Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

BBB warns of San Francisco Giants fake ticket scams

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By Alma Galvan, Marketing & Communications Manager, BBB of the Golden Gate

With the excitement that the San Francisco Giants are once again in the MLB playoffs. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of The Golden Gate is warning fans that scammers might be selling fake playoff game tickets online. “Thanks to the internet, there are countless ways for consumers to find tickets and connect with online marketplaces, ticket sellers, and resellers,” said Lori Wilson, President of BBB serving The Golden Gate.

BBB is warning consumers to be smart when searching for and purchasing tickets, and to ensure that they are purchasing from a trustworthy source. The BBB has received hundreds of complaints on BBB Scam Tracker about ticket scams related to sporting events, concerts, theatre, and more.

Here are some tips for buying tickets online:

  • Purchase from the venue whenever possible.
  • Consider your source. Know the difference between a professional ticket broker (a legitimate and accredited reseller), a ticket scalper (an unregulated and unlicensed ticket seller), and a scammer selling scam tickets.
  • Check out the seller/broker on BBB.org
  • Buy only from trusted vendors.
  • Know the refund policy.
  • Always use a credit card whenever possible.
  • Be wary of advertisements promoting cheap tickets.
  • If you’re unsure, verify your tickets. Pay a visit to the arena where the event will be held. Present your ticket to “Will Call” (customer service) and they can verify if your ticket is legitimate and show you how to tell if a ticket is fake.

Go to BBB.org to look up online marketplace business profiles, file a complaint, or write a customer review.  Visit BBB Scam Tracker to research and report scams.

 

Two Olympic athletes from Contra Costa competing in Tokyo

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Kara Kohler and Maggie Steffens. Photos: Team USA

By Allen Payton

There are 87 Bay Area athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics and two are from Contra Costa County. They are rowing team member Kara Kohler of Clayton and water polo team member Maggie Steffens of Danville.

Kara Kohler in a June 13, 2021 photo from her Facebook page.

Kara Kohler

2012 Bronze medal winner in quadruple sculls, Kara Kohler, whose hometown is Clayton where she was also born, is competing in Women’s Rowing in the Single Sculls event this year. She placed first in her heat on Friday and second in her semifinal race Sunday morning. Her next race is scheduled for Thursday morning, July 29.

According to Team USA, the 6’2” 30-year-old Kohler was a competitive swimmer throughout high school, at Clayton Valley in Concord, including at the 2008 Janet Evans Grand Prix Swim Meet at USC and the 2008 Pacific Swimming North America Cup Challenge.  But during her senior year of high school, she was encouraged by a family friend to look into rowing collegiately, which led her down the path to becoming a recruited walk-on at UC Berkeley.

Kohler was named the Pac-10 Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2010 and won Cal’s Most Promising Freshman Award. She was also a four-time All-American.

After switching to the single sculls in 2018, Kohler won the bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships. That year, she was also named USRowing’s Female Athlete of the Year. Her hobbies include adventures with her dog Luna, camping, swimming, road biking and cooking.

According to her profile page on Tokyo 2020 Olympics website, Kohler’s parents are her greatest influence, her hero is U.S. rower Jill Costello and her philosophy is, “Enjoy the process a little more because no one’s perfect from the start.”

Maggie Steffens in action. Photo from her Instagram account.

Maggie Steffens

Steffens, who was born in San Ramon, is a two-time Gold medal winner at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. At the 2016 games in Rio, she was named MVP, and tied the Olympic record for most goals scored at 21. The 5’8” 28-year-old athlete is the USA Women’s Water Polo Team Captain for the second time.

According to Team USA, she is a 2012 graduate of Monte Vista High School. Her sister Jessica is also a two-time Olympic medalist in water polo, first in 2008 and then on the same 2012 team Maggie played on. Steffens is the daughter of Carlos and Peggy Steffens, has one brother, Charlie, and another sister, Teresa.

She aided Stanford University to three NCAA titles (2014, 2015 and 2017) and was named FINA World Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014.

Growing up, Steffens competed in soccer, swimming, basketball and gymnastics.

She is the co-founder of 6-8 Sports, Inc., a platform connecting data and technology for youth athlete development currently focused on the sport of water polo.

Her hobbies include hiking, kayaking and canoeing, writing, singing, dancing and reading. Steffens is also fluent in Spanish.

