Kenny Macklin • June 2, 2021

Jesse Smith: Here's Why the California State Games is Special

Jesse Smith is an American Water Polo player and four-time Olympian.

He is a current member of the U.S. Men’s National Team, and has been a member of the Olympic team since 2004, winning a silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Games. Smith is a southern California native and is now a sitting Community Advisory Board member for the California State Games organization. We spoke with Jesse about his position with the California State Games and why he thinks the organization is important for California's amateur athletes. 

WHAT INTERESTED YOU ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA STATE GAMES TO BECOME A SITTING BOARD MEMBER?


The California State Games has committed to promoting and nurturing the health, education and competitive spirit of California's youth. Just like LA84, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the 2028 Olympic organization, the Cal State Games organization has a big impact on our youth communities. There's a ton of storied expertise in the rest of the board: Willie Banks, Olympian; Earl Edwards, UCSD Athletic Director; Tracy Lamb, Consultant National Olympic Committees; Buck Martin, City of San Marcos Parks & Recreation; Steve Schell. So my role as an active Olympian has been to say, Yes, to any requests made of me and to remain committed to help in the future. 


WHAT MAKES THE GAMES UNIQUE OR SPECIAL COMPARED TO OTHER SPORTING EVENTS OR ORGANIZATIONS YOU'VE BEEN A PART OF?


I believe Sandi Hill has a long term vision to help youth through shared sporting experience and creating opportunity. She's proven that by remaining committed to implementing her vision for so many years; especially the efforts she and her team have put in during the last four years. That's pretty special and a huge component of why I love being involved in the organization. The organization also hosts a great Opening Ceremonies that really evokes the experience of being in the Opening Ceremonies at the Olympics. I love that feeling of representing something bigger than yourself. It's hard to mimic the Olympics at the local level but the athletes at the Cal State Games get a chance to represent their sport in front of ten to twenty thousand people. It's a pretty special opportunity. 


CLEARLY, SPORTS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU AS YOU ARE AN OLYMPIAN! WHAT FIRST GOT YOU INTO SPORTS AND SPECIFICALLY, WATER POLO? 


Great question. Sports are important to me because they gave me the opportunity to learn so many things. I've always been a student of the game. As I've gotten older that "game," has really expanded and evolved to be a student of "life." I love seeing sport icons like Bill Walton, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ryan Nece (UCLA), John Thomas O'Sullivan (San Diego) demonstrate their excellence in careers post sport. Water polo is a great metaphor for business because you are always almost drowning, until you are just crushing and winning everything. It's similar to that. I transitioned from individual swimming into team oriented water polo. Water polo was one of the first team sports in the Olympics. I love the team aspect. 


WHO WOULD YOU RECOMMEND PARTICIPATE IN THE CAL STATE GAMES? HOW COME? 


Cal State Games are so great because they really are available to a lot of athletes. They even have water polo, [laugh out loud]. I love the diversity in the games and the inclusion.  Great stuff really! I think everyone who can participate should go for it, because it's a great way to experience a taste of what the Olympics Games are all about! 


YOU'VE FREQUENTED THE OPENING CEREMONIES A FEW TIMES. WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THIS EVENT, AND DOES IT BRING BACK MEMORIES OF ANY OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONIES?


Yes, the Opening ceremonies absolutely makes the California State Games unique. I love the experience of meeting so many great people and getting an opportunity to represent your sport and your community. Seeing the teams circle the stadium waving to fans, the live music and speeches, even skydivers flying our flag in! So special! Go USA!


The California State Games is a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a quality amateur athletic event to foster the Olympic dream. Your donation will help us continue to provide competitive events for California’s amateur athletes and provide them the Olympic experience. 

Hit the Ice in Sunny San Diego: The 2027 California State Games Youth Ice Hockey Tournament

By Sakura Roberson • September 17, 2026
Hit the Ice in Sunny San Diego: The 2027 California State Games Youth Ice Hockey Tournament 2027 California State Games Youth Ice Hockey Tournament on February 12-15, brings together competitive youth hockey teams for a top tier tournament weekend filled with great hockey, exciting experiences, and plenty of memories on and off the ice. Whether you're coming from across California or traveling in from another state, this is a tournament your team won't want to miss. Four Games. One Incredible Weekend. Experience the Spirit of the Games San Diego Gulls Game Torch Ceremony Multi-Team Discounts Athlete of the Year Awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals Experience the Spirit of the State Games The hockey tournament is just one part of the California State Games experience. Players and families can take part in the excitement surrounding the Games, including the Torch Ceremony, a special tradition that brings athletes together and celebrates the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and community. It's more than just a hockey tournament, it's an opportunity for young athletes to be part of something bigger. Catch a San Diego Gulls Game Looking for an extra hockey experience while you're in town? Make plans to catch a San Diego Gulls game during your stay. For young hockey players, there's nothing quite like watching high level hockey in person and enjoying the excitement of a professional game. Make it a team outing, family night, or simply another highlight of your San Diego weekend. Saturday, February 13, 2027 Pechanga Arena 3pm: Teams start arriving 3:30pm: Start organizing/lining up teams 4pm: Torch Ceremony & Lighting 6pm: Game Starts Star Wars Theme Game Night San Diego Gulls will be playing the Calgary Wranglers Please reach out to Olivia for ticket questions at - omaslowski@sandiegogulls.com Bring the Whole Club! Multi-Team Discounts Available  Planning to bring multiple teams from your organization? Take advantage of our multi-team discount and make the 2027 California State Games a club wide hockey experience. It's a great way to bring teammates, families, and coaches together for a competitive and memorable weekend. 2 teams: 5% off 3–4 teams: 10% off 5+ teams: 15% off Play for the Podium The competition will be fierce, and the rewards will be something your players can be proud of. Teams competing for the championship will have the chance to earn Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals, along with tournament banners to commemorate their achievement. Bring your team. Compete for the podium. Make memories that will last long after the final whistle. Register here and secure your spot now! We'll see you at the rink!

