The Athletics program at Cal State Monterey Bay strives to make a meaningful contribution throughout surrounding communities and the entire region. When our student-athletes are not competing or pursuing their academic goals, they often can be found sharing their love and knowledge of their respective sports and participating in positive events and activities on and off campus.
CSUMB student-athletes volunteer and serve others in a variety of ways. From visiting and aiding those who are less fortunate to conducting clinics and signing autographs, they strive to make a difference with their efforts and their enthusiasm.
This commitment is part of the university's larger mission of service and community engagement.Ā In its most recent survey for the 2008-09 academic year, CSUMB reported that its students provided nearly 57,910 service hours to groups and individuals in the tri-county area. Nearly 2,000 members of the campus community participated in outreach programs.
Whether talking to elementary school students about the importance of education or helping at a local food bank, Otter student-athletes take pride in serving others.
These are some of the organizations they have assisted, along with photos from the events:
Otters Make Surprise Visit At Salvation Army Camp - July 8, 2013
Cal State Monterey Bay head coachĀ Rob CummingsĀ and three members of the men's soccer team took some time to give back to the community last week when they did a surprise visit at The Salvation Army's summer day camp in Salinas.Ā
News Release
Student-Athletes Celebrate Read Across America Day - March 1, 2013
Cal State Monterey Bay student-athletes celebrated theĀ National Education Association's(NEA) Read Across America Day on Friday by reading Dr. Seuss books to students at Olson Elementary School, in Marina.Ā In addition to reading to the kids, CSUMB student-athletes shared their experience with reading and answered questions about college and being a student-athlete. Ā
News Release
Otters Assist With The First Tee College Day - February 20, 2013
The No. 8 Cal State Monterey Bay men's golf team assisted in āCollege Dayā, a free youth clinic hosted byĀ The First Tee of Monterey CountyĀ and theĀ Golf Coaches Association of American (GCAA)Ā at Twin Creeks Golf Course in Salinas on Saturday, Feb. 16.The First Tee of the Monterey County is a non-profit organization teaches young people positive and effective life skills utilizing the game of golf. The Otters were able to share their knowledge of balancing the art of being a student-athlete with 65 youth between the ages of 7-17.
News Release
CSUMB Softball Remains Active Community Member - January 24, 2013
Cal State Monterey Bay softball head coachĀ Andrea KenneyĀ knows the importance of community service while balancing school work and team athletic commitments.Ā This past semester, the softball team has continued their volunteering ventures at various organizations.
News Release
SAAC Helps At KSBW's Share The Holiday Event - December 10, 2012
The Cal State Monterey Bay Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) volunteered with the Salvation Army to assist KSBW's 26th Annual Share Your Holiday event on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Graniterock store in Seaside. Ā The charity event set an all-time record by raising $120,627 in cash, 9,309 toys, 11,051 pounds of food and 1,724 items of clothing and blankets for the Salvation Army.Ā
News Release
SAAC Makes Holiday Cards For Our Soldiers Overseas - December 6, 2012
The Cal State Monterey Bay Student-Athletic Advisory Committee representatives got into the holiday spirit by drawing personal holiday cards for the United States soldiers who are serving their country overseas.Ā CSUMB SAAC will be sending the cards toĀ Soldiers' AngelsĀ campaign of āSix Months of Christmasā in Pasadena, Calif.
News Release
SAAC Sponsored Blood Drive Exceeds Goal In Units - November 9, 2012
The Cal State Monterey Bay Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) found yet another way in helping the community by sponsoring a blood drive forĀ Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP)Ā on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the student center on CSUMB's campus.Ā The drive registered 85 donors and a total of 72 units of blood was collected.Ā These units will help save the lives of over 216 patients in need. SAAC succeeded its goal for the drive of 70 units of blood collected.
News Release
Water Polo Takes Part In Make-A-Difference Day - October 29, 2012
The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team participated in Make-A-Difference Day, the largest national day of community service, on Saturday, Oct. 27.Ā In the tradition of Otter Athletics, the squad assisted in the Beautification of Chinatown Project, located on Soledad Street in Salinas. The Otters painted buildings, cleaned up the streets, planted flowers and spread new mulch for the pathways of Chinatown.
