DAVIS, Calif. – It was an exciting start to the 2023-24 basketball season in Davis as 2,166 K-8^th grade students and their chaperones from the local area poured into the University Credit Union Center for "Field Trip Day" to watch the Aggies' women's basketball team take on Academy of Art for its season opener on Nov. 6.
 
"It is amazing to watch the synergy between our campus and community as they come together to rally behind our women's basketball program," states Danielle Shank, Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations. "In just three years, this initiative has grown from 500 to over 2,000 participants with the understanding that exposure and representation in both the sciences - as well as women's sport at the highest levels - is important to the future pursuits of our youth. Bringing all the pieces together takes a village and I want to thank the marketing team, teachers throughout Yolo County schools, UC Davis Transportation Services, Unitrans, and the ​14 UC Davis table sponsors for their efforts to create a successful event."
 
It was the highest-recorded attendance for a home UC Davis women's basketball contest since the pandemic-shortened season of 2020. A total of 34 classes from 17 different schools from the surrounding area were able to escape the classroom on a Monday morning to enjoy the Aggies' 50-point victory to start their campaign. A collection of 377 parents, chaperones, and teachers helped supervise the children at the event, helping coordinate an exciting day for all those in attendance.
 
In addition, the event was open to season ticket holders as well as the general public, adding to the electric atmosphere. Free parking was also provided by UC Davis Transportation Services and bus parking was provided by Unitrans.
 
"The energy in the building was amazing and made for an electric home opener for our team," said Head Coach Jennifer Gross. "I had numerous parents and teachers approach me after the game to say what a great experience it was for their students and what a fun time they had cheering on the Ags."
 
Prior to tip-off, the STEM Fair would take place on the Hutchison Intramural Field outside the University Credit Union Center. "Field Trip Days" are a tradition among women's basketball teams across the country to help grow the sport within their local communities. UC Davis boasts some of the top STEM programs in the country, so the fair would serve as the educational component of the event.
 
Those who attended the STEM Fair were able to experience the following:

• CalTeach/MAST (6 stations)
• Cori the Rocket Dog
• Zero Waste Club (2 stations)
• BEAR Lab
• Vet Med
• Sheepmowers
• Raptor Center
• Grad Student SACNAS
• Global Disease Biology 
• Chemistry
• Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology and Environmental Toxicology
• Physics & Astronomy 
• Geology Club
• Health Professions Advising

The annual event works to engage local students with the potential of a college education while taking in NCAA Division I competition at the highest level. Each year the gratitude from students, teachers and school administrators is overwhelming about "Field Trip Day" opening the students' eyes to a whole new world.
 
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