The Round Table Fall 2009A Semi-Annual

Publicationof the

Old Time Athletes Association

Initation Fee $15Yearly Dues $25Old Time Athletes Association 1245 Merdian Ranch Dr. Reno, NV 89253

The website www.otanc.orgBEHIND THE CURTAINBy Ray Wilson

When we were kids; the old man would take us, my brother and I, that is, to the occasional 49er game. In those days there was no pre-game radio or television hype, no jets, parachutists, fireworks, luxury boxes, or Gold Rush Girls. Usually about 30,000 or so men and a few - very few - women gathered in attendance. Beer was sold in the aisles and almost everyone, it seemed, brought along a bottle of something containing alcohol. There was, of course, no searching of bags or persons. Security existed only to break up fights (of which there were many and frequent) and prevent gatecrashers. Very early on the local pro team had a marching band, but by the time we got there, that is, by the late fifties and early sixties, the marching band was gone, replaced by Del Courtney, who fronted a kind of dance band adapted for a football stadium.

Well, things have changed a lot since those days and the man presently responsible for what is now called the “fan experience” (and overall business operation) for the San Francisco 49ers is our guest and after-dinner speaker, Andy Dolich, the 49ers Chief Operating Officer.

Andy thinks of today’s “fan experience” as extending from “driveway to driveway.” It begins with the pre-game shows on radio and TV, continues into Candlestick Park, and winds down with the 2-hour post-game show. As COO, Andy is mainly occupied with generating revenue through ticket

sales, corporate partnerships, advertising, promotion, marketing, stadium operations, PR, community relations and stadium operations.

On game days, after 49er expenses have been deducted, money raised from ticket sales is split 2/3% - 1/3% (by NFL rules) with the smaller figure going to the visiting team. The 49ers keep money from local radio and television broadcasts, such as the “49ers Total Access” show, usually aired on KTVU. They also keep revenue from luxury box sales and sales of souvenirs with a portion of the latter going to the NFL for logo rights.

The national television broadcast contract divides revenues equally among all NFL teams. With the nation-wide economic downturn and related fall-off in automobile advertising, banking and other large sports advertisers, one might expect

the broadcasters to be thinking of re-opening negotiations over the NFL contract. Andy claims that NFL television ratings are just as high as ever.

Besides media issues and other concerns, much of Andy’s time is filled with planning for a new stadium for his employers, fans and corporate partners. When asked about the status of the competition between San Francisco and Santa Clara, he implied that there really isn’t any. Santa Clara, he points out, already has a transportation infrastructure including routes 101, 880, 237, the VTA light-rail system, nearby Caltrain, Amtrak, bus lines, and 30,000 or so parking spaces.

Candlestick, by contrast, has the same two narrow exit gates dating from its earliest days, and a mere 7,000 parking spaces.

Mr. Dolich himself has a long history as a sports administrator, with previous stops in Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association. In his nearly forty years in the business he has watched sports morph from a focus on the game to an entertainment “experience.” When asked if there is any longer a balance, that is if the “experience” has eclipsed the game, he said that most people are coming to see the game and the great athletes that play it. He admits that maintaining the primacy of the game takes perseverance and determination and that the entertainment side needs to be held in check.

When asked which organizations

Andy Dolich

(Continued on page 3)

Members & Guestsat the 2009 Spring OTA Meeting:

MEMBERS:Manny Agorastos Bill Arata Ray Arata Gerald Bachecki Gary Bader John Bain Charlie Baker Larry Balakian David Banker Keith Barnes Steve Barnes Dewey Barron Elliot Bartholomew Jim Bass Mark Bass Wayne Batmale Art Belcher Duncan Benas Don Benedetti Marvin Berkson Maurice Bessiere Kenneth Bianchi Richard Blackburn Bob Borghello Frank Brady Bud Bresnahan Craig Brown Ed Browne Robert Brown Stan Buchanan Charlton Buckley Sean Buckley Serge Burenin Andy Burke Harry Bush Rigo CabezasLeo CacitiJim Calgaro Lou Carella Sam Carini Mike Carson Dan Casey John Chiarenza Marc Christensen Art Citron David Clisham Mike Cloonan John Coates Raymond Cohn Bill Collins Dan CollinsJim Conolly

Dan Costello William Cox Jim Coyne Michael Cutone Pete Dalton Bob Datwyler Ron Davis Bob Dawson Tom Dee Jim Deignen Don De Meyer Joe DesmondBruce Desmons Larry Doherty Jack Donahue Mike DotterweichJim Dresser Jere Driscoll Andrew Elkin Dave ElkinBob Ellingson Alonzo Emery Ron Ertola Bernie Esser Warren Fannin Harold Faulkner Don Feehan Roger Ferrari Jack Fitzpatrick John Fracchia Alan Fraser David Friedenberg Richard Friedman Jim Gallagher Elmer GallegosNorman Gard Fred George

