By Evan Aczon
ART U Sports Information Asst.

Photo Gallery (images by Bob Toy & Samm McAlear)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- It was 85 degrees, without a cloud in the sky, and the breeze was blowing just enough to flutter the flags on the greens on Monday. The water bottles were being distributed, the lunches were being finished, and those with shorts scoffed at the unfortunate few who decided to wear pants to the golf course. 

This was not Palm Springs. Nor was it Chandler, Arizona. Nor was it even a golf course on the lush islands of Oahu that set such a scene, although all three places were destinations of prize packages that were auctioned off at the evening dinner.

This was at the Presidio Golf Course. That's right. THAT Presidio, in our very own city of San Francisco. And that Presidio Golf Course, as it has been since 2009, is the home of the annual Urban Knights Celebrity Golf Classic. The Classic, which helps raise funds for the Academy of Art 501c3 non-profit Wellness and Athletics Foundation, was a great success again in 2011, and the compliance of the finicky Bay Area weather was only the beginning.

Over 100 stars and guests participated in the golf tournament, and more than 150 took part in the evening festivities, which included a live band, both a silent and live auction, and the presentation of the inaugural "Be Artist. Be Athlete." Award. The first-ever honoree was actor/athlete Dennis Haysbert, best known for his work as Pedro Cerrano in Major League, President David Palmer in 24, and most recently, the spokesman for Allstate Insurance.

"I have played every sport... on screen." said Haysbert, a San Mateo native. "I was recruited out of high school for sports, but I chose to follow my passion for art, going to acting school. If [Academy of Art] had been around in my time, I would have been here in a second."

The opportunity to buck the trend of having to choose between art and athletics is what draws a unique crowd of people to the Academy of Art and subsequently the Golf Classic. The attendants ranged from sports stars, such as 49ers greats Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, and Eric Wright, to San Francisco radio personalities like Lamont and Tonelli from 107.7 The Bone and Renel from 98.1 KISS FM. 

There was also a foursome that consisted of both sides of the spectrum, including representatives from the San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Giants. Former Giants Mike Felder and Willie McGee teamed up with Joan Boada of the SF Ballet, and were joined later by other MLB legends like Greg Cadaret and Rich Murray.

The numerous participants in the golf portion of the Classic showed off the athletic side of the event, with a stacked five-some taking the low score. ART U Director of Athletics Jamie Williams, Haysbert, Jerry Rice, Ron Trowbridge, and Nina Rodriguez set the low mark. 

"Hey Jamie!" exclaimed Shooty Babitt, host of CSN Bay Area's A's Postgame Live, as the winners were announced. "You can't win your own tournament! That's just not fair."

For Dr. Williams to be on the winning team of the tournament may have been a little suspect, but when looking at the credentials of the team, it made perfect sense. Rice has actually participated in a Nationwide Tour event, missing the cut but proclaiming golf as a possible continuation of his athletic career. Rodriguez, who also won the prize for longest women's drive of the day, is a graduate of San Jose State, and is currently on the LPGA Futures Tour. 

The Urban Knights were well-represented in the honors of the night, with Assistant Athletic Director/Assistant Soccer Coach Colin Preston taking the prize for closest to the pin and Assistant Baseball Coach Jason Young with the longest men's drive of the day. 

Frank Vega, publisher for the San Francisco Chronicle, won the auction to accompany the men's and women's basketball teams on their annual trip to the Hawaii, and will have tickets to all games as the Urban Knights take on PacWest Conference opponents Chaminade, BYU-Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific, and Hawaii-Hilo in January. 

But the big winners were the student-athletes of Academy of Art, many of whom were present throughout the night and educating guests on their ability to pursue dual passions of creativity and athleticism. The Classic was once again a success, and the student-athletes continue to reap the benefits. The Wellness and Athletics Foundation supports a lasting affinity between arts, athletics, health, and recreation for the Academy of Art University students.