Cal State Northridge vs. Utah Valley State

I just posted my first Big West Conference Report for the college basketball blog Storming The Floor. After seeing Cal State Northridge handle Utah Valley State, I had to name the Matadors the Team of the First Month...

Team of the First Month: Cal State Northridge
UC Santa Barbara was picked to win the Big West by the media and they have lived up to the billing by going 9-1 in the first month. No surprise there. Cal State Northridge didn't get a lot of preseason love but the Matadors have taken care of business against lesser opponents. Led by senior forward Calvin Chitwood (13.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and senior guard Jonathan Heard (12.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and complemented by junior three point specialist Deon Tresvant (11.4 ppg) and junior rebounding force Tremaine Townesend (10.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg), Northridge has only been beaten by Duquesne and Gonzaga. Both were thumpings and their biggest win so far was against Cleveland State, so it's hard to get too excited. But it's better than expected and better than any other non-Gaucho Big West squads.

Here are a handful of pictures from the game...


Welcome to the Matadome, all 1,600 seats of it. What a dump. It's an embarrassment of a Division I facility. But it is home to the hardest working cheerleaders in the NCAA...



Seriously, I've never seen cheerleaders lead more cheers. They performed during every single timeout and did a solid job. Not bad for what is essentially a glorified community college. Oh yeah...don't forget the basketball...



Too bad the students have forgotten. Despite a good team, students don't turn out that for games in any meaningful way and the ones that do sit on their hands. The loudest group of students was a bunch of deaf kids. Seriously.

Now, about that logo. It's a solid logo when you just quickly glance at it or see it in a much smaller form. But now that I've found a larger version and really looked at it, it's a bit rough. What is with the big thick black line on the nose and chin? I suppose it's supposed to be a shadow, but it's really unnecessary. And how big can one man's hands be?

Team: Cal State Northridge Matadors
Conference: Big West
Location: Northridge, California
Arena: The Matadome

UCSB Beats UNLV In Last Second - PICTURES ADDED!

Wow, what an incredible game. That's my video of James Powell's three pointer with .4 seconds left that gave UCSB the victory over UNLV.

UPDATE 10/28: Here are a handful of pictures from the game. I love the Thunderdome, it's so warm with all of the wood and when there are a ton of people in the gym like there were on Tuesday night, it's a great place to see a game. Click on the images to bigify...





It was a great game as UCSB came from 12 points down two different times setting up the Powell heroics. I wish I would've let the video keep running and captured the storming the court scene, but here are a couple pictures that hopefully illustrate the aftermath. There are times that I wish my camera did a better job at capturing quick motion, but then I wouldn't get these strange, watercolor-like images that almost capture the joy and the craziness better than higher quality pictures could...





Back tomorrow with, *gasp*, an actual logo review. Say it ain't so!

UC Santa Barbara Soccer vs. Cal Poly

Last year I saw the video on YouTube of the UCSB students marching through Isla Vista with a soccer goal after the Gauchos won the NCAA National Championship and thought to myself, "gee, I guess I should've gone to a game this season". But despite the fact I knew that their team was good, I didn't understand the level of student support that Gauchos soccer received. Soccer at most schools, even if the team is really good, doesn't get much student support and usually isn't something to go out of your way to attend. That isn't the case at UCSB, as I heard one student say on Saturday night "we don't have football, our basketball team usually sucks....this is kind of our thing."


So I finally took in my first Gauchos soccer game this past weekend when they took on Central Coast rival Cal Poly. Earlier this season, the Mustangs beat the Gauchos 2-1 in front of a crowd of over 7,000 up in San Luis Obispo. Even though both teams are good and it's a pretty fierce rivalry, if Poly wouldn't have won that game, Saturday's game might have just been a little better than average crowd-wise. But that game really fired up the faithful on both sides and despite cold, foggy conditions, 8,100 rabid soccer fans packed into Harder Stadium and created an atmosphere for collegiate soccer that I had never experienced or ever expected.


