OMG. JC is on a heater. Yet more unbelievably insightful topical reporting.
He has yet to fully profile Fresno as he has Boise. But they share that “big fish/small pond” thing. If it’s possible to care TOO much about athletic success … you can see how an intrepid journalist could face personal threats for exposing the seedy underbelly of the local program.
For historical context, Fresno St. basketball was big time well before the Tark Show arrived in the ‘90’s. (Google “Boyd Grant” — you’ll get a better sense of it.)
But briefly: under Grant, Fresno St. basketball was big time. They routinely sold out 10,000 seat Selland Arena; they made multiple NCAA tournament trips when precious few at-large bids were awarded.
And, perhaps most saliently, Bulldog fans had a discernible collective chip on their shoulders — partly from the perception that they were viewed as a “cow town” by media elites in NorCal and SoCal.
This is a mess. It’ll be incumbent on the university administration to scrub the walls and disinfect everything. Not merely paint over the mold. But inside those walls is a strong frame and sturdy foundation to build on.
Had a chance to coach baseball at Clovis West and later teach at Buchanan HS but something about Fresno/Clovis did not feel right in terms of raising a family there compared to Eugene. The Octopus looms large through that region as well. However, we played in the Fresno Best of the West early season baseball tournament there every year I was at OSU. It was great baseball (Texas A&M, Fresno, ASU, Texas, Santa Barbara, Notre Dame...etc) and the atmosphere and facility were electric. I'm sure the old ballpark there needs a facelift, but it felt pretty big time playing in that facility.
John - as we once discussed, I left Fresno from kjeo tv for Milwaukee just before you arrived. I worked around Andy and Adrian on this alleged point shaving scandal almost 24/7. We all were looking for legit info. We had Vertainan in our studio for an interview while the other stations videoed him walking with us to the door. It was pure chaos. I was court side at that Wyoming game and honestly, was told before the game that the fix was on. At the time, Andy Bollguard - spelling? Was the beat writer , so woj and Andy did the digging.
As you say, only in Fresno can you cover big time stories on the same day you go to a diner with the locals.
SDSU's AD JD Wicker said the Pac-12’s TV deal will be finalized by the end of March. After that, the rebuilt conference will focus on adding at least one more football-playing school.
“At the end of next month, we will have the (memorandum of understanding) done for our television deal,” Wicker said. “So we will know what our TV deal is going to be, who our partners are going to be. I will say this, they’re entities you are familiar with, that you would recognize. We’re going to get great exposure, and the really good thing is we’re going to get more exposure. It’s not just going to be football and men’s basketball, but … all of our sports are going to have the opportunity for this increased exposure. It’s going to be increased revenue, which is a big thing for us.
(more? Mt. West members received about $6 million from media agreements with CBS, Fox and TNT)
“That’s really the next big piece. Once we know that, then we can go recruit that eighth football-playing member. … And then after that, we’ll figure out if we’re adding one, two or three more schools, and whether they’re coming in in all of their sports. They might be coming in in some of their sports.”
Fresno State is going to be the “Uncle Eddie” of the PAC-12…a belcher and farter who’s going to make most of the other conference presidents and chancellors real nervous each day when they open their morning newspapers. You can take the boys out of the country, but you ain’t takin’ the country out of the boys. It’s still the Wild West in Fresno, with a level of corruption and daily bending of the rules that’s going to add awesome entertainment to a conference that hasn’t seen anything like Fresno in its 109 year history. This is like adding San Quentin to the conference —LMAO!
Great column. And more to come with the red-headed stepchild joining the fold. I love it!
Another very enjoyable story John. Scandals have been around forever via the reality that money attracts corruption. As the money grows so does the likelyhood of scandal. The NIL is a process vulnerable to, if not a participant in, that type behavior now. It all begs for control mechanisms not now in place.
I used to go to Fresno on business. Every time I was there, there as a story about a murder, or about parts of a dismembered body being found around the city, or of numerous break-ins at the arena during basketball games, or some other shooting, knifing, etc.
The local joke was, the best place to live in Fresno was Clovis.
OMG. JC is on a heater. Yet more unbelievably insightful topical reporting.
He has yet to fully profile Fresno as he has Boise. But they share that “big fish/small pond” thing. If it’s possible to care TOO much about athletic success … you can see how an intrepid journalist could face personal threats for exposing the seedy underbelly of the local program.
For historical context, Fresno St. basketball was big time well before the Tark Show arrived in the ‘90’s. (Google “Boyd Grant” — you’ll get a better sense of it.)
But briefly: under Grant, Fresno St. basketball was big time. They routinely sold out 10,000 seat Selland Arena; they made multiple NCAA tournament trips when precious few at-large bids were awarded.
