HAYWARD, Calif. — A rivalry that started nearly two decades ago in the California Pacific Conference begins a new chapter this season as Cal State East Bay and Cal State Monterey Bay officially kick off the "Battle of the Bays" competition this week in Seaside with soccer doubleheader on Wednesday, followed by a volleyball match Saturday evening.
The Battle of the Bays will take the rivalry between the two California Collegiate Athletic Association members to the next level. The schools will earn points based on their head-to-head competition in 13 common sports. The school with the most points at season's end will get to ring the Bay Bell as the Battle of the Bays champion.
"The nature of competition revolves around entering the arena with like-minded people who ultimately can help you become the best version of you," said CSUEB Director of Athletics Jason Carmichael. "For both of our campuses, there is quite a bit of overlap in terms of culture and desire for excellence in all aspects of the intercollegiate athletic experience. This friendly competition allows for student-athletes on both campuses to have even greater motivation to compete against peers and, hopefully, to have some 'Bay' fun along the way."
Cal State Monterey Bay Director of Athletics Kirby Garry shared his excitement as well. "This is the natural next step between two well-rounded NCAA DII programs that share a common belief in and commitment to student-athlete success," Garry commented. "The Otters are excited to compete against the Pioneers and showcase what is great about our two universities."
The schools will win points in the Battle of the Bays based on head-to-head results in their 13 common sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, women's track and field, volleyball, and water polo. Points will be awarded based on results in regular season games in all sports except cross country, golf, and track. Those sports will award points based on finishes at their respective CCAA Championship tournaments.
Four points are available in each sport for a total of 52 points. The amount of points to be won each meeting depends upon the number of games scheduled in each sport. All four points will be up for grabs at the CCAA Championship events in cross country, golf, and track.
ABOUT CAL STATE EAST BAY ATHLETICS
Cal State East Bay athletics began during the 1961-62 academic year, and the University became a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association in 2009. The Pioneers have captured seven National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national championships in their 57-year history. CSUEB sponsors 15 sports: baseball, men's & women's basketball, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's golf, men's & women's soccer, men's & women's track & field, softball, women's volleyball, women's swimming, and women's water polo. All Pioneer sports compete in the CCAA with the exception of water polo, which competes in the Western Water Polo Association, and women's swimming, which competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference.
ABOUT CAL STATE MONTEREY BAY ATHLETICS
Cal State Monterey Bay athletics began during the 1996–97 academic year. The Otters became a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association in 2004 and a full member of NCAA Division II in August of 2007. CSUMB sponsors 13 sports: Baseball, men's & women's basketball, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's golf, men's & women's soccer, softball, volleyball and water polo. All Otter sports compete in the CCAA with the exception of water polo, which competes in the Western Water Polo Association.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cal State Monterey Bay: Kevin Gilmore, Asst. A.D., Public Relations – kgilmore@csumb.edu / (831) 582-3118
Cal State East Bay:
Steve Connolly, Director of Athletic Communication – steve.connolly@csueastbay.edu / (510) 885-4509
