Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Mia Matsudaira Head coach Marshall Sperbeck (right), interacting with booster and fans during meet and greet at El Patron. [Click to enlarge]

Many people may feel intimidated by football players, but they do not get the opportunity to see the up-close and personal side of these community-oriented student-athletes.

At noon every Monday during the football season, head coach Marshall Sperbeck hosts a luncheon at El Patron Bar and Grill for boosters, fans and curious customers.

Sperbeck chooses two players who played well in the previous game to join him at these meetings.

"Our community is a vital part of our relationship with the school, so this is a good opportunity to get everybody together," said Terry Wanless, director of athletics. "It is very important that we reach out to the community on a personal level. We want the community to understand that our coaches and players are not untouchable."

On average, 30 people attend the luncheon. The majority of those in attendance are alums, boosters and former Sacramento State football players reminiscing about their playing days.

The meeting features Wanless discussing the state of the football program. He then asks a few trivia questions about Hornet football and he hands out prizes to whoever answers correctly.

Marshall Sperbeck then talks for a few minutes about the team's previous game and what the Hornets need to work on in the coming weeks.

He talks about the upcoming opponent's best player, the team's strengths, weaknesses and he gives a little insight into what Sac State must do to win. He finishes on a positive note get the boosters fired up.

The two players are given an opportunity to speak for a few minutes and answer questions from the audience.

They talk about their background in football, what year they enrolled at Sac State, what their goals are for the rest of the season and what they were thinking on a particular play.

For the football team, being invited to join these meetings has become a sign of respect because they are recognized for playing well.

"It is a great honor. I have never been invited before," said junior kicker Chris Diniz. "It was kind of surprising to get invited by coach Sperbeck. I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

Junior defensive back Zack Schrader said the luncheon is a nice treat after a hard week on the football field.

"You put in a lot of hard work and then you get invited to stuff like this," he said. "It is great to meet the alumni and it lets you know you are doing something right."

The Monday meetings are a great way for people to get to know the members of the football team.

"Fans get to meet the kids, what they are like, what they are thinking about, what their majors are, their idiosyncrasies, their attributes," said Dick Sperbeck, Marshall Sperbeck's father.

Dick Sperbeck said that the luncheons are a way for the community to feel like they are a part of the football program.

"These Monday luncheons have become an integral part of the program in getting people in the community to come out and meet with players each week," he said.

The coaches and players have formed bonds with the employees at El Patron.

Waiter Jose Castro said that all the employees at El Patron look forward to the weekly luncheons.

"We want to support them any way we can. This is the third year they have been using our back room (for the luncheons)," he said. "We are happy to have them here so we can follow up and see how the team is doing."

Dick Sperbeck said that the football program hopes to reach out to the public with more events so people will be more inclined to follow Sac State athletics.

Wanless said it is vital for the athletic department to stay connected with the fans.

"It is very important that we reach out to the community on a personal level," he said. "We want the community to understand that our coaches and players are not untouchable."


Andrew Hazard can be reached at ahazard@statehornet.com

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