Switchfoot concert opens homecoming festivities

From left: CBU alumnus Drew Shirley with Dr. Ronald Ellis; Lancers mascot onstage with the band


From left: The line to acquire Switchfoot wristbands wrapped around hallways; the crowd interacted with Switchfoot during their performance. (Photos by Kelsie Markoski and Grace Ferrell)

RIVERSIDE (Nov. 2, 2012) – A homecoming crowd packed out the Van Dyne Gymnasium last night to hear the rock band Switchfoot perform. The concert opened a weekend filled with events and featured standing-room only for attendees, which included students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Lines formed early Wednesday morning to gain one of the limited number of wristbands available that allowed admissions to the concert.

Switchfoot guitarist Drew Shirley, a CBU alumnus, said being on campus brought back memories and made him nostalgic.

"I was telling the guys, and we had a really good laugh about it, that I was actually Mr. CBC one year," he said. "It was kind of like a stage during homecoming just like this. Here I am now in a band getting paid to play here. It is like coming full circle. There are not very many things in life that you are able to experience like that where you come back to the same place in a different capacity."

Shirley noted the new buildings on campus and reminisced about his CBU experience:

"As with most people, I probably learned as much outside of the classroom as I did inside," he said. "I was very involved with campus staff and activities. I had a great experience."

Shirley studied philosophy at CBU with a minor in music. As a student, he started the chapel worship team and a Thursday night Bible study. He began touring with Switchfoot in 2003 and became an official member in 2005.

Homecoming continued on Friday, with an alumni chapel led by Hector Jimenz from the class of 2009 and Tom Holladay, an alumnus who graduated in 1977. Other activities include a parent and family barbeque on the front lawn, the alumni awards banquet and a jazz band concert, followed by a Lancer women's volleyball game against Fresno Pacific.

The Lancer 5000 5K Walk & Run will open Saturday's activities, which will also include the 4th annual block party, alumni reunions, a theater performance of "Forever Plaid," the Lancer women's volleyball team playing Azusa Pacific University and the Male Chorale Concert. The weekend's festivities will conclude with the Fortuna Bowl and fireworks on the front lawn.

Complete event details are available at www.calbaptist.edu/homecoming.

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