FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OxyBob]

Redlands item from the Redlands Daily Facts:

University of Redlands football recruits

The University of Redlands football team released a list of area recruits who will be joining the Bulldogs this coming fall.

Ranked No. 22 on Sporting News magazine's Division III Preseason Top 25, UR is hoping to build on a 2008 season in which they went 7-2 and finished third overall in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

All listed recruits have made deposits to attend the University of Redlands.

Inland Empire

Cory Colbath - OL - Rancho Cucamonga High School

Michael Ford - DB - Banning High School

Ruben Gonzalez - OL - Rialto High School

Andrew Blackwell - TE - Redlands East Valley High School

Mike Garcia - OL - Redlands High School

Brent Hanson - OL - Carter High School

Travis Haywood - DB - Damien High School

Garry Hedlund - QB - Vista Del Lago High School

Orange County

Peter Adams - WR - Dana Hills High School

Justin Butler - DB - J. Serra High School

Peter Kinney - OL - Newport Harbor High School

Kyle McMillan - WR - Orange Lutheran High School

Brandon Morris - DB - Mission Viejo High School

Morgan Viar - LB - Santa Margarita High School

Logan Welbaum - LB - J. Serra High School

OxyBob

[Gray Fox]

I see Whittier will be playing a (am football game in El Paso on September 12.

http://www.wcpoets.com/sports/fball/2009-10/Schedule

That is 8am California time.  It will beat the heat in the desert though, and allow for a quick flight back on Southwest Airlines.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Jack Kemp '57 Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

From the Oxy website:

The late Jack Kemp '57 is one of 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, President Barack Obama '83 announced today. Kemp and the other honorees, who come from the fields of politics, the arts, science, sports, and human rights, were chosen for their work as agents of change.

"These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds," President Obama said in a statement. "Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way. Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive."

President Obama will present the awards at a White House ceremony on Aug. 12.

Kemp, the Occidental quarterback and AFL football star whose pioneering support of supply-side economic theory played a key role in the modern conservative revival, died May 2 of cancer at his Bethesda, Md. home. He was 73.

After a standout 13-year career in professional football with the Buffalo Bills, Kemp went on to serve nine terms as a Congressman from upstate New York, ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1988, served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for the first President Bush and was Bob Dole's vice presidential running mate in the 1996 presidential race.

"In Congress and as a cabinet secretary, Kemp was a self-described 'bleeding heart conservative'  who worked to encourage development in underserved urban communities," the White House said in a statement. "In the years leading up to his death, Kemp continued seeking new solutions, raising public attention about the challenge of poverty, and working across party lines to improve the lives of Americans and others around the world."

Other medal recipients are:

Nancy Goodman Brinker, founder of the breast cancer organization Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Pedro Jose Greer, M.D., medical humanitarian
Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist
U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy
Billie Jean King, tennis player and women's sports advocate
Rev. Joseph Lowery, civil rights leader
Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow, author of seminal works in Native American history and culture
Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official from a major U.S. city
Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
Sidney Poitier, actor
Chita Rivera, actor and dancer
Mary Robinson, first female president of Ireland
Janet Davison Rowley, M.D., human geneticist
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, global leader in anti-poverty efforts and micro-loan pioneer

[Sabretooth Tiger]

And . . . a moment of silence please . . . former Occidental backup quarterback Danny Southwick was waived yesterday by the Oakland Raiders. 

http://www.raiders.com/team/default.aspx?id=152

The truly amazing thing is that I somehow stumbled over this tidbit before OxyBob who must therefore be on vacation and away from any internet access.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Camp begins August 15 . . . tick, tick, tick, tick . . .

[Gray Fox]

Why is Oxy number 23 on the preseason poll?  They will have a new QB.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Why is Oxy number 23 on the preseason poll?  They will have a new QB.

So will #1 MUC!

[OxyBob]

Article about former Redlands running back Zack Schafer, from the Redlands Daily Facts:

A Bulldog in Finland

Visiting Helsinki with one of his teammates, Zack Schafer attended a women's football game.

Sitting in the stands, the former University of Redlands running back met a fellow American who is currently playing football for one of the Helsinki teams in the Maple League named Cameron Coffey.

After talking with Coffey for awhile, Schafer discovered that not only was Coffey from his home country, but also his alma mater.

"It turned out he went to Redlands also," said Schafer in an e-mail. "I think he graduated in 2004. What a small world."

Meeting someone from home on the other side of the world is just of the numerous exciting and unique experiences that Schafer has been experiencing this summer.

The former Bulldog star, who racked up more than 2,500 yards rushing in his four-year career, has gone from pounding opponents in the SCIAC to churning out yards for the Kuopio Steelers in Finland's SAJL First Division American Football League.

