Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Cal State East Bay President Cathy Sandeen to step down

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CSU East Bay President Cathy Sandeen. Photo: Cal State East Bay

CSU Chancellor Mildred García issues statement

By Amy Bentley-Smith & Warren Robak, Media Relations & Public Affairs, The California State University

On May 20, 2026, California State University, East Bay President Cathy Sandeen announced that she will step down from the presidency at the end of the 2026 calendar year. Sandeen is the university’s sixth president and has served in the role since 2021.

In her announcement, Sandeen wrote:

“Dear Cal State East Bay community, friends and supporters,

The end of this calendar year will mark my sixth year serving as your president, and my thirteenth year overall as a university president or chancellor. Those years have been filled with unforgettable moments, extraordinary people, and the profound privilege of serving students whose determination and dreams inspire me every day.

“As we reflect on the hope, pride, and joy that filled our recent commencement ceremonies, I want to share some deeply personal news with you. There is no easy way to say this because this community has meant so much to me, but after a great deal of reflection and consideration, I have made the decision to step down as president of Cal State East Bay at the end of 2026. This was not a decision I arrived at lightly.

“I joined Cal State East Bay in January 2021, in the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, before vaccines were widely available. You welcomed me into this community (on Zoom, mostly!) and together we emerged from the pandemic united in our mission to serve local East Bay students. Over the years we have worked hard to adjust to declining enrollments and reduced state budget allocations all the while maintaining and even improving student success metrics, like graduation and retention rates and achieving the Seal of Excelencia.

“We brought the campus back to life while also retaining flexible learning options through online and hybrid programs. We enhanced the sense of belonging for all students through our various student success and support units. We opened two new buildings: the impressive CORE Library and the fully donor-funded Braddock Center. We created a College of Health. Our faculty developed new degrees and refined existing programs. The new BS in Civil Engineering and the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology, among others, come to mind.

“Our marketing teams elevated the awareness and reputation of the university and we all welcomed Perry the Peregrine Falcon as our new mascot. We built stronger partnerships with our surrounding community. The many new MOUs with our local school districts are a shining example. Enrollments have improved. Spirits have improved. We are on steady footing because at Cal State East Bay, when confronted by challenges, we take action.

“This clarity and focus, as reflected in our Future Directions strategic plan, caught the attention of MacKenzie Scott’s foundation culminating in a $50 million gift to our Educational Foundation last November.

“Between now and the end of December, our work will continue and I remain fully committed to building on current progress. We will check in on our Future Direction priorities as well as our planning for the upcoming WSCUC special visit. We will continue our efforts to increase enrollments and generate new non-state, non-tuition revenue streams. We will launch our brand new Staff Council, expanding shared governance to staff members. I am confident in our ability to maintain our positive momentum before “passing the baton” to the next leader.

“As a first-generation college graduate, born and raised in the East Bay—and a double CSU alum—it has been the honor of a lifetime to bring the experience I gained throughout my career right back home where I got my start. In my Commencement remarks this weekend, I shared what has been deeply true throughout my time here: it has been an extraordinary privilege to be part of our students’ educational journeys. Watching them grow, persevere, and achieve their dreams has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It has also been a true gift to work alongside so many talented, compassionate, and dedicated people who care so deeply about our mission and each other. Together, we have changed lives in ways that ripple far beyond our campus.

“I look forward to working with purpose and determination from now until the end of December, because what we do matters immensely. No one creates life-changing opportunities for students, families, communities, and our region the way we do. This place will always hold a special place in my heart—I am Pioneer for life.

“With deepest gratitude to all of you,

Cathy Sandeen

President

——–

In response, CSU Chancellor Mildred García issued the following statement:

“Since joining Cal State East Bay in January 2021, President Sandeen has led with clarity, resilience and purpose, while positioning the university for long-term growth, regional impact and deeper community connection.

“Under her leadership, Cal State East Bay has strengthened enrollment, elevated its brand identity, revitalized campus pride and advanced a clearer sense of the university’s distinctive role in the East Bay region and beyond. President Sandeen has also strengthened the university’s academic mission and alignment with regional workforce needs through the creation of new academic programs and the expansion of pathways that prepare students for high-demand fields.

“During her tenure, the university also opened two new buildings and has seen consistent growth in sponsored programs and private giving, culminating in the landmark $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott in November 2025 – one of the largest in CSU history.

“Guided by a deep commitment to student success, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college, President Sandeen’s proactive and thoughtful engagement has fostered a more inclusive and equitable campus community and expanded meaningful connections across the East Bay region. This includes her instrumental role in re-energizing collaboration with the city of Hayward to foster a college-going culture in marginalized communities.

