Video highlights from Del Rodgers’ tenure at KCRA 3 | Archives
See a selection of highlights over Del Rodgers’ career at KCRA 3 from our archives.
There’s Del Rogers with running room. Rogers turns it on 30. He’s been doing it for most of his life. Running to the next play. The next score All the way to *** Super Bowl win. Even then, Del Rogers was smooth on camera. You seem to be *** little more upbeat mood *** little happier. What’s the reason? I’m *** little more jeweler because, uh, my mother, father, and my wife, uh, just made it in this evening for the game Sunday. Del Rogers would in time bring his love of football. And sports to Sacramento and KCRA 3. Elk Grove comes down to the finals. It was *** merger that would bring so many special moments. Dell representing Sacramento as an Olympic torchbearer in 2002, and that is Dell there. And when he sprints so fast that the camera can’t even come up, keep up with him, you know it’s. Dell in *** race car, *** lot of banging and *** lot of action out here. It was quick, Dave. I don’t know you couldn’t tell inside, but I did *** lot of uh uh uh uh uh my neck. I’m glad I got *** fat neck because it was, it was getting *** workout today, brother. Dell down under behind us the building is the Sydney Superdome. I like to call it the sweet city of Sydney’s Superdome. Yeah, do it again real quick. I can’t do it. I’m messing up. It’s been more than just scores and highlights, it’s covering people and Sacramento sports history. Dell was there when *** minor league team called the River Cats came to town, even getting to throw out *** first pitch. Covering the Kings from Arco Arena to *** new owner and *** new venue and the Sacramento Republic FC kicking its way into town. The work noticed by many, including Selena’s high school, his alma mater, honoring one of its favorite sons receiving the golden football. But I wanna tell you why I am, I have *** friend just like you are. Also surprise recognition for raising money for first responders at the annual Pig Bowl. Every year we try to put in one community member who’s done *** lot for this game, and for the past 30 years, one thing has been constant on every sideline, and that’s my man Dale Rogers. Now Rogers in the Hall of Fame. There were full circle moments covering later Super Bowls from Fun in Phoenix. Now I know one of your favorite stories was work with me, right? All week she get to work with me, right? To Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis, where it was impossible to stay warm. Upside is my room feels like Miami right now. It’s about *** balmy 77 degrees in there. Still, there was Del going live in subzero weather. I remember my last NFL play I got knocked out because it was the it was the kickoff that started to drive where Joe went down and hit John Taylor with the touchdown pass for us to win it. I started that drive. And the hallmark of Dell’s fall sports coverage, first airing in 2007. So on KCRA free. High school playbook KCRA 3 begins *** new era of covered high school sports as we look ahead to the prep football season, covering thousands of teams, cheerleaders, bands, putting communities big and small in the spotlight. On 3, who’s gonna win tonight? Let me hear it from everybody. OK 12123, who’s gonna win? He’s been an icon and *** staple for all of the uh high school sports, uh, Friday night lights and he’s been, I mean it’s gonna be *** real loss to our community because he’s been the guy that we all know and listen to his voice, so it’s his iconic voice. We can’t have everyone here at KCRA wish Dell well, but Here are *** few of his co-workers, some starting out as interns under Dell. No one taught me more about the industry back then, better than the way you did, and being able to work with you over these last year and *** half was such *** fun full circle moment for me, the one that I cherished deeply. We would be on tight deadlines trying to make live shots and. Anytime someone would call out his name, he would take the moment to talk to them, to give them, you know, his time and to be grateful for his opportunity to be there. Dell, congratulations on your retirement. It was an honor to work with you all those years at KCRA and now as you’re heading into retirement, I hope you get to enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying mine. Go. Well, hey popcorn, that’s what everyone calls you around these parts. Popcorn. Hey Dera, tell popcorn I said hello. Well, of course that’s what you’re called around here, but hey, what *** ride 28 years and I just wanna say I’m so thankful that I’ve gotten to to be part of at least *** decade of that. I hope you’re smiling and uh enjoying this next chapter that’s ahead and. Hey, just remember, you know, being *** great husband, father and now grandpa that’s that’s uh that’s all you can ask for and I hope you get to enjoy every moment of all of that. You can’t do it that long without loving it and the community loving you back. I mean he’s done it all from the big ones, the Olympics, the Super Bowls, the World Series all the way to all the local athletes he’s covered heck of *** rundell. You’re *** real gem to our community we’re gonna miss you. Congratulations. Take care, my friend. He might be calling it *** career, but we call it an amazing season. As for what’s next, we wish Dell nothing