Let me preface by saying that. I am saddened and angry that this has happened. It shouldn't have happened and it could have been avoided. But, it has happened, so we move forward. Let me also provide some context. My Dad played in the 40's and I began attending in 1955. I never missed a home football or basketball game (and most baseball games as well) for the next 20 years.
Cal regularly sold out their games back then. Even against conference members Idaho and Montana. Why? Because going to the game was fun. Sure, Cal would win more than they would lose back then, but the event was greater than the outcome. As we transitioned into the mediocre years, the key was not the losses, but the changing interests of students and fans.From the late 60's on, playing Alabama would not have filled the stadium. However, take a look around the country and you'll see that fans are back.
College sports are supposed to be fun for the athletes and the fans. Granted, NIL and other changes have had an effect. But take a look at some of the other college teams that I also follow. Fresno State draws 35,000 fans to most games. Their tailgate area is famous. UC Davis, and Sac State that I also follow are totally enjoyable events. The MWC teams that are so easily dismissed are generally competitive teams that send many players to the pros. Just look at Cal's record against MWC teams recently.
What would happen if the remaining 4 teams merged with the Mountain West? There would probably be a short term drop in financial support and attendance. But, it would be short term and it might not happen at all. Cal would immediately become competitive and would likely go to bowl games and the NCAA final 64. Over time, the other ""Pac-15" teams would become even stronger, quite possible creating a new power conference. Look at what happened to the Florida schools that recently stepped up their programs.
Television has turned college sports into a game of ratings. While that's a fact today, I predict that it will not last. The joy and camaraderie of college sports is still there. Just give it a chance.
Hopefully, financial supporters will not be short sighted and will rally around the swimming, water polo, rugby, tennis, golf, track, softball, and soccer programs the way they did for baseball. Likewise, the debt around the stadium could easily by resolved if the state would step up.
I suggest that we dispense with the gloom and doom, and look instead to new opportunities.

God awful, please no.

Living in the past is what got Cal in this mess. Digging are heels in the past will not suddenly make more sense.

No way in hell. Complete step back

The UC Berkeley Bears haven't spent the last five decades being mostly mediocre, or worse, in order to transition into a more competitive situation. Thrashings are our birthright.

Would it be possible for just Cal football to be a member of the ACC and the rest of the sports teams including basketball to play in the Mountain West?

The *only* advantage I see to staying in some kind of pac/mwc merger would be the clause of the college football playoffs that guarantees spots to the top 6 conference champions. With no Pac that would really pave the way into the playoffs as a member of the MWC.

The *only* way that works is if we double/triple down on football and make damned well sure that we are the conference champion. That would mean more nil dollars, more coaching dollars, more advertising dollars, more focus on football than we've had in 70 years.

With the death of the PacX that top 6 conference champions clause is likely to get updated at some point....this would be a short term play at proving we can draw audiences and that we can succeed in an effort to get into the P2 when this would all change anyways.

Of course knowing our administration, instead we would cut spending and end up as a 5-7 win team in the MWC and never dig our way back into relevancy, eventually shutting down all athletics because "we're too good for that anyways".

State stepping up, weaker product generating greater fan support, dream of championship that leads to the prestigious LA Bowl invite, TV rating and revenue lacking in importance.

This is why we may have no choice but to shut it down. We don't deserve nice things.

Wow, the defeatism is palpable. All the namby pamby folks are coming out of the woodwork. Let's not compete at the highest level. Remember when Stanfords rugby team decided not to play Cal? How pathetic that was. Well that's y'all and it's pathetic
I do have experience…see the DLS79 in my name? We sucked. Then what did DLS do? So yeah, it's ok getting your ass kicked but it makes victory that much sweeter

cal83dls79 said:

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Wow, the defeatism is palpable. All the namby pamby folks are coming out of the woodwork. Let's not compete at the highest level.

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Bro, I'm still waiting for the SEC to call Christ.

BearHunter said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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Wow, the defeatism is palpable. All the namby pamby folks are coming out of the woodwork. Let's not compete at the highest level.

---

Bro, I'm still waiting for the SEC to call Christ.

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would love to see an sec opponent in a playoff/ ain't gonna happen if in MWC relegation

MrGPAC said:

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The *only* advantage I see to staying in some kind of pac/mwc merger would be the clause of the college football playoffs that guarantees spots to the top 6 conference champions. With no Pac that would really pave the way into the playoffs as a member of the MWC.

