During a break late the game, AD Sandy Barbour presented the Bears' clock operator, John Mahaffey, with an honorary jersey and game ball. The number on the jersey was 58 to signify the number of years Mr. Mahaffey has been the clock operator at Cal basketball and football games. This was his last game. One of my friends remarked, "He's probably the only one in the building who saw Cal win their last men's basketball championship."
Tayshaun Prince, who was in town because his Pistons had a game later in the evening against the Warriors, was court side to root for his godbrother and fellow Compton native Patrick Christopher. Christopher walked over to bump fists with Prince before the opening tip.
Scott Fujita, former Cal Bears football walk-on and current member of the Super Bowl champion Saints, was also on hand to soak in the electric atmosphere. Kevin Johnson attended with his wife, mother and other family members and also received a loud ovation when he was introduced to the crowd. Others in attendance included Sean Lampley, former coach Dick Kuchen, current head football coach Jeff Tedford, and other basketball alums. It was a night that would not be soon forgotten.
It was an aligning of the stars and ironies no doubt. A game being played on the day after the anniversary of the Bears last conference championship 50 years prior. Senior Day that was seeing off five popular senior players. A match-up of current conference number one versus number two. A match-up of centers who were once roommates at Duke. The first home sell-out of the year. A Cal win would mean that they could be returning to Stanford next week under the leadership of former Stanford coach Montgomery for a chance at an outright Pac-10 championship.
For more on the game, see this link.
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