Bears open at home against Sacramento State and Pacific

Bears Open Home Season Against Sacramento State and Pacific

After starting the season overseas in Paris, the Cal Bears return to Haas Pavilion for their home opener against Sacramento State on Sunday, followed by a matchup with Pacific. The team traveled more than 5,000 miles to participate in the Oui-Play Paris showcase before heading back to Berkeley.

Strong Home Record Under Charmin Smith

Head coach Charmin Smith enters her seventh season guiding the Bears. Over the past five years, Cal has achieved a 47-31 home record and maintained winning seasons at Haas Pavilion for four consecutive years.

In the 2024–25 season, the Bears were nearly unbeatable at home, posting a 16-1 record. Key victories included notable wins over Alabama, NC State, and Stanford, contributing to their successful run to the NCAA tournament.

Building Team Culture and Fan Engagement

Smith has invested effort into strengthening the team’s internal culture and the energy of its fan base. After games, she often addresses the crowd, sparking enthusiasm with her signature phrase:

“Bring a freakin’ friend.”

This approach has helped expand community support, aligning with the nationwide growth of women’s basketball. The rising excitement in Berkeley and across the Bay Area illustrates a new era of fan engagement for the Bears.

Author Summary

Cal returns home energized after Paris, with coach Charmin Smith driving strong fan support and a winning home tradition in the heart of Berkeley.

more

dailycal.org dailycal.org — 2025-11-08

More News