Beautiful piece. Having followed the Cal community from the Golden Blogs days as a Ducks fan I am so happy for you all. From the writers on this site, to the Berkley community at large. CGB was always my go to for all things Cal and I'm happy that the powers that be have continued to provide a space here at Write For California for moments like this. Berkley was my favorite spot in the Pac 12. It sucks that our conference is no longer a thing, but I'm very happy to see most of the schools, especially Cal, have made the best out of the situation in their new conference homes. Enjoy Saturday!
One other thing I haven't seen (maybe it was addressed and I didn't see it) about the last few weeks and Calgorithm blowing up, Gameday coming, etc. is how much this addresses the Cal branding issue. I've seen so many posts directly connecting the dots between Cal football (and its fan base) and UC Berkeley. I mean come on - Gameday is setting up shop on the Berkeley campus talking Cal football - nothing better than that. So while the Cal institution took years/decades to try to crack the nut, a bunch of passionate yahoos did the job for them.
Thank you Avi, Nam, AdmiralBear, Twist, and the countless others who have done so much for the Cal fan community. Gutted I won’t be back in Berkeley this weekend, appreciate you sharing some of the magic with all of us here. Go Bears!
Avi and contributors to WFC and CGB, you all created and sustained the online community that has held us together over the years. WFC and CGB is the nucleus of this movement and the Calgorithm and the current attention on our program does not exist today without this nucleus. So glad to see you all get some long, overdue credit from the outside! Such a validation for you all!
I applaud the enthusiasm and will savor it. I hope the stadium will be near capacity to support the Bears. These are our student athletes, and like Stanford's athletes they upload the ideals of college athletics, NIL notwithstanding. Bring the Spirit of Cal on Saturday.
Almost cried reading this. Avi and Nam and everyone who worked so tirelessly to bring us together from the CGB to now - huge kudos to you.
I really do believe that if CGB didn’t exist with such great content and migrated here after AB10 (which also shows the tenacity of everyone who posts), then neither Calgorithm nor Game Day would have happened. It may be more than that too.
The power of tenacity, creativity and passion on full display!
Here’s to all who put in the countless hours on this platform. Sincere thanks to you and let’s make this the beginning of a great new chapter in our fandom history!
Not only were we constantly lamenting the lack of institutional support, but remember during Covid era that we had extra burden because of the city of Berkeley regulations? We thought everyone was against us, but now we are seeing that we can get support from everyone.
Congratulations boys! Ironically, around the time of the Emerald Bowl (2008?) was when I first hopped on to CGB and have been following ever since. I am so happy for y'all and this fanbase. Thanks for all you've done and do for Cal and its fans.
[heavy breathing intensifies]
Beautiful piece. Having followed the Cal community from the Golden Blogs days as a Ducks fan I am so happy for you all. From the writers on this site, to the Berkley community at large. CGB was always my go to for all things Cal and I'm happy that the powers that be have continued to provide a space here at Write For California for moments like this. Berkley was my favorite spot in the Pac 12. It sucks that our conference is no longer a thing, but I'm very happy to see most of the schools, especially Cal, have made the best out of the situation in their new conference homes. Enjoy Saturday!
One other thing I haven't seen (maybe it was addressed and I didn't see it) about the last few weeks and Calgorithm blowing up, Gameday coming, etc. is how much this addresses the Cal branding issue. I've seen so many posts directly connecting the dots between Cal football (and its fan base) and UC Berkeley. I mean come on - Gameday is setting up shop on the Berkeley campus talking Cal football - nothing better than that. So while the Cal institution took years/decades to try to crack the nut, a bunch of passionate yahoos did the job for them.
Thank you Avi, Nam, AdmiralBear, Twist, and the countless others who have done so much for the Cal fan community. Gutted I won’t be back in Berkeley this weekend, appreciate you sharing some of the magic with all of us here. Go Bears!
Coped with the FOMO by writing my own ode to College GameDay - from the perspective of a Tedford-era Cal Bandsman
https://thebandisonthefield.substack.com/p/dont-stop-believin
Your write up was fantastic and heartfelt as well- don't stop believin indeed!
I wish my dad, an Old Blue, Class of '55, was still alive to see this day. Hopefully, in some way he can!
GO BEARS.
Beautiful.
*tearing up
Me too!
Avi and contributors to WFC and CGB, you all created and sustained the online community that has held us together over the years. WFC and CGB is the nucleus of this movement and the Calgorithm and the current attention on our program does not exist today without this nucleus. So glad to see you all get some long, overdue credit from the outside! Such a validation for you all!
I applaud the enthusiasm and will savor it. I hope the stadium will be near capacity to support the Bears. These are our student athletes, and like Stanford's athletes they upload the ideals of college athletics, NIL notwithstanding. Bring the Spirit of Cal on Saturday.
Thank you Avi. You brought tears of happiness to this Old Blue heart, especially with the images. 🫶🏼
Love Cal! This touched my heart!!
Almost cried reading this. Avi and Nam and everyone who worked so tirelessly to bring us together from the CGB to now - huge kudos to you.
I really do believe that if CGB didn’t exist with such great content and migrated here after AB10 (which also shows the tenacity of everyone who posts), then neither Calgorithm nor Game Day would have happened. It may be more than that too.
The power of tenacity, creativity and passion on full display!
Here’s to all who put in the countless hours on this platform. Sincere thanks to you and let’s make this the beginning of a great new chapter in our fandom history!
I did cry...
What I love the most is, we found out that the school and the community actually care about Cal football.
You mean the community outside of Berkeley and the NIMBYs?
Well, like BART for instance. They are running special trains for the Game Day.
And whoever they are, that we didn't know existed, that pushed for the Game Day to happen.
Oh, I know and the BA Safeways. The City of Berkeley, too, likely was willing to fast-track permits and add police assistance.
So I'm amazed by all of this happening.
Not only were we constantly lamenting the lack of institutional support, but remember during Covid era that we had extra burden because of the city of Berkeley regulations? We thought everyone was against us, but now we are seeing that we can get support from everyone.
Sometimes a drought makes us appreciate the rain. Maybe some locals are seeing the benefits!
But, now, we need to prioritize winning, honorably.
Amazing effort. Well done.
Two weeks ago, we were crying, saying "what could have been"
Well, we are starting to see what can actually happen.
Welp.
Just watched Marshawn on Pat MacAfee show.
Being the force of nature that he is, I want to start an over/under on Marsha’s “bleeps” at 35
https://x.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1842255006809854080
There are many clips, but this one here talks about the Game Day
This one, Marshawn talks good stuff about Aaron Rodgers
https://x.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1842257055068868948
Congratulations boys! Ironically, around the time of the Emerald Bowl (2008?) was when I first hopped on to CGB and have been following ever since. I am so happy for y'all and this fanbase. Thanks for all you've done and do for Cal and its fans.