Golden Bears Hockey Alumni

Our second annual GBH Teddy Bear Toss would not have been possible at its current scale without the support of our alumni group. Their financial contribution directly supported the purchase and sale of teddy bears and they helped mediate key planning decisions. With their guidance and involvement, this year’s Teddy Bear Toss was more than twice as successful as last years inaugural event! Alumni support also helped make possible the first-ever Pandas Teddy Bear Toss, which - from my knowledge - was the first women’s teddy bear toss in Usports history. For our Pandas athletes, it was their first opportunity to take part in a teddy bear toss game, marking an important step forward for inclusion and the continued advancement of women in sport. Beyond funding, alumni provided valuable mentorship throughout the process. Rick consistently challenged us to think through real-world scenarios related to business, sponsorship, and event planning. These lessons strengthened the way we approached the event and provided skills and perspective that we will carry beyond this role. The willingness of alumni to teach, guide, and invest time alongside financial support made a substantial difference in the planning and success of these events. These initiatives were led by the University Athletics Board and reflect what student leadership can accomplish when backed by experienced alumni. That same support continues as we head into the Legacy Fund Plebiscite on March 4th and 5th, where we are campaigning to retain the $5.11 student fee that directly supports athletics. This fee provides just under $2 million over each five-year renewal period. It has been encouraging to have alumni fully behind this effort as we work toward a successful outcome.