Long Beach State Athletics Finalizes Naming Rights Agreement For LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid
11/19/2025 4:15:00 PM | General
LBS Financial Credit Union and Long Beach State Athletics have entered into a 12-year, $8.5 million sponsorship agreement.
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Following today's unanimous approval of the resolution by the California State University Board of Trustees, California State University Long Beach and LBS Financial Credit Union announced a 12-year, $8.5-million sponsorship agreement that will rename the iconic campus sports and events venue the "LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid."
The facility houses four of Long Beach State's Division I intercollegiate athletics programs, including the defending national champions in men's volleyball, and has long served as a landmark venue for campus milestones, academic celebrations, community-wide events, and a wide range of athletic competitions across multiple sports, spanning all levels – high school to professional.
"We thank LBS Financial Credit Union for their confidence in us, for their belief in our students, and for their demonstrated commitment to education," said Bobby Smitheran, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "This partnership makes sense on every level. It unites two mission-aligned organizations and strengthens our impact across the university, the Long Beach community, and the generations of students – past, present, and future – who are a part of the Long Beach State story."
LBS Financial Credit Union sees the sponsorship as an impactful investment in the university and a symbol of its longstanding commitment to CSULB and the City of Long Beach. The credit union has served the financial needs of faculty, staff, students, and alumni at CSULB for over 70 years.
"As one of the nation's earliest credit unions, and now among the top 5% by asset size, we've grown from a small operation in homes and a Wilson High School classroom to a strong regional presence," said Sean Hardeman, President and CEO of LBS Financial. "Today, we proudly serve anyone who lives or works in the local area, along with the educators and students who shaped our beginnings. We are proud to name this historic structure at Long Beach State – a pillar for the community, much like LBS Financial Credit Union."
The agreement will provide financial support to Long Beach State Athletics, primarily in the form of student scholarships, but will also help fund some programmatic costs and capital improvements.
Mike and Arline Walter, who originally named the Pyramid in 2004, when they made both a cash gift and a planned giving commitment to the University, have agreed to step away from the naming in the interest of clearing the way for a significant new investment in the Beach Athletics programs and its Division I student-athletes.
"The college athletics landscape is evolving rapidly, and we need to evolve with it," said Mike Walter, a former Dean of the College of Business and currently Dean Emeritus. "We have been proud to support Beach Athletics and other university programs for more than thirty years and recognize this opportunity to amplify our impact. Our fundamental interest has always been to support both athletics and the academic efforts of the University."
"Time and again, the Walters have put our students first through a history of transformative philanthropy at the university," said Beach President Andrew Jones. "Their impact on campus and throughout the Long Beach community is as iconic as the pyramid facility itself. We are deeply grateful to them and for their selflessness in greenlighting this next chapter."
The Walters plan to continue their support and partnership with the university.
Smitheran adds, "Building from the foundation of support built by the Walters, this is an exciting new era."
Sports marketing agencies ADC Partners and The Superlative Group assisted Long Beach State Athletics throughout the naming rights process, including valuation, business development, and negotiation of the partnership. LBS Financial Credit Union was supported by Innovative Partnerships Group who provided strategic guidance throughout the process.
The facility houses four of Long Beach State's Division I intercollegiate athletics programs, including the defending national champions in men's volleyball, and has long served as a landmark venue for campus milestones, academic celebrations, community-wide events, and a wide range of athletic competitions across multiple sports, spanning all levels – high school to professional.
"We thank LBS Financial Credit Union for their confidence in us, for their belief in our students, and for their demonstrated commitment to education," said Bobby Smitheran, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "This partnership makes sense on every level. It unites two mission-aligned organizations and strengthens our impact across the university, the Long Beach community, and the generations of students – past, present, and future – who are a part of the Long Beach State story."
LBS Financial Credit Union sees the sponsorship as an impactful investment in the university and a symbol of its longstanding commitment to CSULB and the City of Long Beach. The credit union has served the financial needs of faculty, staff, students, and alumni at CSULB for over 70 years.
"As one of the nation's earliest credit unions, and now among the top 5% by asset size, we've grown from a small operation in homes and a Wilson High School classroom to a strong regional presence," said Sean Hardeman, President and CEO of LBS Financial. "Today, we proudly serve anyone who lives or works in the local area, along with the educators and students who shaped our beginnings. We are proud to name this historic structure at Long Beach State – a pillar for the community, much like LBS Financial Credit Union."
The agreement will provide financial support to Long Beach State Athletics, primarily in the form of student scholarships, but will also help fund some programmatic costs and capital improvements.
Mike and Arline Walter, who originally named the Pyramid in 2004, when they made both a cash gift and a planned giving commitment to the University, have agreed to step away from the naming in the interest of clearing the way for a significant new investment in the Beach Athletics programs and its Division I student-athletes.
"The college athletics landscape is evolving rapidly, and we need to evolve with it," said Mike Walter, a former Dean of the College of Business and currently Dean Emeritus. "We have been proud to support Beach Athletics and other university programs for more than thirty years and recognize this opportunity to amplify our impact. Our fundamental interest has always been to support both athletics and the academic efforts of the University."
"Time and again, the Walters have put our students first through a history of transformative philanthropy at the university," said Beach President Andrew Jones. "Their impact on campus and throughout the Long Beach community is as iconic as the pyramid facility itself. We are deeply grateful to them and for their selflessness in greenlighting this next chapter."
The Walters plan to continue their support and partnership with the university.
Smitheran adds, "Building from the foundation of support built by the Walters, this is an exciting new era."
Sports marketing agencies ADC Partners and The Superlative Group assisted Long Beach State Athletics throughout the naming rights process, including valuation, business development, and negotiation of the partnership. LBS Financial Credit Union was supported by Innovative Partnerships Group who provided strategic guidance throughout the process.
Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs Illinois State
Monday, November 17
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs UCR
Friday, November 14
Women's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs CBU
Thursday, November 13
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs UC Irvine (LBSU wins 3-0)
Sunday, November 02
