DAVIS, Calif. – The UC Davis student-athlete and fan experience has always been paramount, and the recent upgrades to numerous athletic facilities, locker rooms, offices and other department amenities continue to come to life.
"We had a busy summer taking on over 30 projects across our facilities that add up to significant impact for our student-athletes and fans alike. The Edwards Family Athletics Center opening last year kicked things off with tremendous enthusiasm among our student-athletes, recruits, and campus visitors. We will sustain this facility momentum, as outlined in our strategic plan, IGNITE, while conducting a long-term assessment. In the meantime, we are committed to addressing the short-term needs of each program while improving the fan experience when possible," stated Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca.
The recent work in the last year has impacted every sport on campus and department offices. The overall cost of the improvements amounts to over 4.5 million dollars.
The University Credit Union Center will have a new look with an upgraded and expanded playing surface utilized by the volleyball and basketball programs in addition to new baskets and shot clocks.
Numerous aspects of the UC Davis Health Stadium have been updated that the Aggie fan base have seen the minute they enter the stadium. The fan experience enhancement that immediately stands out is the new sound system. The new system has provided better balanced sound, volume and clearer audio throughout the stadium.
Aesthetics have also been noticed in venue with new light pole banners surrounding the stadium and on nearby bike trails, tunnel branding and paint and the brand-new padding around the field that celebrates the storied history of football and lacrosse. The media and working staff will also appreciate improvements in the press box that includes new seating.
Before entering UC Davis Health Stadium, fans can see a re-painted exterior and new signage at the ticket office.
New windscreens were also installed at Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium for baseball and La Rue field for softball. The Aggie baseball and softball teams will enjoy playing surface renovations for their upcoming season and the softball offices also have new furniture and branding. Dobbins Stadium received new expanded backstop netting, a batter's eye and padding down the lines.
The Schaal Aquatics Center, home of Aggie water polo and swimming and diving, has a replastered pool and new diving deck, new starting blocks and upgraded branding around the facility.
The soccer teams received some nice upgrades at Aggie Soccer Field for the start of their 2023 campaign as the stadium boasts new goals, windscreens spanning the entirety of the surrounding fencing, misters, and upgrades for both coaching staffs in their offices with new furniture and branding. The Aggie field hockey facility also received a new windscreen.
Lacrosse will also enjoy all the upgrades at UC Davis Health Stadium and new light pole banners have been installed.
The beach volleyball squad have new sand and received a facelift in their team lounge with new furniture. The track & field and cross country lounge also dons new furniture, and right next door the Toomey weight room has upgraded branding with new equipment arriving over the next few months.
The Marya Welch Tennis Center also has resurfaced match courts, new signage and the tables have been upgraded.
The facility upgrades embody a core element of the UC Davis Athletics Strategic Plan, IGNITE, to develop a department facility master plan with input from coaches, staff and student-athletes with an emphasis to prioritize facility renovations and new construction.
This story is an example of UC Davis Athletics' commitment to the Ignite Strategic Plan to provide high-quality training and competition venues that support championship programs.
Read more about our strategic plan here: IGNITE