According to her website, “Maggie was named to the Women’s National Team in 2009 and has represented the United States at every major international championship competition held annually since.”

She was honored as the NCAA Tournament MVP and received multiple Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year and Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Player of the Year honors.

She’s also scholar athlete, having earned “an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology & Society in 2017 and a Masters of Science in Management, Science and Engineering in 2018.”

See Steffens’ interview on NBC Bay Area and read more about her on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics website.

Photo: Team USA.

 

Oakland A’s president informs fans MLB has told them “consider other markets”

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Rendering of proposed Oakland A’s waterfront stadium. Source: Oakland A’s

By Allen Payton

In an email today, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, to fans and supporters of the Oakland A’s efforts to build a privately finances, $1 billion+ waterfront stadium in Oakland, president Dave Kaval announced Major League Baseball has instructed the team to “begin exploring other markets” at the same time it pursues plans to remain in the East Bay’s largest city. (See related article)

The American League West leading A’s want to remain in Oakland, but their proposal requires city approval and “it is unclear to us and MLB whether there is a path to success for the A’s in Oakland,” Kaval wrote. His letter was in response to the following statement issued by MLB on Monday:

“MLB is concerned with the rate of progress on the A’s new ballpark effort with local officials and other stakeholders in Oakland. The A’s have worked very hard to advance a new ballpark in downtown Oakland for the last four years, investing significant resources while facing multiple roadblocks. We know they remain deeply committed to succeeding in Oakland, and with two other sports franchises recently leaving the community, their commitment to Oakland is now more important than ever.

The Oakland Coliseum site is not a viable option for the future vision of baseball. We have instructed the Athletics to begin to explore other markets while they continue to pursue a waterfront ballpark in Oakland. The Athletics need a new ballpark to remain competitive, so it is now in our best interest to also consider other markets.”

Oakland A’s waterfront stadium location night view. Source: Oakland A’s

Today, Kaval wrote the following to fans and supporters:

May 11, 2021

A’s Fan,

Today, Major League Baseball instructed the A’s to begin exploring other markets while we continue to pursue the Oakland waterfront ballpark project. This is not an easy directive for our fans to hear. We believe in the vision we have presented for a waterfront ballpark; it is a project that will create jobs, housing, open parks, and countless community benefits for Oakland residents, and it will set the stage for more World Series titles for our fans. After four years of work, MLB is concerned with the rate of progress with local officials and other stakeholders on our new ballpark efforts. The time is here for a decision on our future, and it is unclear to us and MLB whether there is a path to success for the A’s in Oakland.

A new ballpark is needed for the A’s continued success. We agree with MLB’s position that the Coliseum location is not a viable option for the future of the franchise. While we remain committed to succeeding in Oakland and will continue to work toward our waterfront ballpark, we will also follow MLB’s direction and immediately begin the process of exploring a new home for the A’s.

Please know that one of our top priorities is continuing to create the best experience possible for our fans this season and beyond. We have the best fans in baseball. Your passion for this franchise is truly unmatched, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support of our organization.

Play ball,

Dave Kaval”

Oakland A’s waterfront stadium site map. Source: Oakland A’s

According to Martin Gallegos, Oakland A’s beat reporter for MLB, “The A’s proposed project at Howard Terminal includes a plan for 3,000 new homes in addition to a new 34,000-seat stadium, 18 acres of new parks and open spaces all around the area. A’s president Dave Kaval has urged Oakland City Council to vote on the new stadium project before summer recess, which begins July 28 and runs through Aug. 31.

The current lease on the Oakland Coliseum, where the A’s have called home since 1968, expires in 2024. Though some view the Coliseum grounds as an acceptable site to build a new facility, the A’s and MLB have both taken the position that the location is not a viable option for the future of the club. Kaval cited a recent issue at the Coliseum on April 20 in which a light tower went out in the upper deck of the stadium — causing a 25-minute delay — as evidence that the A’s need to find a new home sooner rather than later.”

