Sports
At $75 a Game, Indoor Football Isn’t About the Money
In this photo from May 16, 2015, Omaha Beef players Jesse Robertson (9) and Demichael McWilliams (99) tackle Sioux City Bandits’ Fredrick Bruno (2) in a Champions Indoor Football league game in Sioux City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
ERIC OLSON, AP Sports Writer
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Chuck Wright was hooked the first time he tried professional indoor football. His pay for that game: a $10 bill and six-pack of Bud Light.
“If I never did anything else,” he said, “I could always say I got paid to play. It’s true.”
That was 10 years ago, and the 34-year-old is still going strong, now with a team called the Omaha Beef. It’s an eclectic mix of dreamers hoping to get noticed by a team in the Arena Football League, CFL or even the NFL and realists like Wright who know they’re going nowhere.
Each Beef player signs a contract promising $75 a game, and each will tell you it’s not really about the money.
Jesse Robertson and Davon Bridges are among the dreamers. They drove here together from the East Coast, took up residence at a motel and spend their days painting and cleaning apartments, working out and hanging out. They live for the two nights a week the Beef practice and the Friday or Saturday nights they play games. For them, the games are an opportunity to put their skills on film and send it to talent evaluators in more prestigious leagues.
Established in 1999, the Omaha-based team is the oldest indoor football team in the nation. The Beef found the spotlight a couple years ago when owner Rich Tokheim offered Tim Tebow a roster spot the day after he was cut by the New York Jets. The Beef’s quarterback at the time, James McNear, famously cracked, “I think Tim can learn a lot from me.”
Laugh if you will, but coach Cory Ross said the talent in the Beef’s league, Champions Indoor Football, is better than you think.
“You can see why some guys aren’t at the next level, but with other guys, you wonder why they haven’t gotten an opportunity,” said Ross, 32, who played running back for Nebraska and the Baltimore Ravens. “There are 2,500 college kids who come out as seniors, and only 255 get drafted. That’s a lot of football players trying to find a place to play. Some go to Canada, some go to the arena league. And then there are leagues like ours.”
CIF is one of five U.S. leagues with a total of 44 teams. The Indoor Football League, where players make better than $200 a game, is considered the best of the five and is one step from the AFL.
The eight-on-eight indoor game is played on a 50-yard field laid inside a hockey rink. Dasher boards, sans glass, are the sidelines, and the fans eat it up when receivers go up and over them to catch passes.
The Beef’s quirky nickname is a nod to Omaha’s reputation for great steaks. Their home is the Ralston Arena, aka “The Slaughterhouse,” where they draw about 2,800 a game heading into Saturday’s season finale. The female Prime Dancers and male Rump Roasters, along with a mascot named “Sir Loin,” provide in-game entertainment.
The booster club has been known to fill a 53-passenger bus, “The Meat Wagon,” for games hundreds of miles away. As the team has struggled to a 1-10 record this season, the road following has dwindled to only the most ardent fans, like the five tailgating two hours before kickoff a couple Saturdays ago in an otherwise empty parking lot at the Sioux City (Iowa) Bandits’ arena.
Wright, known as “Gunslinger,” was a three-year starter at now-closed Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, and works at Bellevue University near Omaha. He’s played in several indoor leagues and in his best season earned a total of $5,000, not to mention other forms of pay ranging from that six-pack of beer to vouchers for tattoos.
“I go out there to entertain people,” Wright said. “They’re not paying 10 or 20 bucks to see Chuck Wright the person. They’re paying 10 or 20 bucks to see the Gunslinger. It’s like a wrestling match. That’s what they want to see, someone getting lit up and thrown over the wall.”
Receiver Brandon Kinnie also is in it for the love of the game. He played at Nebraska and went to training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012. Now he works full-time as an assistant manager at a shoe store and part-time at a Nike outlet.
“I used to envy some of my good friends because they were playing in the NFL and I wasn’t, and I didn’t understand why I wasn’t there,” Kinnie said. “It just doesn’t happen for everybody. It’s OK. I’m enjoying the company I’m with now.”
