BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Jeff Tedford’s emotions overwhelmed him when he walked into Memorial Stadium for the first time since California’s long-time home underwent a $321 million seismic retrofit and renovation.
The coach remembered all those splinters fans mailed him in letters from the old wooden benches. He thought back to all those times his office rumbled more than it should from an earthquake and, of course, the 21-month occupation of redwood trees by protesters — “my neighbors,” Tedford joked — and the legal battle that followed.
Now those memories are all that’s left.
With the season opener against Nevada a week from Saturday, California officially opened the doors for a behind-the-scenes look at Memorial Stadium on Friday. Highlights of the facility include a new outdoor plaza, luxury suites and press box and a refurbished Romanesque facade of the original 1923 structure.