In response to the latest developments, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf issued the following statement:

“We share MLB’s sense of urgency and their continued preference for Oakland. Today’s statement makes clear that the only viable path to keeping the A’s rooted in Oakland is a ballpark on the waterfront. We have made great strides with the Governor’s certification and release of the EIR [Environmental Impact Report]. Now, with the recent start of financial discussions with the A’s, we call on our entire community — regional and local partners included — to rally together and support a new, financially viable, fiscally responsible, world-class waterfront neighborhood that enhances our city and region, and keeps the A’s in Oakland where they belong.”

For more information visit Oakland Ballpark | Oakland Athletics (mlb.com).

 

 

2021 California IMCA Speed Week Night #5 at Antioch Speedway Wednesday

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Get your tickets, now!

By Allen Payton

Under new ownership, the Antioch Speedway is back and open for spectators with races each week. This week, on Wednesday, May 5th, owners Chad and Tina Chadwick will be hosting the IMCA Speed Week Night #5.

Located at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch, the speedway will feature races including IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

Spectator Gate Opens at 4:00 p.m.

*Tickets will be sold at the Ticket Booth and on MyRacePass.com

https://market.myracepass.com/store/tickets/?i=1246122…

Adult Ticket: $20.00

Child Ticket (Under 12): $15.00

Senior Ticket (60 and over): $15.00

Children 5 and under: Free

Military: $15.00

(Please remember that any time we are out of our Seats, we must be wearing masks and follow the social distancing guidelines.)

The Mother’s Day race will be held this Saturday, May 8 and will feature Mini Vans, Wingless Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars and Dwarf Cars.

View the entire season’s race schedule and watch past races on AntiochSpeedwayTV.

Antioch Speedway – Where Action is the Attraction!

 

Pittsburgh Steelers draft Antioch’s Najee Harris at No. 24 overall

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Najee Harris wearing his new Pittsburgh Steelers hat, with family and friends at Rob Ben’s restaurant in Emeryville, CA, following the announcement of being drafted. Video screenshot

Joins “quite an elite fraternity”; local friends and fans celebrate

“I’m so proud of this guy. And he gets to stay in black and gold” – Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha

“Najee Harris is…the kind of person the Steeler fans will embrace.” – Super Bowl champion Gordon Gravelle, Pittsburgh Steelers Tackle 1972-76 and 2018 Antioch Citizen of the Year

“It would be great to see another Harris in the backfield” – Super Bowl champion Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers Fullback 1972-83

By Luke Jonson & Allen Payton

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Najee Harris draft pick. Video screenshot.

Antioch High School alum Najee Harris was selected No. 24 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Draft on Thursday.

He was the first running back picked in this year’s draft.

Many draft experts predicted Harris to go to the Steelers. They had the least running yards in the NFL last season and their leading rusher, James Conner, left the team and signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

“I understand that they did finish last in rushing last year, but I feel through practice and hard work that can be changed,” Harris said during a press conference hosted by the Steelers on Zoom following the announcement by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “I don’t feel pressure at all to be honest with you. I’ve been put in a lot of situations with that type of stuff put on me, especially in college. I mean the NFL is different, of course, but I feel it’s nothing that I can’t do in time for sure.”

Harris won two National Championships with the University of Alabama. He rushed for 1,466 yards and scored 30 touchdowns (an SEC record) in 13 games last season. He also broke Alabama’s records for career rushing yards (3,843) and touchdowns (57). Additionally, Harris only had one fumble out of 718 career touches.

Harris was asked how he felt about playing with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger — who many fans expect to be a future hall of famer.

“Oh man, that’s dope!” Harris immediately responded.

Harris is the 11th person to make it to the NFL from Antioch High. He’s also the first Antioch High alum to be drafted since 1999. The last time an Antioch High alum was selected in the first round was 1969.

Harris’ Mom Thanks His Mentors, Najee Flies to Pittsburgh Friday Morning

Marcus Malu (left) waits and celebrates with Najee Harris (top center) at Rob Ben’s. Screenshot of video by Mori Suesue.

Earlier in the day Harris hosted a draft party for kids at a homeless shelter in Richmond. It was the same homeless shelter where he lived for a period of time in middle school.

It was shortly after that period of time when Harris and family moved to Antioch.

“From Antioch, God sent all those angels,” said Harris’ mom Tianna Hicks. “A whole lot of people were put in my life to give me stability.”

Hicks emphasized that Marcus Malu and Mori Suesue, Harris’ personal trainers, were the most influential “angels” on her and her family’s life.

