Golden Nuggets: SB, Birgeneau, and Bostrom Respond to Faculty In Defense of Athletics

After a small group of faculty passed a non-binding resolution against the institutional funding for athletics, Chancellors Birgeneau and Bostrom and AD Sandy Barbour made formal responses.

"Although it is advisory, we will, of course, take very seriously the Academic Senate's recommendation and will consider the most effective way to move forward," Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said. "We are very concerned about this year's shortfall and are already working on containing Athletics deficits. We share the Academic Senate's goal of achieving a self-supporting athletics program, although that will take time to realize. We must maintain our commitment to gender equity and equal competitive opportunity for our female student athletes, both as a matter of law and to honor our campus commitment to equity and inclusion. I believe that a strong athletics program brings many benefits to the entire university. I am very proud of all our student-athletes, both men and women, and the enormous contributions which they make to the life of the campus."

The non-binding resolution also recommends that the Academic Senate establish a Senate Intercollegiate Athletics Oversight Committee composed solely of faculty members. The final tally was 91-68 of those in attendance out of more than 1,500 faculty on campus who are voting members of the senate.

"Although the resolution was supported by those who attended this meeting, I know that Athletics and its student-athletes enjoy wide support among the faculty as a whole," Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour said. "We remain committed to working with the faculty, and I look forward to constructive conversations about appropriate and sustainable financial support for Cal Athletics."
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In an open letter to the Cal community, Barbour and Vice Chancellor Nathan Brostrom wrote that "whether it's the shared thrill of the Big Game; the pride we take and the recognition we receive when our student-athletes come home with national championships and Olympic medals; the diversity of origin and interests that our student-athletes bring to the campus; or the importance of athletics for so many of the University's 400,000 living alumni, it is clear to us that Cal Athletics must remain an indivisible part of who we are as a University and a community."

After the jump, I have articles on the importance of this weekend's game for both Cal and OSU, several articles on Riley and the last time OSU came to town, a look at OSU's passing options out of WildBeaver, quotes from Monty after bball's win last night, and more.

Cal Football

• USC's athletics site has an interesting article ranking the Pac-10 visiting locker rooms from best to worst (with pictures too!).  I'm sure you all will be shocked at whose locker rooms are the worst.
• JO explains why Ezeff has dropped on the depth chart.  Ezeff only needs one class to graduate, but it happens to fall on tuesdays and thursdays during practice, which limits his ability to get on the field during the week.  In other news, Cattouse and Hill will continue to start while Summers-Gavin and Derrick Hill will miss this weekend's game.
• Ted Miller says this weekend's game is pivotal for both Cal and OSU's seasons.  The winner could finish near the top of the conference while the loser will likely cruise to a disappointing finish.
• Cal needs keep an eye on OSU tight end Brady Camp, particularly when the Beavs run plays out of the WildBeaver formation.  Camp doesn't have many catches on the season, which is part of the reason why UCLA overlooked him on the WildBeaver pass.  Quizz says he's comfortable throwing passes of up to 40 yards, and he demonstrated it on a 14 yard TD pass to Camp last week.
  
• Kevin Riley has a strong, supportive group around him on offense.  Boateng says "Every time I watch TV and every time I read the papers about Kevin Riley not being consistent and stuff like that, I think it's all bull." He continues, saying "I really think he's a good quarterback. He's learning on the job. He has a lot of young receivers around him. He's done a great job."  Mike Tepper says last week's two late-game drives in the fourth quarter show that Riley is "maturing into a good quarterback."
• With OSU visiting for the first time since a day we'd all like to forget in 2007, Riley has the opportunity to redeem himself.  If he shows the composure and accuracy he had against ASU in the 4th quarter, he should be able to vanquish memories of that unfortunate night.  Riley also says that if things go as planned, he won't be shaving that beard until January.  "It's going to be disgusting" he says.
• Gazette Times on Riley's development since the end of last season.  Riley says the changes in his mechanics have greatly improved his game and Tedford says Riley is much quicker about picking up each week's game-plan.
• Building the Dam posts its Q+A with CGB.

Cal Basketball

• Monty has some post-game press conference quotes.  He was glad to give everyone ample playing time, but is concerned about the inside presence of MSF and Max Zhang.  He says there is still work to be done there.  Farudo also has some comments on yesterday's game.
• Finally getting healthy after a year and a half of nagging injuries, sophomore forward Omondi Amoke is showing signs of improvement after spending all summer in the gym and weight room.  Assistant coach John Jay says Amoke is the team's most improved player since the end of last season.  His nine points, six rebounds, and two steals yesterday show a promising season ahead.