San Jose’s 9th Man Blog

I want to say congratulations to the 2008 Western Division Champion, San Jose SaberCats on their 8th division title and for making it one step closer to the American Conference title and another trip to the ArenaBowl to defend their reign.

Here is what has happened: Two weeks ago the SaberCats clinched a playoff birth for the 9th straight year. Last night the SaberCats clinched their 8th division title and a first round bye in the playoffs. Their first playoff game will be on the weekend of the 4th of July.

Here is what still has to happen: Next week for week 16 action, the SaberCats must win their game hosting the Georgia Force and the Chicago Rush must lose their contest against the Dallas Desperados. If these two things occur, then the SaberCats will have home field advantage and the number 1 seed for the 2008 playoffs.

If the Chicago Rush win next week, then the SaberCats will play their first playoff game in San Jose at the Cats Lair on the weekend of July 4th. After advancing to the Conference Championship game, they may either host it or will travel to Chicago if the Rush win their semi-final game in Rosemont.

If the SaberCats have to go on the road for a playoff game, San Jose’s 9th Man will be having a Conference Championship Viewing Party at Henry’s Hi-Life in downtown San Jose. Details will become available as the gaming situation for the playoffs transpire.
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San Jose’s 9th Man
“Here We Come!”

I would like to personally thank everyone for showing up at Henry’s Hi-Life for the last regular season viewing party for 2008.  Thanks also is needed for Richie and his entire staff at Henry’s Hi-Life.  Your hospitality along with joining in on the festivities was greatly welcomed and appreciated.

Everyone who showed up to the viewing party walked away with at least a 2 week membership trial to Bally Total Fitness.  Some other winers were:

1. Bally Fitness Bag (including visor, shirt, & towel) - Winners were Karin McClay from San Jose and Mike Bregante of San Mateo.
2. 3 Month Membership to Bally Total Fitness - Winners were Brian McClay from San Jose and Steve Aquino from San Jose.
3. 9th Man Fan Club Honoree for 2008 - Keith Tokar from San Jose.

Thanks also has to go to Bally Total Fitness for sponsoring San Jose’s 9th Man again this year.  Keep posted to the 9th Man web site for any possible post season viewing parties and as well as any off season activities.

Now announcing the 2008 9th Man Player of the Year is: K #11 A.J. Haglund with 117 votes (46.6% of the votes).

Now announcing the 2008 9th Man Kitten of the Year is: Christi Pereira with 743 votes (39.2% of the votes).

Thanks You SaberCats Fans (9th Man)

Eric Thurow
President
San Jose’s 9th Man

Yesterday I confirmed with management that Henry’s Hi-Life in Downtown San Jose will host our next viewing party. This is scheduled for 7:00PM with the game kicking off at 7:30PM on Saturday, May 31st.  Henry’s Hi-Life is located a couple of blocks east of the Cats Lair at 301 W. St. John St.

GO SABERCATS 2 ANOTHER DIVISION TITLE!!!!!
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San Jose’s 9th Man
“Here We Come!”  

I have returned from Arizona as of yesterday.  The whether was hot and so were the SaberCats as they cruised in the second half to a victory.  The Rattler fans tried to scare us off as we entered their section, but we weren;t having it.  Ultimately, I would like to thank the Rattler fans that were next to us in section 104 rowws 4 and 5 ( including Lynn).  It was a great game and a memorable as one of the elite AFL players had his number retired and hung next to another great Hunkie Cooper’s number, I’m talking of Randy Gatewood #17.

I was unable to do any 9th Man TV in Arizona due to timing, however I do have some pictures that turned out great and I will post them up shortly in the pics gallery.  So be on the lookout for that.  I will see everyone back at the Cats Lair for this week’s division match-up against the Utah Blaze.

Also DO NOT FORGET that there will be a POST GAME MEET-N-GREET with Head Coach Darren Arbet following the game on Saturday at Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria.

This upcoming Friday is the date for the 9th Man Road Trip to Phoenix, Arizona.   For the Viewing Party this week, it is still planned on going on at the same venue, Britannia Arms - Almaden at 7:00PM.  However I will not be present as I am flying out to Phoenix Thursday to attend the game Friday night. 

If you are going to the game as well, please contact me so that the 9th Man can meet up for the pre-game tailgate party outside of the main entrance to U.S. Airways Center and also for the pre-game photo and video footage to represent the SaberCats fans and to demonstrate how loyal fans are of our SaberCats.

David Richardson suffered an open wound (compund) fracture to his ankle Saturday night against San Jose. David underwent a successful surgery on Sunday in San Jose. He is expected to return to Los Angeles in a couple days.  Please submit your best wishes here and I will make sure the L.A. Avengers forwards it to David.

It’s is now complete.  I have posted the 2008 9th Man Player of the Year Nominees to go along with the 2008 Kitten of the Year Nominees and voting for both is NOW open.  Although voting has been taking place for about a week and a half for the Kitten of the Year, it’s now time for you to also express your opinions by voting for your favorite palyer. 

The winner to both contests will be announced at the first annual 9th Man Awards on Satuday, May 31 inside of Britannia Arms - Almaden.  Good luck to all of the nominees for both the Kitten and Player of the Year.

I have been finally able to begin updating the photo gallery.  I have updated the gallery with pictures from week 4 action hosting the Dallas Desperados.  The pictures from the game hosting the Philadelphia Soul will be up in the next two or three days.

For the remiaining viewing parties during the regular season, the host venue will remain Britannia Arms - Almaden.  However, for the post season, if we were to have any viewing parties, including the ArenaBowl, it will be at a different location.  This location will be announced by the middle of this week.  Possible locations are Stanley’s Bar & Grill at the Sharks practice facility, Jersey’s on S. 1st St downtown, and the Downtown Britannia Arms.

Also on the main page, I have a survey for feedback on the viewing parties host venue, Britannia Arms - Almaden.  I want to hear your feedback by participating in the survey, if have gone to a viewing party.   YOu can also comment here on this blog entry as well for more feedback, as the survey is just a simple ranking.  All comments on the 9th Man Blog are subjuct to approval to only allow appropriate material to be posted.

As some of you may already know, I have begun the voting process of this year’s 9th Man Kitten of the Year.  Now remember that this is an award to be presented to your favorite member of the SaberKittens, as they have been nominated.  The 9th Man Player of the Year voting will begin next week.

This year I decided to spice things up a little.  We are not going to display the final results on the web site until after the winner has been announced at this year’s first 9th Man Award Ceremony.

This special event will be held at the last regular season viewing party on Saturday, May 31st while the SaberCats take on the SoCal rivals, Los Angeles Avengers at 7:30PM.  So come in force to the Britannia Arms - Almaden to not only cheer on your defending ArenaBowl Champion San Jose SaberCats, but also to see who wins at the First Annual 9th Man Awards.  The final announcement about the categories will be announced shortly.

GO SABERCATS!