“President Sandeen will leave Cal State East Bay stronger, more connected to its community and better positioned for the future. On behalf of the entire California State University, I offer my deepest gratitude for her partnership, her integrity and her unwavering commitment to student success.”

The CSU will soon launch a national search for Sandeen’s successor. Under university policy, the chair of the CSU Board of Trustees and the chancellor will select a committee comprised of campus and community stakeholders to lead the search.

About Cal State East Bay

Cal State East Bay serves the East Bay through its Hayward campus and Concord center. The university was originally named the State College for Alameda County when it was officially established by the California State Assembly in 1957. The first academic year began in 1959. The university expanded its reach to Contra Costa County in 1992, opening a branch in Concord. The university changed its name to California State University, East Bay in 2005 to reflect its new regional service to Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

For nearly 66 years, Cal State East Bay has served the Bay Area as part of the California State University system, providing access to higher education for a diverse student body and advancing regional engagement through its academic programs and leadership. The university is a federally designated Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).  Cal State East Bay has been recognized from everything from its diversity and social mobility potential to its business school and online education. For more information visit www.csueastbay.edu.

About the California State University

The California State University is the nation’s largest four-year public​ ​university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 470,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU’s 22 universities* provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending more than 123,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.

*Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Maritime integrating)—​official fall 2026​.​

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

More than 2,100 new affordable Bay Area homes thanks to state funded cleanup of contaminated land

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Before and after photos of the Nellie Hannon Gateway project in Emeryville. Source: DTSC

Including 43 units in Richmond

For low-income and unhoused residents

By California Department of Toxic Substance Control

EMERYVILLE – More than 2,100 new affordable homes for low-income and unhoused Bay Area residents will be available thanks to state-funded cleanup of contamination on otherwise unusable land across the region.

Bay Area residents in need are beginning to move in. The opening of 90 new homes was celebrated today when state leaders and local officials gathered at the Nellie Hannon Gateway in Emeryville. Thirty-nine of the rental community’s units are reserved for individuals exiting homelessness. The development also includes a food bank on the ground floor. Seventy-six additional affordable homes will open later this spring at the newly constructed Native American Health Center in Oakland. Forty-three homes opened early this month at Legacy Court in Richmond.

The Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) provided funding and oversight of the removal of contamination at these sites.

“Cleaning up contamination is an essential but often invisible part of solving California’s housing crisis. We are transforming places once dominated by pollution into places of endless possibilities. This complex will be more than a place to live. It will be home for dozens of new residents.” – DTSC Director Katherine Butler

Thousands of properties across California sit vacant because of pollution left behind by gas stations, auto repair shops, dry cleaners and industrial facilities. The Nellie Hannon Gateway was once the site of a dry cleaner. The Native American Health Center site was an auto repair shop. Richmond’s Legacy Court site was a gas station and junkyard. Cleanups at these sites are made possible through DTSC’s Equitable Communities Revitalization Grant program. DTSC is the state agency that oversees the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties in California.

This work has made once unusable land safe for future residents — an often-overlooked opportunity for developers who otherwise see an insurmountable obstacle to building affordable housing in communities with high pollution burdens and economic disadvantages.

DTSC helps local governments, nonprofits and developers clean up and reuse contaminated properties — known as brownfields — for housing, parks, retail and community spaces. Statewide, DTSC is investing more than $130 million for the cleanup and reuse of more than 150 sites across 49 cities, preparing them for new life in communities that have historically faced environmental and economic barriers.

DTSC is part of a statewide effort, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, to address the need for affordable housing and homelessness.

Rendering source: Eden Housing

Richmond’s Legacy Court

According to Eden Housing, Legacy Court, located at 1243, 1300 & 1329 Fred Jackson Way, is a 43-unit new construction family project in Richmond, CA. The proposed development will serve 42 low-income households earning 30-60 percent of the area’s median income (AMI).

The project will set aside thirteen units to support residents who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of experiencing homelessness and residents in need of mental health services. Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services will provide additional support services for these units, including case management, peer support, mental health care, substance use services, and benefits counseling and advocacy.

The development is designed as seven two to three-story buildings that will be situated across three different sites, all of which are located within one block from each other at the intersection of Fred Jackson Way and Sanford Avenue in North Richmond. The project will include a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. One of the units will be set aside for a live-in community manager, helping ensure that the property is well-managed at all times. On-site project amenities for residents will include a community room, community kitchen, laundry rooms, computer lab with high-speed internet, and bike parking. The common area amenities of the development will facilitate the socialization and sense of community that is important to successful developments and will serve as spaces for resident gatherings, community meetings, social events, programming for resident services such as exercise, health and wellness programs, and art, educational, and cultural activities.

