San Francisco Gay Basketball Association

Local newspaper, the B.A.R. (Bay Area Reporter) featured a review of the 2010  Golden GaYte Classic in their most recent issue (pick it up, it’s free!). In addition to covering the finals, the piece goes in-depth with Tony Jasinski, the founder and father of San Francisco gay basketball. The article provides great insight into how gay basketball in San Francisco got to where it is today.

Basketball tourney was pure gold by Roger Brigham
It didn’t have the glamour or media hype of the Winter Olympics, or the record-shattering spectator attendance of the NBA All-Star Game. But for symbolism of enduring athletic activism, the basketball tournament held last weekend in Berkeley and the Castro was pure gold medal.

The 2010 Tony Jasinski Golden Gayte Classic basketball tournament saw some 300 players on 21 teams from 16 cities vie for three division titles over the weekend, playing preliminary rounds at UC Berkeley and the finals Sunday evening at Eureka Valley Recreation Center, home of the host San Francisco Gay Basketball Association.

With domination in the lane by Windell Austin and some clutch 3-point shooting, the San Francisco Rockdogs looked pretty indomitable in pink to win the A Division championship over the Phoenix Hellraisers 61-48; the Chicago Spin toppled Hollywood Blindside 50-44 for the Upper B title; and the San Francisco Shock outscored the Los Angeles Dream 8-3 down the stretch to win the Lower B title, 50-43.

During halftime of the A Division title game, a ceremony was held to honor the tournament’s namesake, the “Godfather of Gay Basketball” Tony Jasinski.

Holding aloft a copy of the Bay Area Reporter , Papa Joe Robinson of the Rockdogs noted that the entire local basketball program that hosted the tournament was started when Jasinksi posted a small ad in the B.A.R. in 1986 after Gay Games II.

“Tony has been a selfless leader for the past 25 years,” said Robinson, who first started playing in the Castro league when he was 19. “It is through his efforts through those years that we are all here.”

“He was doing this before any of us,” said Chicago’s Sam Coady, a gay basketball icon in the Windy City, where a major annual tournament is named after him. “He has a real passion for the game. He has devoted himself for decades selflessly and unmatched consistency. Seldom do you find someone with that much passion for decades.”

For Jasinski, 57, the passion started when he was in his teens playing street ball in Kentucky. Continue reading →

Here are the first games for everyone for Sunday, AT THE SAME UC-BERKELEY GYM YOU PLAYED IN ON SATURDAY. Only the Finals are being held in the Castro.

9AM:
Los Angeles Dream (1-2) v. Bay Area Eagles (0-3)
All-City Ballers (2-1) v. Memphis Mean (0-3)
Long Beach Nightmare (1-2) v. Castro Crabs (0-3)

10AM
SF Shock (1-2) v. Empire State Ballers (0-3)
Frisco Force (3-0) v. Boston Fritz (1-2)
D.C. Sentinels (3-1) v. Hollywood Blindside (2-1)

11AM
SF S.O.S. (2-1) v. Sactown 619′ers (1-2)
Maryland Mavericks (2-2) v. New York City Boys (1-2)

Noon:
Chicago Spin (3-0) v. TBD
Phoenix Hellraisers (2-1) v. San Diego Hoops (0-3)

1PM
SF Rockdogs (3-0) v. TBD

4:30PM
Lower B FINALS: TEAMS TBD

5:30PM
Upper B FINALS: TEAMS TBD

6:30PM
A FINALS: TEAMS TBD

9PM
ROCKDOGS: FADE TO PINK PARTY @ THE LOOKOUT

Not only is this the weekend of the Golden GaYte Classic, it is also Valentines Day and Presidents Day Weekend. Additionally, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics begin Friday, the NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND commences in Dallas, MacWorld, and Sunday is the first day of the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year). So in honor of the big happenings, we’ve decided to chuck one more newsletter out there to ensure all you slackers got the right information as you rush onto your respective planes, trains, and automobiles.

