Golden Bears Abound as Community Celebrates Cal Night at Oracle Park
In which Tosh Lupoi throws gas from the mound
As many Bay Area universities get to experience, it became Cal’s turn to get in on the party as Oracle Park turned blue and gold for a Friday night under the lights this past weekend.
Met by a large contingent of Cal Football staffers that included General Manager Ron Rivera and Assistant GM Marshall Cherrington among other position coaches, it was Head Coach Tosh Lupoi, QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, WR Chase Hendricks and CB Ricky Fletcher who got to participate in the pre game festivities.
Lupoi told me prior to the dignitaries taking the field that he hadn’t warmed up for his honorary first pitch but that he was ready to let it fly. Cal’s Head Coach proceeded to step up and throw some heat. We’ll let you guys be the judge:
As the crowd ate that up, it was Fletcher and Hendricks’ turn to take the stage. The two transfers made their way to the lineup exchange with San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello, while their college football career accolades were listed for all to see in the stadium. JKS closed out the pregame routine with his rendition of play ball, capping off the Golden Bear parade in the city by the bay.
Despite how the game itself got ugly, with the Giants giving up three runs in the first inning and never recovering to the tune of a 9-4 defeat, it was a night full of camaraderie for a fanbase that’s chomping at the bit to succeed.
Associate Head Coach/QB Coach Nick Rolovich explained to me that this type of familial feel took him back to when he did his first pitch as HC at the University of Hawaii. Clearly its a group and staff that feel the energy of community and look forward to reciprocating that come fall on the field.
Per people familiar with the matter, there are some other pro Bay Area franchises that are looking to get Cal in the building prior to the season getting underway. You may never who you’ll run into this summer.
Nice arm for a linebacker. Go bears!