Celebrating 30 Years: Finding the Zone with San Manuel and the Quakes

For the past 30 years, the Quakes made a home in Rancho Cucamonga while Brad Zug found his start at San Manuel.  

By Megan Garcia

The opportunity to throw out the first pitch in front of thousands of people can be intimidating for any person. For a longtime team member of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, it was just another day at the office.  

Brad Zug, a Transportation Director for Yaamava’, took in his first Quakes game in grand fashion with his family. Yaamava’ was the presenting sponsor of the Quakes’ 30th anniversary giveaway jersey to the first 1,500 fans who crossed through the turnstiles on April 4th. The line to enter the stadium snaked around the parking lot as fans awaited their chance to get a hold of the jersey that celebrated the team’s three decades in Rancho Cucamonga on the right sleeve and the Yaamava’ logo on the left.  

“I'm an avid hiker, so I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, how far are we gonna go, Montana?'” said Zug. “It just kept going and going and going. I wasn’t sure if there would be any for us because the line was so long to get in, but we were able to get our jerseys on the field.”  

Zug offered his children to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Quakes faced the Inland Empire 66ers, but their nerves to throw a strike over home plate had them as spectators for their dad’s windup in front of the mound.  

The 30-year celebration was momentous for the Quakes, as well as Zug as he approaches three decades at San Manuel. In his current position, Zug works with the Yaamava’ bus program to create opportunities for guests in the greater Los Angeles area to visit the Resort and Casino.

"I've seen the transition being here going from a bingo hall. I started the first year that the card room opened in 1994," Zug said. "I started off as a valet attendant because I could drive stick shift. I'd have to take down their information and park the car wherever the sun hit, and three months later, I was promoted to supervisor."  

Prior to starting his journey at San Manuel, Zug was in the United States Marine Corps. He has since channeled his devotion to serving others throughout his tenure with the Casino as he worked his way to becoming a Transportation Director. The Inland Empire native has instilled purpose into various teams through his leadership.  

“I've always had to have an organization to where I had a bigger purpose” Zug said. “I was able to be part of a team that could take care of this Tribe has taken care of me.”