Sports, Concerts, Events

Former King Matt Barnes to host charity golf tournament

2010-07-21T20:25:06Z

Break out your plaid and visors for a day on the golf course with Sacramento native and current NBA player Matt Barnes. Barnes and other high-profile sports figures are in town for the second annual Athletes vs Cancer Foundation’s Celebrity Golf Invitational.

The former Sacramento King began the foundation, according to his website, in 2009 after Barnes lost his mother Ann to cancer in 2007. Athletes vs Cancer spreads awareness and provides screening opportunities.

“Athletes have a positive influence,” Barnes said. When athletes voice their support, it brings more light to serious situations he said.

The Foundation hopes to raise $100,000 at this year's event. All proceeds from the tournament benefit local families affected by cancer.

And then there is the star power.

This year’s celebrity list includes former Sacramento Kings Chris Webber, Bobby Jackson, Brad Miller, Doug Christie, Jason Williams and Scot Pollard, as well as UFC fighter and Sacramento native Urijiah Faber, Orlando Magic’s Vince Carter and former Major League Baseball player Greg Vaughn, also a Sacramento native.

“It’s pretty competitive, there’s a lot of (for fun) trash talking out there,” Barnes said. Barnes personally reaches out to each celebrity, a process that begins in early April as the basketball season draws to a close.

Celebrities will be easily accessible during the tournament, with many opportunities throughout the day for spectators to receive autographs and pictures.

When asked about his competition on the links, Barnes said Carter, Williams and Miller all had talent and that fans should be on the look out for what Pollard has in store for them.

“(Scot) told me he has an exciting outfit ready,” Barnes said.

The event, hosted by Thunder Valley Casino Resort, will be begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Woodcreek Golf Club. The golf tournament begins at 11 a.m. Parking at Woodcreek is prohibited, however spectators may park at Thunder Valley Casino Resort and shuttle to and from the golf course for free.

Barnes was on hand Tuesday to promote cancer screening, bone marrow registry and tickets for the event. Fans have an extra opportunity to meet Barnes from 6-7 p.m. at Mingle Bar inside Thunder Valley Casino Resort Friday.

All celebrity guests are invited to a private red carpet reception at the casino Friday night, and casino business manager Jon Bow said fans should keep a close eye out later in the evening.

“All the celebrities will be staying on the property overnight,” Bow said. After the reception, fans may be able to catch some of the athletes on the casino floor.

For more information on the 2010 Athletes vs Cancer Celebrity Golf Invitational visit athletesvscancer.com.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort is located at 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln. Woodcreek Golf Club is located at 5880 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd. in Roseville.

Pictures 1-4 courtesy of Erika Bjork

Sac Gold win division, head to Final Four

2010-07-20T01:27:34Z

Qualify for the Northwest Division playoffs? Check. Place No. 1 and win home-field advantage? Check. Win the division championship? Check.

With a 3-2 win Sunday over the San Diego Boca FC, the Sacramento Gold punched its ticket to Madison, Ala., for the National Premiere Soccer League Final Four.

“It feels great to be (Northwest Division) champions,” said leading scorer Manolo Pina. Pina scored two of the three Sacramento goals.

Pina’s goals came in the 29th and 33rd minutes, both times beating a hard-charging San Diego goalkeeper on a breakaway.

San Diego’s Amir Vafaee scored in the 34th. The crowd was displeased with his exuberant celebration and booed loudly. The second Boca goal came in the 55th on a penalty kick.

But it was Sacramento’s Ernesto Carranza who delivered what would become the game winner, scoring on a penalty kick in the 52nd.

Jeff Neuner nearly gave the Gold an insurance goal, missing a penalty kick wide left in the 83rd that would have closed the door on San Diego.

Instead, the final five minutes were torturous for the Sacramento fans, as the ball did not leave Gold territory, causing the crowd many anxious, nail-biting moments.

However, after 90 minutes of incredibly physical play, Sacramento prevailed and will head east.

“It was great to get (goals) early, so we can be up,” Pina said. “We really struggled in the last 15 minutes.”

This year marks Sacramento’s inaugural season, but owner Richard Novoa said he had high expectations from the beginning.