Robertson and Bridges don’t mind living on the cheap if that’s what it takes to move to a higher level someday. Robertson led Division II in solo tackles for West Virginia Wesleyan in 2013, and Bridges was a three-year starter for FCS-level Villanova.
The Beef provide lodging at a Best Western motel for the handful of players who have no local ties. The team also gives them vouchers for meals at sponsor restaurants. The entire team meets on Fridays for a pregame meal of chicken wings at Hooters.
“Hey, if they’re offering to feed us, we’re going to eat it,” Bridges said. “There is no trying to eat healthy.”
Indoor football’s greatest success story is running back Fred Jackson, who played the 2004 and ’05 seasons for the Sioux City Bandits and in 2007 was starting for the Buffalo Bills. The CFL is a more realistic goal for the best indoor players, but even that’s a longshot.
Calgary Stampeders assistant general manager John Murphy said one or two players a year from indoor teams might make his team’s active roster or practice squad. He said he admires their willingness to sacrifice to pursue their passion.
So does Ross, who told his players as much during his pregame talk before their recent game at Sioux City.
“It’s another day to continue to do something you love,” he said, his voice raised. “Age waits for nobody.”
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Business
Sacramento Kings and Black-Owned Digital License Plate Firm Enter History-Making Partnership
Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings’ season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company’s patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings’ community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).
By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
Reviver, the world’s first digital license plate and connected vehicle platform, has entered into a history-making jersey patch partnership with the Sacramento Kings, team officials announced right before the team’s season opener on Oct. 24.
The collaboration establishes Reviver as the first Black-founded technology jersey patch partner in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The Reviver logo now appears on the left front strap of Kings’ uniforms.
Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston was in attendance to see the company’s patch worn by the Kings, during a game with the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.
“It was an absolutely amazing night. More than I ever expected,” Boston told California Black Media (CBM). “The Sacramento Kings have been incredible. On a national, and maybe a worldwide level, this partnership raises the profile of Reviver with the assistance of (Kings chairman and CEO) Vivek Ranadivé and the Kings.”
According to the Kings’ brass, Reviver, supported by the Black Star Fund, a Black-led venture capital firm based in Sacramento, is now an official “innovation partner” of the Kings and Golden 1 Center; a presenting partner of “Capitalize Technology,” a King’s corporate social investment initiative; and the exclusive digital license plate of the Sacramento Kings.
Headquartered in Granite Bay, a suburb of Sacramento, Reviver was born from a vision to modernize and streamline the vehicle registration renewal process. On Jan. 1, 2023, the state of California joined Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona as states that have approved digital license plates for use statewide, after Reviver completed a four-year pilot program that evaluated a replacement for metal plates.
About 10,000 California drivers bought digital plates during the pilot program. Vehicles registered with the state are eligible to adopt the new high-tech tags. Reviver existence was made possible when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 984 in September 2022.
Under that law, California vehicle owners can update their titles, registrations, and other records remotely. In addition, the digital license “RPlate” includes a flashing message if a vehicle is reported stolen or if there is an Amber Alert.
Ranadivé is spreading the news that Reviver has international potential.
“This jersey patch partnership with Reviver continues the Kings long tradition of using our global platform to promote innovation and technology,” Ranadivé stated. “It’s particularly exciting to showcase a homegrown company that was part of our Kings Capitalize program. This is just the beginning of our work together, and we look forward to helping Reviver in its mission to modernize the driving experience.”
The commercial use of patches in professional basketball all began in 2009 when the Women’s Basketball Association (WNBA) Phoenix Mercury removed its name to replace it with sponsor, LifeLock, an identity-theft protection company. The landmark deal netted a contract worth about $1 million annually.
Kindra Montgomery-Block, vice president of diversity, equity, and social impact for the Sacramento Kings, was the integral facilitator who assisted Boston and his team in connecting with the sports franchise that is boasting 40 years in the Capital City.
“This partnership between the Kings and Reviver, backed by the Black Star Fund, will invest in the Sacramento community to promote technology and innovation in the region,” Montgomery-Block stated. “Reviver will support the Sacramento Kings community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”
Editor’s Note: Neville Boston is a California Black Media board member.
