San Francisco Gay Basketball Association

Depending on when you depart, you’re just hours away from the kickoff of the Jasinski Golden GaYte Classic.

With a few days remaninig,  we’re looking to get you the information that matters the most (because we know you’re forgetful).

This week we focus on more specific directions to getting to the gym, continue to talk up the benefits of the Golden GaYte Premier package, hope you come to our open forum about the state of gay basketball, our registration party, tournament rules and more. Again, take a look and print these out. You’ll find yourself enjoying more of what we have to offer you.

* DIRECTIONS/GETTING TO THE GAMES: Most of the tournament games will be played at the RSF on the campus of UC Berkeley (2301 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720), right across the Bay Bridge.

If you’re staying at the host hotels, enter BART at Civic Center station (less than a 5-minute walk from the host hotels)

• Board a RICHMOND-bound train.
• Exit at the Downtown Berkeley station (the sixth station after going under the Bay).
• When you leave the station, you’ll be on Shattuck Avenue. Walk three blocks south (probably to the right).
• Turn left at Bancroft Way. Go two blocks and the RSF will be on your left.

The RSF is just past the track stadium and Ellsworth Street. Go up the stairs leading to the steamboat looking air vents. It should be less than a ten-minute walk.

We’re 15 days away from the official beginning of the 2010 Golden GaYte Classic and the SFGBA will be sending out newsletters to keep the players, participants, fans, and volunteers informed for our February tournament. *

Get on the Guest list with the Golden GaYte Weekend Package: The SFGBA has partnered with our event sponsors and establishments to put together a great weekend package that is of value to all the players.

For just $20, you can get in on our weekend package, and in exchange for an Andrew Jackson, players will receive:

• Free entry, guest list access, & V.I.P. Lounge for Hip Hop Party @ Trigger
• 20% off food at Registration Party @ Lookout
• Free entry & guest list access to B.O.C. Registration After Party
• Dinner, guest list access & free club entry @ Sens in the Embarcadero
• Golden GaYte BPA-free, 20 oz. Water Bottle
  
• 5-minute massage at the gym
• Golden GaYte tournament T-Shirt
• Golden GaYte Gift Bag sponsored by ESPN, American Apparel, Where magazine, Yelp!, & more…
• Access to discount food & drinks throughout the weekend with SFGBA wristbands
• Free entry & guestlist access to Rockdog FADE 2 PINK Party on Sunday night

We’ve negotiated discounts and as a Premier Package holder, you will save $$$$$$$$$$ over the course of the tournament. The dinner and experience on Saturday night is worth the package alone.

If you plan on flying in late on Thursday, Friday or saturday, we
highly-recommend paying for your premier package beforehand. That way
we’ll place you on the guestlists and you can roll off your plane straight
into the events without worry. Non-players can also get in the fun, the
premium package will cost them just $35. To get the $20 weekend package:

http://www.sfgba.com/home/tournament/premier-package/

* Send in your Team Rosters, Bio, & Photos: Want your mug to be in the tournament program? We’re looking for Team Bios – a quick statement of how your team formed, your history and what you hope to accomplish as well as team photos – on court and off. Send your rosters, team bios and photos to info@sfgba.com to have them included in our tournament program.

Have you updated your roster? Please send us your most recent roster so we have that for our tournament program. Remember, rosters are locked a week before the tournament begins so please keep that in mind.

* Weather Update: Our weekly newsletter will send out the most updated weather for the upcoming tournament. The weather in San Francisco in 2009 fell between 50 degrees and 57 degrees for Valentines Day Weekend.

* Scorer’s Table Help: We’re trying to make the weekend as seamless as possible for you, but we do require your help with the scorer’s table. As with other tournaments, we’re asking that the two teams that just completed their games designate a player to help with the scorer’s table for the following game. Captains, please alert your teammates of this requirement! If you’re interested in volunteering to help us, please feel free to respond to this email.

* EVENTS: Pre-registration @ Buck Tavern Flying in early? Get to Buck’s Tavern on Thursday night for our pre-registration party for discount drinks, appetizers, and dinner. Keep your eye out for more event info!

* EVENTS: Brunch @ Lime on Monday Are you planning on staying until Monday? Well, we’ve partnered with the Flavors You Crave group and our official brunch spot on Monday will be @ Lime, from 10am to 1pm – featuring great food, bottomless mimosas, in a great atmosphere in the Castro. Part of the proceeds from the brunch will help to support the SFGBA.

* Cal vs. Washington State: On the Saturday of the tournament, in the gym next door to ours, The University of California will be playing Washington State from 1 to 3. The SFGBA can get group tickets ($15); I know that nobody knows when their games are yet, but if you could let us know how many from your team would be interested *if* you’re not playing for one or both of those hours, we’ll know whether to pursue this as an option. We need some more people to qualify for the group discount

* San Francisco Recommendations: Phil Mullins of the SF Shock Originally from Colorado, Phil has been in San Francisco just 1.5 years, but has already discovered the “orgasmic, pretentious pastries” at Bakery Tartine.

In the afternoon, he enjoys Dolores Park for its “great view of the city, fun locals… it’s the place to be on a sunny day, and a great place to make out late at night.”

