Seventy-five Biola alumni and their family members gathered on January 24 in Portland, Oregon, to cheer the Portland Trail Blazers to victory over the Washington Wizards. Most were able to attend a pre-game reception featuring information about current campus events and projects, as well as plenty of merchandise giveaways based on knowledge of Biola trivia, although the foam Biola Eagle claws were given to the 3 youngest kids in attendance. Conveniently, their red and black color scheme matched the Blazers’ colors, so the claws were put to good use during the game!

The evening was also one of several “Faith & Family Nights” that the Trail Blazers sponsor during the season. Following the game, the group gathered in a lower section of the arena and heard from Al Egg, Chaplain for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Portland State University Vikings football team. Al described how chapel services are held in the afternoon before home games and noted that many of the Blazers regularly attend. He also mentioned that the chapel services are open to the opposing teams and gave an encouraging illustration of an NBA All-Star and USA Olympic team player sharing his strong testimony on one of his team’s visits to Portland. Portland Chapter leaders David and Angela Toyer noted that “the natural combination of our Chapter event with Faith & Family Night made for a very enjoyable and encouraging evening from start to finish.”

For more information about Chapter events in the greater NW Oregon/SW Washington area, contact David and Angela at 503-590-7939 or david.toyer@verizon.net.