Coaches and players from Yuba College’s 49ers football team gather on stage together during a spaghetti fundraiser dinner at Hope Point Nazarene Church in Yuba City on Sept. 20. 

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The 49ers, Yuba College’s resident football team, received a complete overhaul this summer with a new staff of coaches and players.

Tim Mulvehill, 49ers head coach, came on in June with the goal of “rebuilding, reviving and refreshing” the team from the ground up.

“It really hasn’t been a go to college, (or) an exciting college for student athletes that are in this local area,” said Mulvehill. “We gotta get it back on the map by bringing in the right players that fit the culture with character and commitment.”

The 49ers currently have about 62 players, only seven of which stayed on when Mulvehill arrived. Their ages vary from 18 to about 36 years old with many commuting from Sacramento and Placer County. In fact, some of Mulvehill’s latest recruitments came from as far as Fairbanks Alaska, Texas and Oregon. He said that each one brings a unique perspective and function to the team.

“It’s a loving family, we’re really knit in tight with the community and each other,” said Julian Martinez, 49ers assistant coach and director of growth and development. “We have a great team; we’re just trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.’’

The family that Mulvehill and his assistants have worked to create is something that goes beyond football. Coaches report helping their players with school, housing, commuting, meals and more and stay on call for them at any hour of the day or night.

“I get worried about the boys, I’m always thinking ‘Did they make it to practice? Did they make it home? Did they eat?’ So we’re there to help them emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically and I hope they get that,” said Martinez.

Financial struggles have also been an issue for the team, especially those new to the area. With long commutes and rising prices, Mulvehill estimates, at least a dozen of his players are currently unhoused or living in their vehicles. In an effort to combat this, Jeff Stephens, founder of a local nonprofit organization known as SAYLove, arranged a spaghetti feed fundraising dinner on Sept. 20 at Hope Point Nazarene Church in Yuba City.\

Coaches and players from Yuba College’s 49ers football team gather on stage together during a spaghetti fundraiser dinner at Hope Point Nazarene Church in Yuba City on Sept. 20. 

“You know, I’ve lived in this area forever and I’ve never gone to a Yuba College game or don’t know too much about the program,” said Stephens. “But I’m getting excited about it because he’s talking about what he’s wanting to bring to Yuba College and also what he's wanting to do for the kids. That’s what really excites me. He brings these kids in and gives them an opportunity to change their lives. A lot of them are inner-city kids and this is their shot you know, so it’s exciting that way.”

Mulvehill said he currently isn’t worried about wins; his goal is to build a strong program with community support. One of the bigger changes he is implementing this year is moving the home games from afternoons to nights so that residents and families can more easily attend.

“You get the community coming out more and being a part of the atmosphere and everything, so I think it’s going to be really good for this area,” added Stephens.

While the spaghetti dinner might not have garnered the attendance that organizers were hoping for, the message of support was clear. Additional donations to the team can be made online at eteamsponsor - tinyurl.com/24fm75j4. Funds here will go toward providing access to resources such as academic counseling and support, proper hydration, nutrition, technology, equipment and travel necessities.

“Fill the stands, 49ers fans! That’s one of the best ways to support our team,” said Mulvehill.

To learn more about the Yuba College football program or see its upcoming game schedule, visit yc.yccd.edu/athletics/sports/football.