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December 20, 2006
Several former Quakes called in to Nats camp
We noted with pride that this summer's MLS All-Star Game had the look of an Earthquakes reunion, and now we can say the same about the upcoming U.S. National Team camp.
Interim U.S. coach Bob Bradley has called in Joe Cannon, Jimmy Conrad, Eddie Robinson, Ricardo Clark, and Brian Mullan for the camp that starts January 4, prior to friendlies against Denmark on January 20 and Mexico on February 7.
Oh, and we almost forgot—Landon Donovan got called in. He played for the Quakes once, too, didn't he?
Addendum: The total number of former Quakes is now eight, with Danny Califf and Todd Dunivant joining the group.
So that makes:
Cannon
Conrad Califf Robinson Dunivant
Mullan Clark Donovan
If Bradley had added Brad Davis and Brian Ching, he could have started former Quakes in almost every position.
Posted by Jay at 06:34 AM | Comments (2)
December 18, 2006
Santa Clara's Kevin Moore profiled in SF Chronicle
Not long after SSV was formed, we got a call from someone in Santa Clara offering us a meeting and a tour of potential stadium sites. This came as a bit of a surprise to us—we had been trying to make contact with a number of cities but the results were inconsistent, and here was someone seeking us out to help us in our efforts. That meeting, and the many conversations that came about as a result of that meeting, helped to define SSV in the early days and gave us the confidence that hey, maybe we really could pull this off.
The man who got in contact with us was Kevin Moore, then a member of the Mission Community College District board, currently vice mayor of Santa Clara, and the subject of a front page profile in today's San Francisco Chronicle. Thanks for all your help, Kevin, and congratulations.
Posted by Jay at 08:20 AM | Comments (2)
December 13, 2006
Our goal is the Earthquakes; Their goals are earthquakes
We know that there have been quite a few goals caused by Earthquakes over the years. This is the first we've heard about earthquakes caused by goals, though.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch has a story about Washington University seismic researcher Garrett Euler, who had placed 32 seismic stations throughout Cameroon earlier this year.
Typically, when these stations are placed over a wide geographical area, they can be used to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake and measure its strength. His readings from January and February made no sense, however—the stations picked up strong shaking at precisely the same time. Seismically speaking, the only way that would happen is if the quake was on the other side of the world so that the shockwaves would arrive at all the stations simultaneously. But there was no such seismic activity anywhere on the planet at those times.
The story continues:
Katy Lofton, Euler's girlfriend and a geologist turned historian, had an idea. A few online searches confirmed that the African Cup of Nations, a big soccer tournament, was going on at the time. A few more searches showed that the "earthquakes" corresponded exactly to the moment of goals."I was like, 'Oh, that would explain it,'" Euler said.
Actually, it explained everything, but it also made it more fascinating. Once Euler knew that the country's reaction to the soccer games were causing the readings, he could note differences in the reactions from goals, almost-goals, "and the long drawn-out tremors after a win." The study even noted that there was a correlation between the size of the "quake" and the importance of the goal.
We don't know if everyone will agree, but we think there's something beautiful about that.
Posted by Jay at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2006
Alioto's transition complete as A's hire ex-Sony exec
One of the questions that SSV members have asked us on the board of directors is this: "How can we be sure that the A's are committed to soccer?" That might seem rude to some, but after the neglect that the team saw from various overseers in its 10-year history in MLS, it's understandable that Quakes fans are a little skeptical about anyone claiming to work on their behalf.
Those of us at SSV who are working with Earthquakes Soccer have stated many times how impressed we are with Lew Wolff & Co., and many of you experienced their first-class approach at the grand opening of their San Jose offices. So, to that evidence of the A's commitment, add the following: The baseball club has hired a former Sony exec named Jim Leahey to take over David Alioto's old job as vice president of sales and marketing.
This position with the A's is one of the best marketing jobs in sports, and there are only 30 jobs like it in all of Major League Baseball. Any marketing exec currently toiling away in the minors, for example, would be over the moon to have landed this job with the A's. Alioto, on the other hand, is walking away from that job to serve as executive VP of Earthuakes Soccer.
So, how can we be sure the A's are committed to soccer? Just ask David Alioto.
Posted by Jay at 06:43 AM | Comments (3)
December 04, 2006
Rodriguez to speak at Princeton symposium
Our daily perusal of the web in search of Earthquakes-related items has turned up an interesting event. Ann Rodriguez, director of business development for Earthquakes Soccer, LLC, will be taking part in a sports symposium this Friday at Princeton University.
The half-day symposium is intended to help students learn more about the sports industry while providing a forum for industry professionals to attract potential future leaders, said Princeton senior Chris Chaney, who organized the event with support from the independent Princeton Varsity Club and the University's Office of Career Services. It is open to the public, and will give participants an opportunity to network with sports professionals and connect with organizations seeking interns and future employees.
Other participants will include keynote speaker Rick Horrow, CEO of Horrow Sports Ventures; Marc Fleisher, president of Entersport Management; Bill Duffy, president and CEO of BDA Sports Management; Frank Vuono, partner of 16W Marketing; Wyc Grousbeck, managing partner and governor of the Boston Celtics; and Steve Hellmuth, senior vice president of operations and technology for NBA Entertainment.
Nice to see one of our own Earthquakes in that illustrious group. Well done, Ann!
Posted by Jay at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)