but touchdowns. Oh, what *** career. How, how are you doing? Fantastic. You know, during the, uh, last 28 years here at Kerry, I covered professional sports because I had to, but I also covered high school sports because I needed to. You see, high school sports is the backbone to our community teaches our future adults teamwork, bouncing back from failure. And I’d appreciate success with honor. It allows small towns to shut down so that their community can become fans in the stands. While also allowing those parents to unite because their sons and daughters play on one team. As I say goodbye. Is that you continue to support high school sports. That’s why teenagers transition to the real world. I was never the story you were the players, the families, the small communities tonight. Hang up my mic. I’ll never hang up on what you’ve given me. Thank you for letting me be *** part of your fields, your courts, and your kids’ lives. Northern California. I love you and good night. OK, you got us going too, but I have to mention also you had so much fun and you got so much fun to our set and to the coverage and to the community and. You were just never afraid to just be all in and make us all laugh, so it’s been all of it, the heart, the community, and also the joy. And also, you know, you’re always about we’re talking about in sports bringing in new prospects. Personally, I know you’ve got *** bunch of new young prospects talking about with your family. You got grandkids now, your family’s here, Dale, they want to come in and celebrate with you, my man. So here we go. We’ve got his wife Karen and his kids and extended family, and this is why Dell is retiring because this is where he’ll be spending his time and where his heart is now. It’s just beautiful to see and uh you know we’re so excited for Dell and his family. We welcome all you guys here. It’s just great to have the Rogers family in the house so I gotta say this is *** surprise. I did not know they are gonna be. Look who else is here we’re bringing in the Grant High School drum line, the Pacers, the band coming in here, and I know so much of what you do is like you said, bringing, uh, high school sports and uh to to to just our community and showing that that’s how people can still be part of the community. So, uh, it’s fantastic to have all of these beautiful young people here with us today and to have family here today to be part of our Caer family. There’s nobody replacing you at all. We love you, brother. Thank you. Thank you. And we want to tell you the Grant drumline, Grant High School drumline wanted to be here and we feel like they are just the perfect reflection of so much of your coverage about community, as you said, the high school level sports, the athletes you profiled, the families you cheered. Yeah, so you know what, uh, not crying, let’s have some fun. Thank you guys.
Video highlights from Del Rodgers’ tenure at KCRA 3 | Archives
See a selection of highlights over Del Rodgers’ career at KCRA 3 from our archives.
Updated: 7:54 PM PST Dec 1, 2025
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Sports Director Del Rodgers will retire from KCRA 3 on Dec. 1, 2025, after 28 years with the station.
Rodgers, a San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl champion, joined KCRA 3 in 1997 after working at four other TV stations, including KSBW in his hometown of Salinas.
His tenure while at KCRA 3 included reporting trips to Sydney for the Olympics and multiple Super Bowls. He was most passionate about covering high school sports, which he did with the “Blitz 3” show before it was renamed “High School Playbook.”
See below for more highlights from his career from our archives.
Del Rodgers and Deirdre Fitzpatrick report from the Sydney Olympics in 2000
Del Rodgers and Deirdre Fitzpatrick reported from the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Here’s a “midnight” update.
Del Rodgers connects with Northern Californians at the Sydney Olympics
Del Rodgers shares greetings for Sacramento in multiple languages while covering the Olympics at Olympic Park in Sydney in 2000. He also finds some fans with local roots.
Do Angelenos know about the Kings-Lakers playoff game in 2000?
Del Rodgers finds many Angelenos were unaware of a big playoff game between the Kings and Lakers in Los Angeles on April 27, 2000.
Giants’ Dusty Baker brings joy to Sacramento Children’s Home in 2001
Del Rodgers reports on Sacramento native Dusty Baker’s appearance at the Sacramento Children’s Home in 2001.
Del Rodgers carries the Olympic torch
Del Rodgers ran in the 2002 Olympic torch relay in Sacramento.
Del Rodgers hosts “Blitz 3″ high school football show in 2006
Before High School Playbook, Del Rodgers’ high school football show was called “Blitz 3.” Here’s a video kicking off a season in 2006.
Del Rodgers goes inside a NASCAR car hauler in 2006
Del Rodgers reports from inside a NASCAR car hauler in 2006.
High School Playbook show debuts on Del Rodgers’ 10-year anniversary in 2007
KCRA 3 introduced a High School Playbook Kickoff Special in 2007 that featured a unique perspective from a staff of student reporters. There was even an corresponding website, Highschoolplaybook.com.
Del Rodgers gives Monterey Trail football players tips in 2007 | Archives
Del Rodgers gives high school students tips to block better.
