Cal State East Bay kicks off homecoming week
- January 27, 2009
HAYWARD - Cal State East Bay students, faculty and administrators kicked off a weeklong homecoming celebration Monday by reintroducing the Pioneer Bookstore, under new management.
Students who gathered in front of the campus plaza just outside the bookstore were hopeful that managers Follett Higher Education Group will help reduce the rising costs of textbooks.
"That would be a positive," said Udeepto Maheshwari, CSUEB Associated Students Inc. president.
Monday's kickoff program focused on this year's theme - "Homecoming 2009: TKO" - which seeks to praise the university's recent accomplishment of "knocking out a pathway from Division III-level athletics up to Division II."
That means Cal State East Bay sports teams will begin competing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Division next school year.
Debby De Angelis, the campus director of athletics, called the transition "huge," as it will help the university continue to grow.
In keeping with the homecoming theme, students cheered at introductions of their new pep band and members of the men's and women's basketball teams during Monday's program.
The student group Eclectic Pulse Dance Team also performed during the festivities.
"This is all part of building a vibrant university village," said CSUEB President Mo Qayoumi.
Other campus activities this week include:
Today
Cal State East Bay Idol contest at noon on the Agora Stage, adjacent to the University Union.
"Sportsmanship, Leadership and Scholarship" presentation by Alonzo Carter, a CSUEB alumnus and highly regarded football coach at Berkeley High School. Program to be held at 7 p.m. in Lassen Hall at Pioneer Heights.
Wednesday
Pioneer Pride Fashion Show at noon in the Old University Union.
Thursday
Homecoming Parade and Pep Band March at 4:30 p.m., on a route between Pioneer Heights and Pioneer Gymnasium.
Friday
Baseball game between CSUEB and Bethany University at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Field.
CircleBall Basketball Competition at 6 p.m. in Pioneer Gymnasium.
Saturday
Alumni Water Polo Game at noon at CSUEB pool.
Pioneer Tailgate Party at 3 p.m. in front of the Physical Education building.
Homecoming Party at 9:30 p.m. in New University Union.
Admission to all events is free and open to the public. Cal State East Bay is at 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., in Hayward. For more information, call 510-885-3038.