With the help of UR head coach Mike Maynard and Steelers head coach Jon Hart, Schafer has been able to experience professional European football and experience a lifetime of memories in the process.

The Daily Facts recently caught up with Schafer via e-mail to find out what football life is like in Finland.

Q: How did you first hear about the opportunity to play in Finland?

Schafer: The opportunity to play in Finland was brought to me by another coach (Jon Hart) who is a friend of my head coach Mike Maynard. Coach Hart was hired by the Steelers to coach them and he informed them of me. He then contacted coach Maynard, who then asked me if I would be interested.

Q: Was continuing your football career after college something you'd always wanted?

Schafer: I always had hopes to continue to play, I just wasn't sure what that would look like or if it was a real possibility. I was planning on possibly attending a combine in May and seeing what would come of that, but truthfully I was not too excited about that particular combine.

When the Finland offer came around I felt that it was something God had put in my path and it confirmed my own ambition to continue to play.

I'm not sure if this is a one time thing. I know that the team here would like me to come back next year, but I know there are many different teams here in Europe that could be a possibility. Many of the other European teams seasons start anywhere from January to March. I think I'm going to wait until I get back to the states to see what opportunities present themselves back home, with possibly work or maybe more school.

Q: Were you at all apprehensive about traveling so far away to play football?

Schafer: Part of me was definitely apprehensive. But at the same time, part of me was really excited. I have never been to Europe before and I saw this not only as an opportunity to keep playing ball but also to see and experience other parts of the world. I think the apprehension that I felt about coming over here mainly stemmed from the fear of leaving everyone and everything that I knew behind and going somewhere new and different.

Q: What was it like when you first got there?

Schafer: Yes, I flew over by myself. My roommate arrived one day before me. It was definitely different, to say the least. I didn't really know any of the guys yet so I had to start the process of developing relationships with everyone, and meeting new people, which is not something I do very well. Although the majority of Finish people speak English fairly well, it is still awkward at first hearing a language spoken everywhere you go and not being able to understand it.

Q: What has been the biggest adjustment you've had to make?

Schafer: The biggest adjustment I have probably had to make has been on the football field. The language is not really that big of a problem. Although when people speak Finish I just stare into space. Ninety percent of the guys on the team speak good English and most people around town speak pretty good English.

The food is great. They feed us two meals a day. Things like salmon, potatoes, and sausages are popular here. You get use to the time so that's not bad. Although I did get to find out the realities of the term "jet lag" when I first got here. I think I slept for 36 hours straight the day after I got here.

But the real adjustment came on the football field. My opinions here only relate to Fin[n]ish football at the Division 1 level. It definitely differs depending on where you are playing and at what level. Coming from playing football in America there are just certain aspects of the game that you become use to.

Aspects like preparation off the field, to practice, to the game. We do watch film, but its only once a week for about an hour, which is nothing compared to the time you usually spend watching film in the states. Practice too took some getting use to. In the states you become use to a very structured practice schedule and you have the advantage of the support of a number of different coaches.

Here, along with the leadership of our head coach (coach Hart) we really run ourselves through practice. Myself and the other American player run many of the drills for our position groups, while other position groups work together.

Another area of adjustment revolves around dealing with the physicality of the game. In my time at Redlands I was blessed with an amazing athletic training staff and facility where I could go to keep myself healthy. That is no longer a possibility. I miss my ice bath. The team here is great though. They are very attentive to our health and access to medical attention is very easy.

As far as the game goes, it's still football. Getting hit over here doesn't feel any better than getting hit in the states. Yes, the level of play at some positions is lower than what I'm use to, but many of the other positions are right up there. There is a lot of talent over here. These guys come out to play because they love the game and like to hit people.

Q: Your roommate is American. How big a help was it to have someone who speaks [E]nglish and could understand what you were going through?

Schafer: Having an American roommate has been great. To have someone to hang out with who you can relate to and who has the same type of background as you helps a lot. My roommate Brian is a linebacker from Pennsylvania. He played at Lebanon Valley College.

Q: What's it been like to play against older players?

Schafer: It has not been too much different playing against older guys here. Like I mentioned before, once you step on the field its still football no matter where you are playing. It's not the age that really matters, it is more the level of play. For example, compared to my experience, a rookie in the NFL is probably much more intimidated by the older stars because those guys play at such a high level.

OxyBob

[Pat Coleman]

Why is Oxy number 23 on the preseason poll?  They will have a new QB.

This is true. Tyler PaoPao isn't there anymore.

[Gray Fox]

Why is Oxy number 23 on the preseason poll?  They will have a new QB.

This is true. Tyler PaoPao isn't there anymore.

