By Beth Schnitzer —
Fall sports season is in full swing, and the Bay Area continues to prove it is where athletic excellence, innovation, and cultural storytelling intersect. From world-class squash courts in Silicon Valley to cinematic spotlights at the Mill Valley Film Festival, from WNBA accolades to Olympic anticipation—the energy here feels both local and global.
What I love most about this season is how it showcases the Bay Area’s range: grassroots clubs nurturing new talent, elite athletes making history, and tech innovators reimagining how we train, compete, and recover. Whether courtside, in the stands, or behind the scenes, the common thread is unmistakable: passion, performance, and purpose.
Silicon Valley Squash Open
I spent several exhilarating days at the Silicon Valley Open, where some of the world’s best squash players took the court at Squash Zone, a state-of-the-art training facility in Redwood City. Squash Zone’s mission is to build a vibrant, inclusive community around the sport, welcoming players of all ages and skill levels to learn, stay active, and compete. You could feel that energy throughout the week—from the local volunteers to the international pros—and it was infectious.
One of my favorite parts of the tournament was watching top American women players, including Olivia Weaver and sisters Amanda and Sabrina Sobhy. All three are among the brightest stars of U.S. squash, and seeing them compete on home soil—right here in Silicon Valley—was thrilling. Their power and precision showed just how far American squash has come on the global stage.
The final night drew a packed house, with a festive atmosphere. (A proud personal note: my sister from New Jersey, Jaimie Westley, served as arena manager and did a fantastic job welcoming guests throughout the evening.)
The women’s final was fantastic. World No. 5 Olivia Weaver, who was born in Philadelphia and is currently the top-ranked U.S. player, faced Sivasangari Subramaniam, Malaysia’s No. 1 player. Weaver showcased exceptional poise and fitness, winning in four games to capture her first title of the 2025–2026 PSA World Tour season (and back-to-back titles for the SV Open!).
I’ve watched Olivia play before, and what stands out isn’t just her athleticism, but her composure. She plays with quiet confidence—tough, calm, and mature—and her post-match interview reflected that same grace as she thanked her sponsors, team, and supporters. I can’t wait to follow her through the season and into the road to LA 2028, when squash will finally make its Olympic debut.
On the men’s side, Egypt’s Karim Gawad, ranked No. 2 in his country, beat France’s Victor Crouin to close out an unforgettable 5 days of world-class play in Silicon Valley.
Golden State Valkyries: Rising Stars and League Headwinds
The Golden State Valkyries continue to make headlines even in the off-season, with players and coaches earning major league honors that affirm their breakout debut year.
Head coach Natalie Nakase was recognized as the WNBA Coach of the Year, celebrating her leadership and vision in shaping one of the most exciting new teams in professional basketball. Guard Veronica Burton had a phenomenal season, earning the WNBA Most Improved Player Award and the Associated Press Most Improved Player of the Year, along with a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Forward Janelle Salaün, one of the first French-born players in the league, was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team, a milestone for international representation and a point of pride for fans across the Bay Area and abroad. Her poise and range were exciting glimpses of what’s to come for this franchise and for the global reach of the women’s game.
It’s been inspiring to watch this team’s rapid rise and to see the individual accolades roll in. Yet, off the court, the league faces challenges. With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on October 31, ongoing labor negotiations between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have dominated the headlines. I truly hope the two sides can find resolution soon. The WNBA’s athletes deserve a system that reflects their value, their impact, and the momentum they’ve helped build for women’s sports nationwide. I will be following closely along with all of the fans.
Mill Valley Film Festival: Diamond Diplomacy and the Power of Sport
October also marked the 48th Annual Mill Valley Film Festival, one of my favorite fall traditions and a shining example of the
Bay Area’s creative spirit. The festival once again showcased an incredible lineup, from Hollywood premieres and global cinema
to documentaries that bridge art, culture, and sport.
This year, one of those films struck close to home: Diamond Diplomacy, a beautiful and emotional documentary exploring 150 years of shared history between the United States and Japan through baseball. Spritz, the company I co-founded, was honored to help secure the San Francisco Giants as a film sponsor—the perfect fit for a story celebrating baseball’s international influence and enduring spirit of friendship. The San Francisco Bay Times also proudly served as a media sponsor of the entire festival.
Diamond Diplomacy focuses on Japanese pioneer Masanori “Mashi” Murakami, the first Japanese player in Major League Baseball, and American Warren Cromartie, weaving their experiences across decades of political and cultural exchange. The film reveals how legends like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Lefty O’Doul became unexpected ambassadors, using baseball to foster goodwill between the two nations long before official diplomacy took hold.
The seven-year production effort is evident in every frame—from the rare black-and-white footage of early goodwill tours to the contemporary connections between Japanese players and the San Francisco Giants today. Sitting in the audience, I was moved to tears by the film’s honesty, particularly its reflections on racism, resilience, and reconciliation.
Diamond Diplomacy is more than a sports documentary; it’s a reminder that the spirit of sport can heal, connect, and inspire across generations and borders. It was one of those screenings that linger long after the credits roll, reminding us that every pitch, swing, and shared moment on the field can shape something far greater than the game itself.
