The 2025 Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge will launch Saturday with a book drive and special poster giveaway at the Cal Football Spring Showcase. 

The 2025 Reading Challenge, in its eighth year, will be led by redshirt junior tight end Jack Endries this summer. Endries becomes the program's fourth leader since former Golden Bear Patrick Laird created the program in 2018 to combat summer learning loss while connecting Cal football players with local schools.

Endries and many of his Cal football teammates will visit local schools over the next several weeks to serve as role models and inspire reading. 

This year, The Cameron Institute, Cal Athletics and Cal Football are teaming up with the Berkeley Public Library, Book Inc's Reading Bridge, Oakland Athletic League and local schools for the 2025 edition of the Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge.

All students in first through eighth grade who complete the Summer Reading Challenge will receive two free tickets to the Cal vs. Minnesota home game on Sept. 13, complimentary of Cal Athletics.

The information to participate is below.

• Sign up & Read: Download a reading log and learn more by visiting the Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge page!

• Contribute to the Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge Book Drive by either bringing a new book from our online wish list to the spring showcase on April 12 or donate online!

  • All books on our wish list are Cal Football tested and teacher approved. 

    • Every book donated will be given to a Title 1 classroom and a Bay Area student to encourage summer reading. 

    • Profits from your purchase will also benefit Books Inc's Reading Bridge, a book fair nonprofit providing free books to Bay Area students in Title 1 schools. Your impact is doubled!

  • Bring your books to California Memorial Stadium at the spring showcase, or purchase on-site. 

    • The first 500 people to donate books will receive a limited-edition poster 

    • If you donate online, show a screenshot with proof of the donation at one of the two donation stations at California Memorial Stadium on the day of the spring showcase.

Follow the Reading Challenge at @calbearsread on Instagram and X.