The *only* way that works is if we double/triple down on football and make damned well sure that we are the conference champion. That would mean more nil dollars, more coaching dollars, more advertising dollars, more focus on football than we've had in 70 years.

With the death of the PacX that top 6 conference champions clause is likely to get updated at some point....this would be a short term play at proving we can draw audiences and that we can succeed in an effort to get into the P2 when this would all change anyways.

Of course knowing our administration, instead we would cut spending and end up as a 5-7 win team in the MWC and never dig our way back into relevancy, eventually shutting down all athletics because "we're too good for that anyways".

---

Which is why this doesn't work. How could they not cut spending when their revenue would shrink to a fraction of what it is currently? And as for NIL, there's no world in which donors would throw MORE money at Cal athletics to see them play against Fresno, Nevada, UNLV, San Jose etc than they did against our rivals in a power league. NIL and donor money would evaporate.

Cal's (and PAC4) future is lower revenue from media and more from the State (and student fees, if that's an option), UCLA alimony.

Need to lower costs. Debt service on stadium should be paid by the UC system. Don't we have graduation there (the 2020 undergrad graduation was on Minecraft due to the pandemic and I remember War Memorial Stadium was on there).

There is so much potential for rivalries in California, particularly in NorCal in the MWC. Invest in CA. The MWC CA schools and Nevada are chomping at the bit to play Cal. That's a lot of interest concentrated in one geographic area.

MWC linear deal, then new media deal in 2-3 years. Apple streaming if that is an option (to replace the PAC 12 Network, for one).

"Try" to win the MWC. Not a gimme. Cal should get a few more wins on the schedule and go bowling more often.

A move to the MWC won't diminish the Berkeley academic brand (maybe 1% due to media pundits spewing their superiority narrative). Keep Stanford and the result is zero.

Such a great opportunity to create something here.

NO

socaliganbear said:

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MrGPAC said:

---

The *only* advantage I see to staying in some kind of pac/mwc merger would be the clause of the college football playoffs that guarantees spots to the top 6 conference champions. With no Pac that would really pave the way into the playoffs as a member of the MWC.

The *only* way that works is if we double/triple down on football and make damned well sure that we are the conference champion. That would mean more nil dollars, more coaching dollars, more advertising dollars, more focus on football than we've had in 70 years.

With the death of the PacX that top 6 conference champions clause is likely to get updated at some point....this would be a short term play at proving we can draw audiences and that we can succeed in an effort to get into the P2 when this would all change anyways.

Of course knowing our administration, instead we would cut spending and end up as a 5-7 win team in the MWC and never dig our way back into relevancy, eventually shutting down all athletics because "we're too good for that anyways".

---

Which is why this doesn't work. How could they not cut spending when their revenue would shrink to a fraction of what it is currently? And as for NIL, there's no world in which donors would throw MORE money at Cal athletics to see them play against Fresno, Nevada, UNLV, San Jose etc than they did against our rivals in a power league. NIL and donor money would evaporate.

---

But do they REALLY throw $$ to see them play Wake? I mean I think BB might get MORE $$ but I am not sure (at all) about football. Really after Clemson and FSU the level of FB talent is pretty much MWC levels.

Once you decide that you "must" play football and that trying to create some sort of UC-centric big sky level football conference isn't viable then you go with the one that has some top line but also cost controls. MWC.

And yes, like nearly every other MWC it means a pretty big student fee for the privledge. They will have to cause you can't even play MWC level sports on the funding provided by the TV contracts alone. Also probably means Wilcox is gone (here are the salaries of the MWC coaches: https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/reporters/heres-how-much-the-mountain-west-football-coaches-will-make-in-2022.

Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

socaltownie said:

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And yes, like nearly every other MWC it means a pretty big student fee for the privledge. They will have to cause you can't even play MWC level sports on the funding provided by the TV contracts alone. Also probably means Wilcox is gone.