He spent the evening waiting and then celebrating with his mom, family and friends, including his high school head football coach John Lucido, at Rob Ben’s Restaurant in Emeryville, CA, owned by Marshawn Lynch who has become Harris’ mentor.

On Thursday, just seconds after the Steelers were on the clock for their draft pick, Harris received a phone call.

“I was like, ‘Oh…! They’re about to call his name!’” Hicks said.

She said it was the best day of her life.

Hicks added that Harris is reporting for duty right away and would be on a flight to Pittsburgh early Friday morning.

Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha (grey Alabama shirt) with former Athletic Director Steve Sanchez, and other fans celebrate Najee Harris’ draft pick by the Steelers at Tailgaters in Antioch, Thursday night, April 29, 2021. Photo by Allen Payton

Local Friends and Fans Celebrate

Antioch High Principal Louie Rocha was joined by Steve Sanchez, the school’s athletic director when Harris played there, and other fans to watch the NFL Draft at local sports bar Tailgaters. They were excited with the anticipation and the outcome.

“Knowing Najee, he will make the best of all his opportunities. He will stay in character,” said Sanchez who was notified just a few minutes before the announcement that Najee had received the call from the Steelers.

“Excited,” he added.

“I’m so proud of him,” Lucido wrote on his Facebook page Thursday night.

“Congratulations to the hardest working man in the world,” Antioch High assistant head coach Brett Dudley wrote, also on Lucido’s Facebook page Thursday night. “The @steelers got the best player and best person in the Draft.”

“On behalf of Antioch High School and our community, I’m so proud of the guy,” Rocha said. “And he gets to stay in black and gold.”

Coincidentally, Harris will be wearing the same colors in the NFL as he did in high school, black and gold. Ironically, however, he’s playing in Pittsburgh, which is the name of his rival in high school, Antioch’s neighboring city — except without an “H.”

Super Bowl Champion Gordon Gravelle Lauds Najee

Harris joins a very small group of just two Antioch residents to play for Pittsburgh. The last one was two-time Super Bowl champion Gordon Gravelle, part of the team when Terry Bradshaw was quarterback. The community’s 2018 Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement and 30-year resident shared his comments about the newest member of the Steelers fraternity.

“First of all, Najee Harris is a great, young man and he has all the tools, personality especially, to do well,” Gravelle stated. “He’s respectful, he loves his mother, he takes care of his family. When he goes back to Pittsburgh that’s the kind of person the Steeler fans will embrace.”

“Franco Harris and I were drafted the same year in 1972. He was drafted in the first round I was drafted in the second,” Gravelle shared. “Franco made a comment the other day about Najee and said ‘it would be great to see another Harris in the backfield.’”

“We see each other once or twice a year and are good friends. So, to have him say something like that is really special. He knows what kind of guy Najee is. Besides that, he’s a great football player,” said Gravelle.

“I met Najee once, when Eddie Beaudin was having one of his crab feeds,” he shared. “He was very polite, very outgoing. I made a comment to him and asked, ‘is your head on straight?’ He said ‘yes sir, it is.’ He knew what I meant. That told me the kid will do well.”

“Fifty percent of the athletes who come into the NFL weren’t as good, physically as the guys that got cut in training camp,” Gravelle explained. “It takes so much more. I call it grit. It’s a combination of perseverance and passion. If you lose them, you have to leave the league. It’s hard work. It’s being you mentally. That’s why I asked Najee if he had his head on straight.”

Gravelle then offered some statistics about the game and the very few players who get to play.

“There’s over 1.2 million high school kids playing football. That goes down to about 70,000 playing college ball and that reduces to about 1,500 players in the NFL,” he shared. “There’s only 286 picks in the draft. The average player’s lifespan for playing football is 4.2 years. Only about 25,000 people have ever played professional football and that’s over 100 years. So, it’s quite an elite fraternity. And Antioch has had some good football players to come out of here, too.”

“I’ve never watched the draft before. The reason is these sports columnists all think they know what they’re talking about and they don’t know jack. So, I don’t usually care about the draft. It’s a showtime,” Gravelle said with a laugh. “But I watched, tonight up until Najee was chosen. That’s the first time I’ve watched in 20 or 30 years.”

