San Jose State Spartans Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Tim Miles

Team Mascot: Sammy the Spartan

Year Opened: 1989

Capacity: 5000

City / State: San Jose / California

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

San Jose State vs Fresno State Rivalry

Rival Team: Fresno State Bulldogs

Regardless of the sport, San Jose State and Fresno State do not get along. The two schools have a long-standing rivalry on the gridiron, and there are plenty of bragging rights on the line when the two meet on the hardwood as well. Make sure to be in attendance when the Bulldogs come to town as you wouldn’t want to miss this matchup.

San Jose State vs Santa Clara Rivalry

Rival Team: Santa Clara Broncos

There are lots of local bragging rights on the line when San Jose State faces off with Santa Clara. The winner of the series between these two schools has bragging rights over the Bay Area, so you better believe that games between the Spartans and Broncos can get quite intense.

San Jose State vs San Diego State Rivalry

Rival Team: San Diego State Aztecs

The rivalry between the Spartans and Aztecs may be a lot stronger in football, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of bad blood between the two when they square off in basketball. There are always bragging rights on the line when San Jose State and San Diego State meet, so circle the date on the schedule when the Spartans play the Aztecs.

San Jose State Spartans Stadium Guide

In Game

College Hoops fans visiting San Jose will want to take some time to attend a San Jose State basketball game. The Event Center is a quaint little arena, and you can get tickets at very affordable prices making a Spartans game a great impromptu stop during a trip to San Jose or the Bay Area.

The pep band does an excellent job of providing entertainment throughout the game, and they aren’t afraid to get under the skin of opponents. You’ll also be able to get tickets near the action at a San Jose State game, so if there is a team you want to see then a Spartans game offers an excellent opportunity to see them up close.

Additionally, the Event Center is situated in downtown San Jose, so you’ll find plenty of nearby entertainment before and after the game. There are lots of bars and restaurants nearby, and if you’re a hockey fan, the NHL’s San Jose Sharks play only a mile away making it easy for you to do a San Jose State game-Sharks game double header.

Attending a Spartans basketball game is a fun experience and a great way to spend some time during a trip to San Jose.

Things to check out

Court Design

The Event Center is home to a beautiful court that depicts Spartan warriors going into battle. The unique court design is quite fun and does an excellent job of making the Event Center feel like the home court of the Spartans.

Banners

Above the court are several banners celebrating the Spartans accomplishments from over the years. The banners show off the Spartans three NCAA Tournament appearances and add a nice touch to the arena.

Procession of the Spartans

All you need to do is form a circle with your pointer finger and thumb while extending your other three fingers and everyone will know you’re a Spartan. This popular hand gesture is a great way for Spartans fans to show off their school pride to fellow fans and pumps up the crowd at games.

play Watch video

Sammy Spartan

Sammy Spartan pumps up the San Jose State crowd like no one else as this mascot provides lots of in-game entertainment with his smooth dance moves and outrageous antics. Look for Sammy to energize the crowd particularly at big moments in the game.

play Watch video

Spartan Pep Band

The Spartan Pep Band put on a great show and do an excellent job of pumping up the crowd throughout the game. The band provides a lot of the atmosphere found inside Event Center Arena, so enjoy their performance throughout the game.

play Watch video

Fight Songs

  1. SJSU Fight Song

    Fight on for dear old San Jose State;
    Fight on for victory!
    We are with you in every way.
    No matter what the price may be!
    Onward for Sparta noble and true,
    Fight hard in everything you do!
    And so we’ll Fight! (RAH!) Win! (RAH!)
    March onward down the field and we will win the day!

    (CHANT)
    S…J…S…U
    S J S U
    S-J-S-U
    SAN JOSE STATE!

    (Repeat First Verse) 

  2. Alma Mater

    Hail, Spartans, Hail!
    Hail, gold, blue and white!
    We pledge our hearts and hands,
    To keep thy colors ever bright,
    Forward we go!
    We will not fail!
    Sing to our Alma Mater,
    Hail! Hail! Hail!

San Jose State Spartans Bars & Restaurants

  1. La Victoria Taqueria

    La Victoria Taqueria

    This chain taqueria dishes up burritos & other Mexican dishes with its popular "orange sauce."

    131 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

    408-982-3121

    Bar website

    mexican - $

  2. O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub

    OFlahertys Irish Pub

    Laid-back pub for traditional comfort food like Irish stew along with a good variety of draft beers.

    25 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

    408-947-8007

    Bar website

    european - $$

  3. Firehouse No.1 Gastropub

    Firehouse Number One Gastropub

    Buzzing gastropub for craft cocktails & elevated American comfort food with seasonal tendencies.

    69 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

    408-287-6969

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Hermitage Brewery

    Hermitage Brewery

    We think of our beers as “A Retreat From the Ordinary”. We are not a mainstream brewery. We don’t copy; we create.

    1627 S 7th St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA

    408-291-0966

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. Original Gravity Public House

    Original Gravity Public House

    Original Gravity prides itself on a welcoming environment for beer geeks to the craft curious alike.

    66 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

    408-915-2337

    Bar website

    american - $$

  6. The Farmers Union

    The Farmers Union

    The Farmers Union is comfortable. a place that is perfect for lunching with co-workers, impressing your date or just hanging out.

    151 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

    408-277-0545

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. Trials Pub

    Trials Pub

    Trials Pub is a rarity. It is an authentic Pub in a franchised world, a space free of televisions and "wazzup" beers.

    265 N 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

    408-947-0497

    Bar website

    american - $$

  8. Taps Keyes Club

    Taps Keyes Club

    Great bar, cool bartenders, fantastic drinks and snacks.

    396 Keyes St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA

    408-998-2714

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  9. Flames Eatery and Bar

    Flames Eatery and Bar

    High-quality food at reasonable and affordable prices in a friendly, comfortable, and casual environment

    88 S 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA

    408-971-1960

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  10. Sammy G’s

    Sammy Gs

    Strives to develop our signature pizzas with only the freshest ingredients.

    330 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA

    408-638-7076

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  11. Peggy Sue’s

    Peggy Sues

    Peggy Sue's is devoted to providing its customers with great food in a family-friendly environment.

    29 N San Pedro St #100, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

    669-244-1533

    Bar website

    american - $

  12. SmokeEaters

    Smoke Eaters

    Anyone can make chicken wings, we simply do it best.

    29 S 3rd St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

    408-293-9976

    Bar website

    american - $$

  13. Iguanas

    Iguanas

    They have something for everyone from light and healthy guilt free fare to absolute delightful decadence.

    4848 San Felipe Rd, San Jose, CA 95135, USA

    408-293-9781

    Bar website

    mexican - $

  14. San Jose Bar and Grill

    San Jose Bar and Grill

    Great amtosphere with amazing food and drinks!

    85 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

    408-286-2397

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  15. The Boiling Crab

    Scott’s Seafood

    Boiled crawfish and crabs, shucked raw oysters, grilled fresh fish – always with a beer in hand.

    1631 E Capitol Expy #101, San Jose, CA 95121, USA

    408-532-6147

    Bar website

    american - $$

  16. CREAM

    CREAM

    CREAM, which stands for ‘Cookies Rule Everything Around Me’, serves handcrafted & warm ice cream sandwiches and many more creations!

    49 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

    650-754-6640

    Bar website

    cafe - $