Quick hits
Raiders-49ers: Security will be stepped up today at Levi’s Stadium
SANTA CLARA — “The history of games between these two teams is known to us,” Santa Clara Police Capt. Wahid Kazem said, acknowledging previous violent clashes among fans. “This will be quite different than any other football game we’ve hosted this year.”
The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders last faced off in December 2014 at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum for a regular-season game, and there were no notable fan clashes. Even so, the NFL has not revived the teams’ once-annual preseason matchups, which were suspended in 2011 after two men were shot in the Candlestick Park parking lot and another man was beaten in a stadium restroom.
“We recognize the fact that this is a highly charged game and rivalry, and people can get overzealous,” said Jim Mercurio, Levi’s general manger and the team’s vice president of stadium operations. “For the most part, if people want to come down here and try to misbehave, they’re going to find themselves met with resistance. If you’re coming to the game to enjoy a nice rivalry and root for your team, you’ll have a great time.”
For a typical NFL game at Levi’s, Santa Clara police employ over 100 out-of-town officers to work at the stadium. While police would not disclose precise details about their officer presence for Thursday, Kazem said it will be noticeably higher.
“We understand that to make the event more secure, we’re going to have to increase our personnel, both in uniform and not in uniform,” Kazem said.
Essentially, both police and the 49ers want any agitators to know that the rival fan they’re thinking of starting a fight with could be a cop.
“There will be a huge contingency of undercover officers,” Mercurio said. “You won’t always see this, but I assure you they will be out there in full force.”
In addition to the stepped up police and security, regular security and fan conduct rules will be in place Thursday. Tailgating ends at kickoff — 5:20 p.m. — and no one will be allowed in the stadium parking lots for tailgating without a game ticket.
Mercurio added that any postHalloween spillover will be tightly watched.
“You’re not going to be able to come in with masks on,” he said.
Stockton Kings introduce mascot Dunkson ahead of opening night
STOCKTON — On Wednesday, the Stockton Kings announced the newest member of the team — Mascot Dunkson — with an unveiling ceremony at Chase Chevrolet.
To celebrate his debut with the Stockton Kings, Dunkson spent the evening trick-or-treating with local Stockton youth in celebration of Halloween.
“We are excited to introduce Dunkson to fans as he brings his love of basketball and energy to Stockton Arena,” said Stockton Kings Vice President of Business Operations Dustin Toms. “Dunkson has officially been reunited with older brother Slamson and will personify who the Stockton Kings are on and off the court as we begin this inaugural season in the Central Valley.”
Dunkson will make his game debut for opening night as the Kings host the Oklahoma City Blue.
Tickets are still available at StocktonKings.com.
Maryland fires football coach Durkin
BALTIMORE — University of Maryland President Wallace Loh fired football coach DJ Durkin on Wednesday night, less than a day after the Board of Regents had reinstated him.
In a statement released by the university, Loh said he took the action after meeting with the student government association, the department chairs and other campus leadership.
“The overwhelming majority of stakeholders expressed serious concerns about Coach DJ Durkin returning to the campus,” Loh wrote in a letter to the campus.
Loh said he believed parting ways with Durkin was in the best interests of the university, and informed Durkin on Wednesday afternoon that he would no longer continue as coach. “This is a difficult decision, but it is the right one for our entire university.”
He also said the chair of the Board of Regents has publicly acknowledged that I had previously raised serious concerns about Coach Durkin’s return. This is not at all a reflection of my opinion of Coach Durkin as a person,” Loh said.
Loh did not explain whether he took his action because Gov. Larry Hogan asked the Board of Regents to reconsider their decision.