Oakland and Alameda now have professional sports organizations that put their communities first
The big news a couple of weeks ago, a day or two ago, was that an Oakland A's spokesperson said the Las Vegas-bound team intends to share the Coliseum with the Oakland Roots Sports Club (SC) soccer team in 2025. That's what I said. That news might have made more sense to local fans if the A's ongoing story wasn't so boring and whimsical.
The Roots, who played their 2024 home opener last Friday, March 9, at Cal State East Bay's Pioneer Stadium in Hayward, are looking for a place to play in 2025, next door to the Coliseum. They are considering building a stadium on the Malibu lot. . Their team's spokesperson chose not to comment on the A-Team's statements, or perhaps did not say so. After all, the popular soccer organization is committed to Oakland by design, regardless of what the A's do. The Roots' slogan is “Always Auckland First” and this is one of the many reasons they are loved by local fans.
A few years ago, the A's slogan “rooted in Oakland” meant everything to fans, especially since the Raiders and Warriors had already departed. Last week, a giant banner proclaiming that motto was removed at the Coliseum in preparation for the A's departure. A few days later, A's president Dave Kaval unveiled a new billboard, a giant photo featuring the team's historic moments and favorite players, including Oakland native Rickey Henderson. He then posted on social media: “The 2024 season will mark over 50 years in Oakland!” It's your choice whether to laugh or cry.
“The words Auckland and Roots are embedded in our coat of arms and our identity. Without Auckland we would not exist.” – Edrees Arghandiwal, co-founder of Roots SC
Thankfully, Roots SC has a very different relationship with their fans, the city of Oakland, and the community at large. Roots SC co-founder Edrees Arghandiwal puts it succinctly: teeth Without Oakland, there are no roots. The words Auckland and Roots are woven together into our coat of arms and identity. Without Oakland we wouldn't be here. ”
What are the characteristics of roots?
The Roots' approach is vastly different from that of traditional professional sports teams.
“This club was not co-founded by billionaires who park buses in the area, and when it no longer provides financial benefit, they leave,” Arghandiwal said in a recent interview. alameda post. “Roots Sports Club was literally created in the community, by pubs and coffee shops and by people in the community. So from the beginning, our reality is that we are completely in Auckland in a very authentic way. There is a clear difference in terms of being rooted.”
Tommy Hodru, Roots' vice president of public relations and communications, agrees 100%. Like Arghandiwal, he was born and raised in Oakland and holds the city and East Bay in general close to his heart. He also has an Oakland tattoo.
“We set out to create a purpose-driven football club with the overarching mission of harnessing the magic of Auckland and the power of sport as a force for social good,” Hodru said. . post. “Every decision we make has to be made under that lens: which partners to work with, which sponsors to work with, which community people to work with; This includes everything down to which players to sign.”
Auckland First Always
Hodru explained that “Auckland First Always” doesn't mean you have to be from Oakland. In fact, Roots' training facility is located in Alameda on Bay Farm Island, where the Raiders used to train. The Roots and Soul motto covers the walls, but the black and silver Raiders logo is still highly visible. It's part of Auckland's history and culture, so it won't be forgotten or erased. “Auckland First Always'' is comprehensive and brings back fond memories.
“It's about the spirit and mindset of the city,” Hodru says. “Always first means we believe in diversity, we believe in inclusion, we believe in arts, we believe in humanity, we believe in culture. …That spirit and that culture is what makes Oakland part of the sporting world. It's part of being an enabler, and part of being a leader, taking care of people, and thinking positively.”
“…If you give to the world, the world will give back to you.” – Arghandiwal
Hodur cited Auckland activists, cultural and sporting heroes as examples. He noted the groundbreaking community work Black Panthers have done for their communities, from free breakfasts to school children to local food pantries and free health clinics. He also mentioned the late Michael Morgan, music director and conductor of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, and the MUSE program, which continues to provide free music education to thousands of young people. And of course, he mentioned some of the great local sports heroes who made history.
“Auckland has always been at the forefront,” Hodru said. “Frank Robinson was the first black manager in Major League Baseball history. He came from McClymonds High School in Oakland. Bill Russell was the first black manager in the NBA. He came from McClymonds High School in Oakland. ” The list goes on.
Watch this season's games
The best way to enjoy Roots and Soul is to go to a game and watch them play on their home field. The atmosphere on game day is really fun. And these teams are good!
“The first season of Soul couldn't have been more magical,” said Tommy Hodru. “They scored a hat trick of goals and made it to the playoffs on the last day of the year!”
roots ticket
The Roots will play all 2024 home games at Cal State East Bay's Pioneer Stadium in Hayward.
To purchase tickets, visit the Roots website or use the Roots SC app (download from the App Store or Google Play). Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 510-488-1144 (Spanish- and English-speaking sales representatives are available).
soul ticket
The Soul will play all 2024 home games at Merritt College in Oakland. The home opener will be played on May 12th. Seoul ticket packages and individual match tickets can be purchased online or through the Roots app.
mutual respect
Like Khodur, Arghandiwal sees Roots SC, which includes the women's soccer team Oakland Soul, as an integral part of the rich culture of her hometown.
“We are more than just a sports club,” he said. “We are a cultural institution like a symphony orchestra, ballet, or museum. We have never refused to participate in community events. We have shown up time and time again for our community. We have expanded ourselves in ways that most professional sports teams do not because we believe this is the path to success.”
“The world's greatest cultural movement is the game of soccer” – Tommy Hodl, Vice President of Communications, Roots
what goes around comes around.
“I strongly believe this: If you give to the world, the world will give back,” Arghandiwal said. “And that's exactly what happened at Roots and Soul. The situation we find ourselves in, let's invite more people to the games and secure the stadium to spread the message of peace and love. In this situation, the city has been very supportive of what we see as an authentic approach to sports that is a true expression of an open community, and we are forever grateful for that. .”
auckland soul
“The biggest cultural movement in the world is the game of soccer,” Hodlu said. “And with Oakland being a center for inclusion, diversity, arts and culture, and at the forefront of so many movements, it makes sense to say that Oakland needs a soccer team. , and that means the women's team as well. That's why Oakland Soul is so important to us.”
Hodur said the team's 2024 lineup won't be fully finalized until the end of March, but last year's squad included two players with World Cup experience — Miranda Nild, who represented Thailand in 2019. Teresa Noyola played for the Mexican national team in 2011 and 2015.
“What makes them so great is the fact that they're both from the Bay Area and they're both representing their parents' countries,” Hodur said. “This is the most Bay Area story you'll ever know. We don't discount the fact that they're going to play for us. The pinnacle of the game is playing in the World Cup. ”
The Soul currently plays in the USL W-League, but plans to compete in the USL Super League, a Division I women's professional soccer league, once a stadium is finalized, Hodur said. stay tuned.
Liz Barrett is alameda post And writing about our community. To contact her, [email protected]. Her writings are collected at her AlamedaPost.com/Liz-Barrett.