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That would be a big plus.

socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

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Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

Basketball Bear said:

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socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

58ballboy said:

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Let me preface by saying that. I am saddened and angry that this has happened. It shouldn't have happened and it could have been avoided. But, it has happened, so we move forward. Let me also provide some context. My Dad played in the 40's and I began attending in 1955. I never missed a home football or basketball game (and most baseball games as well) for the next 20 years.
Cal regularly sold out their games back then. Even against conference members Idaho and Montana. Why? Because going to the game was fun. Sure, Cal would win more than they would lose back then, but the event was greater than the outcome. As we transitioned into the mediocre years, the key was not the losses, but the changing interests of students and fans.From the late 60's on, playing Alabama would not have filled the stadium. However, take a look around the country and you'll see that fans are back.
College sports are supposed to be fun for the athletes and the fans. Granted, NIL and other changes have had an effect. But take a look at some of the other college teams that I also follow. Fresno State draws 35,000 fans to most games. Their tailgate area is famous. UC Davis, and Sac State that I also follow are totally enjoyable events. The MWC teams that are so easily dismissed are generally competitive teams that send many players to the pros. Just look at Cal's record against MWC teams recently.
What would happen if the remaining 4 teams merged with the Mountain West? There would probably be a short term drop in financial support and attendance. But, it would be short term and it might not happen at all. Cal would immediately become competitive and would likely go to bowl games and the NCAA final 64. Over time, the other ""Pac-15" teams would become even stronger, quite possible creating a new power conference. Look at what happened to the Florida schools that recently stepped up their programs.
Television has turned college sports into a game of ratings. While that's a fact today, I predict that it will not last. The joy and camaraderie of college sports is still there. Just give it a chance.
Hopefully, financial supporters will not be short sighted and will rally around the swimming, water polo, rugby, tennis, golf, track, softball, and soccer programs the way they did for baseball. Likewise, the debt around the stadium could easily by resolved if the state would step up.
I suggest that we dispense with the gloom and doom, and look instead to new opportunities.

---

what you say is true. everybody else is so obsessed with money and being cannon fodder in huge conferences that they are willing to sacrifice the physical and mental well being of athletes for their own entertainment.

life in Big 10, Big 12, or ACC will be middle of the pack at best. I don't include SEC because that is NEVER going to happen.

top dog in MWC would get guaranteed access to bowl games and the playoffs once its expanded. ACC is going to get gutted just like the Pac-12. The remnants will merge with Sun Belt conference

Cal fans are living in the past fantasizing about getting spanked by the Buckeyes, or Clemson. truth is, they probably are afraid of going to play Fresno St, because their fans are rabid and make $C fans look soft.

MWC should dissolve and merge with 4 remaining Pac-12 schools under Pac-12 banner, and try to get Tulane and SMU to join.

cal83dls79 said:

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Basketball Bear said:

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socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

---

what makes you think that Cal has been competing at the highest level? i put the physical and mental wellness of students above entertainment. what are you prioritizing? your pride? its not like you are out there right now on the field sacrificing your body. you aren't the one competing. they are. try actually thinking about the health of all the student athletes.

BarcaBear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

---

Basketball Bear said:

---

socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

---

what makes you think that Cal has been competing at the highest level? i put the physical and mental wellness of students above entertainment. what are you prioritizing? your pride? its not like you are out there right now on the field sacrificing your body. you aren't the one competing. they are. try actually thinking about the health of all the student athletes.

---

Health of student athletes? You mean like Ted Agu? Get off your high horse, partner.

BarcaBear said:

---

58ballboy said:

---

Let me preface by saying that. I am saddened and angry that this has happened. It shouldn't have happened and it could have been avoided. But, it has happened, so we move forward. Let me also provide some context. My Dad played in the 40's and I began attending in 1955. I never missed a home football or basketball game (and most baseball games as well) for the next 20 years.
Cal regularly sold out their games back then. Even against conference members Idaho and Montana. Why? Because going to the game was fun. Sure, Cal would win more than they would lose back then, but the event was greater than the outcome. As we transitioned into the mediocre years, the key was not the losses, but the changing interests of students and fans.From the late 60's on, playing Alabama would not have filled the stadium. However, take a look around the country and you'll see that fans are back.
College sports are supposed to be fun for the athletes and the fans. Granted, NIL and other changes have had an effect. But take a look at some of the other college teams that I also follow. Fresno State draws 35,000 fans to most games. Their tailgate area is famous. UC Davis, and Sac State that I also follow are totally enjoyable events. The MWC teams that are so easily dismissed are generally competitive teams that send many players to the pros. Just look at Cal's record against MWC teams recently.
What would happen if the remaining 4 teams merged with the Mountain West? There would probably be a short term drop in financial support and attendance. But, it would be short term and it might not happen at all. Cal would immediately become competitive and would likely go to bowl games and the NCAA final 64. Over time, the other ""Pac-15" teams would become even stronger, quite possible creating a new power conference. Look at what happened to the Florida schools that recently stepped up their programs.
Television has turned college sports into a game of ratings. While that's a fact today, I predict that it will not last. The joy and camaraderie of college sports is still there. Just give it a chance.
Hopefully, financial supporters will not be short sighted and will rally around the swimming, water polo, rugby, tennis, golf, track, softball, and soccer programs the way they did for baseball. Likewise, the debt around the stadium could easily by resolved if the state would step up.
I suggest that we dispense with the gloom and doom, and look instead to new opportunities.

