Growing roots at Cal State East Bay

On April 4 at 7 p.m., Oakland Roots Sports Club will play the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Cal State East Bay’s Pioneer Stadium in Hayward. This is the first time the Hayward campus will host Oakland Roots for a soccer game, however, the relationship between the sports club and the university’s Center for Sport and Social Justice has been growing. 

“The Center for Sports and Social Justice has worked closely with the Roots to address key issues in our community including athlete mental health and climate change,” said Matthew Atencio, CSSJ co-director. “Their leaders have been in our classrooms, served on our advisory board and helped create student learning resources such as our ‘Making Moves’ podcast series.” 

Established in 2011, the CSSJ’s mission is to promote inclusion and social justice in sport and physical activity through community engagement and scholarly activities. Over the last decade, the CSSJ has hosted dozens of events that have raised awareness about many social causes, featuring nationally recognized speakers, athletes and advocates. Importantly, the CSSJ cultivates working relationships with leading community sports organizations including the Oakland Roots to improve environmental, community, and family life in the region.

Members of the Roots also support the CSSJ directly through their membership duties. Mike Geddes, Chief Purpose Officer of Oakland Roots SC, and Lisa Bonta Sumii, Mental Health and Sport Performance Coach of Oakland Roots SC, both serve as CSSJ advisory board members. 

“The CSSJ has been a great resource for us as we build the first, Purpose-driven professional sports club in the United States,” said Geddes. “We appreciate the chance to learn from and support the pioneering work the Center has done in this space, and we’re delighted to now be able to collaborate with Cal State East Bay on the field as well as in the classroom”.

Recently, the CSSJ and Oakland Roots have come together for two key collaborations focused on environmental sustainability and athlete mental health.

“It is great to have them bring their community-focused organization to our campus and student body and we look forward to collaborating with them to make positive social change through the popular sport of soccer,” said Atencio, who is also a professor in the Department of Kinesiology. 

The community is encouraged to attend the Roots game on the Hayward campus on April 4. Cal State East Bay students are eligible for discounted tickets.