Feb. 14, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis student-athletes will be out in earnest during the month of February collecting money for the 2009 Big West Coin Drive while trying to defend the title the Aggies won last year.

The coin drive is being coordinated by Student-Athlete Advisory Committee officers from each of the nine Big West institutions and is in its second year. UC Davis captured top honors during the drive's inaugural year, raising more than $1,700 for Loaves & Fishes in Sacramento.

By virtue of collecting the most money, UC Davis received half of each of the other schools' collections to also donate to Loaves & Fishes. The Aggies' total contribution to the local organization exceeded $5,000.

This year's Big West Coin Drive runs through the rest of the month. UC Davis, which has selected the American Cancer Society for this year's charity, will have representatives at nine athletics events over the remainder of February in an effort to raise funds.

Aggies will be at men's basketball (Saturday and Feb. 21), wrestling (Feb. 15), softball (Feb. 17), women's gymnastics (Feb. 20 and 27), women's basketball (Feb. 19 and 21) and baseball (Feb. 28) events. Represenatives will be available for collections 30 minutes prior to each event's start/

"UC Davis student-athletes stepped up last year for a very good cause and are even more excited about the 2009 Big West Coin Drive," said Michelle Roppeau, Director of Athletics Academic Advising who also oversees SAAC at UC Davis. "We've set a goal to beat last year's total donations--and to bring home our second Big West title in this event."

The American Cancer Society has more than two million volunteers nationwide as it administers programs and services aimed at fighting cancer through prevention, education, and other services. Representatives from the American Cancer Society will be at the women's basketball game against Cal Poly on Feb. 19.

SAAC chose the American Cancer Society because the lives and families of so many people have been touched by cancer. Trevor Machado-Ching, a freshman animal science major from Oakdale on the UC Davis wrestling team, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during his sophomore year in high school but fought the disease into remission. He is redshirting with the Aggies this season.

"Trevor was thrilled to learn that the Coin Drive proceeds were targeted for the American Cancer Society," Roppeau said. "He's very open about his personal experience with cancer. Along with early detection, his positive attitude, faith, and family support were key factors in his successful recovery."

2009 BIG WEST COIN DRIVE EVENTS
(SAAC representatives will be on site 30 minutes prior to each start time)
Sat., Feb. 14 - Men's Basketball vs. Cal State Fullerton (7 p.m., The Pavilion)
Sun., Feb. 15 - Wrestling vs. Cal Poly (7 p.m., Upper Hickey Gym)
Tue., Feb. 17 - Softball vs. Nevada (La Rue Field, 2 p.m)
Thu., Feb. 19 - Women's Basketball vs. Cal Poly (7 p.m., The Pavilion)
Fri., Feb. 20 - Women's Gymnastics vs. Seattle Pacific (7 p.m., The Pavilion)
Sat., Feb. 21 - Women's Basketball vs. UC Santa Barbara (4:45 p.m., The Pavilion)
Sat., Feb. 21 - Men's Basktball vs. Fresno State (7 p.m., The Pavilion)
Fri., Feb. 27 - Women's Gymnastics hosts quadrangular meet (7 p.m., The Pavilion)
Feb. 28 - Baseball vs. Pepperdine (Dobbins Stadium, 1 p.m.)