Art Gerrans Rich Giambastini Jerry Gibson Anthony Giovanni Fred Glosser James Goeller Sam Goldman Jerry Gosland Jeff Graff Stan Graubart Jeff Green Ray Greggains Bob Guerrero Gil Guzman Bob Hagler Gerald Hamilton Joe Hare M/T Ken Hawkom Jack Hayes Frank Hedley Walter Heim Bill Henneberry Allan Hitchcock Jim Hodges Dick Hoedt Marvin Hoffman Oddie Hoffman Don Hooper Don Hourigan Beebo Hughes Dick Huxley Dr. John Iocco Bob Isola Gary Johnson Mel Johnson Tom JohnsonWarren Johnston

Bill Jones Charles Jones Bob Jonson Bob Kahl Mike Keck Jim Keller Joseph Kelly Mic Kelly Andy Kerr Herb Kessler Chris Kimball Bill Kingsbury Gib Kirwin Tom Klitgaard Quentin Kopp George Korte John Kristovich Dick Kuchey Ed Kurz Tom LaGrave Mike Langridge Phil Lara Raymond Latham Charley Leach Tim Leach Bob Lee Phil Lellman Roger Levy Art Lidstrom Walt Lightner Bob Lockwood John Lombardi Mario Lombardi Richard Lucchesi William Lynch Bob MacalusoRon Macaluso

Dave Mackin Mike Maffei John Mallen Bob Maloney Al Marinai Joe Marino Al Martin Jim Martin Allen Martino Joe Martino Mario Maso Al Massuco Fred Mayer Bob Max Don McCann John McCarthy Jim McDonald Ray McDonald Tom McGraw Al McGuirk Val McKeeverDon McPhail Don Meek Allen Menicucci Robert Micheli Mike Mihalek Bob Mitchell Al Modena Al MonacoRay Monteroso Al Mootz Rich Moresco Gene Mullin Lou Murgo Pat Murphy Rich Murphy Bill Murray

John Nakamura Ray Nann Steve Negoesco Frank Noonan Bob NortonMauro Novara Dennis O’ConnorEd O’Connor Thomas O’Connor Chuck Osborne Pat O’Shea John Panagakis Joe Passanisi James Perkins Gus Petropoulos Jack Phelan Jim Placak Robert Placak Howard Poblitz Nick Poppin Howard Powleson Nick Pozini Dick QuinlanFred Quinn Ted Rademaker Bob Randall Harry Redlick Buck Reed Bill Renna Rich Reynolds Gil RiberaTony Ribera Baxter Rice Bill Richardson Joe RichardsonNick Rigas Cliff RighettiGene Roberts Bob Roche Tony Rodriquez Al Romera Ron Rosberg Joe Rotenberg Ed Rothman Len Rovegno Andy Ruiz Mike Saia Seb Saia Paul Sari Fred Schlichting Bernie SchneiderMurray Schneider Jack Scramaglia Bill Shaughnessy William Sheehan Lou Signer Bob Simi J. R. Skidmore Dave Smith

Our spring guest speaker Barry Tomkins was introduced to the OTA membershipby our President Frank Brady

movers&shakers

Robert Sockolov Ray Solari M/T Jeffrey Stahl Len Stefanelli Bill Stevenson John StrainTony Stratta Bob Strohecker Greg Suhr James Sullivan Carl Sundquist Brent Taylor Ron Taylor Terry Taylor Mike Terrizzi

Jeff Thomson Barry Tompkins Jim Toso Alan Tripp Bob Unruh Chuck Vanoncini Dave VerbruggeDick Verbrugge Frank Verducci Dick VerlingJoe Vollert Charles Wagner Joe Wagner Howard WaitsJohn Walsh John Ward

Ray Warman Dick Welch Art White Ray Wilson Chris Witzel Greg Wood Jeff Wrench Mike Yancey Gil Ybarra Rudy Zannini Len Stefanelli Mike Terrizzi August Thorn Dick Verbrugge Nick White Gil Ybarra

MORE GUESTS: By Manny Agorastos, CAL ‘57Congratulations are in order for:Jerry “Goose” Gosland. Our OTA 2007 President was inducted into the 29th San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame Annual Awards Dinner this past May. This brings to 49 the number of OTA’ers who have been recognized by the Hall of Fame Committee. Jerry joins 293 previous recipients for this award.Bill Richardson. Long time OTA member and retired PAC - 10 FootballOfficial worked the replay booth at the Gator Bowl last Jan 1 in Jacksonville, Fla. Bill correctly reversed a T.D. fumble recovery late in the game by Clemson to Preserve a 26 to 21 victory for Nebraska.Grover Klemmer and Frank “Sandy” Tatum. Both long time Olympic Club & OTA members were inducted into the Olympic Club Hall of Fame at the 4th Annual Awards Dinner last Oct. Grover and “Sandy” were honored for their distinguished servce to athletics while a member at the Club.Ken Venturi, another OTA member, has received this Award, previously.

TIME OUT

do quality jobs combining the game with the entertainment aspect, he said that he liked the San Francisco Giants and San Jose Sharks. Does that mean he likes baseball or hockey better than football? The rest of the story, he said, he wants to save for his after-dinner remarks next month.