And, perhaps most saliently, Bulldog fans had a discernible collective chip on their shoulders — partly from the perception that they were viewed as a “cow town” by media elites in NorCal and SoCal.
This is a mess. It’ll be incumbent on the university administration to scrub the walls and disinfect everything. Not merely paint over the mold. But inside those walls is a strong frame and sturdy foundation to build on.
Excellent post. Thank you
OSU athletic director Scott Barnes played on some of those outstanding Fresno State teams under Grant.
Barnes was a legend.
Wow. I lived near Fresno for a short while during that period … might’ve seen Barnes play in person.
Boyd Grant was a good coach
Had a chance to coach baseball at Clovis West and later teach at Buchanan HS but something about Fresno/Clovis did not feel right in terms of raising a family there compared to Eugene. The Octopus looms large through that region as well. However, we played in the Fresno Best of the West early season baseball tournament there every year I was at OSU. It was great baseball (Texas A&M, Fresno, ASU, Texas, Santa Barbara, Notre Dame...etc) and the atmosphere and facility were electric. I'm sure the old ballpark there needs a facelift, but it felt pretty big time playing in that facility.
Thank you
Octopus?
John - as we once discussed, I left Fresno from kjeo tv for Milwaukee just before you arrived. I worked around Andy and Adrian on this alleged point shaving scandal almost 24/7. We all were looking for legit info. We had Vertainan in our studio for an interview while the other stations videoed him walking with us to the door. It was pure chaos. I was court side at that Wyoming game and honestly, was told before the game that the fix was on. At the time, Andy Bollguard - spelling? Was the beat writer , so woj and Andy did the digging.
As you say, only in Fresno can you cover big time stories on the same day you go to a diner with the locals.
Never a dull moment with Tark what memories.
Paper had Andy B and Woj on it and left Katz to cover the hoops. Wild times.
Utah States pending court issues and Fresno States new issues are not making the PAC look like the conference of champions. Disappointing.
Not ideal
Unfortunate, but in no way surprising
As Glen Frey so aptly penned; “It’s the lure of easy money, it’s got a very strong appeal..”
Frey quote!
SDSU's AD JD Wicker said the Pac-12’s TV deal will be finalized by the end of March. After that, the rebuilt conference will focus on adding at least one more football-playing school.
“At the end of next month, we will have the (memorandum of understanding) done for our television deal,” Wicker said. “So we will know what our TV deal is going to be, who our partners are going to be. I will say this, they’re entities you are familiar with, that you would recognize. We’re going to get great exposure, and the really good thing is we’re going to get more exposure. It’s not just going to be football and men’s basketball, but … all of our sports are going to have the opportunity for this increased exposure. It’s going to be increased revenue, which is a big thing for us.
(more? Mt. West members received about $6 million from media agreements with CBS, Fox and TNT)
“That’s really the next big piece. Once we know that, then we can go recruit that eighth football-playing member. … And then after that, we’ll figure out if we’re adding one, two or three more schools, and whether they’re coming in in all of their sports. They might be coming in in some of their sports.”
Mirrors the same stuff being reported here.
Wow, great piece John! The stories that you tell...
Thanks John
This is no surprise, what with the various major sports jumping into bed with the gambling industry.
The real question is: what will the response be with the pros versus the colleges? Can't be any "sweeping under the rug" at either level.
Truth
Fresno State is going to be the “Uncle Eddie” of the PAC-12…a belcher and farter who’s going to make most of the other conference presidents and chancellors real nervous each day when they open their morning newspapers. You can take the boys out of the country, but you ain’t takin’ the country out of the boys. It’s still the Wild West in Fresno, with a level of corruption and daily bending of the rules that’s going to add awesome entertainment to a conference that hasn’t seen anything like Fresno in its 109 year history. This is like adding San Quentin to the conference —LMAO!
Great column. And more to come with the red-headed stepchild joining the fold. I love it!
Another very enjoyable story John. Scandals have been around forever via the reality that money attracts corruption. As the money grows so does the likelyhood of scandal. The NIL is a process vulnerable to, if not a participant in, that type behavior now. It all begs for control mechanisms not now in place.
Thank you
Knocked it out of the park with this one John
Thanks M
Great column, John
Thanks Bob
I used to go to Fresno on business. Every time I was there, there as a story about a murder, or about parts of a dismembered body being found around the city, or of numerous break-ins at the arena during basketball games, or some other shooting, knifing, etc.
The local joke was, the best place to live in Fresno was Clovis.
Amazing news town
Bald Faced True Crime.
Is Bald faced Rom-Com far behind?
You are onto something
At least Fresno has an easy airport code to remember: FAT. (Hahaha. Just a little ex-airline employee humor.)
Always wondered about the branding
Great, unique perspective yet again. Thanks, John.
Thanks H