“It’s been in the plan to win the whole thing,” he said. Novoa and the three other division winners each contribute $26,000 toward the Final Four pot. Each team will then receive a share based on the final results with the champions taking the largest portion and fourth place receiving the smallest.

The team now has two weeks to prepare for the finals.

“We expected (from the start) to come out and play hard as a team,” Pina sad. “And then we became a family, and it has gotten us this far.” Pina expects the competition to be difficult, but said soccer in the Northwest Division is of a faster pace than any other division.

Win or lose, the team hopes to remain intact looking ahead to the 2011 season, though the players remain realistic, knowing it will be difficult with members returning to school or moving elsewhere.

To Major League Soccer perhaps.

All photographs courtesy of Eric Harding

Sacramento Gold advance to NPSL Northwest Division Championship

2010-07-13T04:05:09Z

The Sacramento Gold Futbol Club lost only twice this season, both times at the hands of the Bay Area Ambassadors.

In those two games, the Ambassadors outscored the Gold 5-3. In the U.S. Open Cup in May, it was the Ambassadors who knocked the Gold out of the tournament.

With an Ambassador win over the Gold June 27, the Bay Area team secured the fourth seed in playoffs, guaranteeing yet another matchup between the two squads in the first round of playoffs July 11.

But the past has been forgotten.

The Sacramento Gold proved why they currently hold first place in their inaugural season in the National Premiere Soccer League, beating the Ambassadors 6-3 to advance to the Northwest Division Championship.

“We got ‘em this time,” owner Richard Novoa said.

The first of six goals came in the 25th minute when midfielder Pedro Lupercio hit a strike from 40 yards out. With help from the wind, the ball sailed over the outstretched fingertips of the Ambassador goalkeeper.

Unimpressed, the Ambassadors attacked the Gold box, scoring two minutes later. With the Gold unable to clear the ball out, the Ambassador strikers put myriad shots on target, eventually leading to the Ambassador equalizer.

Sacramento went ahead in the 34th minute and added their third goal of the game in the 43rd off a nearly blocked shot that deflected from the Bay Area goalkeeper’s hands to the near post and into the net.

The second half provided much excitement as well as many nail-biting moments.

Gold goalkeeper Max Herrera blocked a breakaway shot in the 50th, and two minutes later another Bay Area shot missed wide right by only a foot.

On a botched backward pass to the keeper, Sacramento midfielder Ernesto Carranza got to the too-lightly tapped ball first with only a sliding-out keeper to beat. The play resulted in a collision as a yellow card was issued to the Ambassador goalie and a penalty shot was given.

Leading scorer Manolo Pina’s penalty kick was initially blocked, however, the sideline judge whistled for the shot to be retaken, calling encroachment on the Ambassadors.

Pina’s second attempt was blocked as well, but he followed the deflection and tapped it in to raise the score to 4-1.

Midfielder Clemente Fonseca added the fifth goal in the 66th, delighting fans with a cartwheel-back handspring-backflip celebration, and the final Gold goal was added in the 85th.

Bay Area scored two late: one in the 78th off a free kick and another in the 88th. Overwhelmed by the six Sacramento goals, the addition of two late goals was not enough.

“We practiced all week for this,” Pina said. “It feels great. We win as a team.”

Pina said he expects the division championship game against San Diego Boca FC to be another exciting matchup for fans, and he said he hopes the support continues.

“The fans are a lot of support, and it’s a good thing,” Pina said. “It helps us as a team.”

The winner of next week’s game will head to the NPSL Final Four in Madison, Ala. beginning July 29. The Final Four matches division winners against each other to crown the NPSL Champion.

In two games against San Diego this season, the Gold are 2-0, outscoring Boca FC 8-1.

The Northwest Division Championship game takes place at River City High School, located at 2801 Jefferson Blvd. in West Sacramento on Sunday at 7 p.m.

All photos courtesy of Eric Harding

River Cats miss chance to sweep division leading Grizzlies

2010-07-05T06:07:47Z

Neither Rickey Henderson's presence nor a sellout crowd of 14,014 was enough to inspire the Sacramento River Cats to win Saturday. Having won the first two games of a three-game series against the Fresno Grizzlies, who are leading in the Pacific Coast League South Division, the River Cats lost game three 5-1. The River Cats remain six games behind the Grizzlies in the standings.

