Long Beach State University Athletics
49ers help welcome new students as school year begins
8/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 30, 2011
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State athletics continued an annual tradition on Saturday, as 49er student-athletes and coaches helped nearly 2,500 students move into the dorms as the campus of Long Beach State opened for the 2011-12 school year.
With the atmosphere of a tailgate party or homecoming, featuring tents, banners and balloons throughout the residential halls and parking lots, students and their families were welcomed to the Long Beach State campus with smiling faces and helping hands to assist with an exciting and hectic day.
Over 300 student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff members joined fraternities, sororities, and student-council members in handing out free water and lemonade, providing music, and lifting and carting suitcases and furniture to help provide a sense of community and pride upon joining the Long Beach State family.
"I think that families that come in are very grateful to have the assistance that we provide," said Candice Chick Shirey, Long Beach State's CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator. "Some families were so overwhelmed, moving a van that's packed to the brim across campus on one of the hottest days of the year in Long Beach, so to see a group of three student-athletes ready to help can be a great relief. It takes a process that could have taken hours of hard work for parents and a new student and transforms it into a fun, 15-minute one."
A six-year veteran of the event, LBSU Development Assistant Karina Figueroa participated for five years as a student-athlete, and continued to help in her first year while working with the athletic department.
"Helping with the move-ins is such a positive way to encourage our fellow students from their first moments on campus," Figueroa noted. "It immediately shows that our persona as athletes is a part of a bigger university, and not just about ourselves."
"It's so much fun to interact with the other students and our teammates. It's a great opportunity to give back to everyone that supports us."
In addition, families were provided with free ticket vouchers to enjoy their first Long Beach State athletic event, and nearly 150 took up the offer to see the Long Beach State's women's volleyball team, ranked No. 22 in the nation, take on No. 7 Washington in a raucous Walter Pyramid.
49er student-athletes were on hand from the beginning of the day to the end of move-in, which began at 8:30 a.m. and continued until four in the evening. President F. King Alexander also joined in lending a hand to bring in the new generation of students. The assistance throughout the day is just another step to confirm that Long Beach State's 18 sports teams are truly "Your 49ers" from the instant you arrive at Long Beach State.
