Today, we have another big matchup. Fan favorite Tosh Lupoi v. volleyball superstar Kat Reilly. This is in the Brick Mueller Regional. The winner takes on the winner of Mike Silver v. Hana Cutura.
You can see the entire bracket here. Voting ends Friday, May 13 at noon, so don't hesitate to vote. GO BEARS!
Brick Mueller Regional
Tosh Lupoi (6)
Tosh Lupoi gets an early invite, courtesy of dballisloose.
Justification: While he didn’t always stand out as a player, and his overall book of work wasn’t enough to get him into the NFL, he has certainly stood out as a coach and role model for future generations of Bears. His reputation as a great recruiter was backed up by Lupoi earning National Recruiter of the Year honors for the incoming class of 2010, which is being called one of Tedford’s top 3 recruiting classes of all time.
ESPN has an excellent write-up of Tosh here:
"As much as he loves football, Lupoi loves winning perhaps even more.
When young Tosh's teams lost, he locked himself in his bedroom.
"My wife and I really didn't know what to say or do about it," John Lupoi said.
Other kids played outside. Tosh only wanted to practice again. Posted on his bedroom wall throughout his high school and college days, motivational words drove Lupoi: "When you are not practicing, someone, somewhere is practicing. And when you meet him, he will win."
He never experienced a loss at De La Salle. But when he got to Cal, the Bears went 3-8, then 1-10.
"It was a dramatic experience," Lupoi said. "I had no idea how to react to it. I would shut down in my dorm room, feel horrible, almost ashamed."
Roommate and Cal teammate Wendell Hunter was astounded.
"He would cry all night," Hunter said. "I was like, 'Tosh, you didn't even play.' He said, 'Man, I'm not used to losing.' For me, I felt like I had finally met my match. I felt like this dude would do anything for football. I felt like I ate, slept and breathed football. But for this guy, there were no off days."
That desire led to an irrepressible coaching work ethic and bred the respect of teammates.""During Lupoi's time on the staff under Delgado, Tedford often slept in his office four nights a week. When the coach stumbled out in search of a late-night drink of water, Tedford usually noticed the kid. Still at work.
"You could tell it was a passion," Tedford said. "I think some people who become [graduate assistants] are kind of searching, deciding if they really want to do it or not.
"I don't think there's any question about his dedication."
Kat Reilly (11)
Before persistent knee injuries stalled her athletic career, she lead the Pac-10 conference in blocks as a blueshirt sophomore. Calbears.com has an interview with her here:
"What is your favorite thing to do on the court?
Blocking. It feels a lot better to block a ball than to get a kill because you know that you shut someone else down.
What is your favorite play to run?
I like the quick set--just a simple one because if you can catch them off guard, it's really easy to bang a ball at the 10 foot line. Also, you have a lot of options as to which direction you can hit.
If you could play a different position for one day, what would it be?
I'd be a setter because if I was, that would mean I have good hands. I have awful hands so I'd like to get better at that.
Aside from Cal fans, who has the best fans in the Pac-10?
Washington has great fans; there are always a lot of people there. While they do heckle you, they have very knowledgeable volleyball fans.
What is the best class that you've taken at Cal?
Astronomy of the Planets: I took it right after my surgery last year. I really liked it because I love space and I'd love to be an astronaut if I wasn't so tall.
What is your favorite thing to do off the court?
I love to spend time with my friends; I like to shop and do outdoor things like lying in the sun. "
OhioBear: Because not only was she a very good volleyball player in her day, she was a finalist in the voting for 2010's list of the 10 most beautiful women in Dallas.
How is that not CGB HOF worthy?!?