Big Game Week Challenge

“The Big Sail spans generations as we battle against our Berkeley counterparts. More importantly though, Big Sail celebrates sailing in the Bay Area and how Stanford and Cal share a common love for this sport that challenges us and forces us to grow for a lifetime.

At the end of the day, win or lose, the most important take-away from our sport is often the community built. Sailing is unique in that, even if you are squaring off against one team, or 17, ultimately the worthiest opponent is the wind and the waves, the venue, the conditions and how you approach these challenges. There are days when the competitors feel more like collaborators than anything else. And when you return to the boat park, you congratulate the victor, not because they beat you, but because they conquered the obstacles in front of them. At Stanford, we face our own unique challenges, but are supported by a myriad of resources thanks to our donor community. The Big Game Week Challenge is an opportunity for the Stanford Athletics community to come together to celebrate competition, honor tradition, and preserve the Stanford student-athlete experience for generations to come.”

“Since the first Big Game in 1892, Stanford and Cal have enjoyed a long history of football rivalry that is still flourishing today and has expanded across most of our 36 varsity sports. As one of the oldest rivalries in collegiate athletics, Big Game Week provides the Stanford community with many great moments and opportunities to support our student-athletes. With the changing landscape in college sports, it is especially important to preserve this tradition. Supporting Stanford Athletics during the Big Game Week Challenge ensures that many more magical memories will be made for generations of Cardinal Faithful!”

“I feel lucky to represent Stanford and participate in an everlasting rivalry with Cal. Defeating Cal at home earlier this season and playing them again during Big Game Week are some of the highlights of my athletic career. Regardless of the outcome, competing in those rivalry matches are some of the most fun you can have while playing a sport.

It’s awesome to see the Stanford community come together during Big Game Week. It’s great to hear about past stories and traditions from alumni, while sharing in the current excitement of taking down the Golden Bears. Big Game Week truly brings our community closer!”

“Representing Stanford during Big Game Week means we play with a little extra pride. Whether we are defending our home court or on the road at Berkeley we always come out with a chip on our shoulder ready to make a statement against our cross-town rivals in the ‘Big Spike’.  

There is a different type of energy on campus during Big Game Week. It is so exciting to walk around campus and see all the fountains turn red and Hoover Tower glowing Cardinal red at night. Everyone is beaming with Stanford spirit which always brings the whole community together!

“Big Game isn’t just a rivalry; it’s a Stanford tradition that forged some of my deepest friendships. Thinking back to my days on campus as a member of the women's tennis team, I remember going to the Big Game with my roommates from the women's basketball team. We’d always cheer on our fellow student-athletes — including our football players who lived across the way in the Manzanita Trailers! That shared experience and camaraderie across the athletics department is what makes Stanford Athletics so special.  

My friends and I give back every year to ensure that the current and future generations of Stanford student-athletes get to enjoy that same incredible journey and community. Let’s do our part to support Stanford student-athletes on and off the field during the Big Game Week Challenge. Calling all former Stanford student-athletes: Join us in supporting the next generation!”