Cal and Stanford absolutely hate each other and there is no love lost when the two meet on the hardwood. The hatred between these two Bay Area schools runs deep and you won’t want to miss it when they square off. Cal leads the all-time series 146-117, so come on out and support the Golden Bears when Stanford comes to town.
California Golden Bears Stadium Guide
In Game
Berkeley is a beautiful city to visit, and there are few better things to do when visiting than attending a Cal basketball game. Haas Pavilion is one of the most historic venues in college basketball and is home to an incredible atmosphere. The Cal Band is known as one of the best bands in the country, and The Bench loves to heckle and get after opponents, so you’ll be in for a show when attending a Golden Bears basketball game.
Haas Pavilion is also home to lots of fantastic Golden Bears memorabilia. The arena’s concourse is chalk full of newspaper clippings, pictures, pennants, trophies, and other memorabilia from the past. The memorabilia honors the basketball team as well as other Cal athletics teams and former student-athletes. The exhibit dedicated to the 1959 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship is a must-see for any college sports fan, so arrive early and take it all in.
As mentioned above Berkeley is a great city. Here you’ll find numerous excellent bars and restaurants to check out during your trip. There are two craft breweries, Jupiter and Triple Rock, as well as plenty of gastropubs to visit. If you’re looking for vegetarian options, you’ll also find a good selection of those as well including Saturn Cafe. No matter what you have a taste for you’ll find it here in Berkeley where there are more than enough dining and entertainment options.
A trip to Berkeley is an excellent experience for anyone looking to visit the Bay Area, and a Cal basketball game is a great way to spend a day in Berkeley. If you want to experience a fun game day atmosphere in a beautiful city, then you’ll struggle to find a better option than a Cal basketball game.
All around the concourse you can spot Cal athletics memorabilia. There are pennants, trophies, newspaper clippings, and much more celebrating Cal athletics, so take a stroll of the concourse before the game.
One exhibit of particular interest to Cal basketball fans is the 1959 National Championship Exhibit. Here you’ll find a picture of the Golden Bears national championship winning side as well as a statue of legendary Cal basketball head coach Pete Newell. Stop by and get a picture with the statue during your trip to Berkeley.
Outside of Haas Pavilion you’ll find a beer garden and kids activity area before the game. It’s a great place to hang out before the game and gives you an excellent chance to try some local craft beers from Black Diamond.
The court inside Haas Pavilion features a one of a kind court design. The large wood colored bear gives the Haas Pavilion court a unique feel and look, so snap a pic of the court when attending a Golden Bears basketball game.
The Cal pep band performs over 20 fight songs at Golden Bears basketball games. The most famous of the fight songs is “Big C,” which has been popular among Cal students and alum for a long time. Enjoy the performance of the pep band who do an excellent job of setting the tone at a Cal basketball game.
Oski has been the Golden Bears mascot since 1941. He is named after the “Oski Wow-Wow” yell and is prominent in many Cal school songs. During games Oski entertains the fans, so keep your eyes peeled for him as you’ll never know what kind of shenanigans he’ll get into.
The Cal student section, known as The Bench, makes Haas Pavilion a difficult venue for opposing teams to play in. The students really get after opponents. The university even added a row of seats between the students and the court to help protect the players and refs from their abuse. Enjoy the atmosphere created by The Bench when attending a Cal basketball game.
Our sturdy Golden Bear,
Is watching from the skies,
Looks down upon our colors fair,
And guards us from his lair.
Our banner Gold and Blue,
The symbol on it too,
Means FIGHT! for California.
For California through and through!
Stalwarts girded for the fray,
Will strive for victory,
Their all at Mater’s feet will lay,
That brain and brawn will win the day.
Our mighty sons and true
Will strive for us anew,
And FIGHT! for California,
For California through and through!
“Big C”
On our rugged eastern foothills
Stands our symbol clear and bold
Big C means to fight and strive
And win for Blue and Gold
Golden Bear is ever watching
Day by day he prowls
And when he hears the tread
Of lowly Stanfurd red
From his lair he fiercely growls
Grr-ah! Grr-ah! Grrrrr—ah!
We are sons of California
Fighting for the Gold and Blue
Palms of glory we will win
For Alma Mater true
Stanfurd’s men will soon be routed
By our dazzling “C”
And when we serpentine
Their red will turn to green
In our hour of victory!
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