Before the game, River Cats second baseman Eric Sogard said that winning and making up all three games in one series would be huge, but that the team is satisfied it has won the series already taking two out of three.

"We've been playing good, we have a solid squad right now," said Sogard. "We're not where we want to be, but there are a lot of games left."

The game went scoreless for five innings. Fresno's Kevin Pucetas pitched a three-hitter into the fifth inning before being replaced by Alex Hinshaw, while Sacramento pitcher Graham Godfrey allowed only two hits in the first half.

River Cats fans thought left fielder Matt Watson had hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to produce the game's first run. But Grizzlies manager Steve Decker ran from the dugout to point out where the ball had careened off the top of a sign in left field. After the umpires conferred, the ruling was changed to a double, where Watson was later stranded.

The Grizzlies opened the scoring with a three-run inning in the sixth, as Godfrey seemed to lose command. Hitting the first batter, Godfrey then allowed a single by Emmanuel Burriss. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners over and a sacrifice fly scored the first run.

Sacramento chose to intentionally walk former San Francisco Giant and Sacramento native John Bowker, then unintentionally walked Ryan Rohlinger to load the bases. With two outs, Brett Pill, the night's "K-Man," delivered a two-run double, knocking Godfrey out of the game.

The lone River Cats run would come in the sixth inning as well. Center fielder Matt Carson singled, stole second and advanced to third on a called balk. Two batters later, he scored on a single by Oakland Athletics' prospect Michael Taylor.

The bottom of the eighth was a teaser for Cats fans. Chris Carter singled to lead things off before taking third on a Carson double. River Cats catcher Josh Donaldson walked, to load the bases for Taylor. Moments later, Carter attempted to score on a wild pitch but was called out. Tony DeFrancesco argued vehemently and was ejected for the second night in a row. Instant replays showed Carter was safe as fans showed their displeasure in loud boos. Taylor then struck out to end the inning.

Three singles by Fresno in the eighth scored its fourth run and a series of walks in the ninth led to yet another, sealing the deal for the Grizzlies.

Asked if the Fresno-Sacramento rivalry had any trickle down from the Bay Bridge rivalry between the Athletics and Giants, Sogard said: "Those two battling up there and us down here, it makes it perfect. It definitely makes it more exciting for the fans."

Sacramento will face the Fresno Grizzlies in one more five-game series beginning Aug. 25. Unless either team begins to run away with the division, the August series could decide first place.

Fans who stuck through the loss and the heat were treated to fireworks after the game, set to patriotic music such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "God Bless the U.S.A."

Photo 1: Rickey Henderson and Michael Taylor go over batting mechanics

Photo 2: Shortstop Corey Wimberly takes ground balls before the game

Photo 3: Starting pitcher Graham Godfrey mid-delivery

Photo 4: Michael Taylor at the plate

Photo 5: Corey Wimberly takes his lead at first

Photo 6: Post game fireworks

Sac Gold fall to Ambassadors in home finale

2010-06-29T05:23:28Z

Out-passed and out-hustled, the Sacramento Gold Fútbol Club lost Sunday, marking their first loss at home and the second loss to the Bay Area Ambassadors this season. The Ambassadors, winning 3-2, are the only team that has beaten the Sacramento Gold both in the regular season and in the U.S. Open Cup Tournament held in May.

"It's a match-up thing — that and a combination of a poor first half," owner Richard Novoa said. "We threw out a makeshift lineup and tried a bunch of new guys out."

The Sacramento Gold have already clinched a playoff spot.

The first of three Ambassador goals came in the 22nd minute. Bay Area player Javier Ayala Hill was first to a long pass, just beating a hard charging Max Herrera in goal. The two players collided, but Hill got just enough foot on the ball, chipping it into the open net.

The Ambassadors made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, as Hill struck yet again, dribbling straight into Gold territory nearly unchallenged.

Four minutes later, the Sacramento Gold put together their most beautiful attack of the half. Two shots on goal in a matter of seconds, both deflected out of bounds. A third shot, a leaping header off Jose Martinez on a corner kick, could not be stopped.

