Take That, Dumpster Muffin! Construction Can Begin On Athletic Center

Supporters of a new Athletic Center near Cal's Memorial Stadium are rejoicing after a California Appellate Court in San Francisco ruled last night against maintaining an injunction blocking its construction.

The decision, reported in several Bay Area newspapers, is an important milestone in the long court battle between supports of the Center and its opponents, which include the Panoramic Hill Association and the California Oak Foundation.

According to the Daily Cal, the plaintiffs will now ask the California Supreme Court to reinstate the injunction, and block construction yet again. But with a local judge and lower state court both ruling in favor of the Center, the success of this action looks slim.

Tree-sitters began protesting more than 18 months ago, shortly after the Center was approved in December of 2006.  The few that remain are preparing for the University to evict them, and begin cutting the trees down, possibly later today.

How will the ruling affect Cal's recruiting?

Tedford, who is notorious for starting slowly and finishing his classes on a strong note, no longer has to scale back his promises to recruits.

The Center will almost certainly be built, and while this year's top prospects such as DE Devon Kennard and LB Manti Te'o will probably not choose Cal, a stronger than expected 2008 season coupled with physical evidence that an athletic facility actually is in fact being constructed, could provide a boost in the future.

Tedford has always been able to recruit offense (even after last year's horrible second-half, he was able to get a top-10 QB in Allen Bridgeford). The Athletic Center could help with obtaining some defensive players of the calliber that the offense is used to having.

Update (5:00 PM, 9/5): As of 4 PM, "4 to 5 trees have been cut down," according to the Daily Cal website.