Legacy Court is designed as all-electric and will incorporate energy-efficient appliances, and green elements maximized to reduce the carbon footprint of the project.

Reversing Decades of Inaction on Homelessness

Governor Newsom is creating a structural and foundational model for America:

✅ Creating shelter and support — Providing funding and programs for local governments, coupled with strong accountability measures to ensure that each local government is doing its share to build housing, and create shelter and support, so that people living in encampments have a safe place to go. This week, through a $77 million investment from California’s cap and invest program, Los Angeles announced the expansion and redevelopment of the largest public housing project in the region, the Jordan Downs Project.

✅ Addressing mental health and its impact on homelessness — Ending a long-standing 7,000 behavioral health bed shortfall in California by rapidly expanding community treatment centers and permanent supportive housing units. In 2024, voters approved Governor Newsom’s Proposition 1 which is transforming California’s behavioral health systems. When fully awarded, funding from Proposition 1 bonds is estimated to create 6,800 residential treatment beds and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots for behavioral health care.

✅ Creating new pathways for those who need the most help — Updating conservatorship laws for the first time in 50 years to include people who are unable to provide for their personal safety or necessary medical care, in addition to food, clothing, or shelter, due to either severe substance use disorder or serious mental health illness. Creating a new CARE court system that creates court-administered plans for up to 24 months for people struggling with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, often with substance use challenges.

✅ Streamlining and prioritizing building of new housing — Governor Newsom made creating more housing a state priority for the first time in history. He has signed into law groundbreaking reforms to break down systemic barriers that have stood in the way of building the housing Californians need, including broad CEQA reforms.

✅ Removing dangerous encampments — Governor Newsom has set a strong expectation for all local governments to address encampments in their communities and help connect people with support. In 2024, Governor Newsom filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court defending communities’ authority to clear encampments. After the Supreme Court affirmed local authority, Governor Newsom issued an executive order directing state entities and urging local governments to clear encampments and connect people with support, using a state-tested model that helps ensure encampments are addressed humanely and people are given adequate notice and support.

In 2025, just a year after he issued an executive order urging local governments to better address encampments, the Governor announced his SAFE Task Force to address encampments in California’s ten largest cities. In just a few months, the task force has addressed encampments in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Sacramento, and Fresno — connecting dozens of people with shelter. Since 2021, Caltrans has removed more than 19,000 encampments on state right-of-way and collected approximately 354,000 cubic yards of litter and debris.

About Department of Toxic Substance Control

DTSC’s Mission is to protect California’s people, communities and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Learn more about the department at About DTSC | Department of Toxic Substances Control.

East Bay Anza 250 Symposium at Los Medanos College April 11

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Learn about the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition in Contra Costa County and throughout California as the Declaration of Independence was being signed

By LeighAnn Davis, Executive Director, Contra Costa County Historical Society

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, land managers, historians, educators and civic leaders across the East Bay formed the East Bay Anza 250 Symposium committee dedicated to exploring a parallel milestone: the 250th anniversary of the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition. This journey profoundly shaped California’s history and continues to influence our communities today.

Anza Expedition Map. Source: National Park Service

According to the National Park Service, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1,200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities including in Contra Costa County. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA. Whether urban or rural, the trail offers adventure, diverse cultural perspectives and an opportunity to experience history.

Painting by David Rickman. Courtesy of U.S. National Park Service

On June 27, 1776, as the Declaration of Independence was being signed in Philadelphia, the colonists of the Anza expedition arrived at their destination in what would become San Francisco. Both of these events would dramatically shape the cultural and political landscapes of the United States. In 2025 and 2026, the Anza Trail invites communities along the historic path of the 1775-76 colonizing expedition to commemorate the complicated and evermore fascinating history of the paths and events that make up this National Historic Trail.

Third leg of the expedition from Mission San Gabriel to Monterey including campsites 99, 100 and 101 in Contra Costa County. Map created by Emanuel Delgado. Source: National Park Service

Campsites and Trail in Contra Costa County

A map of the Third Leg of the Anza Expedition shows three campsites in Contra Costa County with the Arroyo del Puerto Dulce campsite 99 in Rodeo, the Arroyo de Santa Ana del Flugino campsite 100 in Concord and the San Ricardo campsite 101 along the Antioch/Oakley border.

According to the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail website, “On April 1st (1776) the group camped at a small stream. Today, the campsite is at the conjunction of Parker and San Pablo Avenues and Rodeo Creek. A commemorative marker from the 1976 reenactment is on Parker Road between 4th and 6th Streets in front of the post office in the town of Rodeo.”

The Anza Expedition campsite 99 historic marker in Rodeo, campsite 100 historic marker in Concord and campsite 101 historic marker at the Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline. Photos by Andrew Ruppenstein. Source: The Historical Marker Database HMdb.org

According to The Historical Marker Data Base, a marker designating campsite 100 in Concord is located on Grant Street south of Olivera Road. The marker designating campsite 101 is located in the Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline park at the end of Bridgehead Road.

The East Bay Park District’s Delta de Anza Regional Trail is named to commemorate the route taken during de Anza’s expedition into the Delta region of today’s East Contra Costa County. The paved, multi-use hiking, bicycling and equestrian trail currently spans over 15 miles of the planned 25-mile length. When completed, it will generally follow the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s corridor and the Contra Costa Water District’s canal.

This trail connects communities in central and eastern Contra Costa County and provides access to regional and community parks, many schools and Los Medanos College. It intersects Antioch’s Mokulumne Trail and the Marsh Creek Regional Trail in Oakley. It connects the cities and communities of Concord, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch and Oakley and provides access to Contra Loma Regional Park and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve through Antioch’s Worth Shaw Community Park. See driving map of Anza Historic Trail

Symposium

The East Bay Anza 250 Symposium will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9AM-4PM and is a collaborative gathering that explores the expedition’s impact on the East Bay, honors Indigenous legacies, and fosters dialogue about how this history informs our present.

The symposium will include:

  • Live Performances
  • Keynote Speakers
  • Panel Discussions that Dive into the History, Teaching, and Environmental Impacts of the Expedition.
  • An Exhibit Hall Filled with Cultural Exhibitions and Displays

Symposium registration is $30 for General Admission and $20 for students and seniors.

Lunch is included in your registration fee if reserved before April 1st, 2026.

To register, please visit the Eventbrite site for Grassroots Poetry using the QR code.

Keynote Speakers: Our speaker series brings together a vibrant tapestry of voices to explore the multifaceted legacy of the Anza Expedition. By pairing the scholarly insights of local historians and naturalists with the deeply personal narratives of expedition descendants, we aim to provide an inclusive history that honors the trail’s complex past.

Panel Discussions: Join our interdisciplinary panels, featuring local historians, expert naturalists, and descendants of the expedition, for a compelling look at the impact of Anza 250 years later. These sessions bring together diverse voices to explore the environmental, cultural, and personal history of the trail, offering a unique, in-depth, and engaging perspective on this historic journey.

Exhibit Hall: Our Exhibit Hall is a testament to the power of community partnership. The exhibit hall is a collaborative space showcasing exhibits and information from local historical societies and land management agencies. Connect with local experts in this dedicated space for a deeper, context-rich understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the Anza Trail.

Event Information:

The Event is Saturday, April 11th, 2026, from 9AM until 4PM with a lunch break at noon.

An optional walk will take place along the trail that intersects with the LMC campus at 8AM.

All members of the community are invited to join us and enjoy the speakers, poets, and music guests!

About our location:

The Los Medanos College Student Union is located on the campus at 2700 East Leland Road, Pittsburg.

We encourage all symposium attendees to consider alternate ways to get to campus. You can bike, walk, carpool or take public transportation. If you plan to arrive by car, parking is free on the day of the event. More information about how to get to campus here: LMC Transportation and Parking Information

Thank you to all our partners for your support:

  • Grassroots Poetry
  • Independent Arts and Media
  • Los Medanos College Honors Program
  • National Park Service
  • Anza Trail Foundation
  • Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
  • Contra Costa County Historical Society
  • Museum of the San Ramon Valley

For more information contact Dwayne Eubanks, Chair East Bay Anza 250 Symposium at EastBayAnza@gmail.com.

This event is brought to you by Grassroots Poetry and Los Medanos Honors Program and fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts Media, a 501(c)3 organization.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Pioneers capture West Region Championship, advance to Elite Eight of NCAA DII men’s basketball tournament

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The Cal State East Bay Pioneers men’s basketball team celebrate their 2026 West Regional Championship with the trophy Monday, March 16, 2026. Photos: CSEB

Cal State East Bay earns No. 2 seed, set for matchup against Oklahoma Baptist

Only undefeated team remaining in NCAA men’s basketball

By CSEB Athletics

Cal State East Bay men’s basketball are still perfect!  The Pioneers incredible season continued on Monday behind a dominant second-half performance in a 73-58 win over Point Loma in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship.  East Bay improved to 33-0 on the season and punched their ticket the NCAA DII Elite Eight in Pittsburgh next week.

