Welcome to the first installment of The Daily Californian Collection, a new sports blog series in which Cal alums all over the world share their Cal-related memorabilia with the Daily Cal.
Not all memorabilia have to be antique artifacts of the university’s history. Pieces can be something simple and inexpensive but carry an important personal attachment, like Juan Lozano and his Cal travel bag.
Seung Y. Lee, The Daily Californian: Can you introduce yourself and your relationship with the bag?
Juan Lozano: My name is Juan Lozano, and I am the director of football operations at the University of San Diego. I am originally from San Diego, CA., and attended Cal from 1996 to 2000. During that time, I was an equipment manager and a recruiting assistant. I am in possession of the bag due to having worked in the equipment room during that time. I’ve also been the DFO at Florida International University and New Mexico State University and had a stint at University of Hawaii. I’m always a Golden Bear, though.
DC: Are you or have you been a Cal sports fan? If so, for how long? What is your favorite moment as a Cal fan?
JL: I was a San Diego State fan growing up but changed allegiances as soon as I set foot in Berkeley.
My favorite Cal fan moments:
- 1998 football road victory over USC — coming back after being down big, the shadows of the coliseum
- 1999 win over Arizona State at home
- Not having to take BART to Oakland to watch Cal hoops anymore — going to the Haas Pavilion opening in 1999
- 1999 football road victory over UCLA … Take that, baby bears.
- 2003 victory over USC at home (wasn’t there, but I followed along at a wedding in Minneapolis)
This was not the glory days of Cal athletics. But whatever, I had a blast watching and following Cal athletics.
I really love Cal athletics, and I was a fan of Cal football, hoops and gymnastics in college.
I still love Cal hoops. I can’t watch highlights when they don’t do well. It ruins my night. When they win, everything is better.
DC: How did you acquire the bag?
JL: I’m not exactly sure how I obtained it. I worked in the equipment room at Cal, and somehow I ended up with this. I think I needed a bag for a road game road trip because I was too cheap to buy luggage and ended up with it. I think that is what occurred. Sorry, Cal equipment — you aren’t getting it back.
DC: Where are some cool places you took your bag to? What’s the coolest story or conversation initiated by your bag?
Ah … the bag. I’ve been admonished by coaches that I have worked with and for for having the bag and using it while under the employment of some other football program.
The bag has gone with me to places such as Honolulu, Hawaii;, Madison, Wis.; Chicago, Ill.; Las Cruces, N.M.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Miami, Fla; and Jalisco, Mexico. It will be with me for many more places for sure.
I’ve received many, many “Go Bears!” over the years in hotel lobbies and airport baggage areas and lounges.
I’ve had family members offer to get me luggage if I retire the bag. Not happening.
DC: Why have you held onto this memorabilia for so long?
JL: I’ve held onto this because: (1) I’m too cheap to buy a legitimate bag, (2) the thing is beat up yet colorful and can fit a lot, yet can stuff it nicely in an overhead compartment on a train/plane and thus don’t have to wait in baggage claim, (3) because it means more to me than some expensive bag you buy in a store.
DC: What does this memorabilia mean to you personally? Is there a personal attachment?
JL: It has been with me for over a decade. It has held the contents of my things as I’ve moved from coast to coast and everywhere in between. It has seen me add, change and take up other professions.
DC: Anything else you want to add?
JL: I don’t plan on getting rid of the bag. I’m always worried about someone stealing it at the airport. Probably irrationally so.
If you have Cal memorabilia you would like to share with the Daily Cal, email [email protected]
Seung Y. Lee covers men’s basketball. Contact him at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @sngyn92.