In the final minute of injury time, the Ambassadors found the net for the third time as Philip de Silva dribbled through the lackadaisical Gold defense.

Returning to the pitch for another 45-minute half, the Sacramento Gold replaced Max Herrera with Conor McNulty in the goal. The move proved successful, as McNulty kept the Ambassador score at three.

The 52nd minute presented a deja vu moment. Another long pass resulted in a chipped ball and collision with the goalkeeper, this time in the Gold's favor.

The Sacramento Gold believed they scored the equalizing goal in the 56th minute, but the goal was called back due to an offsides call.

As the goal was taken away, so too were the Gold's momentum and confidence. The rest of the game was marked with long passes to no one and missed opportunities.

In the final play of the game, a corner kick for the Gold, Sacramento sent everyone into the box, including their goalkeeper, a move seen in the U.S. match against Ghana. McNulty appeared to get his head on the ball, but it was later cleared out, the final score standing.

"It brings the team down a bit because obviously we were expecting to win," Martinez said. "We'll forget about it though and focus on the next game."

"The Ambassadors needed this win," Novoa said. "If they lost, they're out."

This win could set up a meeting between the two teams in the first round of playoffs, depending on the outcomes of next week's games.

"We want to win and beat every team," Martinez said. "We have to play the best and win if we want to (be champions)."

At this point, the worst the Sacramento Gold can place is second, still receiving home-field advantage for playoffs the weekend of July 10.

All pictures courtesy of Eric Harding.

Sac Gold FC salvage tie, remain atop leaderboard

2010-06-08T02:04:09Z

In a physical matchup that featured eight yellow cards, the Sacramento Gold Football Club left the pitch Sunday with a 2-2 tie against defending National Premier Soccer champions Sonoma County Sol. With only three games left heading into Sunday's match, the Sacramento Gold looked to continue their reign on the top of the NPSL's Northwest Division.

Down 2-1 with eight minutes left in the second half, midfielder Ivan Bermudez scored the equalizer sending the Sacramento crowd into a frenzy.

"We had lots of chances (to score), we just missed," Bermudez said after the game. "The Sol play hard. It's different to play them. We're a touch (passing) team."

Tempers flared early and often, as five of the eight yellow cards were issued in the first half alone.

In one frightening moment, star Gold forward and league leading goal-scorer Manolo Pina collided with Sol defenseman Zlatan Sahmanovic, rendering the Sol player unconscious. The two laid on the ground, Pina wriggling in pain, as paramedics were called. Sahmanovic gave the crowd a thumbs up as he was loaded into an ambulance. Pina later returned to the Gold bench at half-time, though his day on the field was done.

After a 21-minute delay, the game and its rough play continued. On a free kick, the Sacramento Gold scored off a deflection, the first goal of the game.

The Sol struck early in the second half, scoring a beautifully bent free kick into the top right corner in the 53rd minute by Miguel Santoyo. Eight minutes later, Santoyo found net once more, putting the Sol up 2-1.

With the eventual tie, the Gold remain on top of the leader board. Though tied in points with Real San Jose at 16 apiece, the Sacramento Gold have the advantage with a head-to-head win against San Jose and a larger goal differential. The Gold will play Real San Jose next week in San Jose.

"The best record gets to the finals," President and CEO Richard Novoa said.

Though the odds of making the playoffs are high, Novoa said the team should not be comfortable.

"We'd like to be at home (come playoffs)," he said. "San Jose is right on our tails and have all their players healthy."

Health is a concern for the Gold, as the concussion to Pina affects the entire strategy of the team.

"We design our style of play around getting Pina the ball," Novoa said. "Then he creates the plays."

"We just had chances (to score). Manolo actually does it," Bermudez said.

The Sacramento Gold will host their final home game of the season, June 27, against the Bay Area Ambassadors FC. The Ambassadors are the only team that have beaten the Gold, who now stand at 7-1-1.

The Sacramento Gold hope to have 1,000 people in attendance in the home finale, a rise of about 400 fans.

