Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Contra Costa Times: Bears put the 'road' back into road trip

Jonathan Okanes

If Cal's players want to get up and move around during their trip to Los Angeles on Thursday, they won't have to worry about any pilot sending them back to their seats because of turbulence.  In an attempt to do their part to help the university with its budget shortcomings, the Bears have agreed to take buses to Southern California for Saturday's game at UCLA. Cal usually travels on a charter plane for its road trips.

"We definitely want to do our part," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "To do our part to alleviate some of the issues. ... We have a responsibility."  But the Bears won't be saving as much money for the university as originally intended because the team has decided to leave Thursday rather than Friday, meaning an extra night in a hotel for the travel party. The team made the decision after it was announced last week that Saturday's game will begin at 12:30 p.m.

"We are going Thursday night so we don't run into a deal of busing down there late Friday, having a late walk-through and then having a 12:30 game," Tedford said. "We will for sure have gotten over the bus ride. I don't think the bus ride will be an issue."  The bus ride actually will allow the team to spend more time together than the one-hour flight down south. Tedford said the Bears might even hold some position meetings during their travels. "It kind of reminds you of the high school days with the long bus trips," Cal quarterback Kevin Riley said. think it will be fine. Guys will just have to find something to do for six hours."

Link to rest of article.

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