Let's take another look at some of the work Coach Sonny Dykes is doing off-the-field. Last week, we discussed the Faculty Fellows program, an endeavor to connect student-athletes with faculty and professors. The football program is also looking at life beyond the field by hosting current student-athletes and professional alumni at a professional dinner to provide an opportunity for our young Golden Bears to start networking and to pick the brains of these professionals. Sorry, Coach Yenser, but no In-N-Out was served.
"It's great for our players because these are the guys who have walked the path before them," Coccimiglio said. "They know now that they can get ahead of the game by getting different viewpoints, different experiences from people who have been there. A lot of these guys don't know where to start. We're giving them opportunities for work experience, networking opportunities, as well as the life skills that we are providing to them way before they are really on their own."
Our current Bears are huge fans of the opportunity, taking advantage of the wisdom of the elder Bears, and our Calumni have plenty of success stories thanks to the lessons and experiences they gained from this networking.
"It's such a great opportunity for all the athletes to meet somebody who has been successful in another field," Cal quarterback Austin Hinder said. "It makes guys start to think about careers outside of football, which is really important."
The professional round table program has helped numerous Cal football players throughout the years. Coccimiglio helped former wide receiver Sam DeSa find a temporary position in technical sales before he embarked on a summer trip. When DeSa returned, he knew technical sales was the field for him and was able to find a permanent job in the field.
"If I didn't have that two-month job, I wouldn't be with the company I am with today," DeSa said. "I have a lot of gratitude for (Coccimiglio) for introducing me and helping me get my foot in the door."
And, is this thing a beaut, or what?
UC Berkeley
- Cal is under Title IX investigation for improper handling of sexual harassment and sexual violence (Full list available here. H/T to Berkelium97 for passing this along.)
Women's Water Polo
- Dora Antal is the MPSF Newcomer of the Year (the first in Cal history!), which makes sense since she's the only freshman on the All-MPSF first-team
- Emma Wright, a member of the Canadian National Team, will be a Golden Bear in 2015
Baseball
Men's Basketball
Rugby
Women's Swimming and Diving
Football
- The NFF Hampshire Honor Society welcomed RB Mitchel Bartolo, OL Mark Brazinski, and posthumously DE Ted Agu
- The team held a family barbecue to help their families get to know the coaches. And to eat some awesome food.
- Some additional tidbits from Dykes's conversation with the media:
Asked who could contribute early, Dykes cites Darius White and Tre Watson. #Cal #CalFootball
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) April 29, 2014Talked to Sonny, said Jacobi Hunter decision soon: "Has to decide does he wanna be married & go to work, or go to college & play football."
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) April 29, 2014
- Cousin Kev digs into his mailbag to consider if Cal can go 0.500 in 2014
- Protecting our favorite Cal QB will be the responsibility of our favorite OL coach
#Packers will hire veteran OL coach Steve Marshall as an OL assistant, replacing Joel Hilgenberg. Marshall has NFL exp w/Texans and Browns
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) April 30, 2014
- Instead of using his hands to catch balls, WR Marvin Jones will be using his hands to hurl them
I'm throwing out the 1st Pitch at the @Reds Game tomorrow!!! Who's going??? #GoReds
— Marvin Jones Jr (@MarvinJonesJr) April 30, 2014