"We're starting to get momentum. We have one more home game. It'll be a good game," said community outreach coordinator Marco Lopez. "The Ambassadors have a lot of college players, so it raises the level of competition, and they're the only team to beat us."

Lopez added the World Cup would likely generate added interest in the sport.

"The Ambassadors won last time, but (this time) we (will be) playing at home and we'll have all our players ready," Bermudez said.

Fans can join the Sacramento Gold this Saturday for a World Cup kick-off fundraiser. The meet-and-greet event will take place at Tre nightclub at 1212 Howe Ave., beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Photo essay: Inaugural "Fit Crawl" off and rolling

2010-05-24T05:00:10Z

The first annual Fit Crawl on Saturday had 38 "crawlers" ride bicycles to five locations for a 20-minute preview of different fitness methods. Downtown locations included Pipeworks for rock climbing, Fleet Feet to learn about proper running shoes and technique, Ultimate Fitness for in-ring training and bag work, Asha Yoga to try the styles of yoga and Bodytribe, for a fresh take on fitness training.

The Crawl was put on by the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, and sponsored by PepsiCo. The $35 ticket included bike rental, loaned from Bikes and Bites. The Wellness Task Force, in existence since 2002, focuses on fitness and nutrition in schools and the workplace.

Executive director Leah Cox said, "We do it to help people be social, get out there and meet and be active. (Additionally) it helps local businesses. When we get to work with schools and businesses, people directly, it charges us up." She added that the idea behind the Fit Crawl stemmed from similar events such as downtown's Pub Crawls and a fund-raising event involving restaurants called the Food Crawl.

Fit Crawl members appeared nervous before taking off. But just one facility into the five-facility, four-hour program, it was obvious the participants were enjoying themselves.

The following is a photo journal of the event:

Fit Crawlers gather for a quick introduction and welcome. Crawlers were placed into groups, each with a team leader.

One group learning footwork and dodging techniques from mixed martial arts instructor Kenneth Alexander of Ultimate Fitness.

A few ladies using their recently learned punch-and-kick combinations on the bags.

One group heading off to the next location.

Practicing one of many yoga poses.

Once the breathing techniques, meditation and beginning yoga were mastered, this group began to learn more advanced "yogi" poses.

At BodyTribe, warming up with some pushup/side-plank variations.

Later, the groups at BodyTribe practiced slamming tires. Trainer Chip Conrad told the group, "We (at BodyTribe) like to keep it entertaining."

The sweet ride donated by Performance Bikes. The black Fuji Del Rey bicycle was the raffle prize open to Fit Crawl participants.

Fit Crawl participants received specials from participating facilities. Cox, also a team leader during the day, said the Fit Crawl is scheduled to be an annual event. Judging by the overwhelmingly positive feedback, the Wellness Task Force may schedule more Fit Crawl events. For more information on the Wellness Task Force, visit their website.

Daughtry, Lifehouse perform at Arco Arena

2010-05-10T04:23:38Z

Former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry brought his self-titled band to Sacramento Friday night, playing before a half-filled Arco Arena. Daughtry has toured nonstop since 2007, playing tracks from the self-titled debut album "Daughtry" and sophomore album "Leave This Town," released in 2009.

The night began with an opening by rock band Cavo, whose song "Let It Go" was featured in the film "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Cavo entertained the early crowd, playing for about 30 minutes as fans continued to file in.

You would have thought by the crowd reaction that Lifehouse, second in the lineup, was the headline act. Promoting its March 2010 record release of "Smoke and Mirrors," Lifehouse began with its newest single, "Nerve Damage." But it was classic back-to-back hits "First Time" and "Hanging By a Moment" that sent fans into a frenzy. Intoxicated by the soft melodies and soothing lyrics, the majority of fans spent the duration of Lifehouse's performance on their feet, arms pumping in the air.

"You guys are looking so good out there," said Jason Wade, lead singer of Lifehouse. "We've always dreamt of playing in front of people like you in a place like this."

After the 45-minute set, it was easy to forget there was one more act. Lifehouse left the stage to a standing ovation.

Fans took advantage of a 20-minute stoppage between stage changes to visit concessions, but the delay was quickly forgiven when the lights were suddenly shut off and the Batman theme rang out.