My first inkling of what I was in for was when I arrived to campus and found that there wasn't a parking spot anywhere near the stadium. I had to drive around for a while and finally found a parking garage where most people had retreated to park. After a much longer walk than I expected, I finally arrived at the stadium a few minutes after the listed game time only to find a ticket line that stretched all the way across the south side of the stadium. I really didn't think I'd make it in before halftime when I first lined up, but I've got to give credit where credit is due and compliment the ticket booth for making that line move very quickly. I only ended up missing a couple of minutes. It helped that all seating is general admission so people couldn't stand there and mull over their seating options.


Once inside, I took a seat behind the Cal Poly student section only because it was at the end of the field that the Gauchos were on offense. The Mustangs dominated the first half and scored a beautiful goal that silenced the Gaucho crowd and let the Poly students puff out their chests and have their moment of superiority for at least a few minutes.


During halftime I moved around to the other end of the stadium, again to be close to the goal that UCSB was shooting and to be much closer to the Gauchos student section. I'm sure glad that I did because not too long into the second half the Guachos scored their first goal and the place went absolutely crazy. Then, minutes later, they took the lead and Harder Stadium exploded into joyous celebration. I've been to a lot of sporting events. I have seen touchdowns, I have seen last second shots, I have seen a lot. But I don't know if I've ever seen a crowd collectively lose their minds the way they did after that second goal. It was incredible, serious goose bump kind of stuff. Not too long after that, the Gauchos added their third goal and I found myself jumping up and down and high-fiving strangers.


At the end of the game, the students rushed the field...at a soccer game. That was a first for me and was a very impressive showing of how important soccer is to this university.


Best seven dollar sports ticket I ever purchased.

SBCC vs. VC - La Playa Stadium

I took in a community college football game this weekend up in Santa Barbara. The reason? Because I've wanted to see a game at La Playa Stadium on the campus of Santa Barbara City College, a stadium that probably has one of the most beautiful views in all of college football.

It just so happened that when I finally had a chance to go to La Playa Stadium, my hometown Ventura College Pirates were playing. I'm glad that there was an incredible view because a 7-3 game isn't exactly riveting football. But the Pirates did pick up the victory, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

Anyway, here are some pictures from La Playa Stadium. Try to tell me that there is a stadium with a better view than this...





This was taken during halftime. The VC team didn't go back to a locker room, I'm not sure that there is a visitor's locker room, so they just went on the other side of the track and spread out on the grass. That's the first time I ever saw that. You gotta love community college football.




Aww...Only at a college football game in Santa Barbara. Purse dogs love football!

Loyola Marymount vs. Gonzaga - Scenes From An Upset

Last night was Big Monday on the campus of Loyola Marymount University when the Lions took on the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Welcome to Gersten Pavilion, also lovingly referred to as Hank's House after LMU superstar Hank Gathers who sadly passed away on this court in 1990.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a happy trip to LMU since the Zags continued to confuse with their odd lapses in awesomeness, dropping the game 67-61. It was a huge win for the Lions who played one of their best games and now appear to have figured out how to play together without the injured Brandon Worthy. They are going to be a really tough out in the WCC tourney.

Oh well, it was a fun game even if Gonzaga blew it. Here are some scenes from an upset, straight from the depressed side of the arena. Note: I just got a new camera that's very complicated and I haven't totally figured it out yet, hence all these blurry photos that actually look kind of cool anyway.

Pepperdine vs. Gonzaga

I currently live in Ventura, California but my heart belongs to the Pacific Northwest. I am a humongous college basketball fan and despite being a Washington Huskies first and foremost, I also love the Gonzaga Bulldogs. One of the best things about living down here as opposed to Seattle is that I have had more of a chance to see the Zags play. The latest came this weekend when the Zags traveled to Pepperdine, the closest Division I school to my home.

Going to Pepperdine is always a treat, even if you hate Malibu as much as I do. It is arguably the most beautiful setting for a college anywhere in the country. Getting to the campus is a treat in itself because you have your choice of the PCH down the coast or you can cut through the mountains from the 101. Either way, the views are incredible and worth the drive with or without a college basketball game to attend.