“What I see in Najee is what I saw in Franco, and that’s a very talented athlete who worked very hard at his craft. That’s what made Franco great and what will make Najee great, too,” Gravelle added.

Najee Harris in Progressive Insurance TV commercial and exclusive interview. Video screenshot.

Apparently already receiving endorsement contracts, Harris appeared in a Progressive Insurance TV commercial, with other players in the NFL draft, immediately following his announcement. See the complete, almost 14-minute exclusive interview entitled Up All Night, in which Harris shows his custom pajamas which are part of his Young Naj clothing line, and new “hurdling man” logo, here.

Najee Harris wears his custom pajamas as part of his new Young Naj clothing line, showing his hurdling man logo. Video screenshots.

The 2021-22 league schedule will be announced May 12.

Luke Johnson is an Antioch High School graduate and has been covering Najee’s football career since then.

Publisher’s Note: Congratulations, good luck and Godspeed in your career, Najee.

Antioch’s Najee Harris expected to be drafted into NFL Thursday

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Najee Harris hurdles a player during Alabama’s 63-48 victory over Ole Miss on Oct. 10, 2020. Photo: University of Alabama Football

National Champion Alabama Running Back

Najee Harris. Photo: UAF

By Luke Johnson 

Antioch High graduate, Alabama standout and 2021 national champion, Najee Harris is expected to be drafted into the NFL on Thursday. He will be the school’s first player in the NFL Draft in decades.

The last time an Antioch High alum was selected in the NFL Draft was 1999 when the Dallas Cowboys picked tight end Mike Lucky. In fact, five players from Antioch High made it to the NFL in the 1990s: Lucky, Jeremy Newberry, Mark Butterfield, Frank Beede and Evan Pilgrim.

So how does a high school football program go from putting five players in the NFL in one decade to zero players for more than two decades?

We’ll get to that. But first, let’s talk more about Harris, who won the Doak Walker Trophy for being the best running back in college football last season.

He set new records at Alabama, arguably the most prestigious program in college football, for career rushing yards and touchdowns. He also shattered almost every record imaginable at Antioch High — records many experts say will never come close to being touched. For example, the previous career touchdown record at Antioch High was 32 by Brian Boccio. Harris surpassed that mark in a single season (twice!) and finished with 99 career touchdowns. His 100th was actually called back by a holding penalty.

“The kids look up to him because he’s this mythical creature to them,” said Brett Dudley, Antioch High’s assistant head coach. “He’s almost like a comic book character or an action-movie star. He’s just this larger than life character that obviously everyone knows about.”

Antioch pro wrestling legend Ferris Anthony said he knew Harris was going to be a star when he “first saw him walk on campus.”

Anthony was the freshman football head coach at the time and remembers watching campus security escort Harris to practice on a golf cart. Anthony quickly responded, “You’re taking him to the wrong team! He’s gonna hurt somebody playing over here!”

Harris was 6-foot-2 and a chiseled 185 pounds with wide shoulders and a big frame. Within just a few weeks of joining Antioch High’s football program, Harris was pulled up to varsity as a freshman.

He had a breakout performance that season against a Freedom High team led by senior running back Joe Mixon, who now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only did Harris rush for more yards than Mixon, but he scored his first varsity touchdown and also had three solo tackles on Mixon — including a forced fumble.

Almost eight years later, Harris now awaits to be the first Antioch High alum drafted in the NFL since the new millennium.

Why has it been so long? There are two key factors.

One factor, other high schools opened in the area in the mid-90s.

When Deer Valley High School began operating on the other side of town in 1996, it essentially cut Antioch High’s football team in half. Since then, Deer Valley alumni Taiwan Jones, Sterling Moore, De’Ondre Wesley and Nsimba Webster have made it to the NFL.

Freedom High School also opened in 1996 — which took away many student athletes from Antioch High who lived near the Antioch-Oakley border. The aforementioned Mixon played for Antioch Youth Football, lists his hometown as Antioch, but played at Freedom High.

Another factor, De La Salle High School established its dominance as a national powerhouse in the 90s — which compelled many star athletes from Antioch to commute to Concord for high school. This list includes three-time All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, Super Bowl Champ TJ Ward and many others.

Nine players from Antioch have made it to the NFL since 1999, but none of them attended the city’s oldest high school.

