July 22, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Longtime UC Davis football coach Fred Arp has been named a winner of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year Award, the insurance company has announced.
Arp, who has been on the UC Davis coaching staff since 1966, is currently Assistant Head Football Coach for the Aggies with primary duties surrounding the defensive line. He was one of 524 assistant coaches at the high school and collegiate level nationwide - representing a variety of team sports - chosen for the award from thousands of nominations.
According to AFLAC, the awards were given to coaches based on longevity, expertise, contributions to the school and community, and special achievements throughout their careers. Besides entering his 36th career with the Aggies, Arp has been an ardent supporter of the entire UC Davis Athletic program. He has helped support the program through TeamAGGIE - the department's official booster group - and has been integral in the success of the annual Holiday Drive which supports three local charities and is sponsored by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
"Fred is not only an excellent football coach but a tremendous supporter of all our sports," said Director of Athletic Academic Advising Michelle Roppeau, who spearheaded Arp's nomination. "We value his humor, his warmth, and his respect and concern for the welfare of our entire student-athlete population. A lot of what he does for our athletic program happens behind the scenes; it's great to see him get due recognition."
Arp graduated from UC Davis in 1965 - and besides one year as a graduate assistant at Northern Colorado - has spent his entire coaching career with the Aggies. During that time he has been part of a coaching staff that has helped UC Davis post an NCAA-record 32 straight winning seasons, advance to 17 NCAA Playoffs, and earlier win 20 straight league championships.
Winners of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year Award were selected by a panel of judges from Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director magazine. Recipients came from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