---

Cal fans are living in the past fantasizing about getting spanked by the Buckeyes, or Clemson. truth is, they probably are afraid of going to play Fresno St, because their fans are rabid and make $C fans look soft.

---

Forget their rabid fans, there's a reasonable chance we start losing to Fresno State once our revenues are comparable. Hell, we have a losing record against them already! I won't be surprised if we go from a middling PAC12 team to a middling PAC/MWC team in a few years

phyrux said:

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BarcaBear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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Basketball Bear said:

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socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

---

what makes you think that Cal has been competing at the highest level? i put the physical and mental wellness of students above entertainment. what are you prioritizing? your pride? its not like you are out there right now on the field sacrificing your body. you aren't the one competing. they are. try actually thinking about the health of all the student athletes.

---

Health of student athletes? You mean like Ted Agu? Get off your high horse, partner.

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its funny how your on a high horse talking about casual fans. facepalming logic you got going on there, bruh. student athletes as the near 1000 student athletes Cal has, son. You dropping Ted Agu's name thinking that's an argument speaks volumes about how poor your argument is.

BarcaBear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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Basketball Bear said:

---

socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

---

what makes you think that Cal has been competing at the highest level? i put the physical and mental wellness of students above entertainment. what are you prioritizing? your pride? its not like you are out there right now on the field sacrificing your body. you aren't the one competing. they are. try actually thinking about the health of all the student athletes.

---

we have been competing at the highest level. Have you actually asked the coaches and athletes about mental health or is it a preconceived notion of a self defeatist cal fan that has no clue what it takes to play at the highest level.

cal83dls79 said:

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BarcaBear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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Basketball Bear said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

---

what makes you think that Cal has been competing at the highest level? i put the physical and mental wellness of students above entertainment. what are you prioritizing? your pride? its not like you are out there right now on the field sacrificing your body. you aren't the one competing. they are. try actually thinking about the health of all the student athletes.

---

we have been competing at the highest level. Have you actually asked the coaches and athletes about mental health or is it a preconceived notion of a self defeatist cal fan that has no clue what it takes to play at the highest level.

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Eh, I think our conference is at a high level. However, it has been a long time since we have competed.

The only metric that matters is what the ACC will do. And that is dependent on whether ND joins the ACC for football because that's what ACC members want in exchange for our entry. I suspect they won't do it and we will have to move on.

I know I'm not driving 5+ hours to watch a MWC game. I'll drive for Oregon State and maybe WSU when they have a good year. And of course I would drive to watch Big Game. But I have no interest in spending my time and money in the Bay Area to watch MWC competition. With the cost of gas, hotel, food, stadium concessions, and wear and tear on my car, I can spend a full week's pay coming up to CMS. And that's not even considering what I pay for football tickets and parking.

Basketball Bear said:

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socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

basketball bear, u should hang out with bear greg with ur simplistic (and outdated in today's highly competitive entertainment biz with different buying patterns for those under 35) view that winning a couple more games is gonna sell out haas...it's a more complex equation than that

have u met bear greg?

philly1121 said:

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Eh, I think our conference is at a high level. However, it has been a long time since we have competed.

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Very true. We haven't competed at a high level since the high point of the Tedford years. We haven't even come close to that level under Wilcox.