Black History
Martial Artist Victor Moore: An American Karate and Kickboxing Pioneer
Throughout his career, Moore defeated many national champions, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Moore placed in every tournament he competed in from 1965 until his retirement in 1975, defeating renowned national champions such as Mike Foster, Chuck Norris, Fred Wren, Glenn Keeney, James Hawkes, and Jim Kelly. Moore emphasizes that winning or losing does not diminish a champion’s credibility — they are all champions in his eyes.
By Tamara Shiloh
Victor Moore, born on Aug. 23, 1943, holds a 10th-degree Black Belt in Karate and is a four-time world karate champion.
As one of the chief instructors under Robert Trias in the Shuri-ryu Karate system, Moore was also among the first ten members of the Trias International Society. Over his 50-year martial arts career, he trained in various styles, including Chito-ryu with William J. Dometrich, Judo, Kempo, and Bondo karate.
Moore began his martial arts journey at the age of 7 in Cincinnati, lifting weights and reading Charles Atlas books to guide his training. By age 9, he had learned the basics of jujitsu and judo, and at 12, he began training in Kempo karate under Ronald Williams, who awarded him his first black belt after five years of instruction.
In 1961, Moore expanded his training by joining a judo school led by Ray Hughes and later trained in Gyu Ryu-karate under Harvey Eubanks. He studied Kempo with Bill Dometrich and continued exploring different karate styles. Instructors at the time, required students to start as white belts in each new style, even if they held black belts elsewhere, which shaped Moore’s adaptability.
Chung Ling, an exchange student from China, introduced Moore and others to Chuan Fa, enhancing Moore’s understanding of martial arts. He also took up judo at a school in Cincinnati, where he earned his brown belt, and trained in karate with Jim Wax, who had studied under the Shimabuku brothers. Moore’s toughness was further honed by his boxing experience at the 9th Street YMCA, where he became a sparring partner for Tiger Joe Harris.
At Central State University, Professor Barry Yasuto trained Moore in Shotokan karate, but Moore was denied entry to the Japanese Karate Association, possibly due to his race. After returning to Cincinnati, Moore opened his first karate school and began competing in national tournaments. He traveled across the U.S., eventually meeting Robert Trias, who became his mentor and helped him rise to the second-degree black belt level. Under Trias, Moore continued training in Kempo and Goju-Ryu styles.
Moore also trained under Dr. Maung Gyi, learning Bondo karate, stick fighting, and kickboxing. In 1973, Moore and Joe Lewis introduced kickboxing to America on the Merv Griffin TV show. Moore competed in the first kickboxing tournament in the U.S., facing Jim Harrison in a historic fight.
Throughout his career, Moore defeated many national champions, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Moore placed in every tournament he competed in from 1965 until his retirement in 1975, defeating renowned national champions such as Mike Foster, Chuck Norris, Fred Wren, Glenn Keeney, James Hawkes, and Jim Kelly. Moore emphasizes that winning or losing does not diminish a champion’s credibility — they are all champions in his eyes.
Moore continues to teach martial arts, working with instructors and students nationwide. His daughters, Vickie and Vonnie, and his son, Vanceston, also train under his guidance.
Bay Area
Cal State East Bay Athletic Department Holds Hall of Fame Gala
The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests. The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.
By Carla Thomas
California State University East Bay Athletics (CSUEB) hosted their 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests.
The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.
The 1999 CalPac Player of the Year was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Danielle Stines and also on the 1999 team was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Angel Alcorcha.
In 2000, the Pioneers swept the premier CalPac Awards, and Rachel Abrams was named Player of the Year, Christy Smith was named Pitcher of the Year, and Karen Lee Yoder (Matteson) was named Coach of the Year. Their team record for batting average in 1999 still stands after 25 years with an amazing combined .347.
Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB’s Men’s Basketball Team 1986-1990 was recognized for his achievements as a two-time All-NCAC selection, ranking in the top-10 in program history for assists, steals, free throw percentage and scoring.
