University of the Pacific
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- Men's basketball. Seriously, though. I may be a small-time school without a football team, but when the team is clicking, you'll forget all about those football tailgates.
- Intramural sports. Softball, flag football, indoor soccer, and more. There are competitive leagues and ones that are just for fun, like ultimate Frisbee.
- Teeth and legal drugs. I make dentistry look cool, and I also have an insane pharmacy program.
- The Brubeck Festival, because jazz is rad and Dave was the coolest.
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- A seasonal wardrobe. Stockton gets crazy hot in the spring and summer, and pretty chilly when the leaves start to change. Bring fleece and some flip-flops. And some other stuff too, because you're a "well-rounded" person, right?
- An open mind. There's so much stuff to do on campus—intramural sports, Greek life, clubs. There's even a movie theater. Check it out.
- A meal card for the dining hall. The food's not bad, trust me.
- A friend with a car. San Francisco, Napa, Sacramento, and Tahoe (sort of) are just a drive away.
- Some Pacific clothing from the bookstore. Get in the spirit. People dig enthusiasm…unless you're Kristin Chenoweth, in which case you should maybe chill out a bit.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- Yes, Michael Olowokandi went to school here. Yes, he was the number one pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. Yes, we know he was one of the biggest busts in league history.
- Tons of movies have been filmed here—Cool Hand Luke, Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana Jones), Flubber, and Dead Man on Campus (No, you will not get straight A's if your roommate dies.)
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
Exploring. Stockton gets a bad rap, but the city's grown a lot over the past few years. If you care to venture off campus, I'd suggest attending a movie screening at the theater downtown, or checking out a Stockton Lightning (minor league hockey) or Stockton Ports (minor league baseball) game.
If you're more of a homebody and want to stay on campus, there's a movie theater there as well, the gym's open late, and there's always a dorm room open. Just walk right in and hang out. Come on, it's not creepy. It's college.
If you're not sure what to do, step outside, listen for some music, and let your ears lead you across campus.
Favorite Hangouts:
- The Lair is your go-to spot for late-night eats on campus. There's even a bar…if you're of age, that is. If not, this bar does not exist.
- There's always something happening on Fraternity Row or in Sorority Circle.
- During basketball season, the spot to be on game day is at the Spanos Center, repping your black and orange.
- When the weather warms up in the spring, come toss a ball around on Hand Hall Lawn. You could also just come by to work on your tan, or bring your books out to study. Look, just get outside, okay?
Quirks:
- I'm on the semester system. I'm an arrive-early, work-your-butt-off, get-out-early kind of guy.
- The columns. If you attend here, you gotta check out the columns. Just don't tell anyone your deepest, darkest secrets while you're there because there's an echo…echo…echo…echo.
- Stockton is always on those lists that begin with "Worst Places to ___" but you should come and make your own opinion. The campus is a gem and the people are the best.
Famous Alumni:
- Jamie Lee Curtis, best known for TV, movies, and a certain yogurt commercial
- Scott Boras, superstar sports agent
- Dave Brubeck, jazz musician
- Pete Carroll, NFL head coach and Super Bowl champ
- George Moscone, former mayor of San Francisco