Didn't answer the question. Has anyone asked the student athletes or the coaches in terms of the future of the Pac 4?
Definitely different answers than the pseudo football fans on this page

Golden One said:

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philly1121 said:

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Eh, I think our conference is at a high level. However, it has been a long time since we have competed.

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Very true. We haven't competed at a high level since the high point of the Tedford years. We haven't even come close to that level under Wilcox.

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yeah so let's just give up. Making a list here

Whatever conference Cal plays in, there needs to be big time changes on game day. High attendance needs to be prioritized! Even if it means lowering prices and having less money coming in at first, it's an investment. Students and maybe staff and faculty need to be given cheap or free tickets. Fill up, or nearly fill up the stadium. Give tickets to charities, sports leagues, etc. This will have a huge impact. It will lead to more future ticket sales. Cal will become much more attractive/lucrative to put on TV. Cal will be more attractive to recruits. To advertisers. Fill the damn stadium and THEN work on maximizing revenue. Empty seats beget empty seats. Make the food affordable and good. The athletic dept should go all in, from supporting the band and cheer squads to getting Marshawn to be there. Do everything that can be done. Make it safe - don't tolerate car break ins etc. Be creative, make it happen. It's a huge stadium, so it's not easy, but is it really impossible to do 6 or so times a year?

Can rthe game day people go away? Now? This is about survival

cal83dls79 said:

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Didn't answer the question. Has anyone asked the student athletes or the coaches in terms of the future of the Pac 4?
Definitely different answers than the pseudo football fans on this page

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I don't know. You mean a ballot measure?

Would you favor Cal rebuilding the PAC with members from the MWC, AAC?

Would you favor joining the B1G for all student athletes, even if it means increased travel?

Would you support an increase in student fees to support the athletic department?

Something like that? I believe they did that at UCLA and they decided it was important enough to follow their rival to the B1G.

And knock the "pseudo fan" language off. I do not often agree with the majority on this board but that doesn't make me think they're any less of a fan than me.

cal83dls79 said:

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BarcaBear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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Basketball Bear said:

---

socaltownie said:

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Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

---

what makes you think that Cal has been competing at the highest level? i put the physical and mental wellness of students above entertainment. what are you prioritizing? your pride? its not like you are out there right now on the field sacrificing your body. you aren't the one competing. they are. try actually thinking about the health of all the student athletes.

---

we have been competing at the highest level. Have you actually asked the coaches and athletes about mental health or is it a preconceived notion of a self defeatist cal fan that has no clue what it takes to play at the highest level.

---

have you asked any? you never once brought it up. Chip Kelly did.
I know pro athletes who talk about the grind of traveling, but they're pros, they aren't semi-pro athletes having to take college classes.

the fact you try to minimize and dismiss the health of students speaks VOLUMES about your arrogance and narrowmindedness. you are the last person that should ever be asked about decisions regarding students. These students aren't cattle, they are human beings, and they don't exist for your entertainment. Try working on your humanity.

BarcaBear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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BarcaBear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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Basketball Bear said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

Not sure about Maddog. MAYBE. but he also likely takes a hair cut.

---

Maddog teams will put butts in Haas. He is a priority! That place will rock again.

---

do you have any idea what you are suggesting? Like I said, this whole thing has pretty much made most of the posters here exposed. Casual cal fans with zero interest in competing at the highest level of sports.

---

what makes you think that Cal has been competing at the highest level? i put the physical and mental wellness of students above entertainment. what are you prioritizing? your pride? its not like you are out there right now on the field sacrificing your body. you aren't the one competing. they are. try actually thinking about the health of all the student athletes.

---

we have been competing at the highest level. Have you actually asked the coaches and athletes about mental health or is it a preconceived notion of a self defeatist cal fan that has no clue what it takes to play at the highest level.

---

have you asked any? you never once brought it up. Chip Kelly did.
I know pro athletes who talk about the grind of traveling, but they're pros, they aren't semi-pro athletes having to take college classes.

the fact you try to minimize and dismiss the health of students speaks VOLUMES about your arrogance and narrowmindedness. you are the last person that should ever be asked about decisions regarding students. These students aren't cattle, they are human beings, and they don't exist for your entertainment. Try working on your humanity.

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oh please just flew from Boston to sfo, 5 hrs. Severely traumatized. It's not train travel ….again did you actually ask the students? Of course not because you'd get the wrong answer …get off the high horse