IRVINE, Calif. — Institutions around The Big West have participated in the conference's Big West Cares Initiative, which is themed Happy and Healthy Athletes for the 2023-2024 academic year. This initiative promotes positive and impactful acts performed by our student-athletes, coaches and staff across their respective communities and campuses.
Through Fall 2023, student-athletes enhanced the Happy and Healthy Athletes cause by contributing to their community through the form of food drives, beach clean ups and many more engaging activities across The Big West.
Gallery: (12-19-2023) Big West Cares Community Service
Cal Poly kicks us off in collaboration with Central Coast Ride, an organization dedicated towards bringing awareness to ALS. Central Coast Ride and Rally to Defeat ALS is a was a one-day community event for runners and walkers of all levels. It offered 3 ride options, 34 miles, 25 miles, 18 miles, as well as a 1 mile walking route (not timed) all starting from Bang the Drum Brewery in San Luis Obispo, Calif. In addtion Cal Poly women's soccert contributed to the total $70,651 that was raised during the event.
Cal State Bakersfield completed a Toys for Tots drive by hosting its first Teddy Bear Toss presented by Eagle Mountain Casino. The Valley Strong Credit Union Court was filled with teddy bears and other stuffed animals in all shapes and sizes during half-time of the game. Teddy bears were sold to fans during the game for $2. All proceeds went to the CSUB Basic Needs Program, a support service available for all Cal State Bakersfield students who may need assistance.
On Civic Engagement Day, Cal State Fullerton student-athletes volunteered and raised money for a food drive. 276 enthusiastic student-athletes participated in Titan Walk and raised total funds of $917. A total of $665 was raised to purchase grocery gift cards to donate to CSUF Basic Needs while $252 cash was contributed towards the Food Pantry. Overall, 399 pounds of food were donated to CSUF Food Pantry.
CSUN contributed by having all athletic teams welcome back new students at convocation. Additionally, student-athletes read at local elementary schools every Friday during the fall. During the school's Thanksgiving can food drive, CSUN student-athletes collected over 1,500 cans for the campus food bank. The Matadors also hosted red-rally games promoting student-athlete support at all home games.
Hawai'i helped the cause in multiple ways by participating in an abundance of activities. Student-athletes volunteered at the A lo'i which is a taro (or kalo) patch, that displays much significance in Hawaiian culture, acting as one of the most important crops for the people and cultivation is considered a fundamental practice. Players additionally participated in food bank donations, read at local elementary schools, and volunteered in support of Lahaina Wildfire recovery efforts.
Long Beach State assisted in an array of volunteer activities throughout the semester while sporting the Healthy Athletes campaign. The softball team helped move in incoming freshmen students to their dorms on campus and helped their families carry items back and forth from parking lots. LBSU SAAC members also helped plan and volunteer at the annual "Welcome Back BBQ" on campus. More events on-site included SAAC members learning more about Cal Fresh and how the brand helps get food for families in need. During Civic Engagement Day, student-athletes supported community engagement by participating in a friendly beach cleanup at Granada Beach. Student-athletes also assisted in the Long Beach Holiday Food Drive to help numerous families across Southern California where students donated over 200 items and raised a total of $300 so far this holiday season. The Beach wrapped up this semester by being the largest group in history to help at the Cherishing Children Christmas party.
Sacramento State solidified itself in the Happy and Healthy category after its men's soccer team inked Jah'Sear Lusk, a member of Team IMPACT to its roster. Diagnosed with Sickle cell disease and suffering a stroke at age three, Lusk is working to overcome the challenges those diagnoses life has put in front of him. Lusk was honored at midfield during a special pre-match ceremony before the Hornets' first Big West match earlier this year on Sept. 27.
UC Davis dedicated its last SAAC meeting to UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento, Calif. where SAAC members created blankets for the patients and visited them. The team served hot chocolate and candy canes in celebration of the holiday season and spread joy to all who visited.
In partnership with UCI PD for their annual Toy Drive, UC Irvine SAAC members visited different UCI Health clinics across Orange County to help bring some joy to kids for the holidays. The Anteaters had an amazing time and connected very well with the children across the clinics.
Last month, UC San Diego hosted its First Annual TAC (Triton-Athlete Council) Dodgeball Tournament. It was single elimination, bracket-style play with 11 teams made up of both men's and women's teams. TAC has focused on connecting student-athletes and spreading awarness across wellness and phyiscal/mental health. TAC also plans to host its first women's athlete health summit during the spring season.
"Kick or Treat" was held during UC Riverside's men's soccer senior day where the team encouraged families to come and support while sporting a fun Halloween costume. Little league teams from the area enjoyed face painting, pumpkin decorating, and took home a ton of candy during the pre-game festivities.
UC Santa Barbara's SAAC squad partnered with the schools Zero Waste Committee on campus which is a student group dedicated to reaching the UC system-wide goal of Zero Waste. The students on campus design and implement a variety of projects and sustainable practices that help UC Santa Barbara's campus to be as zero waste as possible.
The Gauchos also remained active in the community when the baseball team held a free clinic for the Goleta Valley and Pony little league teams while men's soccer also held a clinic for the local American Youth Soccer Organization. Women's basketball held a clinic of its own at Montecito elementary school along with leading an after-school session with Girls, Inc.