(Andy Dolich continued from page 1)

By Ray Wilson Our après-diner speaker for the spring was all-round media man Barry Tomp-kins. Reminiscences flowed – from his

early days at Lincoln High School in the City- to his first broadcast mentor, Don Kline of KCBS. But Barry’s real beginning in sports, he remembered, was as a fan – and a fan he remains. It’s the drive, he said, and sustaining interest behind his extensive and wide-ranging broadcast career. Luck played a big part too. When-ever they called, whether football, boxing, billiards, poker or whatever; and whether it was radio, or network television or cable, Barry was ready and with his bag packed. There were many memories, too, of old-time ath-letes and friends such as Ollie Matson, Arthur Ashe, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mar-

vin Hagler, and the figure skater Scott Hamilton. An animated and entertaining racon-teur, Barry Tompkins joins our long and outstanding OTA tradition of note-worthy speakers.MEDIA

MAN

Officers:President, Frank BradyVice President, Bob SimiTreasurer, Don HouriganSecretary, Tom McGraw

Directors:David ClishamJohn CoatesBill CollinsJere DriscollRoger FerrariBob IsolaGeorge KorteKris KimballAl MootzJon NakamuraHoward PoblitzGil Ribera

Dinner Committee:Chair, Andy BurkeVice Chair, Gary BaderVice Chair, Andy Kerr

Membership Committee:Chair, Ray MonterosoVice Chair, Jack Scramaglie

Round Table Committee:Editor/Design/Photography, Tom HallFeature Writer, Ray WilsonPhotography, Don HouriganWriter, Manny AgorastosEx-Offico, Gerald Stratford

Active Past Presidents:Joe ThurstonJack GrealishRobert HaglerTevis MartinManny AgorastosBill CoxGerald StratfordKen FlowerFrank FaraoneRick ArellanoTed RademakerDick BechelliBill LynchAndy Burke Andy KerrGary BaderBill CallendarJeff GraffJerry GoslandTony Ribera

Emeritus:Bill HenneberryHarvey ChristensenBob Troppmann

www.otanc.org

We Welcome the following New Members

Last of the NinthSince our last Round Table we have lost the following friends:

Andy CollinsDick HuxleyTony Patch

Mel PrescottBruce Snyder

Larry BalakianGeorge Washington ‘56. 3 yrs Football.David BankerMiramonte H.S. Orinda, CA ‘67. Just a great sports fan. UCLA ‘67.Marvin BerksonGeorge Washington ‘56. Basketball.Rigo CabezasGeorge Washington ‘59. Intramural Sports.Bob Del TorreRiordan ‘69. 3 yrs Football & 2 yrstrack. CCSF ‘71. 2 yrs Football &Track. SFPD Sports Hall of FameMemeber. USA Bobsled team:1989-1994.John DonahueLincoln ‘48. 3 yrs Swimming - AllCity. CCSF ‘50. 2 yrs Football.Jerome GibsenSt. Bede Academy ‘51. Peru, ILL.2 yrs Football & Baseball. PreviousOTA Member.Ray GreggainsRiordan ‘59. 4 yrs Football, Baseball,Basketball & Track. 1st Team All CALFootball (59) & Baseball (59).CCSF ‘52. 2 yrs Football & Baseball.Lincoln High Football & BaseballCoach 1967 - 2003. Football Coachof the Year ‘78 & ‘79. Asst Coach CCSF.John MohrRiordan ‘59. 4 yrs Basketball. USF ‘63. 1 yr Frosh Basketball.

James KellerMarin Catholic ‘54. Larkspur, CA4 yrs Football, Baseball & Basketball.USF ‘58. Olympic Club Member 52 yrs. Member of the Guardsmen.Dick KuchenAsbury Park H.S. New Jersey ‘61.4 yrs Basketball. Rider Univ ‘65.4 yrs Basketball. Hall of Fame Member. Drafted by St. Louis Hawks. 2 yrs Pro - Europe. Asst BasketballCoach at Wash U 1 yr. Iowa Univ5 yrs & Notre Dame 3 yrs - (NCAA Fi- nal 4). Head Coach Univ of CAL, 1977 - 85. Yale Univ Head Coach 14 yrs.Philip LellmanS.I. ‘58. 4 yrs Baseball. Santa Clara Univ ‘64. 4 yrs Baseball.Barry MillerLincoln ‘55. S.F. State ‘59. Just a great sports fan.

Atilio MossiS.I. ‘52 2 yrs Track.James PerkinsGeorge Washington ‘58. 4 yrsFootball - ALL CITYRon RosbergGeorge Washington ‘57. 3 yrs CrossCountry. USC ‘61.Len RovegnaGeorge Washington ‘56. 2 yrsBasketball.Jeffrey ThomsonLowell ‘56. 4 yrs Basketball.David VerbruggeCupertino H.S. ‘71. Cupertino, CA.4 yrs Football. San Jose State ‘75.1 yr Judo.John WardCarlmont H. S. ‘58. San Carlos, CA.4 yrs Baseball.

NewKIDS

movers&shakers