Once you get to campus and to Firestone Fieldhouse, it's almost hard to go indoors, especially on a beautiful February day like Saturday was. Look at that view from just outside, the doors of Firestone. Now imagine a cool sea breeze blowing in...

Then turn around and look at this, the entrance to Firestone Fieldhouse. And you wanted to go to a basketball game?

The first thing that you notice when you walk into Firestone is just how small this arena (gymnasium) is. When you stand courtside, it feels small, but you can't get the full claustrophobic feeling unless you are unlucky enough to have to climb the stairs to the second sets of seats...

There you are treated with a low ceiling, a ton of stuff hanging from the ceiling, and almost absolute darkness. It's like watching a basketball game from the back of a cave. The scoreboard on the far side is just barely visible and if I had to go up to the top, two more rows up, I wouldn't be able to see the baskets.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about small, cozy gyms. They can be used to the advantage of most college basketball teams. However, Pepperdine is so lukewarm about basketball that it doesn't make much of a difference. The student section was very quiet, even when the game was close, and from what I can tell they don't have any traditions to speak of. I find it strange that a small, close knit school whose main sport is basketball and has been relatively successful over the years doesn't have any student traditions, unique cheers or a pep band (last year they had this strange old guy, classic rock band playing at games). It surprises me that they have even bothered with cheerleaders and a mascot (this is the first time I've seen him). They do have a fight song, but it's really weird and sounds like circus music and nobody seems to care one bit about it.

Luckily, I'm a Zags fan and they did not disappoint. Pepperdine played out of their minds in the first half and kept the score close but the Zags pummeled them in the second half behind Josh Heytvelt's 27 points and 22 rebounds en route to an 82-57 victory. You know it's bad when the student section doesn't bother to stand back up after a timeout.

Soon enough it was time to crawl out of my cave and back into the glorious Southern California sunshine. Before heading back up the hill to my car I took another look around and saw this beautiful tree just outside of Firestone's doors. We might play better basketball up in the Northwest, but you can't sit under a tree like that and enjoy that view anywhere other than Pepperdine. Personally, I'll take the basketball, but it's a tough call.

While walking back to my car I was serenaded by a "GONZAGA SUCKS D**K" from a passing luxury vehicle, to which I gave the big thumbs up to and replied "STAY CLASSY PEPPERDINE, STAY CLASSY!" It's easy to be seduced by Pepperdine, but then one of the students opens their mouth and you remember why you would prefer basketball over the view any day.

Memorial Coliseum - USC Football

The Sports Logo Pundit Department of Everything Washington Huskies took it's show on the road to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to see the Dawgs almost knock off the numbers three team in the nation. Yes, I said almost knock them off, I was surprised too. It was one hell of a game but the Huskies got jobbed and weren't able to get a last play off. I'm not saying that they would have scored and won the game, but they should have had a shot. Luckily for USC, they got the benefit of the home clock.

Anyway, I digress. We surprisingly had a great time. With tickets in a primarily USC section, I prepared for the worst going into the game: rude, maybe dangerous fans fueled by massive amounts of alcohol and a serious whooping. But we were pleasantly surprised that almost everybody was friendly. Sure we got some good natured ribbing and some boos, but overall, it was very relaxed and cool.

There isn't anything related to sports logos here today, just some photos of the Memorial Coliseum experience.

Tommy Trojan, the Song Girls and the band marching into the stadium.

The view from our seats. Row 85. Not too bad, you could see plays open up really well. By the way, the Coliseum isn't really pink. My camera freaked out or something, I'm not sure why everything white is pink. Weird.

Me outside the Coliseum after the game. The Coliseum is kind of dumpy, but the Olympic entrance is spectacular.

Exposition Park surrounds the Coliseum and is incredible. This is the Rose Garden and the Natural History Museum just outside of the stadium.

El Tepeyac is nowhere near the stadium, but it's delicious and worth the drive after the game. Humongous burritos and tons of USC fans giving us the business. It doesn't get any better than that.

