Ramblin' Man

Ramblings from my office above Hayward Memorial Practice Court.

Can't believe soccer season is winding down and all the home games are over -- save for the A-10 Women's Soccer Championship which starts up at Transamerica Field, Thursday. Not for nothing, but it is worth the price of admission to watch Whitney Weinraub play. Yes, the 49ers women's soccer team is extremely talented front to back --but the moves Weinraub puts on defenders on a daily basis is the 49ers version of Must See TV. Of course, this weekend, you could see Hailey Beam make history as the 49ers all-time goals scored leader -- and watch the women defend the A-10 title and vy for an NCAA berth.

Basketball is literally, right around the corner. At least tomorrow night it is. Turn the corner onto Mallard Creek Church road and head up to Wild Wing Cafe where the 49ers will host a Lutz LIVE! tip-off party at 7:00 p.m. The 49ers exhibition game is the following evening, so take advantage of this unique opportunity to talk with coach Lutz and radio voice Matt Swierad before the season gets underway -- and then head to Wild Wing Cafe every Thursday night (starting Nov. 12) to catch the Lutz LIVE! radio show in person.

Heard a good crowd turned out for Monday's Let Me Play luncheon. Golf guru Dana Rader was the keynote speaker and 49ers women's basketball star Aysha Jones shared her story of life as a student-athlete. The event attracts women from throughout the community in an effort to show them the importance that athletics can play in the development of young women. Several in the audience were athletes in their day -- and current players, like Jones, are shining examples of the great impact athletics can have. The event is part fundraiser, part friendraiser -- and part eyebrow raiser -- as the impact of athletics is illustrated for notable key community and corporate leaders.

Spent part of the afternoon taking photos of the golf team. Can't help but wonder where Corey Nagy will be next year -- but sure am glad we have another semester to enjoy his play. What Corey has done with and for the 49ers program is incredible. He has one more tourney this fall, then the whole spring season -- and then, who knows. As nice a guy and as hard a worker as he is, he deserves everything he gets.

Finally -- since I started with soccer, I'll end with soccer. The MLS playoffs are underway and yet again, former 49ers all-America Jon Busch has led his Chicago Fire into the tournament. They are playing New England in the first round, and have their backs against a wall after a 2-1 loss in game one. But if ever the 49ers had a player who could respond with his back to the wall, it's Busch -- who has risen above so much to excel in his field.

Fans -- see you at Halton Thursday night. The show is about to begin!