Meta Vanguard: Redefining the Athlete’s Edge
In my last column, I teased a deeper dive into athletic intelligence, and how technology is reshaping the way athletes of every level train, measure, and perform. Enter Meta’s new performance-focused AI glasses, the Oakley Meta Vanguard, which officially launched on October 21, 2025.
These smart glasses mark a new frontier in wearable tech, blending AI, athletic analytics, and immersive design into one sleek package. Built for movement, they capture every action-packed moment—whether you’re running along the windy Embarcadero or carving down Tahoe’s slopes—all hands-free.
The Meta AI built into the glasses syncs seamlessly with Garmin smartwatches, cycling computers, Strava, and other fitness apps to deliver real-time insights, performance stats, and training feedback. At the Laver Cup, which I covered in last month’s column, even Carlos Alcaraz found himself fielding questions about the Meta AI glasses. It was a perfect snapshot of where we are now: when cutting-edge tech meets center-court cool.
A personal connection makes this launch even more exciting for me; my nephew works on Meta’s wearables team in New York City, and his group helped develop both the glasses and the Meta wristbands, which can interpret subtle muscle movements into hands-free commands.
While the technology is cutting-edge, the takeaway is simple: athletic intelligence isn’t just for the pros anymore. Whether you’re a weekend runner or a competitive cyclist, tools like these are redefining what it means to train smarter, recover faster, and push performance further.
San José Sports Hall of Fame: Celebrating Legacy and Community
I recently had the privilege of attending an intimate reception for the San José Sports Hall of Fame, thanks to a good friend from Heritage Bank of Commerce, one of the longtime sponsors of the San José Sports Hall of Fame.
Now celebrating its 30th year, the San José Sports Hall of Fame stands as both a source of civic pride and an important historical record of local athletic achievement. To date, it has inducted 136 individuals who either developed their skills, played, or coached in San José or Santa Clara County—or who made extraordinary contributions to the community through sports-related programs and projects. Each inductee is permanently honored with a bronze plaque displayed on the concourse of the SAP Center, a fitting tribute within one of the Bay Area’s premier sports venues.
This year’s induction ceremony and dinner will take place on Thursday, November 6, at SAP Center. I attended the induction and reception last year and was deeply moved by the presenters and the heartfelt speeches from the inductees. It’s an evening that stays with you long after you leave. This year, I’m especially looking forward to hearing from Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, an Independence High School alum and trailblazer in women’s wrestling. She made history as the first American to win a world medal in women’s freestyle wrestling, later becoming an Olympic coach who won gold in 2016. At the recent reception, she shared part of her extraordinary journey—from her Iranian roots and family’s escape to America, to training with her father in their living room before achieving global success. I can’t wait to hear more when she takes the stage at the dinner.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Todd Clever, affectionately known as “Captain America,” one of the most accomplished U.S. rugby players in history and a three-time Rugby World Cup competitor. I remember watching him compete years ago when Spritz managed public relations for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, so meeting him in person and hearing his reflections was a full-circle moment.
The Hall of Fame is a true celebration of excellence, perseverance, and pride in the South Bay, and I can’t wait to return for this year’s induction ceremony.
Olympic Buzz: Countdown to Milano Cortina and LA28
The Olympic drumbeat is getting louder on both sides of the globe. Milano Cortina 2026 is almost here—the Winter Games will take place February 6–22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games March 6–15. General ticket sales are already open on the official site, and new ticket batches continue to roll out.
To add a little fun, I actually entered the official “Play & Win” game by voting for my favorite Winter Olympic moment—super easy to do, and you can play too for a chance to win tickets, exclusive athlete experiences, and a trip to Milano Cortina 2026. Just visit https://bit.ly/4ozFMvU
Closer to home, the excitement is building for LA28, with ticket-lottery registration opening January 2026 and purchase windows to follow. It’s incredible to think that, in just a few years, the Olympic flame will be burning right here in California. And before we get there: save the date—October 28—for Golden State Warriors Pride Night. I hope to see you there, celebrating inclusion and community right here at home.
Closing Reflection
From the slopes of Milano Cortina to the sunshine of Los Angeles, the Olympic countdown is on—and, as always, the San Francisco Bay Area remains a place where local energy connects to the global stage.
Signing off from the Bay, where passion meets the play. See you next month!
Spritz: https://spritzsf.com/
Silicon Valley Open Squash Championship: https://siliconvalleyopen.com/
Professional Squash Association: https://www.psasquashtour.com/
Golden State Valkyries: https://valkyries.wnba.com/
WNBA: https://www.wnba.com/
Mill Valley Film Festival: https://www.mvff.com/
San Francisco Giants: https://www.mlb.com/giants
Meta: https://www.meta.com/
San Jose Sports Authority: https://sjsa.org/
Golden State Warriors: https://www.nba.com/warriors/
Beth Schnitzer, the former President of WISE (Women in Sports and Events), is the Co-Founder and President of Spritz:https://spritzsf.com/
Beth’s Bay Area Sports Beat
Published on October 23, 2025
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