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY PROVIDES UP TO 250 COMPLIMENTARY ENTRIES FOR ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY AT 2026 CALIFORNIA STATE GAMES

June 3, 2026
*Click Here For Details* The 2026 California State Games presented by National University, an Olympic-style amateur sports competition that features 19 unique sports, announced today that National University will offer up to 250 free registrations for individual sports to active-duty members of the military and their dependents. Team sports are not eligible for this offer. The California State Games, managed by Sports San Diego, will draw approximately 8,000 athletes across multiple venues in San Diego County this July. The Games were founded in 1988, and feature individual sports like archery, track and field, wrestling, and more. The highlight of the event is the July 17 Opening Ceremonies presented by Kaiser Permanente at LionTree Arena on the campus of UC San Diego, which features an athlete fun zone, parade of athletes, and ceremonial torch lighting. "We are thrilled to once again welcome thousands of athletes from across the country to San Diego for the California State Games," said Sports San Diego CEO, Mark Neville. "We are especially grateful to our longtime partner National University for their continued commitment to underwriting entry fees for participants from our military community. This year's event promises to be truly memorable, and the impact on San Diego will be remarkable." “National University is proud to support the California State Games this summer,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of nonprofit, Veteran-founded National University, where half of undergraduate students are military affiliated and almost all the students are working while earning their undergraduate and graduate degrees. “There’s a shared determination between these athletes, the military community, working parents, and so many of our students. It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and pushing toward your goals. We’re excited to be part of that spirit and wish all competitors the best in the Games.” All active-duty military members and their dependents participating in individual sports can find the link to verify their ID on sport registration pages, where, following verification, they will be provided instructions on how to redeem their registration. All questions about the 250 complimentary entries into the 2026 Cal State Games can be directed to info@calstategames.org . Sport registration pages can be found at HERE . # # # About California State Games California State Games (CSG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the largest amateur sports festival in the state. As a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee, CSG have hosted their Olympic-style event since 1988. As of 2023, CSG is managed by Sports San Diego. About Sports San Diego Sports San Diego is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a mission is to ignite tourism and fuel economic growth by 1) bringing world-class sporting events to San Diego; 2) producing extraordinary experiences for fans, athletes, and the community; and 3) unifying and elevating all sports across the region to foster a vibrant, inclusive sports culture, enhancing San Diego’s reputation and opportunities. About National University National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150 online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 255,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu . # # www.sportssandiego.org # #

Two Exciting New Sports: Flag Football and Squash

By Sakura Roberson • March 18, 2026
Two Exciting New Sports: Flag Football and Squash The California State Games just got bigger — and we couldn't be more excited about it. This year, two new sports are joining the lineup: flag football and squash. This is the first time either sport will be offered as an official California State Games event. The athletes who compete up this year? They're the originals. The first California State Games flag football and squash athletes. Flag Football Is Having a Moment If you've been paying attention, you know flag football is everywhere right now. Participation is exploding at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, and the sport just earned a spot in major international competitions. The momentum is real, and it's not slowing down. Bringing flag football to the California State Games puts athletes right in the middle of that growth — and we can't wait to welcome our first teams this summer. Squash: A Classic Sports Joins CSG Squash has been a staple in clubs and collegiate programs for decades, and fans of the sport know just how exciting it can be. Fast rallies, incredible athleticism, and a serious test of endurance and decision-making: it's the kind of sport that hooks you once you see it live. Now, California athletes have a new place to compete, and new fans have a chance to see what squash is all about. Don't Forget Opening Ceremonies Competing in flag football or squash this year means you're not just showing up for your sport; you're getting the full California State Games experience. That includes Opening Ceremonies, one of the most exciting traditions we have. Walking out alongside athletes from every sport, representing your event on a statewide stage is one of those moments that sticks with you and becomes a memory you cherish. Ready to Make History? This is a new chapter for the California State Games, and we want you in it. Registration is open now — come be one of the firsts!