LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC San Diego Intercollegiate Athletics department teamed with Student Affairs to host the 10th Annual Triton Power Hour on Monday in RIMAC Arena. Held on the first day of UCSD's Welcome Week, the event is designed to encourage members of the incoming class to get involved in activities and events around campus and to show support for Triton athletics.

The day's activities began just after 11:00 in the arena, where over 2,000 students gathered for a brief introduction to life on the UCSD campus. Presenters at the event included emcee's Gabi Hernandez (women's soccer) and Daniel Simmons (baseball), Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue and number of other student-athletes. Alumnus John DeBello spoke about his time at UCSD and judged the annual Spirit Contest.

The new-look "cheerleaders" and dance team performed onstage and giveaways including an iPod, a surfboard and a mountain bike were handed out to winning students.

After the conclusion of the program inside, students were treated to lunch on the RIMAC patio and then had the opportunity to visit various booths from different entities on campus set up along Ridgewalk. The UCSD Athletics Department hosted a tent where new students could pick up posters, schedule cards and other souvenirs, while learning more about intercollegiate athletics and all that it has to offer.

Several coaches were on hand to mingle with the newcomers, while some teams, such as fencing and women's crew, used the opportunity to recruit walk-ons for their programs.

Sponsors for Monday's event included Chipotle Mexican Grill, Papa John's Pizza, Krispy Kreme, Home Plate Café, Pepsi, the UCSD Bookstore and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.

Classes officially begin on Thursday with the 11th-ranked UCSD men's water polo team hosting Chapman University that evening. The Tritons and Panthers will square off at 6:00 p.m. at Canyonview Pool.