"There's a vibrant energy sweeping through UC Davis Athletics right now — built by outstanding effort, bold performances, and powerful contributions all across our community. These High Fives capture the momentum building across Aggie Nation — and there's even more to celebrate as we press deeper into the season. Go Ags!" – Rocko DeLuca, Director of Athletics
 
STUDENT ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT - CADEN PINNICK RACKS UP WEEKLY AWARDS
Following a performance against No. 14 Northern Arizona that earned No. 6 UC Davis football a victory on homecoming redshirt freshman quarterback Caden Pinnick added to his weekly awards being named the FCS Nation Radio National Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Pinnick was also named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week following the win against Northern Arizona, his third-straight such honor which tied a conference record.
 
The Aggie signal caller became the first Big Sky honoree to earn three-straight offensive player of the week honors since Dalton Sneed (Montana) earned the honor three times in a row back in 2019. The difference between the two is that Pinnick has done it against three conference opponents, while Sneed only played two conference opponents with his streak starting in the non-conference portion of Montana's 2019 schedule.
 
Pinnick shined in another Aggie victory throwing for a career-high, 348 passing yards while throwing five touchdowns, the most by an Aggie since 2018. Pinnick was also lights out going 25-for-29 to finish with a completion percentage of 86.2 percent. Over the past three games Pinnick has gone 62-for-82, thrown for 949 yards, tossed 10 touchdowns and thrown no interceptions to lead the Aggies to 3-0 start in Big Sky play for the second-straight season.
 
Nationally, Pinnick's five touchdown passes were the most thrown by a quarterback over the weekend and it's the second-most thrown in a game this year. While his completion percentage rated as the best in the country over the weekend and it's the sixth-best completion percentage in a game this year.
 
It's the fifth time this season that Pinnick has earned weekly honors and the second time he has earned national honors. He was named the Stats Perform National Freshman Player of the Week back in week one and he earned Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honors after the Aggies knocked off Weber State, following the road win at Cal Poly and after the most recent victory on homecoming over Northern Arizona.
 
DONOR IMPACT – Willett Family
The Willett family's bond with UC Davis Athletics runs deep, rooted in both tradition and personal legacy. Genia Willett, daughter of long-time legendary UC Davis head coach Woody Wilson, and her husband Jim were recently recognized as the Champion Aggies Club Donors of the Game during UC Davis football's Big Sky opener against Weber State alongside their daughter and son-in-law Tom and Kim Windall.
 
"We support athletics because of the high caliber of the program and the student-athletes." Genia explains, "We also like to support athletics to honor my father, Woody Wilson, who put his heart and soul into the track and field program."
 
Their philanthropy has helped fuel scholarships, facility upgrades, and opportunities that empower student-athletes to excel both on the field and in the classroom. For the Willetts, each donation is a way to celebrate excellence and remember a man who gave everything to elevate the program.
 
Today, the Willett family's involvement is visible across campus—from the stands at Aggie football and basketball games to the track that bears the late Woody Wilson's name. Their passion continues to inspire others in the Aggie community, exemplifying how one family's loyalty and love for a university can shape its legacy for generations.
 
Through their ongoing support, the Willetts ensure that both past contributions and future ambitions remain a vital part of UC Davis Athletics.
 
STAFF SPOTLIGHT – Jason Grace
If something runs smoothly at UC Davis athletics, chances are Jason Grace had a hand in it. As Manager of Facilities and Operations, he's the steady presence making sure every field, court and locker room is ready to go, no matter what the day brings.
 
"My day can consist of stringing a lacrosse goal, setting up for a home game, fixing a locker or hanging a TV in a coach's office," Grace said. "I like not always knowing what my day is going to look like.
 
"Game days are the things I take the most pride in. It's not just the game, but also the prep before and after the game."
 
After more than 20 years as a coach, Jason brings that same mindset into his work. "Even though I'm not the coach, I still want everything set up the way I'd want it to be on game day," he said. "It's also helped me notice when something looks off and make sure it gets fixed so our coaches don't have to worry about it."
 
Grace's impact is felt and seen, even if it goes unannounced. Without Grace, or the others in facilities, soccer matches, lacrosse games and even the infield on Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium would not be ready to hold Aggie events.
 
"Jason is one of those people who makes everyone around him better," said Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca. "His commitment, reliability and pride in his work embody what UC Davis athletics stands for. We're incredibly grateful for the difference he makes every day across our department."
 
For Jason, it all comes back to the people. "Knowing that we're giving student-athletes a great college experience makes working the long days worth it."
 
TEAM SPOTLIGHT – Volleyball
With wins over UC San Diego and Long Beach State last weekend, UC Davis women's volleyball is off to a historic start to their season. The Aggies have begun, Big West play at 6-0 winning seven straight matches, making it the best to conference play in program history.
 
"I think the team is playing with a ton of tenacity and courage, and it's been a ton of fun to watch them play over the start of the season," said head coach Dan Conners. "We're still early in the season, and there are a lot of things to grow and get better at, but I really like the way we are approaching growth and change and the way we compete.
 
"We compete at a really high level, and I really appreciate the team and their effort in that."
This start has been marred by All-Conference performances from many players, including Big West Player of the Week awards for Ximena Cordero Barr, Mia Starr and Breeze Czapinski.
 
Cordero Barr and Starr have each gone back-to-back in weekly awards this season, including most recently Starr getting setter of the week in the Aggies sweep of UC San Diego and Long Beach State.
 
UC Davis will continue to battle through the conference with 12 matches still left to be played, the Aggies still have work to do. But they can feel comfortable knowing that they finish the season at home with a pair of matches as they make what could be a final push at a top seed in the Big West Tournament.
 
IN THE COMMUNITY – Thriving Pink
This October, UC Davis athletics proudly partnered with Thriving Pink, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting and empowering breast cancer thrivers across Yolo County. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Aggies joined forces with Thriving Pink to help raise awareness, fundraise, and celebrate the strength of those impacted by breast cancer.
 
As part of their month-long "PINKtober" campaign, Thriving Pink kicked it off with their annual Walk & Thrive event on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Northstar Park Pond in Davis, bringing together thrivers, families, and friends to support those impacted by breast cancer.
 
Members of the UC Davis gymnastics team as well as Gunrock came out to show their support.
 
"Walking with Thriving Pink reminded us that our power goes beyond gymnastics," said head gymnastics coach Tanya Ho Gomez. "Connecting with others is a powerful catalyst for strength and healing and we are committed to lifting others within the Davis community."
 
Thriving Pink continued their presence across Aggie athletics, including a special appearance at both Saturday's football game and volleyball's "Dig Pink" game, continuing a meaningful partnership that highlights the power of building community and embracing positivity.
 
"I'm incredibly excited about our partnership with Thrive Pink," said Conners. "This initiative means a great deal to UC Davis volleyball — not just because of the impact it has in the fight against breast cancer, but because it touches our team personally.
 
"We've had student-athletes with family members directly affected by this disease, so to stand together in support of awareness, research, and hope makes this partnership especially meaningful. It's powerful to see our athletics department using sport as a platform to make a real difference in people's lives."
 
UC Davis is honored to stand with Thriving Pink and all those affected by breast cancer. To learn more or get involved, visit thrivingpink.org.