BERKELEY – Golden Bear fans of all ages are invited to women's basketball's annual tipoff event, set for Saturday, Oct. 8 in Haas Pavilion. The annual meet-and-greet includes an open practice followed by a carnival-style celebration that includes food and entertainment.

Admission is free for both portions of the event.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb and the Cal coaching staff will lead their newest squad through select drills in their Haas Pavilion home from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Fans will be able to see the Bears interact in a live, full practice setting as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

Afterward, the event moves outside to Spieker Plaza, where Gottlieb will introduce her newest squad and preview the upcoming season. The carnival-style entertainment includes music, games and a fan spirit station, plus traditional carnival fare, including cotton candy and chips. Fans will have a chance to meet and mingle with players and staff, who will also be available to sign autographs.

New member sign-ups and renewals for women's basketball's exclusive Triple Threat Club fan program will be available at the tipoff event. Membership in the program includes opportunities to participate in pre-game chalk talks with members of the coaching staff, post-game receptions and other exclusive events throughout the season. Triple Threat Club membership is $50 per year. All Triple Threat members who sign up or renew for 2016-17 membership on or before Oct. 8 will be entered in a drawing to win two seats on the fan bus trip to Saint Mary's College for Cal's season opener on Nov. 11.

All guests at the tipoff event will also have a chance to reserve their seats on the bus transporting fans from Berkeley to Moraga for the season opener against Saint Mary's.

The Golden Bears return four starters from the 2015-16 squad, including USBWA National Freshman of the Year Kristine Anigwe. She'll be joined by All-Pac-12 honorable mention recipient Courtney Range, All-Freshman honoree Asha Thomas and seasoned veterans Mikayla Cowling and Penina Davison. Cal's newcomers include two espnW Top 100 prospects of 2016 in Jaelyn Brown and Mi'Cole Cayton, as well as freshman CJ West and UTSA transfer Sara Anastasieska.

The Bears open the season with a free exhibition game against Westmont on Sunday, Nov. 6. The regular season tips off the following week at Saint Mary's, with Cal's first home game set for Monday, Nov. 14 vs. Santa Clara.

Season tickets for women's basketball are now on sale. Single-game tickets will be available for purchase in the coming weeks. For more information, call the Gold Standard Sales and Service line at (800) GO BEARS (462-3277) or by visiting CalBears.com.