Staff and faculty enjoy sneak peek inside CBU the Events Center

 

Riverside, Calif. (July 26, 2017) — The sound of admiring “oohs” and “aahs” echoed through the new CBU Events Center as staff and faculty at California Baptist University attended an open house and tour of the multi-use arena on July 25.   

“I was blown away at how professional and collegiate the Events Center looks,” said Natalie Specht, graduate assistant for the Office of Leadership and Transitions. “It really brings CBU up to the next level as we transition to [NCAA] Division I competition.”

The Events Center open house for CBU employees featured a guided tour of offices, working spaces, CBU training and locker rooms, and ultimately a view of the basketball court and seating areas. Representatives from CBU Athletics and University Advancement at each stop provided brief descriptions about the area visitors were passing through.

Jason Stephenson, director of media productions for Lancer Athletics, spoke about digital features planned for the in-game experience for Lancer fans.

“We’re going to have four cameras stationed throughout the arena to capture not only the action on the court to display on the large overhead LED screens but also the faithful Crazies that are in the crowd. We’re also going to have dunk cameras stationed on top of the basketball backboards to showcase up-and-close our amazing athletes,” Stephenson described. “Our audio and video displays are state-of-the-art and you will have a similar experience to any big arenas in our area.”

CBU also plans to go big on food. The Events Center will feature three concession stands that will serve standard sporting cuisine as well as specialty sausage sandwiches and street tacos.

“The Events Center is a game-changer for the campus,” said Kipp Dougherty, director of Food Services at CBU. “We definitely want the food to provide the same ‘wow’ factor.”

Micah Fuller, associate director of athletics for marketing/media relations, said CBU employees and their families will enjoy free admission to basketball games this year. Fuller also said CBU has sold more than 500 individual season tickets plans to date, featuring designated seating locations.

“We want this to be an environment that you and your whole family can attend,” Fuller told a tour group.

Andrew Musser, assistant director of financial aid, said he has not attended a basketball game at CBU but, after the tour, that might change.

“Impressive, massive were the first words that pop into my mind when I looked down at the basketball court,” Musser said. “This does inspire me to want to come check out a game to see what the environment of a basketball game will be like.”

The Events Center is scheduled to open in mid-August with Welcoming Weekend for new students scheduled as the first large event in the arena. The Lancers’ first basketball games are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 10.