Facility Updates

The landscape of UC Davis Athletics has changed and will continue to change over the next several years with your help. Whether it has been months, or years since you visited campus, you would be impressed with the evolution of athletics’ facilities. Although significant progress has been made in this regard, there remain many important venues needing assistance from our fans and donors. In addition to Aggie Stadium and the Marya Welch Tennis Center, other facilities remain a priority for renovation and enhancements, which may provide an interested donor with the naming of one of our many venues through a landmark gift. Without the financial support from our passionate fans and alumni our athletics facilities will not receive the necessary care required to compete as a top-tier Division I program. Where does your passion lie? Call Mike Angius, 530-752-8683 to discuss your options to capture your passion. Your heartfelt consideration will impact generations to come. With two athletics facilities well on their way, the following facilities are critical to the growth and success of UC Davis Athletics and its student-athletes: Aggie Field, La Rue Field, Ann and James Dobbins Baseball Complex and the rowing team’s boathouse.

Aggie Field – With a new, natural state-of-the-art playing surface installed during the summer of 2005, lights remain a top priority for both men’s and women’s soccer programs. Lights in this facility would allow our student-athletes to enroll in the necessary classes, which has been made difficult with home games and training sessions occurring on weekday afternoons. Providing opportunities for the team to maintain their rigorous class schedules during the week allows them to finish their university careers within a realistic period. Installing lights and changing game times from the afternoon to the evening also would allow more UC Davis students to support our two highly competitive soccer programs. The estimated cost for four light standards and grandstand improvements: $950,000.

“I transferred to UC Davis from Villanova to receive my college degree in International Relations, and to play soccer for the Aggies. Soccer has been a very important part of my life since I was a little girl playing in the DVSC out of the Bay Area. I felt the quality of program UC Davis provided me, as well as the education was a great marriage. I loved playing for the Ags, and found it very difficult to accept the end of my career when the 2004 season ended. As a student-athlete, it was difficult to compete in the sport I loved while simultaneously pursuing the completion of the necessary courses to earn my degree. My team was scheduled to practice during the afternoons through the season, and many home games were scheduled mid-afternoon during the week. Unfortunately, many of my class times conflicted with practice and games, which prohibited me from obtaining my degree in a 4-year period. Presently, in this new era of Aggie athletics, lights at the soccer stadium are critical to eliminate additional pressure on our future student-athletes and to build community support for the program. It will be a great day when lights are installed in the soccer stadium.”

Katie Shesgreen (2002-2004)

La Rue Field – The home of the 2004 NCAA Division II Softball champions is in dire need of help. In order to host future Big West Conference championships, lights and permanent restrooms need to be installed, along with a press box, more grandstands, concessions, and a new playing surface. The softball complex provides a unique and distinctive opportunity to name the facility for a major, landmark gift. The estimated costs for a complete renovation is approximately $1,500,000.

“During my career, I always loved playing at LaRue Field even though we did not have lights, permanent restrooms, concessions, and a press box. We truly had one of the better playing facilities in comparison to our other Division II competitors. However, without permanent restrooms we had to use portable facilities during practices and games. We would even sometimes change in the equipment storage areas when coming from class. As with some of the other sports at
UC Davis, we too had to juggle our classes around practice times since we had no lights. This made it hard to complete required courses in a timely manner for graduation. The press box still consists of a table and several benches outside of the dugout. I will always remember standing in the on-deck circle preparing for my at bat and would sometimes receive some last minute advice from the press box. The renovation of La Rue Field and the financial support from our alumni and fans is imperative to compete at the Division I level. Looking back at my years at UC Davis, I would do it all over again to be a part of an outstanding athletic department and Aggie Pride.”

Trisha Reinhardt-Hayes (1994-1997)

Ted and Rand Schaal Aquatics Center – The largest competitive swimming pool in the UC system. After opening in early 2004, it was quickly determined the pool had two immediate needs: coaches office building and a shade structure over the grandstands. Thanks to a generous gift of real estate from alumni Ellyn and Mark Hilliard, the shade structure became a reality in early 2006. The much-needed office building has been approved, and may provide a naming opportunity to leave a family name, or the name of a loved one. An estimated cost for this building is approximately $1,500,000.

“I am so impressed with the Ted and Rand Schaal Aquatics Center. It truly is one of the premiere aquatic facilities in the United States. Unfortunately, with budget cuts the Aquatics Center was not fully completed in 2004. The key component missing from this world-class facility is a coach’s office/team meeting building. It is critical for the swimming and water polo programs to have support facilities on site. It is not desirable for the aquatics staff to traverse campus from their office location to the pool - two miles away. My wife, Christi and I have already made several contributions to the building effort and we would strongly encourage other Aggie donors, fans, and alumni to contribute as well. Your financial support is not only for the university, but most importantly the athletes who are dedicated to competing at their best.”

Doug Norton (Water Polo ‘76-’79)

Ann and James Dobbins Baseball Complex – In 2005 the baseball community was informed that the playing field would bear the name of retired baseball coach Phil Swimley. When Dobbins Stadium was dedicated in 2004, it was missing two key elements from this wonderful facility – lights and a new batting cage. Estimated cost for the batting cage is $175,000. The cost for lights and other facility improvements is estimated at $750,000.

“As the UC Davis Baseball program officially becomes a member of the Big West Conference, it has the looming challenge of remaining competitive. UC Davis Baseball needs lights, a clubhouse, and general facility enhancements to the scoreboard and the fences. The Big West is one of the top three NCAA Division I baseball conferences in the entire country and UC Davis is proud to be a member. However, the alumni now need to step up to the plate to allow UC Davis to go toe-to-toe with national powers such as Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and Long Beach State. The baseball program needs our help in order to compete on an even playing field with the elite Big West programs. As the Ags officially move into a premiere conference, the alumni should consider doing the same to assist UC Davis Baseball.”

Clay Sigg (1968-72)

Leave a legacy of your own, with significant tax-deductible advantages! With university approval, your name, or a name of a loved may be placed in one of our many wonderful facilities for the useful life of the facility. Please contact Mike Angius at 530-752-8683 to receive more information.