When not making out, Phil slips his 6-4 frame into his favorite bar in the Castro, Blackbird, because it’s “more relaxed, the music doesn’t suck, and it’s a fun and cute crowd…”

For more info:

Tartine: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tartine-bakery-san-francisco
Blackbird: http://www.yelp.com/biz/blackbird-san-francisco
Dolores Park: http://www.yelp.com/biz/dolores-park-san-francisco

* Golden GaYte Sponsors We’d like to thank a few of our tournament sponsors/partners and we’d appreciate if you’d patronize their establishments when you’re working your way around the Castro.

http://www.clubtrigger.com/
http://www.yelp.com/
http://www.americanapparel.net/
http://www.bucktavernsf.com/
http://www.edgesf.com/

Keep an eye out for next week’s tournament update and subsequent newsletters that will cover local recommendations, directions, things to do in San Francisco, transport, official event schedule, and more. Let us know what you’d like to see.

If you have any questions, please feel free to visit SFGBA.com, or contact us at info@sfgba.com

With roughly four weeks remaining before the tournament, the SFGBA will be sending out weekly newsletters to keep the players, participants, and volunteers informed.

The tournament is in full swing with 22 teams registered, from New York to San Diego, L.A. to D.c. we’re proud of the teams that are coming to San Francisco for our first tournament in ten years.

We’re now working on getting all the details and events settled to ensure you guys have the best time. Over the next four weeks, we’ll give you rundowns on the gym, hotels, sponsors, events, and every thing else.

* Registration: All the teams have paid, but have you updated your roster? If you haven’t sent in your roster yet or have made changes, please keep us in the know of any team changes.

* Weather for the tournament: The Average San Francisco temperature for mid-February falls between 50 degrees and 70 degrees. At this point, to look like a local: wear layers!

* Looking to practice? We’ll be reserving the our home gym in the Castro on Thursday and Friday
for players that are coming in early and want to shake off the dust. Just drop us a note by replying to this email and we’ll make sure you’re on the list.

* RSF @ University of California: Most of the tournament games will be played at the RSF on the campus of Berkeley, CA, right across the Bay Bridge. The RSF is a 25-minute train ride from the tournament hotels. The RSF, or RecreaTional Sports Facility, is only a 5-10 minute walk (4 block walk) from public transport. Once there, you’ll find that there will be plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes to chill/relax it in-between games. The SFGBA tournament committee will also be providing concessions for sale right outside the gym. More to come as the tournament nears.

* Tournament Schedule: The Golden GaYte Clasic games will run on Saturday and Sunday, but with a bit of a twist. On Saturday, games will run from 8 AM to 7 PM at Berkeley’s RSF. On Sunday, games will run from 9 AM to 2 PM and the Golden GaYte Classic finals (LOWER B, UPPER B, and A finals) will be held in our Castro gym starting ~4:30 PM.

We’re working on finalizing our tournament and event schedule, but as things are planned right now, most teams will end early on Sunday, and likely have 2-6 hours to run around San Francisco before the tournament finals begin.

* EVENTS: Saturday night @ Sens:  On Saturday, the SFGBA has secured Sens in the Embarcadero, a beautiful
restaurant/lounge/club with “wooden doors, heavy beams and a vaguely Mediterranean feel, also has a brilliant only-in-San Francisco view of the Ferry Building’s red neon sign.”

Sounds expensive? Don’t worry, we’re putting together a player package that you won’t be able to refuse. Sens is located at 4 Embarcadero Center in San Francisco. Take a look at some of these great reviews: SFgate.com or Yelp. RSVP to the event on Facebook.

* What else is happening in San Francisco that weekend? In preparation for our tournament events, we found that many other events will be going on during the Valentine’s Day weekend. We’ll be partnering with some of these events to maximize your stay in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Not only is it Valentines Day and Presidents Day Weekend as well as the first day of Chinese New Year, it is also the NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND, the weekend of IBR (International Bear Rendezvous), Club 21 in Oakland (Hip Hop and Latin Special night), Club Dragon (Asian Club), Underworld (Underwear Party), Club Nur (Middle Eastern Party), The Fresh (T-Dance) and the first episode of the Amazing Race.

* Sponsors: We’d like to thank a FEW of our tournament sponsors and we’d appreciate if you’d patronize their establishments when you’re working your way around the Castro.

http://www.lookoutsf.com
http://www.sens-sf.com
http://www.the440.com/
http://www.redbull.com

Keep an eye out for next week’s tournament update and subsequent newsletters that will cover local recommendations, directions, things to do in San Francisco, official event schedule, and more. Let us know what you’d like to see.

If you have any questions, please feel free to visit SFGBA.com, or contact us at info@sfgba.com

The Golden GaYte Classic will bring 250+ players from 20+ teams from all over the United States to the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, your sponsor funds will assist our San Francisco Gay Basketball programs – from our league to our open gyms.

If you’re a business that is interested in supporting our tournament, we’d appreciate your help!

Download the Golden GaYte Sponsor Brochure and let the SFGBA know what level of sponsorship you’d like.

The SFGBA is a 501(3)c organization so your donations are tax-deductible. and we offer several different levels of sponsorship – something for every business – from just $25 to $5000.

Download our Sponsor brochure!