As their own music began to play, the shadowy silhouettes of Daughtry and his band members appeared behind a white curtain concealing the stage, intermittently flashing from normal size to large with the drum beat. In an instant, the curtain dropped and Daughtry wasted no time starting the show.

The band played tracks such as "No Surprise," "Life After You" and "Ghosts of Me" off the album "Leave This Town," and lead singer Chris Daughtry played an acoustic solo of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight."

Later, Daughtry talked about the inspiration for "Leave This Town," describing the difficulty of coming from a small town and making it big. "(My hometown) had one stop light, I had to pay for everything myself," he said. "I knew I'd have to leave to make something (of myself)."

The music of Lifehouse and Daughtry were perfect compliments to each other. As a testament to their compatability, Chris Daughtry and Jason Wade have even collaborated by writing the song "Long Way" together, performed by Daughtry at the show.

Daughtry, along with Lifehouse, will resume the tour through June 20. Daughtry will perform Wednesday May 12 on American Idol.

Circa Survive rocks Sacramento State

2010-05-08T02:02:07Z

Circa Survive, currently opening for Coheed and Cambria, made a pit stop in Sacramento on Thursday. The band took one night off its regular tour to play for more than 200 students and rock enthusiasts at Sacramento State's Union Ballroom.

The standing-room-only crowd was treated to two opening acts, both Sacramento bands. Ksera, which is playing for the Vans Warped Tour in June, played a 30-minute set that eased the audience into the rock that was yet to come.

Next came Mozart Season, playing songs from its upcoming album Nightmares. The group played songs such as "Look, Mom, I'm on TV" and "Saint Peter". As the four band members bobbed their heads in perfect unison, the music in the ballroom got louder and louder.

"We're having an awesome time up here opening for Circa Survive," said Nate Richardson, lead singer of Mozart Season. At the mention of the group, the crowd cheered.

Circa Survive hit the stage 90 minutes after the show began, before a screaming crowd. Lead singer Anthony Green wore a white T-shirt with the word "college" on the front.

"Is it finals week?" he teased. "I don't even know what that means anymore." Much to the crowd's delight, Green gave his expletive-laden thoughts on finals.

Circa Survive played tracks including "Get Out" and "Imaginary Enemy," off of Blue Sky Noise, its third album, which came out last month. The band's Sacramento stop was between shows in San Francisco and Portland.

"Thanks for coming out," said Green, "dancing and singing, being a part of this whole thing even if it was only for a little bit."

The guitar died down and the drums walked the band out, but the crowd wanted more. After five minutes of "one more song," Circa Survive came back for one last tune.

"You guys make us very happy," a smiling Green said. "This song is for all of you; we can't thank you enough" he added, tossing bananas into the crowd. Circa Survive ended with "Living Together" off of the album On Letting Go.

Erica Dal Lago, a Sacramento State student, and Brian Peat, who owns all of Circa Survive's albums, still were pumped up after the show.

"This was just as good as on their album," Peat said. "Anthony Green is amazing on stage."

Of the Sac State venue, Dal Lago said, "I think it's cool. It's small and inexpensive." She called the concert the perfect way to end her last semester.

Circa Survive rejoins Coheed and Cambria in Portland on Friday for the concert series that will run through May 28.

Tour of California's inaugural Grand Prix event set to roll into Sacramento

2010-05-06T03:12:01Z

The Amgen Tour of California returns to Sacramento, bringing even more cycling competition to the Capitol in 2010. This year, Project Sport, the company behind the San Francisco and San Rafael Twilight Criterium races, and the Sacramento Sports Commission have teamed together to add the Sacramento Grand Prix.

The inaugural Grand Prix event will run in conjunction with the Tour of California competition, which will feature seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. The Grand Prix will act as the precursor to the May 16 Tour event, beginning at 11 a.m. the same day.

The addition of the Grand Prix is an effort to extend the tour's festivities and bring out more fans.

"We're trying to create events for the community," said John McCasey of the Sacramento Sports Commission. "We're excited to roll out the Grand Prix and hope it can be an annual event."