* EVERYTHING PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW IN ONE PARAGRAPH: The Golden GaYte Classic will be held February 13 and 14, 2010 (Valentine’s/Presidents Day Weekend) at the UC Berkeley Fieldhouse (directions) with the A & B finals moving back to San Francisco on Sunday evening (Castro Gym @ 100 Collingwood St, SF). We’ll have events all weekend long (Registration-Friday, Dinner-Saturday, Closing Party-Sunday) for which you can purchase the premier package for free-entry, tournament T-shirt and other goodies. San Francisco and Berkeley are serviced by BART and MUNI, our public transport sysytem.

* WEATHER: SNOW SNOW SNOW: We know that the East Coast is suffering through some intense snowfall, blizzards and whiteouts, causing delays and cancellations. The Golden GaYte committee will do their best to try and accommodate this unforeseen issue. We’ll create mock schedules to try and help teams affected by this. If you’re one of the affected, please keep us informed by emailing us at info@sfgba.com. Good news on the West Coast is that when you make it out to SF, there is a small chance of rain on Friday, but smooth sailing (sunny ~62 degrees) through the weekend.

* TOURNAMENT BRACKETS: The tournament brackets have been completed – we did a random drawing with the organizing committee. Check out the brackets in the tournament program online (PDF). You’ll receive one in your gift bag, but we wanted to give you an online preview. We’re proud of the program (Thanks Roland). Check out who and when you play (* the brackets were created prior to the snowfall, so be aware there may be changes to the schedule based on that).

* OPEN FORUM: A reminder that all players are welcome to the open forum. This discussion is set to take place around 7:15 at the Lookout on Friday night after the captains’ meeting (6:30). Already we’ve sparked some interest from Sam Smith of the Maryland Mavericks.  Due to his late arrival on Friday night, Sam won’t be able to attend the Open Forum, but has written to us about his points of concern. Here’s a snippet of his concerns:

“Why are there not Regional Representatives for the NGBA? There are so many cities that are just not as progressive as the major market cities but still have players that just need the opportunity to get involved. Especially in the South…. also getting more major athletic sponsors should be considered. Not just lubes, alcohol and clubs. Do not get me wrong, I love the fact that these entities are involved and help out but we need to have a broader array of sponsors and such to help push and promote…”

So even if you’re not set to come in until later, or don’t plan on attending the tournament – please let us know your thoughts. The SFGBA is going to be there as facilitators and hopefully will let the discussion grow organically. If you cannot attend and would like to be involved - please email us at info@sfgba.com with your concerns, kudos, questions about the NGBA, Gay Games, and anything gay basketball-related – we’ll ensure to bring up your thoughts.

* PREMIER PACKAGES: We’ve gotten a great response for the premier packages and we believe it’s such a great value – dinner at a nice restaurant, t-shirt, water bottle, calendar, discount drinks, free entry at all the events all for $20, C’MON! The $20 Early-Bird ends tonight. That’s also when the guest lists and food orders go in, so if you buy the package tomorrow or later ($25), some events (as well as goodies) might not be available anymore.

* SPECTATORS: Thanks to Yelp, one of our media sponsors, we’ve received a great response from people interested in coming to watch the games in Berkeley and in the Castro – so we’ll likely have more than just partners, boyfriends, lovers, friends, and family watching our games. We might even have an alum from the Cal Basketball team stopping by.

Alright, that’s it. Those of you struggling with the uncertainty of your travels, good luck – we’ll see you when you get here (hopefully sooner than later) and keep us tabbed.

The organizing committee is almost at that point where we can’t do anything else but watch everything we plan play out – hopefully the fruit of our labor will yield a great weekend to everyone involved.

Regards,
Golden GaYte Classic Tournament Committee
http://www.SFGBA.com
info@sfgba.com

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

With a few days remaining, 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 (on Market Street, 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 (to your right if you went up the main escalator in the rotunda).
• 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 air vents that look like part of an old steamboat. Since you’re in shape, it should be around a five-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