True, but he still must have a year of eligibility left.  I hear he's been playing catch with Justin Elway.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Oxy has posted its season schedule:

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2009-10/schedule

Day   Date                    Opponent                                      Time   Score   
Sat   Sep 5, 2009    @ Menlo College                    12:00 PM          
Sat   Sep 19, 2009    Linfield College                            7:00 PM          
Sat   Oct 3, 2009    @ Claremont-Mudd-Scripps  *    1:00 PM          
Sat   Oct 10, 2009    University of Redlands  *            7:00 PM       
Sat   Oct 17, 2009    Chapman University                    7:00 PM     
Sat   Oct 24, 2009    University of La Verne  *            3:00 PM        Homecoming
Sat   Oct 31, 2009    Cal Lutheran University  *    7:00 PM        
Sat   Nov 7, 2009    @ Pomona-Pitzer  *                    1:00 PM          
Sat   Nov 14, 2009    @ Whittier College  *            1:00 PM          

[stealth]

Stealth back from extended TDY and hoping all is well on the extreme western front with you, families and finances. Fall in the air, pads and cleats ready to go , feilds mowed and stripped, team rosters getting sorted out, pre season poll is stirring controversy, OxyBob sharpening the wit pen, what else could a D3 fan ask for. Oh yeah a pro team in SoCal might be nice 

[Purple Heys]

Oh yeah a pro team in SoCal might be nice 

You mean in the L.A. area...last time I checked, San Diego was located in SoCal.   

[Sabretooth Tiger]

From the Oxy website:

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2009-10/091009FB_staff_BergstromOC

Aug 10, 2009
Football Staff Undergoes Changes

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2009) – The Occidental College football staff has made some changes since the season ended in November. Entering his sixth year in the coaching ranks at Occidental, Eric Bergstrom has been promoted to the Offensive Coordinator after serving for four seasons as the Wide Receivers Coach of the Tigers and one responsible for the Tight Ends.

During the time Bergstrom has been at Occidental, the football program has made four post season appearances and claimed four Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships.

Among the players he has coached were Football Gazette Third Team All-American Josh Jones and Ric Fukushima, the 2005 SCIAC's John Zinda Award winner. In all, Bergstrom has coached 10 All-SCIAC athletes at Occidental.

Prior to pulling on the black and orange he spent one year at SCIAC rival Whittier College coaching the outside linebackers in 2003 after his coaching career began in 2002 at St. Mary's High School in Stockton, Calif. where he worked with the offensive line, defensive line and tight ends. Bergstrom's playing career began at Oak Ridge HS and extended to UC Davis where he played four years of, then, Division II football as a tight end.

Bergstrom will take over for longtime Offensive Coordinator Jim Fenwick who hung up his Oxy whistle in the spring for a Head Coaching job at Los Angeles Valley College.

"Eric had the opportunity to work closely with Coach Fenwick over the last four years, learning a great deal about our system while gaining a strong understanding of all facets of the Offensive Coordinator position," said Head Tigers Football Coach Dale Widolff. "I am looking forward to working with Eric as he is well prepared to build on the success that our offensive team has had during past several years."

With seven years of coaching experience under his belt, Bergstrom is embracing his new role. "I love being a part of this program and am glad to have the opportunity to continue coaching the Tigers in a new capacity."

Taking over for Bergstrom will be 2007 graduate Rocky Ciasulli who enters his second season of coaching. Having played four years of football at Oxy, Ciasulli brings a strong understanding of the offensive system to the coaching staff.

"Rocky's playing experience in our system will help him step right in and give us continuity in the coaching of the receivers as Coach Bergstrom moves over to offensive coordinator and QB coach," shared Coach Widolff.

Also returning to the coaching scene following a stellar playing career at Occidental is 2004 graduate Johnnie Williams who will step in as the defensive line coach.

"Having coached at several colleges as well as with the LA Avengers, Johnnie brings a wealth of knowledge about defensive line play and overall defensive strategy," said Widolff.

Joining the Tigers for his first season at Occidental will be Phil Kleckler. Coach Widolff is looking forward to the new ideas and outsider's perspective that Phil brings to Eagle Rock as he has played and coached at other institutions at the NCAA Division III level. Kleckler will not only coach the outside linebackers, but he will serve as the program's Recruiting Coordinator as well.

Also returning to the staff for another season are Erik Johnson (Defensive Coordinator), Bill Dobson (Offensive Line), Sae Woon Jo (Inside Linebackers), Andrew Chau (Cornerbacks), Matt Andersen (Running Backs) and Jim Kerman (Kickers and Punters) who will work under Widolff who enters his 27th season.

[stealth]

Yes. SD does count. My bad. Although as a Raiders fan I wish the Chargers were in NFC East !!!   

Oh yeah a pro team in SoCal might be nice 

You mean in the L.A. area...last time I checked, San Diego was located in SoCal.