Clear Channel Stadium - Lancaster JetHawks

The worst part about living in Ventura, California for me, a devoted fan of Minor League and independent baseball, is that the closest ballpark is 90-100 miles away. The Long Beach Armada is the closest team mileage-wise, but is nearly an hour and a half away in clear traffic, two to two and a half, maybe three hours away in normal traffic. Needless to say, in the two summers that I have lived here, my baseball consumption has been next to nothing.

Finally, I bit the bullet. I couldn't take it anymore, I needed to see a minor league baseball game. Having been to an Armada game last year I wanted to go somewhere different. The Lancaster JetHawks is the next closest team, only 110 miles from my home. I have been avoiding Lancaster because of the heat of the Antelope Valley (the last time I thought about going it was 106 degrees at game time), but on Saturday it was a manageable temperature and I had absolutely nothing else to do.

Clear Channel Stadium couldn't be more convenient. It sits right next to I-15 out in the middle of nothing. There is a movie theater and a Jack In the Box across the street, but other than that, there is nothing else there. Parking is ample, there is a free lot right across the street or you can shell out three dollars to be 100 yards closer.

The outside of the ballpark is pleasant, but nothing special. The only thing that makes it interesting is the full size NASA jet that dwarfs the ballpark's entrance. I doubt there is another ballpark in the country that can boast a jet mounted outside it's gates. The funny thing is that nobody seemed to notice the darn thing. Here in Lancaster, the home of Edwards Air Force Base, it's just another airplane. Big freakin' deal.

The best part about the Lancaster JetHawks game? It's cheap. I paid eight dollars and sat in the second row right behind the on deck circle close enough to snap this picture of Ka Boom, the JetHawks popular mascot. I don't typically like sitting that close or being behind the screen so I moved around, but every seat I sat in was worth at least eight dollars. Also, you have to love two dollar beers at the portable beverage carts on the concourse. You also have to love concessions workers nice enough to tell you about those two dollar beers when you try to buy a four dollar beer elsewhere. It is without a doubt the best value I have ever found at a minor league game.

Another thing that I really liked was that for once, I wasn't the only person keeping score. It was a small crowd, but the people who were there seemed very interested in the game. They were knowledgeable and well informed about their team and there were numerous people scoring along. People who score along typically pay better attention to the game and know the situations. It's a dying art form that I would love to see resurrected.

There were also many negatives. The in-between inning promotions were the worst that I have ever seen. No imagination, poorly announced and dull. In general, the entertainment was below-below average. The music and videos selections were awful (except for one Harold and Kumar clip), there were multiple mistakes on the video board and with the click effects, and Ka Boom did nothing but walk around and sign a couple autographs. They have had 100 games to hone their craft, it's about time that they made it look professional.

Also, the staff was totally anonymous. There were a handful of people who may have been ushers, but they were hard to spot (despite bright yellow shirts) and didn't seem to be friendly with the crowd. I feel strongly about good ushers and noticeable, friendly staff members. There are so many opportunities during a baseball game to offer great customer service to your fans and I didn't see any effort made by the staff to take advantage of these opportunities. I also didn't see any of the staff rush up to see if anybody was injured after foul balls. There were a few close calls, someone needed to go check. If there were a legitimate injury, the response time would be forever because of the usher's lack of attention to these details.

Overall, Clear Channel Stadium is a decent place to see a game. Because of the value, if I lived in Lancaster I would be there all the time. Actually, if I lived in Lancaster I would be working for the team attempting to improve the entertainment and customer service and giving the fans even more value by putting on a great show to accompany their passion for the game. Until someone does that though, Clear Channel Stadium is only worth a look if you are in town, but isn't worth a special trip.

I reviewed the JetHawks retro logo over a year ago and I really liked it. Unfortunately, their ballcap and secondary logos are pitiful. And if this isn't the ugliest warmup jacket that you have ever seen, please let me know. I can't imagine that it could get any worse than this.