A Legacy That Will Never Be Forgotten

Cal football has had many legends walk through the North Tunnel at California Memorial Stadium. Cyril Bud "Dog" Turner, who is legendary and beloved by the Cal football community, never played for the Golden Bears but will be remembered for the many roles he filled for the program.

Over 50 years, Turner earned his spot in Cal football history, along with the likes of Steve Bartkowski, Jahvid Best, Jared Goff, Tony Gonzalez, DeSean Jackson, Cameron Jordan, Marshawn Lynch, Alex Mack, Chuck Muncie, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Roth, just to name a few.

When Turner passed away at the age of 84 on Sept. 3, 2020, it marked the end of a half century of service to the Cal football program. While thousands affiliated with Cal football came and went during that time, Dog was a constant. Whomever walked through the North Tunnel for a Cal practice at Memorial Stadium, Dog was there with a fist bump and his trademark greeting, "It's a great day to be a Bear."

"Dog Turner was a part of Cal football for longer than many of us have been alive," Cal football head coach Justin Wilcox said. "He was such a kind and genuine person. I miss so many things about him, including the welcoming smile he gave to everyone who entered California Memorial Stadium."

Dog's association with Cal started in 1970 when he answered a call from a neighbor to work the home field phones for the Memorial Stadium public announcer, and he would become a Cal football fixture over the next five decades by volunteering to do any odd job needed and inspiring everyone around him.

"He was the kindest and most loving guy around," Cal football alum and Golden Bears' wide receivers coach Burl Toler III '05 said. "Dog dedicated himself to everything Cal and was always a bright spot around the facility, Dog possessed contagious energy that was spread through everyone he came in contact with. His love and undying support for our Cal family will continue to motivate and live on forever."

Dog would usually arrive a couple of hours before practice and roam through the halls of the football offices before settling in on the couch or chair of the most welcoming office he could find. Most days that would be the equipment room – a place where lots of people engage in feverish activity preparing for practice, and a place where Dog felt right at home.

Retired Cal football equipment manager David Moosman quite fondly remembers Dog's many visits and has become a driving force in honoring his legacy that includes a naming space in California Memorial Stadium, recognizing his family at a future game, and establishing an endowment in Dog's name to help support football student equipment managers.

"He was so genuine and so truly interested in what you had to say," Moosman said. "He just wanted to get to know you. He was as much a part of the team as anyone."

Indeed, Dog was a huge part of the Bears. During the pre-practice visits and trips around the country, he got to know many of the student equipment managers well, including Shawn Tsao, who is the lead donor, and along with Moosman, spearheading the endowment drive. Tsao, who has been a successful entrepreneur since his graduation from Cal in 2011, is the co-founder of Caviar (later acquired by Square and DoorDash) and Beluga Capital.

Tsao was deeply impacted by Turner.

"Dog was so beloved because he was a beacon of the Cal identity," Tsao said. "Dog brought pride, joy and integrity to the character of what defined a Cal Bear. His example impacted and shaped all those who had the fortune to be alongside him at Memorial Stadium."

Several other former Cal football student equipment managers and student-athletes, including current Pro Bears Marvin Jones, Cameron Jordan, Nick Sundberg and Shane Vereen, are also involved in the effort and looking for others to join them.

"He meant so much to every athlete that passed through Memorial Stadium," said Sundberg '08, a Cal graduate and NFL long snapper veteran. "We would love for everyone who has a memory of Dog to contribute to the cause of keeping his legacy going."

To support the Bud "Dog" Turner Student Equipment Manager Endowment, visit our crowdfunding page. For more information, please contact the Cal Athletics Fund at calathleticsfund@berkeley.edu or (510) 642–2427.