While the men's field is currently sold out with approximately 150 riders participating, tour officials said they are especially excited about introducing the women's field, which will include about 50 riders, believing the Grand Prix to be "the perfect form to do it."

"Sacramento is awesome in terms of biking," said Emily Kachorek. "It's exciting to have so many fans, the whole vibe, the atmosphere." Kachorek, residing in Sacramento, rode for the University of California, Davis, Cycling Team from 2000-2002. She will be joined in the competition by fellow female Sacramento cyclist Heather Pryor, among others.

Participating in the male competition, Ryan Parnes from Davis spoke of the event from the fans' perspective. "This is a fantastic opportunity for spectators," he said, "the race is so fast and so technical."

Riders will be competing for a $6,000 first-place prize for the women's competition and a $4,000 first-place prize for the men's.

The Grand Prix is 1.4 miles long and will loop around the Capitol, duplicating the Sacramento portion of the Tour of California route, held at 3:45p.m. The event begins and ends on L and Eleventh streets, covering Ninth, N and 16th streets as well. Afterward, the public are invited to ride the competition route in the Sacramento Community Ride. The free event is open to all ages, and will feature Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson who will participate in the ride.

Ryan Dawkins, president of Project Sport, explained the goals of the Grand Prix.

"(The Sacramento Grand Prix will feature) local-level champions, elite, and up-and-coming stars who will race in the Tour (de France)," Dawkins said. "There aren't many high-profile events able to garner media attention, top-end prize money and get top riders," he said. The Sacramento Sports Commission and Project Sport hope the 70,000 fans in attendance last year for the Tour of California will return, and enjoy the festivities leading up to the day's main event.

"We have the community interest, the police on board, a route, and finally someone with expertise (in how to run a major cycling event)," McCasey said. "Our hope is that this will be the start of a big deal."

Due to the both competitions' routes, certain areas downtown will be subject to road closures. For more information on the tour route, road closures and parking, visit www.cityofsacramento.org and/or the Amgen Tour of California website.

Photo 1: Project Sport president Ryan Dawkins

Photo 2: Cyclists Ryan Parnes, Heather Pryor, Emily Kachorek and Peter Graf

Game Plan Academy opens second season

2010-04-27T07:02:25Z

Former NFL athletes Gio Carmazzi and Alex Van Dyke returned for year two of the Game Plan Academy camp Sunday. Offered to high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors in the Sacramento area, the camp combines football and academics with the goal of translating hard work on the field into classrooms off the field.

Most of the approximately 10 staff - student athletes themselves - grew up in Sacramento attending Jesuit High School, including former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Gio Carmazzi.

While Carmazzi did not have wild expectations for the first season, he said he was pleasantly surprised at the outcome so far.

"The three returning quarterbacks from last year, they're doing so well with the concepts," Carmazzi said. "I didn't expect it to stick. I'm very impressed."

Speaking with each member of the team, it became clear the SAT preparation and classroom skills portion are considered the most important part of the program. High school athletes not only get a chance to learn from the former professionals, but they have the opportunity to sit down with academic tutors such as Brent Pottenger or David Campos.

"We explore college possibilities, assess goals," Campos said. Each participant prepares for the SATs and works on personal statements and other areas of college applications. "We just use football as the hook," he said.

A hook that is proving successful, as the program is now in its second year and is growing, with about 40 high school student athletes in attendance. Certainly having former professional athletes on-hand is exciting, but parents do not forget the importance of academics as well.

Richard Rios, the father of a Cosumnes Oaks student, talked about the importance of Game Plan Academy. "The SAT prep, the higher test scores, the better overall test scores," he said of the benefits, "it's good for these kids."

Maurice Talley Sr., another Cosumnes Oaks father, added that student-athletes getting "involved with anything possible, especially educational-driven," is another benefit.

Although the camp does not turn anyone away, the specialties of the professional staff were limited to quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs last year. This year, however, with the addition of former NFL cornerback Lyle West, GPA expanded to work with defensive backs as well.

Friends with Carmazzi, West recently took interest in the camp. "I was interested in the off-field connection with the kids. If I can improve you as a football player, I can improve you as a person," he said. West has come on board with the message that football is a vehicle to get an education.