Del Rodgers visits 49ers training camp in 2010
Former 49er Del Rodgers reports from the team’s training camp in 2010.
Del Rodgers throws out the first pitch at Raley Field
Del Rodgers throws out the first pitch at a River Cats game at what was then called Raley Field.
Del Rodgers reports from the Super Bowl in 2018
Del Rodgers reports on NFL players with Northern California ties at Super Bowl LII.
Del Rodgers discusses changes to football tackles
Del Rodgers demonstrates how football tackles have changed in youth sports since he played.
Meet the official blacksmith of the California State Fair
Del Rodgers reports from the California State Fair in 2015.
Super Bowl 50: Fans reactions outside Levi’s Stadium
Del Rodgers reports from Super Bowl 50 in the Bay Area in 2016.
Inside the lines
Del Rodgers introduces you to the unsung heroes on football field — — the offensive and defensive line.
Del Rodgers explores 49ers Super Bowl history from Las Vegas
Del Rodgers shared a video for our digital audiences from the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in 2024. He talked about his own experience playing in a Super Bowl.
Sacramento’s baseball history
Del Rodgers reports on the history of baseball in Sacramento.
A’s fans mark the end of an era in Oakland
Del Rodgers reports from the final A’s game in Oakland at the Coliseum in 2024.
Del Rodgers surprised with induction into Pig Bowl Hall of Fame
An emotional moment was captured live on air as Del Rodgers was surprised with his induction into the Pig Bowl Hall of Fame in January 2025.
Orange’s leading scorer Friday night Ivan Kim in the tournament opener. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).
Orange’s boys basketball team got off to a slow start and couldn’t recover, falling to Incline High of Nevada 52-32 in an opening round game of the 60th annual Orange Holiday Basketball Classic Friday at Orange.
Incline forward Halen Hanson led all scorers with 17 points to help the team snap a five-game losing streak and improved its record to 4-6 while Orange (5-9) lost its third consecutive game.
To see additional photos, click on the first photo:
Incline players left to right with Coach Tim Kelly, Halen Hansen, Jonah Miller, Lucas MacDonald and Andrew Bodel after the win Friday.
Orange Coach Jake Rhodes (fourth from left) talks to his team during a timeout.
Irvine players warm up before Friday’s game.
“We lack basketball awareness and making adjustments,” said Panthers Coach Jake Rhodes, who was missing four players due to sickness and unavailability. “We’re not shooting well. I think we’re shooting something like 18 percent from the 3-point line. We can’t continue to try and shoot over taller opponents in the paint. We must push through this and be focused on the fact that the team comes first.”
The Panthers fell behind 14-7 in the opening quarter but held Incline scoreless over the final 3:40 of the quarter and added baskets by Sebastian Nunez and Fernando Reyes to cut the lead to 14-11 after eight minutes of play.
Both teams didn’t shoot well in the second quarter. The Panthers were held to two baskets by Anthony Randle and Ivan Kim in the quarter but still only trailed 23-15 at halftime.
Orange’s shooting woes continued in the third quarter as the Panthers didn’t sink a bucket until Alex Villa nailed a 3-pointer with 1:12 left in the quarter, but Orange trailed 36-21 after three quarters and the Highlanders cruised to a victory.
“Shooting has been our big problem,” said Panthers assistant coach Rob Nasman. “Our defense is improving but as a team we’re still having too many lapses and we’re giving up too many second chance points.”
Orange forced 13 turnovers in the game but was never able to draw any closer than 10 points of the lead in the second half.
“We didn’t have the energy today; we need to come out with more energy,” said Ivan Kim , who led Orange with 13 points. “We know we’re better than this and we know what we are capable of, but we have to prove it.”
The Highlanders were consistently able to drive into the lane for layups and limited Orange to one shot on the offensive end. Incline also outrebounded the Panthers and moved the ball efficiently.
“Tonight was the best job we did all season getting Lucas MacDonald the ball in the key,” said Incline’s coach Tim Kelly. “We need to get him the ball more in the paint for him to be effective. We are still trying to find our identity as a team.”
“We did good getting back on defense, moving the ball, rebounding and getting key baskets,” said Hanson, who scored 10 points for the Highlanders.
In other tournament games, Fullerton defeated Boulder City, Nev. 54-42 and Shadow Ridge topped Irvine 50-49.
Notes:
—Orange will play Shadow Ridge of Nevada on Saturday at 6 p.m. while Incline faces Irvine at 7:30.
–—The Orange Holiday Basketball Classic is the longest running Christmas basketball Tournament in Orange County. The event started Friday, including boys’ and girls’ divisions with the girls championship game scheduled Tuesday at 6 p.m. The boys’ final will follow at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.
