And to think the world of basketball could have lost Mario Gomez to the direction of the wild outdoors. Yes, the results of a career aptitude test in high school indicated that Gomez should become an athletic director/basketball coach or a park ranger. "Coming out of high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do," Gomez recalled. "I think I was more interested in football then but college showed me what I was good at and (CCSF Basketball Coach) Justin (Labagh) helped shape me."
In possession of a Master's degree in Physical Education and an assistant coach/operations and CASAS testing proctor at City College San Francisco now for 14 years, Gomez currently is busy aiding in the preparation of the Nor Cal Jamboree to be held September 28 and 29 at CCSF. Some of the top teams participating include the host squad, Cabrillo College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Yuba College, San Jose City College, Las Positas College and Lane Community College out of Oregon. It's 22 squads in all. Play begins at 9:40 each morning and ends late in the afternoon. It's an annual event and Baller TV will be streaming the games.
"I work up the packets that are available for purchase (as an add-on to the admission ticket to the event) to the four-year coaches who will be attending and evaluating players," Gomez explained. The packets include roster information on each team including contact information for each player, an element that aids recruiting contacts.
He also sends out invitations to these four-year coaches, seeking confirmations of attendance. "I reach out to all the California schools--schools in the West Coast Conference, Mountain West Conference, Big West Conference, Big Sky Conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, three NAIA conferences and more."
Plus, one element stands out. "We take credit cards," said Gomez, noting that most other hoops events do not. "We are more advanced and it makes it easier for everyone involved." He also personally brings in water and Gatorade for sale to thirsty fans and stock up on pens for coaches wanting to make notes. He prepares by thinking ahead about what is absent yet may be needed.
During the season and school year, Gomez works on social media and conducts film exchanges with the head coaches of other teams. He also posts game film on Synergy, a company specializing in basketball analytics designed for scouting, player development, and even just entertainment purposes so the CCSF players can be viewed and hopefully generate four-year recruiting interest.
Gomez also has a role in academics as an unofficial class advisor, "aiding players in getting registered and enrolled and also pointing out financial aid possibilities."
His game day operations are separated by whether CCSF is playing at home or on the road. because "for away games, I need to carry extra basketball uniforms in case they are needed."
Gomez is also in charge of a critical ritual item which appears prior to contests: game day gum. Ice Breaker Ice Cubes is the choice of the Rams. "I give Justin a case and he cracks it open." Maybe CCSF can work out a sponsorship agreement with the Hershey Company.
Whether it's the upcoming tournament or during the season, Gomez desires to refine what is in front of him. "I'm always looking at what can I do better even if it's improving small things." He also really enjoys and benefits from networking with coaches and other basketball figures and is always willing to help out whenever and wherever he can.
The San Ramon Valley High (Danville) graduate from way back when noted, "my job is actually very fulfilling." Following in the footsteps of his sister, he eventually arrived at CCSF and began as a student manager at CCSF after answering an flyer seeking a student manager placed by Coach Labagh. It's appropriate to give Gomez some degree of credit for CCSF's hoops stature, a power reputation developed by posting so many more wins than losses every season.