After more than an hour with the professional athletes, the group gathered to listen to guest speaker Rich Callahan, director of the University of Southern California State Capitol Center, whose message was loud and clear.

"Be strong. Be open to learning," Callahan told the boys. "Live by core values." He preached casting fear aside by opening up to new experiences, and remaining mentally tough, that the mental toughness would translate into the classroom. "When you fail an exam, it's not the end. It's the beginning. Teach yourself success, resiliency," he said. Callahan explained to the boys their roles as leaders and inspiration to classmates, teammates and even coaches and teachers.

Game Plan Academy participants are chosen carefully. First, the GPA staff contacts schools in the area based on low income and low standardized test scores. From there, each school's coaching staff nominates players they feel fit the program, will benefit the most and take the camp seriously.

Carmazzi stressed that without the likes of Pottenger, Campos, Brian Geremia, and the other academic staff, the camp would never have come to be.

"Our job is easy. We show up and teach (football), but those guys, you really have to appreciate everything they do," Carmazzi said.

Academic preparation and football skill acquisition aside, the student athletes of Game Plan Academy may have yet another benefit: networking. The group members have the chance to associate with fellow particpants they would not spend time with otherwise.

"It's not about competing, it's about getting better with the person next to you," said former NFL wide receiver Alex Van Dyke.

All participants receive T-shirts, testing and college resources, and contact information from all the team at Game Plan Academy. For more information visit www.gameplanacademy.com.

Photos 2&3 courtesy of Brian Geremia, Game Plan Academy

Harlem Globetrotter "The Shot" talks basketball, community outreach and R.O.Y.

2010-04-22T19:33:34Z

The Harlem Globetrotters are back in Sacramento, bringing their bag of high flying dunks and tricks to Arco Arena Sunday afternoon. This year's tour, Magical Memories, looks to put a fresh spin on the game.

"Basketball has gotten much faster, guys are jumping higher," Wan the Shot Versher said, "the show has picked up the pace." One of the longest tenured veterans of the team, 39-year-old Versher has enjoyed 15 seasons with the Globetrotters.

Nicknamed "The Shot" for his uncanny ability to hit a jump shot, Versher said the nicknames fans hear come from fellow players, coaching staff, and other management staff, and are derived from personality and skills. Versher said he received his directly from the owner.

Since it began in 1926 the show has become more "fast paced" Versher said and added "although it's an exhibition game, there are slam dunks, it's high flying, there's comedy." He assured lots of smiles and audience participation throughout the show. Even after the final whistle blows, the Globetrotters remain on hand to sign autographs for fans.

Typically, the Globetrotters play in 400 games per year, almost 320 more games than an NBA team. "It's very grueling," The Shot said, "our play is our practice (and in addition) we practice for about an hour the day of the game."

While fans know the dazzle the Harlem Globetrotters bring on the court, they may not realize the contributions the team make off the court. The Globetrotters have teamed with the U.S. Department of Education to create the C.H.E.E.R. program. The program, emphasizing development of character traits for children (Cooperation, Healthy mind and body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility) is just one of the many outreach programs the team is involved with.

"(Including) hospital visits, we make about 300 school visits per year," Versher said. The team has played numerous times overseas in Europe, and have done eight tours for the troops in Iraq.

"It gives them some entertainment, some relief," The Shot added. In Versher's time with the Globetrotters, he recalled traveling to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela, and to the Vatican City to meet the Pope, who was made an honorary member of the squad.

Sunday night on the court, fans can look forward to excitement. The game may have gotten faster, but the entertainment value that has kept the Harlem Globetrotters on the court for 84 years, has not faded, but grown.

Fans should prepare themselves for the "Magic Circle", the team gathering together to show their ultimate ball handling skills. Versher described it as the show's "shtick", when Globetrotter player's really have the chance to shine.

When asked for his thoughts on the NBA's Rookie of the Year, Versher smiled.

"(Tyreke Evans) will get it," he said, "he's got my vote."

Tickets for Sunday's 3 p.m. game start at $25.50 and can be purchased through Arco Arena's website. For group sales, call 916-928-3650.

Photos courtesy Glynnis Richard, public relations manager of the Harlem Globetrotters