Cal Family –

As we put the 2025-26 academic and athletic year in the rear-view mirror and look toward the future, we can't help but take a few minutes to reflect on all the reasons we have to be grateful. The Cal community has once again stepped up in extraordinary ways. With a record $82 million given last year, we are grateful for the support of our department and are blown away by that same spirit of generosity that continues to propel Cal Athletics forward this year. Entering the 2025-26 year, our primary goal was to create the framework for a more sustainable future for Cal Athletics, and we have great momentum in that regard with football, men's and women's basketball, and our revenue-generating operation. We are greatly appreciative of your continued support, which is vital as we collectively navigate the changing landscape of college sports.

Two years are now in the books as proud members of the ACC, and we remain excited about our membership in the conference. We get to compete against like-minded institutions with the increased viewership and exposure the conference's brand affords, and we continue to see significant engagement from our supporters across the country - especially since 10 percent of our 600,000 living alumni can be found in the ACC footprint. Never was this more evident than the trip to New York City that football general manager Ron Rivera and Travers Family Head Football Coach Tosh Lupoi took last month. Many of our alumni came out in support and took pictures in Times Square. UC Berkeley students spend 4-5 years on campus and then spread out all over the world, and it's gratifying to be able to engage with our alumni no matter where they put down roots.

Earlier this month, we hosted our annual head coaches retreat at the T. Gary Rogers Boathouse  – the home of our rowing programs. The day featured productive discussions on key issues shaping the future of intercollegiate athletics, including Cal's Winning Analytics initiative.  We were fortunate to be joined by Guy Stevens – a former college baseball player who spent extensive time working in analytics for the Kansas City Royals organization and now is the owner and CEO of a top sports analytics consulting firm. 

Guy will work with our head coaches, campus data scientists and engineering faculty to develop systems that will enhance the performance of our student-athletes as well as aid our coaches in recruiting. Chancellor Lyons has challenged campus to embrace innovation, and the Winning Analytics initiative aims to build the nation's premier collegiate sports analytics operation by utilizing some of the brightest minds at Berkeley. 

We had another major benchmark on the facilities front last week when the first sand was poured at our new beach volleyball venue – the Banatao Family Beach Volleyball Stadium. It's a 10-day process that includes 1,500-2,000 tons of sand being poured to fill out the five courts at the stadium. Our team is on track to begin practicing there in the fall with the first season at the facility taking place in 2027.

As we look to close out the fiscal year with just one week remaining, we invite you to consider making a gift to support our student-athletes and programs by June 30. Your generosity, at any level, directly impacts the experience of our Golden Bears and helps provide the resources they need to compete, grow, and succeed both on and off the field of play. Whether you choose to support the sport you love, Fight for California, or another area of Cal Athletics that is meaningful to you, your gift will help us finish the year strong and demonstrate the true spirit of the Golden Bear community.

Thank you again for being an essential part of the success of Cal Athletics. 

Go Bears!  

Jenny and Jay