LITTLE ROCK — University finds fault for changes
The stadium that was home to The Play will never be the same after today.
California will host Washington in the final game in the current configuration of Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.
Memorial Stadium opened in 1923 and has been home to Cal football for 88 seasons. The stadium, which sits on Hayward Fault, will undergo an extensive renovation that will force the Bears to play at AT&T Park in San Francisco in 2011 before returning to Berkeley in 2012.
Construction on the $321 million project began earlier this year. According to California’s athletic department, the renovation will significantly reduce seismic risk with the stadium, which is nestled in the hills of Strawberry Canyon. Capacity will be reduced from 71,799 to 62,717.
California will pay for the renovation with its endowmentseating program, in which donors pay large sums of money to reserve the best seats for 40 to 50 years. The school reports that it has sold approximately 2,000 seats so far. In a recent news release, the school said that “approximately 2,250 seats must be committed by the summer of 2011 to make the financial model work, a goal that is well within reach.”
Memorial Stadium was originally constructed for $1.4 million and was intended as a tribute to Californians who gave their lives during World War I.
Cal beat Washington 9-0 in the final game at California Field, which was the Bears’ previous home before Memorial Stadium. Ironically, the Huskies will be the final opponent in Memorial Stadium for the Bears, who are 317-212-16 (.596) in 88 seasons at the venue.
“Memorial Stadium is just a holy, holy place for thousands, if not millions of people that support the Golden Bears,” former California Coach Joe Kapp told KGO-TV.
Jeter dollars
According to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, sources close to New YorkYankees shortstop Derek Jeter and his agent Casey Close said that the starting point of the negotiations between Jeter and the organization was six years and $150 million.
Jeter, 36, hit a career-low .270last season with 10 home runs and 67 RBI. But intangibles are expensive, even in New York.
Political report
President Barack Obama needed 12 stitches in his upper lip after being hit by an inadvertent elbow from Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute senior program manager Rey Decerega during a pickup game of basketball Friday.
Tweeted ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “I’m told he’s probable for Sunday.” Giving thanks
Oregon Coach Chip Kelly was asked what he was thankful for this year.
“First and foremost, press conferences,” Kelly told The Oregonian.
They said it
CBS college football analyst Gary Danielson on Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy not receiving the Rhodes scholarship: “That fumble against LSU cost him.”
From sportspickle.com: “Ben Roethlisberger volunteers to be TSA screener.”Quote of the day “Joe kind of prides himself on making guys look silly putting moves on them.” Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett on Hogs receiver Joe Adams
Sports, Pages 20 on 11/27/2010