News Release
SAAC Raises Record Amount At G-Pong Tournament - October 17, 2012
CSUMB SAAC Spreads Holiday Cheer In CommunityĀ - DecemberĀ 13, 2011
The Cal State Monterey Bay Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) got in the holiday spirit this past weekend, shopping for special kids in the Monterey County area.The student-athletes worked alongside the CSUMB Human Resources Department and their partnership with the Monterey County Special Kids Crusade.
News Release
Otters Share Experiences With Montessori Youth - November 21, 2011
Taking a break from their own studies, a group of Cal State Monterey Bay cross country student-athletes took a trip with Head Coach
Greg Rhines to the Montessori Learning Center in Salinas to give a glimpse into 'a day in the life of a cross country student-athlete'.
News Release
Otters Team Up With Save Our Shores - November 21, 2011
Shortly after wrapping up of the 2011 record breaking fall season, the Cal State Monterey Bay cross country program teamed up with the Save Our Shores Organization for the second time this year and volunteered at the Fort Ord Dunes State Beach for an afternoon.
News Release
Gatorade Pong Tournament Deemed A Success - October 20, 2011
The Cal State Monterey Bay Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted its third annual Gatorade Pong Tournament during the week of Alcohol Awareness on the CSUMB campus.Ā The event was to raise awareness about the alternatives to drinking alcohol in a fun and entertaining way.
News Release
CSUMB Golf Teams Help Out Tiger Woods Foundation - October 12, 2011
The Cal State Monterey Bay menās and womenās golf teams assisted the Tiger Woods Foundation and Nike Golf in a fundraising event hosted at Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club on Tuesday, Oct. 11 and Wednesday, Oct. 12. News Release
CSUMB Participates In Save Our Shores Event - September 17, 2011
The Cal State Monterey Bay cross country program took advantage of a weekend free of competition to help clean the Monterey State Beach.
News Release
SAAC Members Make A Change For Make-A-Wish - May 17, 2011
The Cal State Monterey Bay Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its second annual Penny Wars throughout the 2010-2011 year, raising more than 1,500 dollars for Make-A-Wish Foundation the official philanthropy for NCAA Division II.
News Release
AD Vince Otoupal Speaks At Marina High School - February 2, 2011
Cal State Monterey Bay Athletic DirectorĀ
Vince OtoupalĀ spoke with Marina High School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students on Tuesday, urging them to discover their talent and then put it to good use.Ā
News Release
Otter Athletics Lends A Helping Hand - November 23, 2010
Cal State Monterey Bay Athletics joined up with Sodexo to collect canned food for the annual Helping Hands Across America Food Drive at the women's basketball game on Nov. 16 against Hawaii Pacific.Ā Ā
News Release
SAAC's G-Pong Nite A Win For Alcohol Awareness Week - October 21, 2010
The Cal State Monterey Bay Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a night of Gatorade Pong on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Otter Sports Center with all proceeds being donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).Ā
News Release
Women's Cross Country Lends A Hand With Beach Clean-Up - December 15, 2010
The Cal State Monterey Bay womenās cross country team pitched in to clean up the Marina State Beach.
News Release
Women's Basketball Steps Out Into The Community - Month of September, 2010
Cal State Monterey Bay womenās basketball team is pairing up with the Salvation Army in the Monterey Peninsula area for the month of September. The Otters are giving a helping hand by serving food to the less fortunate.
Ā
News Release
Otter Softball Strives To Make Difference In Community - December 10, 2009
Despite a full class schedule and eight hours of workouts and/or individual practice a week, the Cal State Monterey Bay softball team has been making a difference in the community this fall semester.
News Release
Men's Basketball Free Clinic - November 29, 2009
Two hour free clinic for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12
News Release -
Photo Gallery
Gatorade Pong Competition - November 4, 2009
Hosted By Student Athletic Advisory Community (SAAC)
All proceeds donated to Make A Wish Campaign
News Release -
Photo Gallery
Cleaning Up Fort Ord - October 24, 2009
Participating Teams: Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Women's Water Polo
News Release -
Photo Gallery
Women's Basketball Volunteers At Monterey County Food Bank - Sept. 25, 2009
News Release
Baseball Spends Spring Break With Local Youth - March 28, 2009
News Release
Men's Basketball Takes Anti-Drug Message To Marshall Elementary - October 28, 2008
News Release
Women's Basketball Participates In "Read For The Record" Campaign - October 2, 2008
News Release - Photo Gallery
Softball Visits Salinas Middle School - December 15, 2007
News Release