—In the boys division, Pool A consists of Incline, Nevada; Irvine, Orange and Shadow Ridge of Nevada, Nev. Pool B will include Boulder City, Nevada, Cerritos, Fullerton, and Long Beach Wilson.
—In the girls division, Pool A includes Apple Valley, Laguna Hills, Montclair, and Valley Christian. Pool B includes Cabrillo, Fullerton, Irvine, Orange.
—Incline’s coach Tim Kelly is the son-in-law of former Servite football coach Larry Toner. Kelly said his son, John Paul Kelly, is currently an eighth grader and is a skillful basketball player who plans to relocate to Southern California next season and attend Servite or Mater Dei and play basketball.
—Incline High School is in Nevada on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.
Bayern Munich have, supposedly, always put an emphasis on academy talents and transitioning that talent to make an impact in the first team. However, for years it felt as if Bayern’s pool of youth talent had run dry. Blame the front office, blame the coaches or blame the general lack of talent. It doesn’t matter. Lennart Karl’s tremendous success story this season is single-handedly forging Bayern’s youth strategy for the future.
In an interview with Maximilian Koch of Abendzeitung, Bayern CEO, Christian Dreesen, stressed the importance of Karl’s emergence, the Bavarian side’s youth academy and how the club will continue to lean on academy players in the future.
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“Lennart Karl is doing incredibly well,” exclaimed Dreesen (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “Compared to other 17-year-olds, he’s simply much, much more mature. Christoph Freund, Max Eberl, and Vincent Kompany recognized his immense talent, which is why he got his chance. And he seized it. Of course, we couldn’t have expected him to establish himself so quickly. This has to be our path for the future. Lennart is an example for other talents at the academy that they can make it to the top. Just like Josip Stanišić, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Jamal Musiala before him. We’re investing a lot of money in the academy, and it has to pay off. A high percentage of players trained here are making it to the professional level – significantly more than at any other German club. To remain competitive in the medium and long term, we need to rely on a mix of homegrown players and international superstars like Harry Kane or Luis Díaz. Financially, the Premier League is too far ahead – especially when it comes to TV revenue. English clubs earn 80% more from domestic TV rights than their German counterparts, and the differences are even bigger internationally.”
The 58-year-old CEO went on to explain Bayern’s need to find creative ways to bridge the financial gap that exists between the Bundesliga and Premier, perhaps hinting that the youth academy could be a good example.
“We need to find other sources of revenue or further improve existing ones,” explained Dreesen. “Take sponsorship, for example; we’re doing very well there, among the top three European clubs. And we need to increase that even more. We’ll only be able to compete internationally in the future if we grow dynamically in sponsorship and merchandising. And then I’m not worried about the future. We have to work harder for it; for us, money doesn’t just seem to grow on trees like it does for others. We have to work for every euro and, above all, be careful about how we spend. It’s about our ambition to play top-level European football while simultaneously being financially stable. We have to try to maintain this balance. And that’s harder than it perhaps used to be.”
The recent emergence of Aleksandar Pavlović and Lennart Karl have certainly given Bayern impetus to trust and utilize the youth academy, something fans have been crying out for season upon season. Youth players also incur no transfer fee which comes as a massive positive on Bayern’s balance sheet. Considering Kompany’s knack for integrating young players into his squad as well as ‘Die Rekordmeister’s’ financial savvy, one can expect the academy to play an increasingly important role.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association has released the three finalists for Back and Lineman of the year in each classification.
Plainview junior Cole Holland has been name one of the three finalist for 4A Lineman of the Year along with Sharontae Bailey, Anniston and Laquon Whisenhunt, Jackson.
Holland anchored the Bears offensive line this season as Plainview captured the 4A Region 8 Championship going 13-1 advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 1999. Holland blocked for an offensive that scored 586 points this season averaging 41.9 PPG. This year’s Bears offense scored the most points in school history, passing the 1991 team that scored 553 points.
ASWA FINALISTS
Winners of the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s major high school football awards, Mr. Football and the 12-member Super All-State team are scheduled to be announced Jan. 20 at a lunch banquet at the Montgomery Renaissance.
Rosenberg National Little League (RNLL) has officially opened registration for the Spring 2026 baseball season, welcoming boys and girls ages 4 through 14 to participate in one of the community’s longeststanding youth sports programs.
The Spring 2026 season will run from February through late May, with all practices and games held at Seabourne Creek Regional Sports Complex in Rosenberg.
