Oct. 29, 2012

BERKELEY - The 13th-ranked California Golden Bear women's basketball team is opening the doors of Haas Pavilion and will let fans sit in on their practice on Sunday, Nov. 4 beginning at 10 a.m.

The open practice will give fans an opportunity to see the coaching staff and 2012-13 Bears in a behind-the-scenes setting as the team prepares for the season. Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb will do player introductions for the team and conduct the practice while mic'd up to give fans total access to the sights and sounds of a California women's basketball practice.

Fans of the program are also encouraged to sign up for the Triple Threat Club. Members are afforded the exclusive opportunity to be: 1) a fan of the program, 2) a friend of the program and 3) a part of the program. In addition to the general admission open practice on Nov. 4, members of the Triple Threat Club will also receive information on pre-game chalk talks with members of the coaching staff, post-game receptions, an invitation to the Year End Banquet and other exclusive events throughout the season. Memberships are $50 per year, and fans can bring their applications to the open practice or any other time of the year.

Cal returns four of its starters and 11 of its letterwinners from last year's squad that went 25-10 and 13-5 in the Pac-12. Earning the No. 2 seed in for the Pac-12 Conference Tournament, the Bears advanced to the championship game for the second time in program history.

The Bears earned their eighth-ever NCAA Tournament bid and defeated Iowa in the first round before falling to top-seeded and eventual national runner-up Notre Dame in the second round. Gottlieb became the first coach in California history to win a game in the NCAA Tournament in her first year at the helm.

The Bears host a free exhibition game this Thursday, Nov. 1 against Vanguard with a 7 p.m. tipoff at Haas. The first regular-season home game of the year will be on Friday, Nov. 9 when the Bears host Lehigh. Single game, season ticket and mini-plan packages are available through the Cal Athletic Ticket Office, online or by calling 1-800-GO-BEARS.