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For senior forward Matt Neufeld, his decision to leave Saint Louis, where he spent his freshman and sophomore years, was based on a simple premise.
 
"I wanted to return to the West Coast, live closer to my family and home," said the Victoria, British Columbia native.
 
"UC Davis recruited me in high school, that connection was previously established. I reached out to them and started to build up that relationship again. When I visited the campus, I admired the program's culture, the players and coaches were genuine, the staff cared about my development on the court and off it, and everyone cared about who I was as a person."
 
Once Neufeld reconnected with members of the men's basketball coaching staff, the decision to join the Aggies was an easy one.
 
"I just knew early in the process that once I committed, and continued to strengthen my relationships, this was an awesome opportunity for me."
 
After arriving to campus, Neufeld was forced to redshirt his first season with the program, per NCAA rules and regulations. As eager as he was to don a UC Davis jersey and start competing right away, he understood the benefits of being forced to the sidelines for his first year with the program.  
 
"It was definitely a good year for me, which allowed me to focus my energy in the weight room to become bigger and stronger. 
 
"It was also nice arriving to an environment with strong academic programs, like UC Davis, and redshirting my first year because I didn't have to worry about playing in games and balancing everything right away. I was able to spend more time in the classroom, meet with academic advisors and tutors on a more frequent basis, which helped me succeed academically right away."
 
As much as Neufeld wanted to compete alongside his teammates, he also understood that redshirting provided unique opportunities to help his teammates develop and reach their athletic potential as well.
 
"I thought about my teammates more than myself, I wanted what was best for my teammates. I wanted to see them succeed on the court, which made it easy not to focus on myself when I redshirted. I could just play for the team and practice as hard as I could to help everyone improve."
 
By adopting this team-first mentality — a byproduct of the program's culture — working hard and challenging his teammates in practice each week, Neufeld helped the Aggies win another Big West title and earn their third postseason appearance in four years.
 
Looking back on his first-year experience with the program, one word quickly came to mind — the exact same word he used to describe his Aggie debut and every game that followed throughout the 2018-19 season.
 
Awesome.
 
"It was so awesome to play that first game, and every game last year. To wear that UC Davis jersey every day was an honor."
 
Neufeld added, "Looking back after the season ended, I know I made the right decision to join this program and come to UC Davis. The coaches are helping me develop and everyone is seeing me improve on the court."
 
Awesome is the perfect word to describe another experience that took place the day UC Davis hosted UC Irvine in a home game televised across the country on ESPN.
 
"My parents visited me a couple of times when I played at Saint Louis, but last year's ESPNU home game was the first time my brother watched me play since high school. That was a special experience: to have them attend shootaround and see them in the crowd because they are a huge part of my life. 
 
"I talked to my family a lot through FaceTime when I was at Saint Louis, but to hear them cheer during the game and see them afterwards was something that carried with me throughout the rest of the season. 
 
Another element that positively shaped Neufeld's UC Davis experience was his involvement with Athletes in Action, a student-run Christian club.
 
"To know other student-athletes, and build relationships with them enhanced my experience at UC Davis because we all share one thing in common. Faith is a huge part of my life."
 
Neufeld also appreciated UC Davis' student-athlete population, and the role it played when he was a new student-athlete, which helped him quickly find his place within the campus community.
 
"The student-athlete network is unique at UC Davis because we all experience the grind that takes place throughout each season. It's common for student-athletes to say hello when we pass one another or stop and talk for a bit."
 
With UC Davis opening its season at Loyola Chicago on Nov. 7, Neufeld is fully embracing his role as a team leader, and looking forward to doing whatever it takes to help the Aggies win another championship, and earn another postseason appearance.
 
"My leadership role with the team is something that I have worked on and developed. Every member of this year's senior class are fifth-years, we understand how we can use our experience to help this team succeed. That extra year of development for each of us is now an experience we can use to lead our teammates.
 
"I see the potential in this team, I think this is a championship-caliber team. We have a lot of work to do. I am focused more on what I need to do to help this team win, rather that worry about individual expectations. This is what's best for the team."
 
Neufeld also added, "This team can enjoy a successful season if it brings energy and intensity to the court every day. It's all about wins and losses, and that is what we can control to help this team win. If we are winning games, everything else will take care of itself."
 
Neufeld understands this is his final year at UC Davis, but readily admits that everything will not sink in until the final buzzer sounds in his last game as an Aggie. Until that takes place, the fifth-year communication major will enjoy every moment, both on and off the court.
 
"This program has a strong culture, where everyone genuinely cares about one another. In addition to player development, the coaching staff wants to see you succeed on and off the court.
 
"With Aggie EVO (UC Davis Athletics' one-of-a-kind student-athlete outcomes program), student-athletes are prepared to succeed after earning their degree. Aggie EVO helped me network and build connections outside my sport, I know that I am ready for the next phase of my life.
 
"Outside of basketball, time spent doing fun things off the court with the guys, whether it is on campus or downtown, is what I will remember the most about my time at UC Davis. Those are the memories, especially when we are all together as a team, that I will cherish."
 
After UC Davis opens the season at Loyola Chicago, the first of a 12-game home slate will take place two days later on November 7. Secure the best seats for every home game, and help create a true home court advantage for the Aggies by purchasing season tickets today!
 
 
 
AGGIE EVO
Established during the 2017-18 academic year, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation.
 
Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis.
 
Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
 
TOGETHER, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING
Directly impact the lives of potential, and current UC Davis basketball student-athletes, by joining the Aggie Round Table.
 
With support from this select group of insiders, the men's basketball program can expand its recruiting efforts to find prospects who will thrive at the fifth-ranked public school in the nation, compete at a championship level and represent the University in a first-class manner as one of its ambassadors. 
 
Contact Liz Martin (Assistant Athletics Director, Leadership Giving & Alumni Engagement) at (530) 574-8623 or emartin@ucdavis.edu to find out how you can join this exclusive club!
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley.
 
The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.