At the time of his graduation, Hall held NCAC records for assists and steals. He also served as an assistant coach for the Pioneers after his playing career and created the nonprofit First Step Basketball to guide the next generation of young athletes.
Inductee and Women’s Gymnastics Coach Dorie Krepton of 1971-1985 led the team through winning 145 of 171 meets, 84% of their competition.
Through her 14 years of leading the Pioneers, Krepton coached the program to five Golden Gate Conference Championships, and the team qualified and participated in six NCAA Gymnastics National Championships. She also coached 10 All-American Athletes, including Pioneer Hall of Famers Holly Moore Leonard and Janet Kramer.
The seven-time Coach of the Year honoree served as Kinesiology and Physical Education professor emeritus at Cal State East Bay, which offered a degree option in exercise nutrition in the Kinesiology Department.
Bob Olsen of the CSUEB Men’s Track and Field Team, 1976-1979, was a member of 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship team and the two-time Far Western Conference Champion in pole vault, 1978 and 1979. Olsen was a four-time All-Conference selection and in 1976, Olsen became the first freshman pole vaulter in Division II to clear 16 feet.
Olsen was in the top 10 in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Championships four times in his career.
Honoree Kulwant Singh served as the men’s and women’s assistant soccer coach from 1983-1990. The women’s team won six straight conference championships from 1984 to 1989. Singh served on the coaching staff alongside Pioneer Hall of Famer Colin Lindores.
In 1985, Singh coached the women’s team to an undefeated regular season (18-0) and lost to UC Santa Barbara on a golden goal in the NCAA playoffs. Singh was assistant coach for the 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship team and helped the 1989 men’s soccer team reach the NCAA Division II Championship semifinals.
Singh also played on the pitch as a Pioneer before coaching in Hayward and currently serves as commissioner for the Central Valley Conference.
The inductees also participated in several days of alumni activity, beginning with Pioneer Alumni Day on Thursday, Oct. 17.
With the addition of the new members, the Pioneers Hall of Fame now features 119 individuals and four teams.
During sports seasons, the Pioneer Gymnasium is open to the public, and guests can view the school’s Hall of Fame Wall.
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Sports
At $75 a Game, Indoor Football Isn’t About the Money
In this photo from May 16, 2015, Omaha Beef players Jesse Robertson (9) and Demichael McWilliams (99) tackle Sioux City Bandits’ Fredrick Bruno (2) in a Champions Indoor Football league game in Sioux City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
ERIC OLSON, AP Sports Writer
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Chuck Wright was hooked the first time he tried professional indoor football. His pay for that game: a $10 bill and six-pack of Bud Light.
“If I never did anything else,” he said, “I could always say I got paid to play. It’s true.”
That was 10 years ago, and the 34-year-old is still going strong, now with a team called the Omaha Beef. It’s an eclectic mix of dreamers hoping to get noticed by a team in the Arena Football League, CFL or even the NFL and realists like Wright who know they’re going nowhere.
Each Beef player signs a contract promising $75 a game, and each will tell you it’s not really about the money.
Jesse Robertson and Davon Bridges are among the dreamers. They drove here together from the East Coast, took up residence at a motel and spend their days painting and cleaning apartments, working out and hanging out. They live for the two nights a week the Beef practice and the Friday or Saturday nights they play games. For them, the games are an opportunity to put their skills on film and send it to talent evaluators in more prestigious leagues.
Established in 1999, the Omaha-based team is the oldest indoor football team in the nation. The Beef found the spotlight a couple years ago when owner Rich Tokheim offered Tim Tebow a roster spot the day after he was cut by the New York Jets. The Beef’s quarterback at the time, James McNear, famously cracked, “I think Tim can learn a lot from me.”
Laugh if you will, but coach Cory Ross said the talent in the Beef’s league, Champions Indoor Football, is better than you think.
“You can see why some guys aren’t at the next level, but with other guys, you wonder why they haven’t gotten an opportunity,” said Ross, 32, who played running back for Nebraska and the Baltimore Ravens. “There are 2,500 college kids who come out as seniors, and only 255 get drafted. That’s a lot of football players trying to find a place to play. Some go to Canada, some go to the arena league. And then there are leagues like ours.”
