"This past month captured the heart of who we are — athletes who delivered, teammates who care, and a community that shows up for something bigger than itself. From Big West championships to the ways our teams support those around them, the pride in wearing UC Davis across our chests was undeniable" – Rocko DeLuca, Director of Athletics
SA SPOTLIGHT - Connections That Inspire At The Chancellor's Board Of Advisors Meeting
Each semester, the Chancellor's Board of Advisors — a distinguished group of industry leaders, innovators, and public servants who help guide the university's strategic vision — convenes to engage with campus leaders, and for this meeting, got to hear directly from students shaping UC Davis Athletics.
At this fall's meeting, four UC Davis student-athletes, Lauren Calderon (Women's Golf), Amelia Moneymaker (Gymnastics), Mitch Dixon (Football), and Noel Valdez (Baseball), represented Aggie Athletics during a panel titled Inside the Aggie Experience: A Conversation with Student-Athletes.
The panel became one of the most memorable moments of the day, giving board members a rare opportunity for candid, small-group conversations that illuminated the realities of collegiate athletics. From early-morning training sessions and cross-country travel to the academic and career support UC Davis provides, the discussion painted a vivid picture of the discipline, balance, and determination that define Aggie student-athletes.
For the student-athletes, the event offered more than a chance to represent their programs — it created meaningful connections with the university's top advocates and supporters, opening doors to mentorship, career insight, and connections for life after UC Davis. Their stories embody the department's mission: to develop leaders prepared for success in every arena of life.
DONOR IMPACT – Freese Family
Alan and Frankie Freese have been proud supporters of Aggie football since their son Erik played linebacker for UC Davis from 1988 to 1992. Their generous contributions to Aggie athletics began during Erik's playing days in 1991 and have continued ever since. During the game against Southern Utah where UC Davis opened UC Davis Health Stadium for the 2025 season the Aggies honor the Freese Family on the field during a timeout.
The Freese family has been with the Aggies every step of the way — tailgating and attending home games, traveling on their own to meet the team in all over the big sky or occasionally flying with the team on charter trips, including the memorable comeback win over Montana in 2018, which happened to fall on Alan's 80th birthday.
It really doesn't matter the event, but the support and dedication for UC Davis athletics and football from the Freese family is always evident.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT – Ari Homayun
When it comes to building something special, Ari Homayun knows how to start from the sand up. The new head coach of UC Davis beach volleyball arrives with a proven record of transforming programs, and she's already bringing that same energy to the Aggies.
Homayun joins UC Davis after a historic season at CSUN, where she guided the Matadors to a program-record win total, their first victory over a ranked opponent, and she became the winningest coach in school history.
"I played a bunch of sports growing up, and none of it really stuck the way volleyball did," Homayun said. "There are so many nuances and different avenues to succeed on the beach side. It's ever evolving, there's always so much to learn, and that part about it is so fascinating to me."
Before her time at CSUN, Homayun served as an assistant at Cal Poly, working alongside Olympic gold medalist Todd Rogers. There, she helped guide the Mustangs to a Big West Championship, a top 10 national ranking, and the program's first NCAA Championship match win — experiences that shaped her coaching philosophy and taught her what it takes to build a winner. "There's a level of discipline and tenacity that's required to succeed," she said. "I know what that looks like from both the player and coaching perspective and really instilling that work ethic into the athletes makes a difference."
That drive and perspective made UC Davis the perfect next step in her journey.
Homayun says the transition to Davis has already exceeded expectations, thanks to the welcoming environment and the support around her. And she leads the Aggies into a new era, Homayun's focus goes beyond the scoreboard. Her goal is to help her student-athletes grow not just as competitors, but as leaders and people.
"There are so many opportunities for these girls to lead and learn to be autonomous," she said. "Volleyball is awesome, but college is also a time to develop as human beings. Those little life lessons in practice really matter. My goal and the legacy I hope to leave here is that UC Davis can be a powerhouse. We should be, we can be, and we will be."
AGGIES IN COMPEITION – Muhammed Ahmed Brings Home The Big West Cross Country Title
On Oct. 31, Muhammed Ahmed took home the Big West Cross Country Championship under clear skies at Kapi'olani Regional Park, becoming the first individual Big West men's champion for UC Davis cross country since 2017. His performance helped the men finish second at the championship.
Ahmed sat tied for third with 2K left in the race, and it was there he hit his stride. Over the final stretch of the race Ahmed pulsed away from the eventual top finishers, crossing the line with a championship time of 24:12.2 to bring home the first Big West crown for the men since 2017.
"There's a lot of people who helped me get here and winning this championship means a lot to me," said Ahmed after winning the title.
IN THE COMMUNITY – Volleyball Team IMPACT Signing
Back in April, Aggie volleyball announced through Team IMPACT the signing of 13-year-old Maren as a part of their 2025 recruiting class.
Volleyball joins Aggie football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and lacrosse in being numerous Aggie programs that work with Team IMPACT.
Maren, a native of Elk Grove, California, has been battling Ewing sarcoma since she was two and a half years old. After being declared cancer-free earlier this year she meet Breeze Czapinski, the Aggie volleyball Team IMPACT ambassador. Through that connection she was given the opportunity to attend events on campus with her new teammates and spend time with them on the court.
Since joining the team, Maren has enjoyed her time on the Aggie sideline, supporting her team to their best start in conference history while seeing them post many historical wins, including sweeping long-time rival Hawai'i for the first time ever. In a Thursday night matchup with UC Santa Barbara on October 23, her story was featured on the game's ESPN+ broadcast.
"Here at Davis, our whole team has worked really hard to create a united sisterhood," middle blocker Allie Caldwell said, "When she was being recruited here, we knew that she fit here perfectly. She's super resilient, super kind, and super respectful."
With the Big West tournament only two weeks away, the Aggies look to leave the conference on a high note and become conference champions for the first time in program history.
