“Bobby C.! Bobby C.! Bobby C.!” This is what Bobby Cressey, the organist for the San Diego Padres, heard during what seemed to be a normal Saturday in August at Petco Park. The back of his Padres jersey proudly beared his name: Bobby C.
“I’ve never heard a section cheer so loud for me!” said Cressey, affectionately nicknamed Bobby C.
The section Cressey is referring to was home to Point Loma Nazarene’s student leadership teams that Saturday afternoon. Loma’s leaders were seated in left field, right above the Western Metal Supply Co. building, which is across from where Cressey plays the organ for all the day games at Petco Park.
“Whether it was because his name hit close to home for one of our own and favorite Bobby (Bobby B.), or simply because students thought it would be funny, the chant stuck,” said AJ Pitkin, PLNU director of student leadership and outdoor recreation.
The chant carried into September when Scott McGowan, PLNU director of community life, surprised the student leaders by having Cressey make an appearance at their first LEAD event of the year. Cressey is always up for an opportunity to play music, so it was not difficult for him to agree to the gig, but it did take strategic planning to contact him without tipping off any of the students.
“When Bobby C. came to the leadership event, it one hundred percent made my week,” said Noah Shaw, second year computer science major and alpha leader.
“The entire room was chanting his name and we were all so excited,” Shaw said.
At the event, Cressey helped a few student leaders teach the larger group the university’s song and played the classic “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” that got all of this started. While Cressey loves playing at ball games (and for college students), he can do so much more than just play “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Cressey has been playing music since he was 9 years old, but he did not become fully engulfed in music until he went to high school. His passion for music carried into college where, while studying engineering, music completely took over his life. It took him six years to finish his degree because of all the music gigs and tours he did. While still unsure of his future in music after college, he decided to take the risk to pursue music full time. Cressey felt that he was destined to become a musician.
As most musicians’ lives go, Cressey has picked up gigs wherever he can get them and has built quite the resume. He has performed with big name celebrities like Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Jesse McCartney, and is also in a cover band called The Mighty Untouchables. In addition to performing, Cressey composes and produces. His music can be found in various television shows, movies, radio stations, and video games, including Marvel Studios’ “Thor: The Dark World” and “MLB: The Show” for PlayStation.
Cressey has taught music in the past and, while he does not have time to give lessons anymore, he still loves to encourage aspiring musicians.
“There are tons of different paths in the music industry and it can be pretty unpredictable,” said Cressey. “My best advice is to never stop learning. Learn as much as you can about as much as you can in the music industry. Talk to musicians, ask them about their lives and remember to stay humble, too.”
With the unpredictability of the music industry, Cressey stresses the importance of finding something or someone that is an inspiration. Cressey inspired Loma’s student leaders, but they inspired him in an even deeper way.
“I am inspired by people who are hopeful and positive because it is so easy to be cynical in today’s world. That’s what I love about the Point Loma students. That’s what makes them great leaders,” said Cressey.
“Bobby reminded our students about what makes [Loma] wonderful and how rare and worth protecting it is,” said McGowan. “It was a powerful reminder to me how special this place can be and how worthwhile it is to make our campus culture resilient to the divisive, isolating ugliness that typifies much of higher education today.”
It is the atmosphere of Point Loma that captures hearts and keeps people coming back year after year. Bobby B. is not the only Bobby we will be seeing around campus anymore.
“Bobby C. is a Loma legend now,” said Natalie Unis, a community ministries leader.
By: Jenna Bernath
Steve Anderson