CIF is one of five U.S. leagues with a total of 44 teams. The Indoor Football League, where players make better than $200 a game, is considered the best of the five and is one step from the AFL.
The eight-on-eight indoor game is played on a 50-yard field laid inside a hockey rink. Dasher boards, sans glass, are the sidelines, and the fans eat it up when receivers go up and over them to catch passes.
The Beef’s quirky nickname is a nod to Omaha’s reputation for great steaks. Their home is the Ralston Arena, aka “The Slaughterhouse,” where they draw about 2,800 a game heading into Saturday’s season finale. The female Prime Dancers and male Rump Roasters, along with a mascot named “Sir Loin,” provide in-game entertainment.
The booster club has been known to fill a 53-passenger bus, “The Meat Wagon,” for games hundreds of miles away. As the team has struggled to a 1-10 record this season, the road following has dwindled to only the most ardent fans, like the five tailgating two hours before kickoff a couple Saturdays ago in an otherwise empty parking lot at the Sioux City (Iowa) Bandits’ arena.
Wright, known as “Gunslinger,” was a three-year starter at now-closed Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, and works at Bellevue University near Omaha. He’s played in several indoor leagues and in his best season earned a total of $5,000, not to mention other forms of pay ranging from that six-pack of beer to vouchers for tattoos.
“I go out there to entertain people,” Wright said. “They’re not paying 10 or 20 bucks to see Chuck Wright the person. They’re paying 10 or 20 bucks to see the Gunslinger. It’s like a wrestling match. That’s what they want to see, someone getting lit up and thrown over the wall.”
Receiver Brandon Kinnie also is in it for the love of the game. He played at Nebraska and went to training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012. Now he works full-time as an assistant manager at a shoe store and part-time at a Nike outlet.
“I used to envy some of my good friends because they were playing in the NFL and I wasn’t, and I didn’t understand why I wasn’t there,” Kinnie said. “It just doesn’t happen for everybody. It’s OK. I’m enjoying the company I’m with now.”
Robertson and Bridges don’t mind living on the cheap if that’s what it takes to move to a higher level someday. Robertson led Division II in solo tackles for West Virginia Wesleyan in 2013, and Bridges was a three-year starter for FCS-level Villanova.
The Beef provide lodging at a Best Western motel for the handful of players who have no local ties. The team also gives them vouchers for meals at sponsor restaurants. The entire team meets on Fridays for a pregame meal of chicken wings at Hooters.
“Hey, if they’re offering to feed us, we’re going to eat it,” Bridges said. “There is no trying to eat healthy.”
Indoor football’s greatest success story is running back Fred Jackson, who played the 2004 and ’05 seasons for the Sioux City Bandits and in 2007 was starting for the Buffalo Bills. The CFL is a more realistic goal for the best indoor players, but even that’s a longshot.
Calgary Stampeders assistant general manager John Murphy said one or two players a year from indoor teams might make his team’s active roster or practice squad. He said he admires their willingness to sacrifice to pursue their passion.
So does Ross, who told his players as much during his pregame talk before their recent game at Sioux City.
“It’s another day to continue to do something you love,” he said, his voice raised. “Age waits for nobody.”
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Business
Sacramento Kings and Black-Owned Digital License Plate Firm Enter History-Making Partnership
Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings’ season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company’s patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings’ community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).
By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
Reviver, the world’s first digital license plate and connected vehicle platform, has entered into a history-making jersey patch partnership with the Sacramento Kings, team officials announced right before the team’s season opener on Oct. 24.
The collaboration establishes Reviver as the first Black-founded technology jersey patch partner in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The Reviver logo now appears on the left front strap of Kings’ uniforms.
Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston was in attendance to see the company’s patch worn by the Kings, during a game with the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.
“It was an absolutely amazing night. More than I ever expected,” Boston told California Black Media (CBM). “The Sacramento Kings have been incredible. On a national, and maybe a worldwide level, this partnership raises the profile of Reviver with the assistance of (Kings chairman and CEO) Vivek Ranadivé and the Kings.”