Antioch High head coach John Lucido said many high school teams tried recruiting Harris, but he stayed loyal to Antioch High because he believed in the school and the city when not many people did.

In his freshman year, Antioch High went 1-9. However, by his junior year, Antioch High went undefeated and won a league championship for the first time in 31 years.

“He’s very loyal. He knows he could make a difference and that’s what he wanted to do within the community and his school and his teammates,” Lucido said. “He wanted his teammates to get more exposure and go to Division-I schools and that’s what he did.”

Most NFL Draft experts project Harris to be picked in the late first round this Thursday. He is often slated to be selected No. 24 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in mock drafts, but predicted to go as high as No. 16 by the Arizona Cardinals.

Marcus Malu, Harris’ long-time personal trainer, said he thinks Harris fits best with the Cardinals, because his skillset compliments their quarterback Kyler Murray’s playing style. Lucido said he’s intrigued by the Buffalo Bills potentially selecting Harris, because he thinks Harris could be the missing piece to take the team to the Super Bowl within the next few years.

The 6-foot-2, 232 lb. running back has a 6.46 draft Prospect Grade, the 16th highest ranking and is one of 58 players to participate in the draft, according to the NFL.

The only Antioch High alum to be an NFL first-round draft pick was Ron Pritchard in 1969, who was an All-American linebacker at Arizona State and inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame. The last alum to be drafted in the second round was Newberry in 1998.

Malu said this is a moment he and Harris have been getting ready and “grinding” for almost nine years.

“I told him you have to be the best in high school. Then you have to be the best in college to have a chance to play in the NFL,” Malu said. “His football IQ is off the charts. His work ethic is off the charts.”

Harris is having a draft party — with limited guests — at Marshawn Lynch’s restaurant Rob Ben’s in Emeryville on Thursday.

Just a few months ago, Harris signed with Lynch’s Beast Mode Marketing and is currently working on a deal with Nike.

He debuted his “Young Naj clothing line” earlier this week with costume-made pajamas on “Up All Night” by Progressive insurance. They featured a logo inspired by Michael Jordan’s “jumpman” which resembled a hurdling football player, because those are the type of plays by Harris that dazzle the fans the most.

The NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Thursday, April 29 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (PT), Friday, April 30 at 4:00 PM PT and Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 AM PT.

Cal Berkeley women’s soccer team goalie from Danville is tops in nation

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Cal Berkeley Golden Bears’ goalie Angelina Anderson saves a shot. Photo: U.C. Berkeley Athletics

Helps team beat Stanford for first time in eight years

Cal Goalie Angelina Anderson. Photo: U.C. Berkeley Athletics

By Allen Payton

Angelina Anderson from Danville, is a sophomore at U.C. Berkeley and plays goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, for which she’s been chosen captain. Not only did Anderson help the team in their big win over rival and reigning national champion Stanford, with her nine saves on Saturday, March 20, but she is the reigning National Freshman of the Year as named by TopDrawerSoccer in 2019.

Angie, as she is known by family and friends, is a homegrown protege.  Born and raised in Danville, she played for the Mustang Soccer club, which is part of the Elite Clubs National League program.  Anderson captained the U.S. World Cup National Under-17 team in Uruguay. In 2019 she was 2nd Team All American, First Team All-Pacific, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-Pac-12 and Cal women soccer’s MVP, also as a freshman. Angie is also the first player to win both PAC 12 Freshman of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019.  (See video)

In high school, Anderson was the United Soccer Coaches’, TopDrawerSoccer, and USA TODAY All-American at Carondelet in Concord. She was First Team All-EBAL as a sophomore and junior and helped Carondelet win back-to-back EBAL Championships.

“She is an amazing local talent and role model,” shared dad, Sean Anderson, a cosmetic and neuromuscular dentist in San Ramon. “Yes, I’m a bit biased. She is a positive ambassador for all young women pursuing academic and athletic excellence.”

The 6’0” tall Angie is from a family of athletes. Sean played football at Iowa and Angie’s mother, Lisa, ran track at San Francisco State University.

Graphic: U.C. Berkeley Athletics

On her birthday, Monday, March 22 she was named the PAC-12 Goalie of the Week. It marked Anderson’s first player of the week nod of the season, and the first weekly honor for the Golden Bears this spring. Anderson was also featured in the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week for the week of March 15-21. The sophomore received keeper of the week honors three times in 2019.