The Pioneers set the tone early, getting off to a quick start with Jaayden Bush scoring the game’s first points on a strong finish inside before adding a mid-range jumper to keep them in front in the opening minutes. The first half, however, was tightly contested, with Point Loma responding with a 9-0 run midway through the period to take an 11-6 lead. The Sea Lions extended their advantage to as many as eight following a three-pointer from Caden Harris, putting East Bay in an early hole.

The Pioneers responded with composure. A transition three from Ramsey Huff off a steal by Tyree Campbell sparked momentum, and Amare Campbell added a bucket inside to help chip away at the deficit. East Bay continued to battle, with Jalen Foy converting a putback and Matt Williams knocking down a key three-pointer to bring the Pioneers within one. Late in the half, Tyree Campbell delivered a three-pointer to give East Bay a 30-28 lead, but Point Loma answered just before the break to take a narrow 31-30 advantage into halftime.

The second half however belonged to the Pioneers.  After briefly falling behind 33-32, East Bay seized control with a decisive run fueled by defense and transition play. Tyree Campbell sparked the surge with a three-pointer, then found Amare Campbell for a fastbreak layup following a steal. Moments later, another three from Campbell pushed the lead to 42-35, capping a 10-2 burst that swung momentum firmly in East Bay’s favor.

From there, the Pioneers never looked back. Takai Emerson-Hardy provided a spark off the bench with a strong finish inside, while Payden White added a mid-range jumper to keep the lead steady. Point Loma briefly cut the deficit to one, but East Bay answered again as Jalen Foy knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead back to four.

With under five minutes to play, East Bay delivered the knockout punch. A steal by Matt Williams led to a fastbreak jumper from Amare Campbell, and moments later, Tyree Campbell scored in the paint to push the lead to seven. The Pioneers’ defense tightened down the stretch, forcing multiple turnovers and contested shots, while Josh Ijeh threw down a fastbreak dunk off a feed from Amare Campbell to ignite the home crowd.

East Bay closed the game at the free throw line, with Foy, Amare Campbell, and Bush all converting key attempts before Bush punctuated the victory with a breakaway dunk in the final minute. The Pioneers outscored Point Loma 43-27 in the second half.

Tyree Campbell led the way and was named West Regional Most Outstanding Player after leading all players with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while adding six rebounds and three steals. Amare Campbell was named to the All-Tournament Team and provided a strong all-around effort with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists.  He was joined by Bush who added 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.  Foy also tacked on 11 points and pulled down five rebounds.

With the win, Cal State East Bay became the first team to claim a spot in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Pittsburgh starting next Thursday, March 25th.

Photo: CSEB

Fresh off their historic West Regional Championship, Cal State East Bay is headed to the national stage as the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship, advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1986.

The Pioneers (33-0) are the only undefeated team remaining in NCAA men’s basketball.  They will take on Oklahoma Baptist Bison, the tournament’s No. 7 seed, in a national quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday, March 25. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. PT at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh.

East Bay earned its place in the Elite Eight by capturing the NCAA West Regional title, capping off a dominant postseason run and extending its perfect season to 33-0. Tyree Campbell added to his historic senior season, earning NCAA West Regional Most Outstanding Player to go along with his West Region Player of the Year and CCAA Player of the Year honors.

Oklahoma Baptist enters the matchup following an impressive regional showing of its own, winning the Central Region after entering is the No. 2 seed.

The winner of the East Bay–Oklahoma Baptist contest will advance to the Final Four on March 27, facing the winner of the matchup between No. 3 seed Gannon and No. 6 seed Michigan Tech. The opposite side of the bracket features top-seeded Nova Southeastern against No. 8 Black Hills State, and No. 4 Daemen versus No. 5 Lander.

The national championship game is scheduled for April 5, as the remaining teams battle for the Division II title.

 

30-0 Cal State East Bay Pioneers men’s basketball team to play in NCAA DII Tournament beginning Friday

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2026 CCAA champion Cal State East Bay Men’s Basketball Pioneers team members celebrate their conference victory Saturday, March 7, 2026, by holding up a display of the tournament brackets. Photo: Cal State East Bay

With brackets chosen will face No. 8 Cal Poly Humboldt in First Round of West Regionals March 13

All games to be played on home court in Hayward

Team now No. 2 in national rankings

Head Coach Bryan Rooney named CCAA Coach of the Year

By Kimberly Hawkins, Senior News and Media Manager/PIO, Cal State East Bay

One of the most dramatic turnaroundsin college sports now owns the national spotlight.

Last year, Cal State East Bay’s men’s basketball team finished 11–17. Today, the Pioneers stand as the only undefeated team remaining in NCAA Division II at 30–0.

