect the prestigious honor. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, Meyer – who is a junior academically and a senior athletically – garnered Academic All-America status after posting a 3.82 grade-point average as an English major who is also pursuing a minor in history.
Apparently, the road to one of Iceland's most famous tourist spots - the Blue Lagoon - is closed as are the pools on account of [checks notes]... volcanic eruption.
HW 4 between Lake Alpine and a little past Ebbetts Pass can be a sketchy at times. Mainly from people who think they are the only ones driving on the road.
Federal Judge orders unsealing of more than 150 Jeffrey Epstein associates. Frankly, I think a lot of these names are already in the public domain, but this will spark another round of media attention
I am not a lawyer, but I got to imagine that this forces SCOTUS, who will then overturn this and coincidentally help the GOP by optically giving the "witch-hunt" crowd support for their world view
I don't know. SCOTUS may actually want a good reason to take this up, and the trumpers don't have one. The state court ruling says that he was responsible for the Jan 6 insurrection, and therefore is not qualified to be on the ballot. The SCOTUS would have to find a way to make a 'finding of fact' that doesn't yet exist in order to overturn.
Rep Scott Perry (R, PA-4) is ordered to turn over more than 1,600 phone messages to Feds. Sucks to be you, traitor. Bonus: lede picture looks like he's bloodless
The Golden State Warriors leaned on big performances from their young players in a wild overtime game against the Boston Celtics. But in crunch time, the team leaned on the old reliable Splash Brothers to deliver their biggest win of the season, 132-126.
Damien Moore is in the portal, leaving Fresno State after one year with no game participation due to an undisclosed injury. He should have three years to play two.
[MBB] Citadel wins [checks notes] at Notre Dame 65-45. Notre Dame didn't help itself by going stone cold in the second half, including missing its final 19 three-point attempts. Look at that Game Flow chart. Yeesh.
If anyone is into reading murder mysteries I just finished The Golden Gate by Amy Chua. The murder takes place in the Claremont Hotel in 1944. The author went to El Cerrito High before Harvard and now teaches at Yale Law. This is her first fiction. Her father is professor emeritus in EECS at Cal. The book has lots of references to Berkeley, Oakland, and SF landmarks. I’m generally a pretty slow reader but this one moved right along and I zipped through it.
CAL
Go Bears!!!
Luc Bequette confirms his, Dylan Klumph, and long snapper Garrett Frum at the Indy Bowl
https://twitter.com/LucBequette/status/1737295227596198089/photo/1
Luc Bequette is probably playing his 10th year in college somewhere
Former #1 national recruit Malachi Nelson reportedly is looking at Cal. Many have doubts.
https://twitter.com/On3sports/status/1737205353966608655
rumors from SC suggest he has been legit terrible since setting foot on campus. So bad that they wont give him Scout team reps and they cut ties ASAP.
which is why I'm always a bit skeptical on early transfers.
leaving $C after one year, when a true Heisman candidate is the starter? Sounds like he's not ready to learn first before playing.
Looking at his list, I can't tell what this guy is looking for
[MSWIM] Cal frosh phenom Aaron Shackell is taking a redshirt year in order to train for the Olympics.
https://swimswam.com/cal-freshman-aaron-shackell-returning-to-carmel-and-taking-olympic-redshirt/
EARLY SIGNING DAY
From the Front Page, which is doing a good job of live-covering the good, the bad, and the surprises
https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-football-signing-day-2024-live
In summary, no negative surprises. One positive flip and at least one positive surprise expected later today. A solid recruiting class - especially in the transfer portal. Cal should add with PWOs later too, which is a positive given how well we've done with PWOs recently.
Update: all commits in. I think two silents commits are still expected.
PWO-U!
Front what? :P
the what now?
[MROW] Ky Ebright Elected Into IRCA Hall Of Fame
https://calbears.com/news/2023/12/19/mens-rowing-ky-ebright-elected-into-irca-hall-of-fame.aspx
BERKELEY – Former and late California men's rowing head coach Ky Ebright has been inducted into the International Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA) inaugural Men's Varsity Collegiate Rowing Hall of Fame.
