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Join us in celebrating the California Golden Bear spirit at events in our region.
2026 EVENTS
REGISTER FOR SUMMER WELCOME PARTY
JULY 19, LAKE BLUFF
CACC is once again hosting the Summer Welcome Party for all Midwest Cal students and their families. CACC will provide a light lunch, networking opportunities, beach games and a lot more. Bring your beach gear, wear your blue and gold, and get ready to sing the Cal Fight Song!
Who: Current and Incoming Cal students, parents and Cal alumni
When: Sunday, July 19, 2026, 1:00-4:00 PM CT
Where: Sunrise Beach, 455 Sunrise Avenue, North Shelter, Lake Bluff, IL (map)
How to reach: From Chicago you can take the Metra UP North Line to the Lake Bluff train station. Free street parking is available.
Cost: Incoming/current Cal students and parents - FREE
Cal alumni and guests - $15 per person
Registration required, please click here for online registration to the Summer Welcome Party 2026.
CAL ALUM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AS PARTY HOSTS/HELPERS. Duties include welcoming incoming Cal students/families, sharing your collegiate and professional stories and singing the Cal Fight song. If interested contact Leslie Behnke at calalumniassociationchicago@gmail.com. Transportation from the Metra UPN Lake Bluff station to the Beach party provided.
HAPPY HOUR WITH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH
CHARMIN SMITH
Cal Athletics and CACC will once again be hosting WBB Coach Charmin Smith in Chicago for Happy Hour on July 27th in Chicago.
Please join us for a remarkable evening with Coach Smith as she previews the upcoming Women’s Basketball season.
Registration details and logistic information coming shortly. Save the date!
CAL RUGBY CAPS PERFECT SEASON WITH
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
On May 2nd Cal Men’s Rugby defeated the US Naval Academy in the D1A Collegiate Rugby Championship game, and alumni from around the Midwest were able to join in a CACC road trip to watch and celebrate. Check out this website regularly for more road trips and Cal-themed events in 2026 and beyond.
April 11- Cal vs San Diego 88-5 WIN
April 18- Cal vs BYU Quarterfinals 96-12 WIN
April 25- Cal vs. St. Mary’s Semifinals 59-19 WIN
May 2- National Championship at Kunz Stadium, Indianapolis, 36-22 WIN
START TIMES FOR FIRST FIVE FOOTBALL GAMES ANNOUNCED
The first five game times of the 2026 Cal Football season have officially been announced. The Bears will host UCLA on September 5 at 7:30 PM, Wagner on September 19 at 12:30 PM, and a Friday night kickoff against Clemson on September 25 at 7:30 PM. All five of the first games of the season are listed in the photo at left (but remember that these times are PST, not Central).
Overall the Golden Bears are set for 12 matchups, including 7 games at California Memorial Stadium, as a new era begins under coach Tosh Lupoi. We’ll have game watch parties in Chicago throughout the season so bookmark this page to keep your calendars updated for 2026 Cal football and so you’ll know for which dates we’ll be gathering.
CAL ALUMNI CLUB OF CHICAGO T-SHIRTS FOR SALE
Show your Cal spirit in Chicago by purchasing a Cal Alumni Club of Chicago t-shirt for $35 plus shipping. Email calalumniassociationchicago@gmail.com for orders.
About
We are an officially chartered chapter of the California Alumni Association bringing together Cal alums form the greater Chicagoland area and surrounding Midwest states.
The Cal Alumni Club of Chicago organizes social activities, game watches and volunteer events for Alumni throughout the year. We also work with the University to coordinate and host a Summer Welcome Party for the new Midwest Cal students.
If you are interested in getting involved, sign-up for our events and please email us at calalumniassociationchicago<at>gmail.com. Sign-up for our monthly newsletter below.
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