SAN DIEGO — San Diego State student-athletes kicked off the new school year with a fun day at Dave & Buster’s as Aztecs Going Pro (AGP) hosted its annual Back to School Bash on Sunday, August 30. More than 450 student-athletes came together for games, prizes and the chance to spend time with their fellow Aztecs.
The annual event brought student-athletes from across SDSU Athletics together before the new academic and athletic year, giving teams an opportunity to connect, build team morale and celebrate being Aztecs.
A major theme throughout the event was #AZTECEDGE, with student-athletes and staff embracing the ethos of LEADERS OF THE PAC. Everyone received new SDSU Pac-12 t-shirts, while SDSU Athletics and Dave & Buster’s teamed up to create personalized player cards and lanyards for the event.
The human crane quickly became a fan favorite. Student-athletes from different teams took turns stepping inside the machine to grab prizes, including giant inflatables, pokémon cards, Roombas, Nerf guns, stuffed animals, pool floats and lava lamps.
For many student-athletes, the day was a chance to spend time with teammates while meeting their fellow Aztecs from other programs.
“It was a very fun way to interact with other student-athletes that I haven’t met before,” Harrison Walters said. “As a freshman, I thought it was very cool that AGP could sponsor this event.”
Air hockey was Harrison’s favorite activity, and he also appreciated the opportunity to bond with his teammates.
The excitement for the upcoming season was already building among teams across SDSU Athletics. Women’s lacrosse teammates Sophia Miller and Megan McDevitt shared their excitement about the upcoming season.
“We’re super excited to be back. We have a lot of new girls, a lot of freshmen and transfers,” the pair said. “Fall ball in Maryland coming up will be super fun. We’re excited to start winning a lot of games this season!”
Along with the games and prizes, the event featured photo opportunities and SDSU-themed backdrops throughout the venue, giving student-athletes another way to celebrate their Aztec identity.
For Khori Cranford, who is in her first year as an AGP Student-Athlete Development Assistant, seeing student-athletes come together was one of the highlights of the day.
“Being my first year with AGP with Back to School Bash, I thought the event was such a success, and it always brings me such joy to see the student-athletes have such a community with each other.”
AGP thanks Dave & Buster’s for helping bring the Back to School Bash to life and creating a space for SDSU student-athletes to connect.
With the new school year underway, the Back to School Bash gave Aztecs a chance to start the year together, strengthen team spirit and embrace the #AZTECEDGE. Now, it’s time to LEAD THE PAC.