San Jose State University (SJSU) is located in the heart of one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing geographical areas of the world - Silicon Valley, which is nationally regarded as one of the major centers of research and development, technology, and innovation. During the last 140 years, SJSU has directly contributed to the surrounding community by providing high quality graduates that are sensitive to the needs of an increasingly complex and technologically adept environment. San Jose State University prides itself on its rich tradition and tremendous impact on the local society, and it has acquired a reputation as being the "Metropolitan University" for Silicon Valley.

     For the past twenty- five years, the San Jose State University Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has embraced a rich tradition as well - a tradition of building and racing concrete canoes. SJSU has participated in the Mid-Pacific Regional competition since the early 1970’s, when large four-person canoes were designed, constructed, and raced.

     Each year since then, the challenge of not only making concrete canoes float, but also swift, maneuverable, and structurally sound has tested the engineering prowess of many dedicated and ambitious civil engineering students. SJSU’s success in the competition has fluctuated from year to year, but the tenacity and perseverance required for a project of this magnitude has never faltered. This year, the collaborative efforts of a closely-knit group of individuals known as "Team Spartan" has the potential to resurrect the winning tradition of San Jose State University. The objectives of Team Spartan are as follows:

(1) to design and construct a high performance and competitive concrete canoe.

(2) to improve upon the project as a whole by combining traditional engineering principles with new and innovative design and construction methods.

(3) to implement a more cooperative team approach to accomplish project goals in an organized and timely fashion.

     The theme for this year’s canoe, "SpartAttack," not only symbolizes the legendary reputation of Spartans as fierce and combative warriors of Greek history, but also represents the relentless drive and competitive spirit that will once again propel SJSU to the forefront of the concrete canoe competition. Combining the Spartan, our university mascot, with "attack" forms a dynamic statement that links SJSU to the impending assault and lasting impression that will be made by Team Spartan this year.