That remarkable rise brings the postseason home to Hayward. For the first time in 38 years, the Pioneers will host the NCAA Division II West Regionals March 13-16, welcoming eight teams from across the West Coast and Pacific Northwest for three days of high-stakes competition. Games begin Friday, with the champion advancing to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

The Pioneers secured their place by winning the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament, Saturday, March 7, 2026, for the first time in program history — defeating Cal Poly Humboldt 80–63 in the championship game. Under Head Coach Bryan Rooney, named the CCAA Coach of the Year, East Bay has climbed to No. 2 in the national rankings — completing a transformation few could have predicted a year ago.

Now, with the stakes higher, the lights brighter and perfection intact, the Pioneers turn to their next chapter. Their rise — proof that in sports — and sometimes in life — transformation can happen faster than anyone expects.

Source: NCAA

Game schedule:

First Round — Friday, March 13 (PST)

  • 12:00 p.m. | No. 3 Point Loma vs. No. 6 Northwest Nazarene
  • 2:30 p.m. | No. 2 Saint Martin’s vs. No. 7 Hawaii Pacific
  • 5:00 p.m. | No. 4 Alaska Anchorage vs. No. 5 Cal State Dominguez Hills
  • 7:30 p.m. | No. 1 Cal State East Bay vs. No. 8 Cal Poly Humboldt

Second Round — Sunday, March 15 (PST)

(Matchups TBD — winners of Friday’s games)

  • 5:00 p.m. | Game 1 (Winners of 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. games)
  • 7:30 p.m. | Game 2 (Winners of 5:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. games)

See 2026 NCAA DII Tournament Brackets.

NCAA DII Men’s Basketball West Regionals Tournament Brackets. Source: NCAA

All tournament games will be played in Pioneer Gym at 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. in Hayward.

Click here for tickets.

Undefeated Cal State East Bay Pioneers men’s basketball team wins first CCAA championship

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The Cal State East Bay Pioneers men’s basketball team and coaches celebrate their conference championship Saturday night, March 7, 2026. Photo source: Cal State East Bay

Heads to NCAA DII Tournament

UNBEATEN. UNTOUCHED. UNSTOPPABLE.

Watch NCAA seed Selection Show Sunday night

By Kimberly Hawkins, Senior News and Media Manager/PIO, Cal State East Bay

The Cal State East Bay men’s basketball team continued their historic run, clinching the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament title with an 80-63 win over Cal Poly Humboldt.  The Pioneers improved to 30-0 on the season, captured their first tournament championship and earned their first ever berth into the NCAA DII Tournament.

East Bay set the tone early, opening the game with a layup from guard Jaayden Bush just seconds into the contest. The Pioneers quickly built a lead behind strong interior play from Josh Ijeh, who converted a tip-in and free throw to give East Bay an early five-point advantage. Cal Poly Humboldt answered with a brief run midway through the half, but the Pioneers continued to respond with balanced scoring and strong defense.

Key contributions from the East Bay bench helped swing momentum in the first half. Takai Emerson-Hardy threw down a dunk and added another basket inside, while Jordan Espinoza converted a layup late in the period. Bush added a fast-break layup and knocked down free throws in the closing seconds to help the Pioneers take a 35–27 lead into halftime.

East Bay extended its advantage immediately after the break as Tyree Campbell knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead into double digits. Bush followed with a three of his own, and Campbell connected again from beyond the arc to keep the Pioneers firmly in control. The Lumberjacks briefly cut the deficit to single digits midway through the half, but East Bay answered with a decisive run fueled by defensive stops and second-chance opportunities.

Bush led all scorers with a season high 23 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field while adding five rebounds and two steals. Bush, a junior, was named CCAA Tournament MVP.  Jalen Foy finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while Ijeh dominated the glass with a game-high 15 rebounds to go along with 12 points for a double-double. Campbell added 11 points on three made three-pointers and contributed three assists and two steals.  Ijeh and Campbell both earned All-Tournament team honors.

Cal State East Bay men’s basketball team Head Coach Bryan Rooney cuts down the net following the championship game on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Photo source: Cal State East Bay

East Bay’s depth also played a key role in the championship victory. Amare Campbell dished out a team-high six assists and scored five points, Emerson-Hardy added four points and three rebounds, and Terence Haywood chipped in three points off the bench. The Pioneers controlled the boards with a 41–36 rebounding advantage and outscored Humboldt 36–30 in the paint while forcing turnovers that led to transition opportunities.

With the win, Cal State East Bay improves to a perfect 30–0 on the season and claims the CCAA Tournament title, completing a dominant run through the conference tournament and continuing one of the most remarkable seasons in program history.

