‘Painting the town blue and gold’

University aims to strengthen business partnerships with framed jerseys

By California State University, Bakersfield

August 29^th, 2025

California State University, Bakersfield is working to strengthen its ties with the community by adding some `Runner pride to the walls of local businesses.

The university presented a framed basketball jersey to Old River Grill in the Marketplace on Aug. 14 to recognize the connections between CSUB and its business partners. The presentation was the first in a new effort to provide framed jerseys to one business a month over 12 months.

“I want to thank the team at Old River Grill for being wonderful neighbors and supporting CSUB’s mission to expand opportunity and hope to all the families of Kern County,” said President Vernon B. Harper Jr. “It means so much to every member of the Roadrunner community that our jersey has a place of honor at this beloved Bakersfield restaurant. We can’t wait to partner with other businesses and organizations around the county to spread `Runner excitement and spirit.”

Old River Grill Marketplace Manager Julissa Jenkins said she was excited by this opportunity for the restaurant to show its support for CSUB.

"It's always our pleasure serving the students and staff of CSUB, so it is an honor to be able to support the university as they support our business,” she said. “I think the framed jerseys are a great idea for exposure and to gain community support. Go `Runners!”

The jersey idea came out of brainstorming sessions this spring with President Harper and the Kern County’s University committee, a group of staff from across campus focused on developing strategies to expand CSUB’s reach in the community.

CSUB had just wrapped up its 2024-25 basketball season. It is common practice for the Athletics Department to give jerseys to guests who had been recognized on the court during the season.

The idea was floated during a committee meeting that CSUB could help increase its presence by giving out jerseys to local businesses. President Harper supported the idea and directed the committee to move forward with it.

“There’s this recognition that we need to do a better job of painting the town blue and gold,” said Associate Athletics Director for Development Sarah Tuohy, who serves on the committee and is leading the initiative. “It was a way for us to quickly show that this committee is putting the president’s vision into action of being Kern County’s University and spreading the pride.”

Old River Grill was one of the first businesses that Tuohy reached out to, as many students, faculty and staff eat there. The goal was to bring attention both to CSUB and to the restaurant.

“It helps us bring people to them and it helps bring them to us,” Tuohy said. “It’s a low lift for these businesses that already care about us. It’s just a way to physically show it to their customers.”

Old River Grill offered a 10% discount to CSUB faculty and staff who ate at the restaurant on Aug. 14, and Tuohy hopes future business partners will offer similar promotions.

“This is a great opportunity for people to come out and support these businesses,” she said.

The plan is to feature other popular businesses near campus in shopping centers such as The Marketplace, Town and Country Village and the Shops at Riverwalk. The next jersey will be presented to Eureka! in September.

“I feel like it’s a great start,” Tuohy said. “I think this could be the perfect entry into what we’re trying to do as Kern County’s University. I hope this helps us build relationships with our community because that’s how we get better.”

Tuohy has enjoyed serving on the Kern County’s University committee and said it’s been a team effort to launch this new community initiative.

“It’s fun to be part of a team that can have an idea and see it through. It’s really rewarding to be part of campus when there’s a strong leader with a vision and now we can execute and see it pay off,” she said. “It took a little bit to get it ramped up, but it would be great to look back a year from now and see 12 places that didn’t have any CSUB representation that now do.”