HAYWARD, Calif. -- From now until November 11th, The Cal State East Bay Athletic department will partner with Sport Clips of Hayward in support of the Annual "Help a Hero" fundraising campaign, benefiting the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Operation Uplink. Operation Uplink connects deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members with their loved ones through free phone cards. Since the program began in 2007, nearly two million free calls home have been made possible thorough "Help a Hero."
"These calls are more than just 'morale' calls. They're often a lifeline for those who are far from home -- sometimes on their second or third deployment,” says Gordon Logan, Sport Clips CEO and Founder. “The calls were important to me when I was overseas in the Air Force, and are still important today."
Through November 11th, anyone who gets a haircut at Sport Clips of Hayward will receive a free weekend pass to the Cal State East Bay men's and women's basketball home games on November 9th and 11th at Pioneer Gym. In addition, all U.S. service members -- active and retired -- and one guest will receive free admission to the men's basketball game vs. Notre Dame de Namur at 2 p.m. on November 11th.
"The Cal State East Bay men's basketball program welcomes with open arms all veterans who wish to come watch the Pioneers compete, and we offer our sincere thanks," said Will Biggs, head men's basketball coach. "In honor of the service of our veterans, our entire team made it a priority to register to vote and participate in this week's election. Nothing is greater than the ability to choose freely, and without your sacrifice, we would not be able to chase our dreams and challenge ourselves to become the best we can be. It is an honor to compete against Notre Dame de Namur in your presence, and our team's effort will be in your honor."
In addition to supporting "Help a Hero," Sport Clips of Hayward will offer free haircuts to active duty and retired U.S. service members with valid ID on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11th.
Cal State East Bay and Sport Clips will be accepting donations for the “Help a Hero” program at all the home basketball games this weekend. US Bank has also stepped in to support the program, promising to match the funds raised this weekend. The Pioneers' goal is to raise $500, which will make approximately 300 calls home possible for our U.S. service members.
Below is the schedule of Pioneer home basketball games this weekend:
Women's Basketball: CCAA/PacWest Challenge
Fri, Nov. 9 – Academy of Art vs. Humboldt State – 5:00 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 9 – Cal State East Bay vs. Dominican University – 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 10 – Dominican University vs. Humboldt State – 3:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 10 – Cal State East Bay vs. Academy of Art – 5:00 p.m.
Men's Basketball
Sun, Nov. 11 – Cal State East Bay vs. Notre Dame de Namur – 2:00 p.m.