Source: CCAA

CSUEB remains the only undefeated team in NCAA Division II and earns the CCAA’s automatic bid, as the No. 1 seed, to the NCAA West Regional, which begins next Friday (Mar. 13). Cal State East Bay will learn its opponent and seed during the NCAA Selection Show tonight (Mar. 8) at 8 p.m. on NCAA.com.

30–0. Conference Champions. History Made.

See Championship Game video, game photos and the post-game press conference video.

For more information about the school with campuses in both Concord and Hayward visit www.csueastbay.ed.

Following chase to Oakland four arrested for Walnut Creek auto burglary

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Video screenshots including from a helicopter infrared camera and police body cam footage show Walnut Creek auto burglary suspects, fleeing car during police chase on the Hwy 13 onramp in Oakland, hunt and apprehension on Jan. 31, 2026. Source: Walnut Creek PD

Connected to other auto burglaries; ground and air assist from Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, CHP

By Walnut Creek Police Department

In the early morning hours of January 31, 2026, Walnut Creek Police officers responded to a report of a vehicle burglary in a residential neighborhood.

Shortly after the initial call, officers observed a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed. A pursuit was initiated and continued until the vehicle became disabled on Highway 13 in Oakland. Several individuals fled from the vehicle as ground and air resources from Walnut Creek Police, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol assisted with a coordinated search of the area.

During the investigation, officers determined the group was connected to additional vehicle burglaries occurring within a similar timeframe.

In total, four suspects were located and taken into custody. One adult was arrested on multiple charges related to vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property, evading, conspiracy, and resisting. Additional involved individuals were identified and released to responsible parties in accordance with department policy.

See video of auto burglary, chase and arrests.

East Bay Park District remembers Doug McConnell

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Doug McConnell. Source: EBRPD

Honoring Bay Area journalist’s legacy of connecting people to Nature

By EBRPD Public Affairs

East Bay Regional Park District staff are deeply saddened by the passing of Doug McConnell, beloved longtime host of OpenRoad with Doug McConnell on NBC. Doug’s storytelling helped raise public awareness of the value of parks, trails, and community conservation efforts across Northern California and beyond, making outdoor exploration accessible and meaningful to a wider audience.

Source: OpenRoad Facebook page

A post on the OpenRoad with Doug McConnell Facebook page on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, shares more details about his passing. It reads, “It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we share the news that Doug McConnell peacefully passed on the night of January 13th, 2026. Since his stroke in the fall of 2023 he had bravely struggled to regain his health, but a string of setbacks finally caught up with him. Doug was our friend, mentor, and a guiding light along our own life journeys. We will miss him dearly and wish his family peace in this difficult time.

Doug dedicated much of his life to telling stories about the world’s beautiful natural places and encouraged everyone to enjoy them and especially to protect them. He made friends wherever he went. He was the best road trip companion you could have, the biggest optimist we ever met, a human GPS with a steel trap memory, friendly to a fault, knowledgeable about most any subject, and filled the world with enthusiastic positivity. We affectionately described him as the human golden retriever.

No words in a social media post can adequately convey what Doug has meant to us. If he meant something to you. If his TV shows resonated with you. If you have a story about him you’d like to tell, please feel free to tell it here. We’d love to hear from you about what Doug meant to you.

We loved Doug and will miss him dearly.”

The Park District worked with Doug McConnell and his crew many times over the past three decades to showcase East Bay Regional Parks, first on Bay Area Backroads and followed by his most recent show, OpenRoad. Together, we helped educate viewers about the importance of spending time in nature and the role conservation plays in ensuring future generations have the same opportunity. He was a thoughtful journalist whose commitment to community, collaboration, and public service left a lasting impact on the East Bay. We are grateful for his dedication and the positive spirit he brought to his work.

Doug first began working with the Park District in 1993, and this creative collaboration has continued through present day. Through this work, he became an integral part of the Park District’s history, working closely with District staff on many projects. Doug was master of ceremonies at the District’s 65th and 75th anniversary events, Regional Parks Foundation signature events, and the Healthy Parks, Healthy People festival.

In a Jan. 14 statement issued by the OpenRoad team, his colleagues said, “Doug was grateful that his legacy continues, a legacy of joyfully encouraging everyone to explore and appreciate the beauty and diversity of our natural lands, and to celebrate the work so many of you are doing to restore and protect these natural places.” The Park District is honored to be included in Doug’s work and legacy.

