Bad Air Quality Postpones Stanford-Cal 'Big Game' Saturday

PALO ALTO, CA -- Poor air quality from the Camp Fire that has enshrouded the San Francisco Bay Area and closed campuses including Stanford University has impacted the world of sports -- postponing Saturday's "big game" between the Palo Alto Cardinal and UC Berkeley to Dec. 1.

The 121st meeting -- the second time in history it's been canceled -- was supposed to be hosted by Cal at Memorial Stadium in the East Bay. The game will kick off at noon on Dec. 1.

After extensive consultation with campus medical and environmental experts, the Pac-12 Conference and Stanford, UC Berkeley's Chancellor, Carol Christ, and Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton concluded that the game should be postponed due to concerns for the health and well-being of student-athletes, staff, the band and student groups and fans.

Current air quality conditions provided by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and forecasts for the weekend have indicated the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are unlikely to sufficiently improve by Saturday afternoon. The game was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The decision is consistent with guidelines established by the NCAA Sports Science Institute and the Pac-12's Health and Well-Being Board.

All tickets to the Nov. 17 game will be honored on Dec. 1. Fans should bring the tickets they currently have to gain entrance on the rescheduled date. Fans with questions should call 800-STANFORD and press option 4.

Since 1892, Stanford and Cal have met 120 times, including each of the last 71 years dating back to a three-year gap during World War II that was waged between 1943-45. The rivalry is such that the Cardinal holds the all-time series lead 63-46-11 in the Big Game, and has won a series-record eight in a row over the Bears.

"The entire Stanford Athletics community recognizes this has been an extremely challenging time for so many people who have been affected by the wildfires, both in the Bay Area and throughout the state. Our thoughts are with them, first and foremost. We are thankful to the University of California for collaborating with us on the logistical challenges of rescheduling the Big Game, and are looking forward to playing the game on Dec. 1," Stanford Director of Athletics Bernard Muir said.

Santa Clara County has established centers for the homeless to escape the unhealthy air.

Michelle Covert, the county’s Housing and Homeless Concerns coordinator indicated the agency is partnering with cities and shelters to make Clean Air Centers available to those who need respite from being outdoors.

"These Clean Air Centers will help to protect the health and well-being of people who are living outside and therefore continually exposed to very unhealthy air quality,” Covert said.

The centers will be open during the day in the cities of Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and San Jose. A list of Clean Air Centers and shelters is available on the Office of Supportive Housing website. In addition, the Santa Clara County Libraries are available as Clean Air Centers during regular business hours.

Click here for real-time air quality readings.

--Image via Shutterstock