Spartans Shine with Volleyball Upset and Economic Impact Revealed

San José State University’s volleyball team rallied from two sets down to beat St. John’s 3-2 in the OUTRIGGER Invitational in Honolulu, while a new study found Spartan Athletics drives $225.6 million in annual economic impact.

Nut Graf: The Spartans’ comeback victory and the athletics valuation study underscore SJSU’s growing prominence both on the court and in the local economy.

Volleyball: Spartans Reverse Sweep St. John’s

In a thrilling five-set match on Friday night, San José State overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat St. John’s 3-2 (22-25, 11-25, 25-21, 25-15, 15-4) in the final match of the OUTRIGGER Invitational. Freshman Naima Foster led the charge with a season-best 10 kills, while three Spartans posted double-digit digs, including Randilyn Reeves’s career-high 17 digs off the bench. The victory improved SJSU’s record in the tournament to 2-1 and showcased head coach Todd Kress’s emphasis on resilience: “We are figuring out how to win.”

Economic Impact: $225.6 Million Annually

A valuation study by Collegiate Consulting revealed that SJSU Athletics generates an average of $225.6 million in annual economic impact for the university and City of San José, with media exposure contributing $443 million in advertising value since 2022. Game-day spending alone accounts for $63 million, driven largely by football, and external athletic revenues of $43 million create an additional $66 million in local ripple effects.

Art Exhibit: “Irene Shiori: A Bay Area Girl Expanded” Opens

SJSU’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library DiNapoli Gallery debuted “Irene Shiori: A Bay Area Girl Expanded” on Saturday, September 6, featuring a retrospective of the artist’s work exploring identity and place. The free exhibit runs through October and includes interactive installations on the library’s fourth and fifth floors.

Looking Ahead

  • Football: The Spartans travel to Austin to face Texas at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium today, seeking their first win of the season.
  • Campus Events: The King Library hosts an online scavenger hunt and a satellite exhibit by Pao Houa Her this weekend.