RNLL offers divisions ranging from Tee Ball for firsttime players through Junior Baseball for older youth, with a strong emphasis on player development, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
Registration closes on Jan. 25. Players must be registered by the close of registration to be eligible for evaluations and team placement. Registration fees vary by division and help support uniforms, equipment, field maintenance, umpires, and league operations.
New for Spring 2026, RNLL is introducing a Rookie Ball division for players ages 5–6 who have completed one season of Tee Ball. Rookie Ball is designed to bridge the gap between Tee Ball and Coach Pitch by allowing players to see a limited number of coach-thrown pitches before using a tee if needed, helping young athletes build confidence while learning the fundamentals of live pitching.
Player evaluations will be held following the close of registration, except for Tee Ball and Rookie Ball, which do not require evaluations. Practices are expected to begin in early February, with games starting after Spring Break. The season will conclude prior to Memorial Day.
Rosenberg National Little League is led by dedicated volunteers and coaches who focus on teaching the game in a positive, supportive environment while fostering community involvement and youth development.
Families interested in registering for the Spring 2026 season can find additional information and complete registration online at www.rosenbergnationallittlelea-gue. net.
For updates and league announcements, the public is encouraged to follow Rosenberg National Little League on Facebook.
LA HABRA 63, WASHINGTON PREP 48: Acen Jimenez led the Highlanders with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. Josh Desatoff and Aaron Wilson each had 15 points and three 3-pointers for La Habra.
FOOTHILL 69, AQUINAS 51: Magnus Lawson had 20 points, Braeden Davidson 18 points and five rebounds, Marlee Slone 12 points, six rebounds and five assits and Damir Buckingham seven points and four assists to lead the Foothill Knights.
PACIFICA CHRISTIAN 64, REDWOOD 57: Pacifica Christian was led by Michael Noel, who scored 19 points and had assists. Joaquin Rigdon scored 18 points and Soloman Huang had seven points.
LOS AMIGOS 56, FOOTHILL, NEV. 51: Los Amigos (9-5) was led by Phillip Stewart, who had 18 points and seven rebounds and Jayvon Morgan, who had 10 points in the win over the Foothill team from Nevada.
JSERRA 71, ST. IGNATIUS, OHIO 70: The Lions (11-5) were led by Jaden Bailes with 29 points and Ryan Doane with 17 points.
Crean Lutheran 62, Owyhee 59
ESTANCIA COAST CLASSIC SHOOTOUT
WOODBRIDGE 65, WESTERN 35: Woodbridge (11-4) was led by Jaiden Sabino, who had 31 points and Zacc Saleh who scored 10 points. Woodbridge faces Compton Saturday at 9 a.m. at Estancia.
NEWPORT HARBOR 53, SAN CLEMENTE 46: Owen Saukkola led all scorers with 23 points. Marcel Aguilar added 16 points for the Sailors (10-3).
RINGO BOSSENMEYERTUSTIN HOLIDAY CLASSIC
TESORO 55, MERCER ISLAND 49: The Titans (14-2) were led by Owen Hatch who scored 14 points, Carson Hatch who had 10 points, three rebounds and two assists and Max Draper, who had eight points and 10 rebounds. The Titans face St. Anthony Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Tustin meets Servite at 7:30 p.m.
St. Anthony 60, Beckman 59
Servite 81, Huntington Park 21
Tustin 69, Hawaii Baptist 29
TORREY PINES CLASSIC
CYPRESS 64, MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 51: Ryan Gov led the Centurions (11-5) with 20 points. Ethan Mai added 18 points on six 3-pointers and Gavin Kroll had 14 points with two 3-pointers.
MT. CARMEL TOURNAMENT
EL DORADO 85, EASTLAKE, SAN DIEGO 69: Noah Barker had 20 points, Jack Boettner 18 points, Ryan Northcott 16 points, Elias Rodarte 15 points and Evan Nam 13 points to lead the Golden Hawks (13-1).
ORANGE HOLIDAY CLASSIC
SHADOW RIDGE 50, IRVINE 49: Irvine (7-8) was led by Evan Terakawa, who had 13 points. Holden Stearns and Chase Brito had 11 points each and Jalen Yim eight points for the Vaqueros, who face Incline, Nev. Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Fullerton 54, Boulder City, Nev. 42
Incline, Nev. 52, Orange 32
DESERT HOLIDAY CLASSIC
VILLA PARK 79, SIMI VALLEY 44: Villa Park (11-6) was led by Sebastian Perez, who had 17 points and four 3-pointers. Jordan Salem had 15 points, seven rebounds and five blocks for the Spartans. Jalen Cotton had 10 points and Nathan Chung nine points.