According to the Kings’ brass, Reviver, supported by the Black Star Fund, a Black-led venture capital firm based in Sacramento, is now an official “innovation partner” of the Kings and Golden 1 Center; a presenting partner of “Capitalize Technology,” a King’s corporate social investment initiative; and the exclusive digital license plate of the Sacramento Kings.
Headquartered in Granite Bay, a suburb of Sacramento, Reviver was born from a vision to modernize and streamline the vehicle registration renewal process. On Jan. 1, 2023, the state of California joined Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona as states that have approved digital license plates for use statewide, after Reviver completed a four-year pilot program that evaluated a replacement for metal plates.
About 10,000 California drivers bought digital plates during the pilot program. Vehicles registered with the state are eligible to adopt the new high-tech tags. Reviver existence was made possible when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 984 in September 2022.
Under that law, California vehicle owners can update their titles, registrations, and other records remotely. In addition, the digital license “RPlate” includes a flashing message if a vehicle is reported stolen or if there is an Amber Alert.
Ranadivé is spreading the news that Reviver has international potential.
“This jersey patch partnership with Reviver continues the Kings long tradition of using our global platform to promote innovation and technology,” Ranadivé stated. “It’s particularly exciting to showcase a homegrown company that was part of our Kings Capitalize program. This is just the beginning of our work together, and we look forward to helping Reviver in its mission to modernize the driving experience.”
The commercial use of patches in professional basketball all began in 2009 when the Women’s Basketball Association (WNBA) Phoenix Mercury removed its name to replace it with sponsor, LifeLock, an identity-theft protection company. The landmark deal netted a contract worth about $1 million annually.
Kindra Montgomery-Block, vice president of diversity, equity, and social impact for the Sacramento Kings, was the integral facilitator who assisted Boston and his team in connecting with the sports franchise that is boasting 40 years in the Capital City.
“This partnership between the Kings and Reviver, backed by the Black Star Fund, will invest in the Sacramento community to promote technology and innovation in the region,” Montgomery-Block stated. “Reviver will support the Sacramento Kings community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”
Editor’s Note: Neville Boston is a California Black Media board member.
Black History
Martial Artist Victor Moore: An American Karate and Kickboxing Pioneer
Throughout his career, Moore defeated many national champions, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Moore placed in every tournament he competed in from 1965 until his retirement in 1975, defeating renowned national champions such as Mike Foster, Chuck Norris, Fred Wren, Glenn Keeney, James Hawkes, and Jim Kelly. Moore emphasizes that winning or losing does not diminish a champion’s credibility — they are all champions in his eyes.
By Tamara Shiloh
Victor Moore, born on Aug. 23, 1943, holds a 10th-degree Black Belt in Karate and is a four-time world karate champion.
As one of the chief instructors under Robert Trias in the Shuri-ryu Karate system, Moore was also among the first ten members of the Trias International Society. Over his 50-year martial arts career, he trained in various styles, including Chito-ryu with William J. Dometrich, Judo, Kempo, and Bondo karate.
Moore began his martial arts journey at the age of 7 in Cincinnati, lifting weights and reading Charles Atlas books to guide his training. By age 9, he had learned the basics of jujitsu and judo, and at 12, he began training in Kempo karate under Ronald Williams, who awarded him his first black belt after five years of instruction.
In 1961, Moore expanded his training by joining a judo school led by Ray Hughes and later trained in Gyu Ryu-karate under Harvey Eubanks. He studied Kempo with Bill Dometrich and continued exploring different karate styles. Instructors at the time, required students to start as white belts in each new style, even if they held black belts elsewhere, which shaped Moore’s adaptability.
Chung Ling, an exchange student from China, introduced Moore and others to Chuan Fa, enhancing Moore’s understanding of martial arts. He also took up judo at a school in Cincinnati, where he earned his brown belt, and trained in karate with Jim Wax, who had studied under the Shimabuku brothers. Moore’s toughness was further honed by his boxing experience at the 9th Street YMCA, where he became a sparring partner for Tiger Joe Harris.
