Some interesting tidbits from yesterday's zoom call (I received invite becuase of donations I guess) with Golden Circle folks and Cal women's basketball folks including Charmin and Meghin Williams. I was on a walk so didn't ask questions but tried to listen as best I could. A few things I remember...
Of course, NIL and fundraising remain an important focus to keep and attract players. For example, UCLA spends about 6 million (per year) on their roster and obviously we are nowhere near that. Charmin she wouldn't venture to guess how much USC is spending....
Meghin talked about how her job had evolved from her first year here where she pretty much remained on the business side of things and this season has become much more involved with the current players, as part of the family. She is really in charge of our national and international recruiting and in terms of recruits direct from high school, the Bears will focus only on players who can might an immediate impact. Remaining roster holes will be filled via the portal. There was mention that this year they'd looked nationally and lost one recruit who wanted to remain closer to home, so it sounded like that going forward, their priority would be to attract California talent, and keep them here. She sounds like a really busy women her knows her stuff so it's great to have her part of the program. Again, I'm going from memory, so don't take everything as write as gospel...
They also discussed a new analytics program they're using which allows them to rate players based on various desired parameters, so they have a real-time database that allows them to have a range of information on any player in the country, and I suppose the world really but not sure about the latter. At any rate, coach and staff can thus fine tune the type of need they have to build a specific type of roster that matches the need and be ready to act once the portal opens. I won't go into all the details, but it was fascinating. They have the player's agent's numbers, etc. and a ready to go. Charmin mentioned that can also use a current player's attributes, say JuJu's" and use her profile to search for players with similar strengths in terms of play style, stats, etc. Obviously, the players Cal is recruiting are not as high necessarily, but share similar skills sets and court roles.
They also use some form of analytics, I'm not sure it's the same one, to evaluate current roster and game play, etc. Not only does that include statistics, but they also carefully manage playing time, etc. so as not to risk injury to players. If one player, for example, hits the threshold, even during practice, they're instructed to go practice free throws off court, etc.
When asked what WE could do for this team and program, Charmin mentioned two things. Filling Haas and attracting new donors and additional revenue events/ideas. In terms of the former, and as we saw at the UCLA exhibition, there's a real focus on making the game day experience at Haas fun. She noted the Bears were 16-1 at home least season, yet attendance wasn't great and clearly, she is doing what she can to change that. Charmin did mention the Valkyries, the obvious enthusiasm for Bay Area basketball and noted the energy at Chase, etc. There will be efforts to boost the hyphy atmosphere and build crowds, etc.
(Side note--I did witness this effort for the UCLA contest and Haas and it was a fun crowd). The exhibition game itself came together over a couple months, with Jason Kidd's foundation, and it was truly exciting and instructive for her team to have the chance to play a game against the defending national champs. There's been interest between the two teams previously, but various schedule issues, etc. precluded that. Charmin said she'll try to schedule a similar exhibition against the team that win's this year too. It was a good fundraiser in addition to being a chance for our team to really get a taste of what they'll be up against.
Given that, Charmin was obviously pleased with how the team came out against USC. That game was supposed have been on Saturday which Charmin preferred rather than go up against NFL on TV, but USC ultimately decided Saturday was off because of their own fan interest with their (away) football game....At any rate, Charmin said her players really kept up the energy and didn't let down as they did against UCLA. She said that during the UCLA game, shots weren't falling and the defense was executing, particularly in the second half. She emphasized to her team that they had to keep up the focus and energy throughout the entire game regardless. Apparently, they got the message for the USC matchup.
In terms of this year's squad and ACC competition, Charmin noted the Bears have good shooters and that they'll push pace. She's pleased with how Ruby is stepping up to the plate and gaining experience while Mjracle recovers from her injury (no specifics about that). Charmin said while obviously it's unfortunate Mjracle is out for a bit, her absence does give Ruby some valuable experience at point and she's pleased with how poised she is, despite being a newcomer. Charmin was asked if she missed the Pac-12 and she said of course, it was a great conference, but given the options, the ACC was the best place for the Bears to end up. She noted the size of the conference and that Cal can finish in the middle of the pack and still have a chance to make it to the NCAAs. The travel and schedule is what it is....
In terms of our newest recruits, Charmin was excited. Olivia Olechnowicz apparently is good friends with Zara and that helped a bit when she was making her final decision to join the Bears. Amlia Sow, a Canadian, will also bring some great skills to the team. When asked if the education UC Berkeley offers prospects, it plays a role of course, but is only one part of a larger picture for most (hint NIL factors in here a bit too obviously).
The newly launched Strawberry Creek Studios will be assisting players with developing their own NIL efforts, etc.
I came into the call a couple minutes late so didn't hear the Cal development official's words.....
Ok, that's it...what I recall while on my walk through the Berkeley hills...take it all with a grain of salt, but hopefully it gives you an overview of the discussion. Bottom line, it was both fascinating and encouraging. The Cal women's basketball program has some great people working to build the program and make the student-athlete experience the best it can be.
