POMONA, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona welcomed a special guest to campus as NCAA President Charlie Baker spent the afternoon engaging with student-athletes, coaches, and staff. The visit marked a memorable occasion for the Broncos community and offered a rare opportunity for direct dialogue between the national organization's top leader and those it serves on the ground.

Athletic Director Brian Swanson emphasized the significance of the visit, saying, "It was an honor to have President Baker here on campus and have him interact with our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. It is the first time that I have ever known of this to happen. When the President was looking for a place to visit in between business functions, a former member of the Cal Poly Pomona staff and current part of his office suggested Cal Poly Pomona. It is encouraging that someone who got their start at Cal Poly Pomona and now works with the President of the NCAA still thinks fondly of where they got their start in athletics. The opportunity to interact with the President of our association was a special experience for everyone who got to be here today."

Student-athletes were particularly inspired by the visit and the chance to speak directly with President Baker. Hanna Schneider, a volleyball athlete, shared her excitement about the experience, "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to meet and speak with NCAA President Charlie Baker. It was a fantastic experience discussing the future plans for the NCAA and Division II, as well as the exciting growth he envisions for both. It was truly an unforgettable experience."

Track and field athlete Kailen Smith echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the personal nature of the interaction. "It was a wonderful experience and an absolute pleasure to meet President Baker today. He has a genuine passion to do good by the student-athletes that make up the NCAA. I have no doubt in my mind that the association will thrive in years to come under his office."

Scott Tsuji, Assistant Athletic Director of Student Services, noted the impact of Baker's presence on campus. "It was a great opportunity for us to hear from the President to get updates and hear what is going on at the highest level. It was special for him to come to our campus and personally talk to our student-athletes and staff. He mentioned a few times about his enjoyment of talking with student-athletes and had many complimentary things to say about our student-athletes."

President Baker's visit highlighted the value of building strong connections between NCAA leadership and student-athletes, and Cal Poly Pomona was honored to be part of his journey.