Notable episodes featuring the Park District include:

Regional Parks Foundation Legacy on OpenRoad (2018)

East Bay Regional Parks For All (2019)

The East Bay Regional Parks Respond to COVID-19 (2020)

This special episode filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic showed how the Park District responded to the crisis and how parks provided an essential service for physical health and mental well-being.

Additional COVID-related collaborations with Doug included Park District public service announcements, local public health agency messages, and Parks Are Essential multi-agency messaging to promote spending time in nature.

Exploring the Rebirth of East Bay Regional Parks (2021)

The Legacy of the East Bay Regional Parks District (2022)

The Most Visited Park District in California (2023)

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Skip the malls, Hit the trails: Enjoy free park day on Green Friday Nov. 28

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Photo: EBRPD

Enjoy a free, family-friendly adventure in the East Bay Regional Parks

Includes Volunteer Planting Opportunity at Contra Loma and Hike at Black Diamond Mines in Antioch

By Jen Vanya, Public Information Specialist, Public Affairs, EBRPD

For more than a decade, the East Bay Regional Park District has encouraged the community to embrace Green Friday—the day after Thanksgiving—as an opportunity to get outside, enjoy fresh air, and reconnect with nature in the East Bay Regional Parks.

“Green Friday is a healthy and meaningful way to spend the day after Thanksgiving,” said Jessica Sloan, the Park District’s volunteer program supervisor. “It’s a chance to enjoy time with family and friends in the outdoors or give back by participating in one of our volunteer clean-up projects. However you choose to spend it, the day is all about celebrating and caring for our natural spaces.”

On Green Friday, November 28, all Park District entrance and park use fees are waived, including parking, boat launching, and fishing, as well as entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm. Fees are still in effect for state fishing licenses, watercraft inspections, and concessionaires, such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round.

Green Friday is part of the #OptOutside movement to promote health-focused alternatives to Black Friday shopping.

Green Friday activities in Regional Parks include:

  • Volunteer Planting Opportunity, 9 a.m. at Contra Loma in Antioch (registration requested)
  • Green Friday Hike, 9 a.m. at Black Diamond Mines in Antioch
  • Green Friday Hike Amongst the Trees, 9 a.m. at Reinhardt Redwood in Oakland
  • Green Friday Gratitude Hike, 10 a.m. at Sunol Wilderness in Sunol
  • Green Friday Hike, 10:30 a.m. at Coyote Hills in Fremont

For more information about these and additional activities, visit www.ebparks.org/green-friday.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Oakland couple arrested for Walnut Creek carjacking, armed robberies in Antioch, Pittsburg, El Sobrante

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One of the two suspects arrested for carjacking and armed robberies. Photo source: Walnut Creek PD

Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakland PD’s, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office assist

Both of history of arrests: Julio Villalobos held on no bail, Britney Zuniga held on $850,000 bail

By Walnut Creek Police Department

On October 20, 2025, at approximately 2:20 pm, a victim called WCPD dispatch to report that his work vehicle had just been stolen. The victim described two suspects driving a grey Dodge Challenger. A short time later, an armed carjacking was reported at 1805 Ygnacio Valley Blvd. with the same vehicle and suspect description. At the time of the call, no suspects were taken into custody.

It was quickly learned that these suspects had committed three additional armed robberies in the City of Pittsburg, the City of Antioch, and the City of El Sobrante. With the collaborative help of Antioch PD, Pittsburg PD and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, and the Oakland Police Department, Julio Angel Villalobos, a 21-year-old (born 11/4/2004) and Britney Ashanti Zuniga, a 23-year-old (born 9/6/2002), both residents of Oakland, were safely taken into custody. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office filed 11 felony counts for Villalobos and seven felony counts for Zuniga.

Thanks to our partners in law enforcement for their assistance in the successful arrest and filing of charges against these violent criminals.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, nine-inch tall, 185-pound Villalobos is being held in the Matinez Detention Facility on no bail and has a court appearance on Dec. 9, at 8:30 a.m. in Superior Court in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested six times, all in 2023, by Alameda County Sheriff’s Department and Oakland PD for crimes including burglary, vandalism of $5,000 or more and attempting to or escaping from jail, prison or an industrial road camp, court jurisdiction of child for parental neglect, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, vehicle theft, possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm on person or in vehicle while in a public place, carry a concealed pistol, revolver or other firearm on a person, possession or control of firearm before age 30 when person has been a ward of the juvenile court, trespassing, vehicle robbery and carjacking.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, three-inch tall, 130-pound Zuniga is in the West County Detention Facility on $850,000 bail and has a court appearance on Nov. 21 at 8:30 a.m. in Superior Court in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, Zuniga was previously arrested three times by San Jose and Oakland PD’s, for crimes including assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm and threats of violence.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.