Click to see slide show April 3, 2007
On Saturday, March 31, UC Davis athletics photographer Jim von Rummelhoff hitched an airplane ride with longtime Aggie supporter and pilot Rand Schaal to photograph the campus's athletics facilities. The pair flew overhead while Aggie teams competed in many of the venues. They received an especially good look at the Ted and Rand Schaal Aquatics Center, to which Rand and his father graciously donated $1 million in 1998. As UC Davis continues to move to a new era as an NCAA Division I institution, enjoy the overheard view, courtesy of Rand Schaal and Jim von Rummelhoff.
Aggie Stadium, whose primary funding came from students in 1999 with the Facilties And Campus Enhancement Initiative, hosted its first-ever athletic event on April 1, 2007 when the UC Davis women's lacrosse team beat Saint Mary's. The stadium, which is nearing completion, is a $31 million facility featuring many state-of-the-art amenities including a mammoth scoreboard and video display, and modern pressbox, locker rooms and concession facilities. The stadium will seat more than 10,000 fans and will host its first football game on Sept. 1 when UC Davis hosts Western Washington.
The Schaal Aquatics Center has quickly become one of the top facilities of its kind on the west coast since opening in 2004. Located adjacent to Aggie Stadium, the complex features an Olympic-sized pool, locker rooms, team rooms, office space and permanent seating for approximately 500 spectators. The facility received one of the highest honors in collegiate sports when it hosted the 2006 NCAA Women's Water Polo Championships, an event in which UC Davis participated and finished fifth in an elite field.
The Marya Welch Tennis Center has been a dream of many, including namesake Marya Welch who started women's athletics at UC Davis 60 years ago. The tennis facility now encompasses six new courts - in addition to the 10 previous existing courts - plaza area, fan seating and other player amenities. Tennis legend John McEnroe played an exhibtion match during dedication ceremonies in 2005.
La Rue Field has hosted many historic softball games throughout its storied history, including six NCAA Division II West Region Championships from 1994 through 2002, one of few schools in the nationl to have such an honor. Augmenting what was already considered one of the best playing surfaces in the region, grandstands, dugouts and permanent stadium fencing have been added in recent upgrades as well as new batting cages. Planned upgrades will further enhance the facility which was recognized as the "Softball Field of the Year" by the Sports Turf Managers Association in 1999.
The James M. and Ann Dobbins Baseball Complex boasts one of the finest playing surfaces in Northern California. In 2002, thanks to a generous contribution from the Dobbins family, the complex was enhanced to include a press box, a renovated entrance and permanent concession and restroom facilities. The stadium is one of the top on-campus baseball stadiums in the region.
