2004 - Senior Banquet

The 2004 Senior Banquet was held on April 27, 2004 in Chevron Auditorium at the International House.  We've outgrown the Faculty Club, where the last few banquets have been held, due to larger crowds every year.  This year's handsome new venue greeted 200 student athletes and alums for a fantastic evening.

This annual Spring event is for the seniors, those Big C members who have finished their athletic careers at Cal.  The 2004 featured speaker and honored guest was outgoing UC Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl, who was inducted into the Society as an honorary member.  This was in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Cal athletics during his term as Chancellor at Cal.  Chancellor Berdahl spoke to the seniors about their preparation for the world beyond UC Berkeley.

Another highlight of the evening was hearing from two senior student athletes as they talked about their past achievements and their futures.  Women's track star Stephanie Cowling reflected wonderfully on memories at Berkeley and what the Cal experience meant to the athletes.  Football great Tyler Fredrickson focused on how their careers at Berkeley have prepared them for what lies ahead beyond the Cal campus.  Current and former student-athlete attendees included Olympic gold medal winners, All Americans, All Pac-10 performers, and Academic All-Americans.  Several of the teams represented were national or Pac-10 champions.

There were also many coaches in attendance, supporting their athletes who have given so much over the last four years.  This period has resulted in one of the most successful classes in Cal athletic history.   Also inducted into the Big C Society was long time Cal supporter Barclay Simpson, continuing the tradition of awarding honorary Big C membership to those who have given so much time and effort to support the Golden Bears.  

The Big C members pictured below were among the many attendees at some of our Senior banquet events.