At Central State University, Professor Barry Yasuto trained Moore in Shotokan karate, but Moore was denied entry to the Japanese Karate Association, possibly due to his race. After returning to Cincinnati, Moore opened his first karate school and began competing in national tournaments. He traveled across the U.S., eventually meeting Robert Trias, who became his mentor and helped him rise to the second-degree black belt level. Under Trias, Moore continued training in Kempo and Goju-Ryu styles.
Moore also trained under Dr. Maung Gyi, learning Bondo karate, stick fighting, and kickboxing. In 1973, Moore and Joe Lewis introduced kickboxing to America on the Merv Griffin TV show. Moore competed in the first kickboxing tournament in the U.S., facing Jim Harrison in a historic fight.
Throughout his career, Moore defeated many national champions, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Moore placed in every tournament he competed in from 1965 until his retirement in 1975, defeating renowned national champions such as Mike Foster, Chuck Norris, Fred Wren, Glenn Keeney, James Hawkes, and Jim Kelly. Moore emphasizes that winning or losing does not diminish a champion’s credibility — they are all champions in his eyes.
Moore continues to teach martial arts, working with instructors and students nationwide. His daughters, Vickie and Vonnie, and his son, Vanceston, also train under his guidance.
Bay Area
Cal State East Bay Athletic Department Holds Hall of Fame Gala
The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests. The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.
By Carla Thomas
California State University East Bay Athletics (CSUEB) hosted their 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests.
The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.
The 1999 CalPac Player of the Year was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Danielle Stines and also on the 1999 team was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Angel Alcorcha.
In 2000, the Pioneers swept the premier CalPac Awards, and Rachel Abrams was named Player of the Year, Christy Smith was named Pitcher of the Year, and Karen Lee Yoder (Matteson) was named Coach of the Year. Their team record for batting average in 1999 still stands after 25 years with an amazing combined .347.
Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB’s Men’s Basketball Team 1986-1990 was recognized for his achievements as a two-time All-NCAC selection, ranking in the top-10 in program history for assists, steals, free throw percentage and scoring.
At the time of his graduation, Hall held NCAC records for assists and steals. He also served as an assistant coach for the Pioneers after his playing career and created the nonprofit First Step Basketball to guide the next generation of young athletes.
Inductee and Women’s Gymnastics Coach Dorie Krepton of 1971-1985 led the team through winning 145 of 171 meets, 84% of their competition.
Through her 14 years of leading the Pioneers, Krepton coached the program to five Golden Gate Conference Championships, and the team qualified and participated in six NCAA Gymnastics National Championships. She also coached 10 All-American Athletes, including Pioneer Hall of Famers Holly Moore Leonard and Janet Kramer.
The seven-time Coach of the Year honoree served as Kinesiology and Physical Education professor emeritus at Cal State East Bay, which offered a degree option in exercise nutrition in the Kinesiology Department.
Bob Olsen of the CSUEB Men’s Track and Field Team, 1976-1979, was a member of 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship team and the two-time Far Western Conference Champion in pole vault, 1978 and 1979. Olsen was a four-time All-Conference selection and in 1976, Olsen became the first freshman pole vaulter in Division II to clear 16 feet.
Olsen was in the top 10 in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Championships four times in his career.
Honoree Kulwant Singh served as the men’s and women’s assistant soccer coach from 1983-1990. The women’s team won six straight conference championships from 1984 to 1989. Singh served on the coaching staff alongside Pioneer Hall of Famer Colin Lindores.
In 1985, Singh coached the women’s team to an undefeated regular season (18-0) and lost to UC Santa Barbara on a golden goal in the NCAA playoffs. Singh was assistant coach for the 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship team and helped the 1989 men’s soccer team reach the NCAA Division II Championship semifinals.
Singh also played on the pitch as a Pioneer before coaching in Hayward and currently serves as commissioner for the Central Valley Conference.
The inductees also participated in several days of alumni activity, beginning with Pioneer Alumni Day on Thursday, Oct. 17.
With the addition of the new members, the Pioneers Hall of Fame now features 119 individuals and four teams.
During sports seasons, the Pioneer Gymnasium is open to the public, and guests can view the school’s Hall of Fame Wall.
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