Of course, NIL and fundraising remain an important focus to keep and attract players. For example, UCLA spends about 6 million (per year) on their roster and obviously we are nowhere near that. Charmin she wouldn't venture to guess how much USC is spending....
Meghin talked about how her job had evolved from her first year here where she pretty much remained on the business side of things and this season has become much more involved with the current players, as part of the family. She is really in charge of our national and international recruiting and in terms of recruits direct from high school, the Bears will focus only on players who can might an immediate impact. Remaining roster holes will be filled via the portal. There was mention that this year they'd looked nationally and lost one recruit who wanted to remain closer to home, so it sounded like that going forward, their priority would be to attract California talent, and keep them here. She sounds like a really busy women her knows her stuff so it's great to have her part of the program. Again, I'm going from memory, so don't take everything as write as gospel...
They also discussed a new analytics program they're using which allows them to rate players based on various desired parameters, so they have a real-time database that allows them to have a range of information on any player in the country, and I suppose the world really but not sure about the latter. At any rate, coach and staff can thus fine tune the type of need they have to build a specific type of roster that matches the need and be ready to act once the portal opens. I won't go into all the details, but it was fascinating. They have the player's agent's numbers, etc. and a ready to go. Charmin mentioned that can also use a current player's attributes, say JuJu's" and use her profile to search for players with similar strengths in terms of play style, stats, etc. Obviously, the players Cal is recruiting are not as high necessarily, but share similar skills sets and court roles.
They also use some form of analytics, I'm not sure it's the same one, to evaluate current roster and game play, etc. Not only does that include statistics, but they also carefully manage playing time, etc. so as not to risk injury to players. If one player, for example, hits the threshold, even during practice, they're instructed to go practice free throws off court, etc.
When asked what WE could do for this team and program, Charmin mentioned two things. Filling Haas and attracting new donors and additional revenue events/ideas. In terms of the former, and as we saw at the UCLA exhibition, there's a real focus on making the game day experience at Haas fun. She noted the Bears were 16-1 at home least season, yet attendance wasn't great and clearly, she is doing what she can to change that. Charmin did mention the Valkyries, the obvious enthusiasm for Bay Area basketball and noted the energy at Chase, etc. There will be efforts to boost the hyphy atmosphere and build crowds, etc.
(Side note--I did witness this effort for the UCLA contest and Haas and it was a fun crowd). The exhibition game itself came together over a couple months, with Jason Kidd's foundation, and it was truly exciting and instructive for her team to have the chance to play a game against the defending national champs. There's been interest between the two teams previously, but various schedule issues, etc. precluded that. Charmin said she'll try to schedule a similar exhibition against the team that win's this year too. It was a good fundraiser in addition to being a chance for our team to really get a taste of what they'll be up against.
Given that, Charmin was obviously pleased with how the team came out against USC. That game was supposed have been on Saturday which Charmin preferred rather than go up against NFL on TV, but USC ultimately decided Saturday was off because of their own fan interest with their (away) football game....At any rate, Charmin said her players really kept up the energy and didn't let down as they did against UCLA. She said that during the UCLA game, shots weren't falling and the defense was executing, particularly in the second half. She emphasized to her team that they had to keep up the focus and energy throughout the entire game regardless. Apparently, they got the message for the USC matchup.
In terms of this year's squad and ACC competition, Charmin noted the Bears have good shooters and that they'll push pace. She's pleased with how Ruby is stepping up to the plate and gaining experience while Mjracle recovers from her injury (no specifics about that). Charmin said while obviously it's unfortunate Mjracle is out for a bit, her absence does give Ruby some valuable experience at point and she's pleased with how poised she is, despite being a newcomer. Charmin was asked if she missed the Pac-12 and she said of course, it was a great conference, but given the options, the ACC was the best place for the Bears to end up. She noted the size of the conference and that Cal can finish in the middle of the pack and still have a chance to make it to the NCAAs. The travel and schedule is what it is....
In terms of our newest recruits, Charmin was excited. Olivia Olechnowicz apparently is good friends with Zara and that helped a bit when she was making her final decision to join the Bears. Amlia Sow, a Canadian, will also bring some great skills to the team. When asked if the education UC Berkeley offers prospects, it plays a role of course, but is only one part of a larger picture for most (hint NIL factors in here a bit too obviously).
The newly launched Strawberry Creek Studios will be assisting players with developing their own NIL efforts, etc.
I came into the call a couple minutes late so didn't hear the Cal development official's words.....
Ok, that's it...what I recall while on my walk through the Berkeley hills...take it all with a grain of salt, but hopefully it gives you an overview of the discussion. Bottom line, it was both fascinating and encouraging. The Cal women's basketball program has some great people working to build the program and make the student-athlete experience the best it can be.
