Cal Baptist Meets The Mayor

While California Baptist University was making a historic run at the Elite 8, resulting in a No. 2 finish in all of NCAA Division II, there was a big support system back home in Riverside. Current Lancers, past Lancers, Lancer family members, all tuned in to watch the Lancers take down ranked team after ranked team, including Mr. Riverside himself, Mayor Rusty Bailey. Mayor Bailey showed his excitement for the Lancers by sending them a video before the NCAA Division II Championship game where he gave them an invitation to visit him when they got back. Friday afternoon, CBU followed up on that invitation as Mayor Bailey took time out of his busy schedule to chat with the Lancers. Sitting around the mayor's conference table, Mayor Bailey asked the Lancers what they learned from the tournament and was given answers like "how much support we had back home with CBU streaming our games on campus" and "how much support we had for each other. When we had tough times, we never broke down and turned on each other." He also asked what they liked about Riverside, with the Festival of Lights being the top hit. Mayor Bailey gave CBU the chance to ask him questions, including what it was like to be the mayor, about where he grew up — "doesn't get much better than being the mayor of your hometown!" — and even what sports he played. He also opened up about his foundation with Jesus Christ that helps him day in and day out as the mayor of Riverside. "I didn't expect him to be as open as he was," said junior Megan Frerer (formerly Brown). "He really wanted us to ask questions and find out what it takes to be a mayor and how much he supports the community. He was so nice." When it came time to take the group photo, Mayor Bailey busted out his Lancer Strong shirt that was hiding under his pristine button up and threw up the Lance Up sign with the team. If evident by the smile on his face, he enjoyed the CBU visit, but so did the Lancers — including junior Cassidy Mihalko, who jumped at the opportunity to sit in his chair. "It was really cool that I got to sit in his chair," said Mihalko. "It was a great experience because he plays such a big roll in the city. I thought it was pretty cool that he watched us and supported us during our journey at the tournament last year. To meet him and that he showed interest in us and the team was pretty cool." Junior guard Erin Asher shared the Lancers' token of appreciation by giving him a CBU polo and inviting him to the upcoming games, which he gladly accepted.