“I’m very honored to receive Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week after an awesome victory over Stanford on Saturday,” Anderson said during the . “I’m proud of our performance as a team and I’m excited about getting a big result. It’s only up from here for this team! Go Bears!”

In Cal’s victory against the Cardinal, Anderson faced 20 shots, another season-high for the Danville native. On her thoughts before saving a late penalty kick versus No. 20 Stanford: “This is it. You got to make this save. This is big time,” Anderson said during a postgame interview.

“We are happy for Angelina,” said head coach Neil McGuire. “She, along with her teammates, played very well in the game versus Stanford.”

Graphic: U.C. Berkeley Athletics

Anderson entered this season on both the TopDrawerSoccer National Top 100 and the Watch List for the MAC Hermann Award, which is college soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy.

“Everything Sean said is true and if I may add, the most humble person I have ever met, with the biggest heart I know. But when it comes to winning for her team, she brings it like no other,” said Angie’s aunt, Lana Battagello, a Danville Realtor and no stranger to sports, as owner of Lana’s Egg Whites used by body builders and other athletes. “Also, she has traveled to many countries for her sport at a young age. She loves to travel.”

“If I had to say anything else, it is of one fond memory of when Angelina would come to my house and spend the night. I would say ‘let’s head out to the movies, Angelina, there is a good one playing up at Blackhawk.’ She would look at me with that bright smile and say, ‘Oh, that sounds good, but I must complete my homework first.’ And that was on a Friday night!”

“I was always in awe of her as a little kid and still today. She brings incredible joy to our family,” Battagello added.

When reached for comment, Angelina said about her experience as the Cal Berkeley goalkeeper, “So far my experience at Cal has been incredible. I love Cal.”

“Something I’m super excited about is that I came in as a freshman and made an impact on the team. That’s what I wanted to be able to do no matter which school I attended,” she continued. “And to really get to know my teammates at a deep level. It’s super awesome. I love all the girls. It’s been a really great experience, so far.”

Asked for her thoughts on all the accolades she’s received Angelina said, “The honors and accolades, it’s pretty cool to receive those things. It makes me really humble and honored to play with some really talented players.”

Asked about and her plans for the future, if she would like to go pro, Angelina responded, “I’m just loving my college experience, right now. I’m trying to get through my studies. But yes, playing pro is something I’ve thought about and I’ll cross that bridge when I have to.”

The student athlete said she is studying psychology. Asked what she plans to do with her major, Angie said, “I’m not exactly sure, yet what route I want to take with psychology. I’ve just really enjoyed the classes.”

Mom, Lisa also shared some thoughts about her daughter.

“Angelina, she’s just a very grateful person. She’s always someone who gives credit to others,” her proud mother said. “There’s so much truth to that in her developing as an athlete, from Club Mustang, to high school at Carondolet to her coaches, and other great players. They have contributed so much to her success. Particularly her Coach Neil McGuire and her Goalie Coach Cori Alexander. When she was being recruited, that’s who she compared everyone else to. They’ve been exceptional people in her life, on and off the field.”

“Coming in young like that I was wondering what it would be like for the upper classmen,” Lisa continued. “But her ability to connect well with others shows initiative and it doesn’t surprise me she was chosen captain.
“Angelina is an only child, but always had a big white dog around as a brother,” said Lisa, who had the number 10 Great Pyrenees show dog in the country. Like her sister, Lana, Lisa is a Realtor and also has a big dog walking business, as well as cats and rides horses for clients.

“Everyone knows Angelina as this amazing soccer player. But she’s a diverse person,” her mom continued. “She loves to read. She’s a fantastic writer. English is her second choice for a major and she loves music. She has a play list like no other. She’s also an excellent skier and loves her ‘Black Crows’ skis.”

“She’s just a lovely gal. Very joyful,” Lisa added.

Dad, Sean offered one final comment. “I’m so proud of her, especially knowing how her life since seven years old has been 100% committed to this endeavor,” he shared. “The sacrifices and perseverance she has endured are impossible to explain.”

Keep up-to-date on the Angie and the Golden Bears women’s soccer team throughout the year by following them on Twitter (@CalWSoc), Instagram (@CalWSoc) and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWSoc).