Thursday, March 31, 2011

Calling on VSL Nation: Please Support Cal Baseball (and don't forget the NCC)

As fans of the #1 college baseball team in America (Go Dores by the way), VSL Nation might be interested to know what's happening with the baseball program at the University of California at Berkeley.  For those who haven't heard, Cal Baseball -- which is one of the top programs in the country (currently ranked #13 by Baseball America) -- is on the verge of being shut down due to budget shortfalls.  It's a bit of a long story, but the short of it is this: Unless they reach their goal of raising $10 million by the end of the day, the program will be cut.

I'm posting about this because a friend of mine, who is a former pitcher at Cal and a diehard supporter of the university's athletics programs (in addition to being a Commodore fan, a husband of a Vandy alum, and an incredibly genuine and great guy), has put together a massive campaign to save the program.  The good news is that they are very close to reaching their goal of raising the money needed.  At this point, however, it would really help for them to expand the breadth of their support and increase their pledge total.  Even if they don't hit the $10 million mark by day's end, the more people that have committed, the better their chances of persuading the administration to grant them a new lease on life.

With this in mind, I'd like to encourage VSL readers to visit my buddy's website, Save Cal Baseball, and consider making a pledge to support his efforts to keep the Golden Bears' baseball program alive.  No amount is too small -- seriously, I'm pretty sure they'll take a $1 commitment -- and no immediate contribution is required.  But your expression of support for the continued viability of their program could help put them over the edge and convince the Cal administration not to pull the plug.

I realize that this is an awkward thing to ask of Vanderbilt fans: to donate to another school's sports program, particularly when we're facing challenges of our own getting people to pony up for the National Commodore Club.  But look at this as a way to show your support for college athletics in general, and think of all the good karma you'll be generating for yourself and Vandy baseball by throwing a bone westward.

I'd also like to encourage readers to consider what Cal's situation says about the need for individuals -- fans, alumni, boosters -- to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to supporting the school we love.  To state the obvious, in the world of university priorities, sports are not nearly as important as libraries and history departments.  But they are a huge part of what keeps us connected to our alma mater, what keeps us coming back years later, and what provides a window into the broader educational mission, helping to keep us interested and invested in all of the other aspects of the university community that make it what it is.

So while you're considering Cal's plight and the possibility of helping them out, please also consider making a contribution to the National Commodore Club.  The VSL campaign is gaining steam and we really appreciate all the support that VSL readers have shown.  It's nice not to be faced with Cal's prospect of imminent collapse, but your continued support is the crucial ingredient Vanderbilt needs to help keep that possibility at bay...(get it, Bay Area?  OK, I apologize.).

16 comments:

VandyImport said...

Endorsed. Being married to a Cal alum and living in Silly Con Valley (and having Cal football tix) I have been privy to the entire athletic-funding nightmare. Money is coming in but every little bit helps - and more importantly demonstrates the breadth of support the program needs to continue.

(Aside: you'd be amazed how many Vandy-Cal mixed marriages there are out here. When I went to the St Mary's game in Moraga the night before Cal-Furd in '09, there were at least half a dozen couples asking "you going to Big Game tomorrow?" So think of it as your bit for peace in the family. =)

Anonymous said...

You mean the budget went to crap under their republican/actor/politician AHHHHHHHnald all those years?

California republican actor-politicians OFTEN are not where they are cracked up to be.

Anonymous said...

Glad you brought up Calif. repub. actor/politicians.

reagan was apartheid supporting scum and it makes me want to throw up every time I think about him.

Bobby O'Shea said...

No politics

Joseph said...

how convenient of both anonymous to forget that gray davis was the cause of the budget mess in cali for the last decade. a cigar smoking chimpanzee was going to get elected governor whether he republican or democrat.

Anonymous said...

Kind of disappointing how many followers of a respectable Vanderbilt blog are miserably liberal. Cornelius himself is likely turning over in his grave.

Anonymous said...

L.A. Times stated on Dec. 10, 2010:
"Schwarzenegger called the Legislature into special session Monday to address a budget deficit that some experts project at $6.1 billion in the current fiscal year and an additional $19.4 billion in the fiscal year that begins July 1."
---------------------------------

Davis last day as Gov. was Oct.7 of the year *** 2003 ***

Nice try (not really) at right-wing revisionist history...MEGA-EPIC-FAIL

Anonymous said...

Stallings Franklin 2012

Bobby O'Shea said...

Seriously. No politics.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of politics, how can we be sure our dollars are not going directly to a treetop hippy named Sycamore whose father dies a little inside each time he remembers seeing her sasquatch legs from a high hat shot on the evening news?

Speaking of no more politics: if I donate, can you guarantee the Cal marching band will steamroll Stanford's fielders ala The Big Game every time they play? I'm going to need that type of committment to excellence. Also, will the fans hold up signs that say, "Hey Stanford, how does it feel to go to a Junior College?" or some such lampoonery? Make it so, and the checks will come rolling in.

Side note: It's always great to mock Stanford graduates by telling them they went to a Junior College because the school was named after Leland Stanford, Jr. So, technically, the school is named Leland Stanford Junior College.

In other words, save the Cal Baseball team!

Vandygal78 said...

This very nice of you to help out Cal. This budget situation is so interesting given all the talk of paying football players. Everyone seems to forget that 1) only a few schools actually make money 2) money from football and basketball (where profitable) funds all the other sports 3) if paid then they should pay tuition. Currently we have some press looking at the football pay, other looking at the Fiesta Bowl (who knew that schools have to pay huge fees to the bowls?). What we need is a comprehensive look at the money; it looks like the networks, bowls and ten school make money while over a hundred schools lose money. Something is seriously wrong. My husband played football at Univ. of Penn. and truly believes there should be No
scholarships. Oh well, sorry for rambling but it is interesting that all these money issues are coming up. By the way, all this stuff makes me even prouder to be a Vanderbilt alum and fan. Go Dores!

VandyPhile said...

To be fair, Arnold had ZERO control over the Dem CA legislature. That said, I'm not particularly an Arnold fan, either.

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