Ebright coached the Golden Bears from 1924-59 and led Cal to six IRA national championships, including the program's first in 1928, and three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, 1948) in the men's varsity eight. During those times, the men's collegiate varsity eight national champion represented the United States in the Olympics.
Ebright's six IRA national championships are tied for the most by a coach in program history and he is the only man to have coached three Olympic gold medal-winning eight-oared boats.
[MSOC] Meyer, Carmichael Selected In MLS SuperDraft
https://calbears.com/news/2023/12/19/mens-soccer-meyer-carmichael-selected-in-mls-superdraft.aspx
The California men's soccer program saw both starting central backs – Wyatt Meyer and Kevin Carmichael – chosen by Nashville SC in Tuesday's MLS SuperDraft, with the club selecting Meyer with the 11th pick in the first round and taking Carmichael with the 21st pick in the second round.
Buried in article: both players are staying this year.
[WBB] Cal To Host Louisiana Monroe
https://calbears.com/news/2023/12/19/womens-basketball-cal-to-host-louisiana-monroe.aspx
BERKELEY – The California women's basketball team will play its seventh of 10 consecutive home games Thursday when it hosts Louisiana Monroe at Haas Pavilion at 2 p.m. PT.
[MBB] Bears Close Nonconference Play With UC San Diego
https://calbears.com/news/2023/12/19/mens-basketball-bears-close-nonconference-play-with-uc-san-diego.aspx
BERKELEY – The California men's basketball team will conclude nonconference play Wednesday afternoon when it hosts UC San Diego inside Haas Pavilion. The matinee contest will tip off at 2 p.m. PST on the Pac-12 Network.
I'll be there. My first Cal men's basketball game since Cuonzo's last game in charge at Haas.
[LAX] Cal Announces 2024 Lacrosse Schedule
https://calbears.com/news/2023/12/19/cal-announces-2024-lacrosse-schedule.aspx
The California lacrosse team unveiled its 2024 schedule Tuesday in conjunction with the Pac-12 Networks' announcement of its spring broadcast slate. Cal will host nine of its 15 games and a scrimmage at California Memorial Stadium with the season opener set for Feb. 9 against Akron.
[SB] Softball Releases 2024 Schedule
https://calbears.com/news/2023/12/19/softball-releases-2024-schedule.aspx
BERKELEY – The 2024 California softball schedule will be highlighted by 23 games against 11 NCAA Regional participants and three Women's College World Series teams from last season, head coach Chelsea Spencer announced on Tuesday.
[MSOC] Wyatt Meyer Named Academic All-American
https://calbears.com/news/2023/12/19/wyatt-meyer-named-academic-all-american.aspx
California men's soccer captain Wyatt Meyer was named to the Academic All-America First Team on Tuesday, the College Sports Communicators announced, becoming the program's third Golden Bear to collect the prestigious honor. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, Meyer – who is a junior academically and a senior athletically – garnered Academic All-America status after posting a 3.82 grade-point average as an English major who is also pursuing a minor in history.
Women's BB adds preferred walk-on to next incoming class. Sarah Bowes, guard from San Ramon Valley. https://x.com/westcoastpreps_/status/1736986632220541392?s=20
She's also on the Polish national team.
DANGEROUS ROAD
Apparently, the road to one of Iceland's most famous tourist spots - the Blue Lagoon - is closed as are the pools on account of [checks notes]... volcanic eruption.
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/iceland-volcano-eruption-12-19-23/index.html
Old Priest Grade Road. short cut on the way to Yosemite.
https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/9240-old-priest-grade-road.html The photo in the article is on New Priest Grade, steep but WAAAAYYYY safer.
HW 4 between Lake Alpine and a little past Ebbetts Pass can be a sketchy at times. Mainly from people who think they are the only ones driving on the road.
It's always insane to watch the Pike's Peak race every year. 100+ on the side of the mountain. No thanks.
My brother-in-law went off the side of one of those CO mountain roads, lucky he lived.
OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY
The US gets Fat Leonard in a trade for Maduro's equivalent of Marty Bird
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/20/venezuela-hands-u-s-fat-leonard-and-others-in-prisoner-exchange-00132733
Being terrible at facts that a normal human should know apparently run in the family
https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1737459450259161179
Federal Judge orders unsealing of more than 150 Jeffrey Epstein associates. Frankly, I think a lot of these names are already in the public domain, but this will spark another round of media attention
https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-financier-names-released-8ce48f838d61c853efe643977ccc1bb1
CO State Supreme Court rules that Trump is disqualified from state ballot via 14th amendment.
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4368569-trump-kicked-off-colorado-ballot-in-14th-amendment-case/
I am not a lawyer, but I got to imagine that this forces SCOTUS, who will then overturn this and coincidentally help the GOP by optically giving the "witch-hunt" crowd support for their world view
I don't know. SCOTUS may actually want a good reason to take this up, and the trumpers don't have one. The state court ruling says that he was responsible for the Jan 6 insurrection, and therefore is not qualified to be on the ballot. The SCOTUS would have to find a way to make a 'finding of fact' that doesn't yet exist in order to overturn.
Tuberville's blockade of military promotions collapses.
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/19/1220492250/tuberville-drops-blockade-military-promotions
Still don't know what he thought he was going to get from all this.
Rep Scott Perry (R, PA-4) is ordered to turn over more than 1,600 phone messages to Feds. Sucks to be you, traitor. Bonus: lede picture looks like he's bloodless
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/19/scott-perry-ordered-to-disclose-messages-trump-00132623
PRO
Ja Morant is back
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1737307443057831936
Winning comes at a price. For Lions fans, it's double.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/notes-lions-season-ticket-holders-upset-over-huge-price-hike-for-2024/ar-AA1lKPhF
There goes my dreams of the Oakland Orioles
https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-stadium-authority-approves-lease-extension-baltimore-orioles-camden-yards/
Jeter traded to the Yankees
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/yankees-claim-jeter-downs-from-nationals.html
Journalism is dead
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/aaron-rodgers-retires-following-season-ending-injury-with-ny-jets/ar-AA1lLuQw
Has been for some time. At least that article got deleted.
Warriors overcome injuries, fouls for comeback OT win over Boston
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2023/12/19/24008974/warriors-overcome-injuries-fouls-comeback-ot-win-boston-celtics
The Golden State Warriors leaned on big performances from their young players in a wild overtime game against the Boston Celtics. But in crunch time, the team leaned on the old reliable Splash Brothers to deliver their biggest win of the season, 132-126.
DBD AV CLUB
Re-watching the Sopranos…started at the beginning a titch ago.
Richie Aprile just made his first appearance, in S2…poor Beansie. This is not going to go well…
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
KEO to TCU
https://twitter.com/kjelarmsorr/status/1737596142542864479
Damien Moore is in the portal, leaving Fresno State after one year with no game participation due to an undisclosed injury. He should have three years to play two.
https://twitter.com/SSN_FresnoState/status/1737280093767262225
[MBB] Citadel wins [checks notes] at Notre Dame 65-45. Notre Dame didn't help itself by going stone cold in the second half, including missing its final 19 three-point attempts. Look at that Game Flow chart. Yeesh.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401582014
DeBoer is the AP Coach of the Year
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39146916/washington-kalen-deboer-named-ap-coach-year
More track laid down for the Lane Trane at Ole Miss
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39149452/ole-miss-football-coach-lane-kiffin-reach-contract-extension
UTSA beats Marshall 35-17 in the Frisco Bowl
https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401551735
Flag on the field for illegal cold brew
https://twitter.com/CowardlyDoggo/status/1737348779475366111
How old am I?
https://twitter.com/nocontextcfb/status/1737293695899066852
If anyone is into reading murder mysteries I just finished The Golden Gate by Amy Chua. The murder takes place in the Claremont Hotel in 1944. The author went to El Cerrito High before Harvard and now teaches at Yale Law. This is her first fiction. Her father is professor emeritus in EECS at Cal. The book has lots of references to Berkeley, Oakland, and SF landmarks. I’m generally a pretty slow reader but this one moved right along and I zipped through it.
Thanks for the recommendation.