Upbeat music blared across the Chase Center on Feb. 11 as the third annual Golden State Warriors “SCU Night” was officially underway. The players were busy completing their pregame shoot-around, Spurs star Victor Wembayama was stretching with athletic bands, and Santa Clara University alumnus Brandin Podziemski was doing his best Stephen Curry impression, putting up shots from half-court.

While this trip to the Chase Center already promised a night to remember, the experience held a unique form of anticipation. Before the players were introduced to the crowd, the lights dimmed as my fellow Santa Clara University Chamber Singers members and I took to center court.

My heart hammered as I stepped across the Golden Gate Bridge at the center of the Warriors logo, surrounded by towering professional NBA players. I felt impossibly small in that moment, yet part of something much bigger than myself, standing at center court as one voice, just feet away from these iconic sports legends.

Santa Clara University’s Chamber Singers had the opportunity to sing the national anthem before the Golden State Warriors’ game on SCU Night at the Chase Center on Feb. 11, 2026. **(Gabriel Symkowick/The Santa Clara)**

As we began to sing, my mind went on autopilot as our powerful sound rippled through the arena. The crowd responded to every chord with unapologetic enthusiasm. When our last note resolved through the arena, the crowd exploded.

Singing the national anthem at a Warriors game is a surreal experience in itself, but doing so on SCU Night added another layer of meaning. Getting videos from friends of our performance while we made our way to our seats was the final touch to an unforgettable experience. Even though the Warriors weren’t able to keep it together and ended up losing to the Spurs, 126-113, our performance more than made up for it.

Moments like this capture the best of what partnerships between Santa Clara University and professional organizations bring to the table. Events such as the Warriors’ SCU Night take our school spirit to the next level. They create experiences that place students in moments that give new meaning to the college experience. Standing on an NBA court and representing the University in front of thousands was a reminder that our impact as students extends far beyond the boundaries of campus, and that experiences like these should remain a priority for the University moving forward.