SDSU Year in Review: 2005-2006

Summer 2005

Opening of San Diego Trolley’s new line and underground station at SDSU. After five years in the making, parking dilemmas are eased as students, faculty and staff take the trolley to campus.

The country’s first research institute and academic curriculum exclusively focused on tribal gaming is established at SDSU. This was made possible by a $5.5 million donation from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. It is the largest single philanthropic gift to a university by a tribal nation in San Diego County history.

Fall 2005

SDSU opened its doors and its heart to the victims of Hurricane Katrina . The university accepted students displaced by the hurricane, and offered shelter to victims. The Katrina Aid & Relief Effort (KARE) was established and raised over $600,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Centennial Hall was renamed Manchester Hall , in the honor of Betsey & Doug Manchester, who donated $5 million to SDSU. It's the largest gift from an alumni couple in the university's history.

Construction began on the Aztec Aquaplex, and is estimated to open in Spring 2007. There will be three heated pools; a 50-meter pool for lap swimming and diving, a 7,200 square foot recreation pool to accommodate all users and a hydro-therapy spa.

Spring 2006

Men’s Basketball was named MWC Champions for 2006, and seized an NCAA bid.

Student-voters approved plans to modernize and expand campus student-union facilities, by 75 percent. The new Modern Space is anticipated to open in 2010.

SDSU students traveled to South Africa on an “Alternative Spring Break,” and were part of a televised feature story on MTV. Organized through the Department of Africana Studies, the students donated more than 1,000 pairs of shoes that were collected on campus, and participated in community service projects.

Aztec Warrior mascot, Carlos Gutierrez, retires after representing SDSU for the past 13 years. The new mascot will officially take over next year.

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