"This month's High Fives capture the spirit of UC Davis Athletics—where meaningful relationships and shared purpose drive real impact. From the inaugural First-Gen Social and CADSA's thoughtful sock drive, to Mary Kobane's generous investment and Matt Mandich's influence, the stories here reflect the strength of our community. And with women's golf returning to NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2015, it's clear that our momentum continues to build—on the course, in the classroom, and beyond. Go Ags!" – Rocko DeLuca, Director of Athletics
1) Student-Athlete Spotlight | Student-Athlete First-Generation Social
Partnering with the First-Generation Initiative on campus, UC Davis athletics hosted the first-ever Student-Athlete First-Generation Social building a strong net of community among Aggies.
"When you are a first-generation student, there are a lot of things you have to navigate throughout the college process that could be foreign to you" states Senior Associate Athletics Director
Courtney Randall.
The goal of the First-Generation Social was to introduce those student athletes to others within the University that are much like themselves. College life can be intimidating therefore it is of utmost importance that those first-generation Aggies have ample access to information and resources to aid them. The social's debut was hosted in the Schaal team room and catered with some locally based soul food. Faculty and staff shared journeys and gave advice to the Aggie student athletes.
"There was a wealth of knowledge in that room, and it was really meaningful getting to hear the stories of the first-generation faculty and staff," says Randall.
After the ambassadors of the First-Generation Initiative presented, the student athletes were then given the floor to pose questions of their own.
"There's infinite value of getting feedback from someone who has gone through the same thing that can unveil a potential hurdle or challenge others may face," added Randall. "Everybody persists, but it's not always easy. So hopefully this will give the student athletes support and bring them all together, letting them know they do not have to navigate the path alone."
With a successful turnout for their first year holding the social, the event planners seek to cast a wider net in the coming years to help more folks in the community and expand the resource group beyond just student athletes.
2) Stand Up Staff | Matt Mandich
Joining the Aggie family in April of 2024, Assistant Director of Sports Performance
Matt Mandich has been a key member of the Aggie women's lacrosse team as they have prepared for competition in their first year in the Big 12.
Working with the team both on the field and in the weight room, Mandich has been a crucial part of lacrosse's run to the semifinals the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
"Matt has been an awesome addition to our program." said lacrosse head coach Suzanne Isidor. "His passion for what he does and his knowledge and investment in our program have made a huge impact on our team. The team is inspired every day to work hard, and they truly enjoy being in the weight room and out on the field with him. Matt is phenomenal at what he does and is an equally phenomenal person."
This season the Aggies qualified for the Big 12 Tournament, hosted in Boulder, Colorado, thanks to snagging road conference wins over Cincinnati and San Diego State. Including knocking off San Diego State in the season finale to lock in their spot in Boulder.
"Coach Isidor values sports performance and has made it an important piece in the development of her team," Mandich said. "The girls bring energy, effort, and a genuine desire to improve. They are a fun group to coach, and I look forward to working with them each day."
3) Donor Impact | Mary Kobane
Mary Kobane first got to know UC Davis women's golf through her longtime relationship with Aggie assistant coach Kevin Estrella and the program's connections with at El Macero Country Club, where she has been an engaged member for years. A successfully retired stockbroker, Kobane has spent time channeling her energy into things she cares for. One of those things is her love for golf.
Already someone who contributes to the men's golf tournament, the El Macero Classic, and is extremely active on "Give Day", Kobane's discussions with Estrella and head coach
Amelia Hicks led to a new opportunity for Kobane to make an impact on Aggie golf.
Moved by Estrella and Hicks' gratitude and vision, Kobane decided to make a significantly larger contribution to the program using her IRA—one that will help expand travel opportunities, enhance facilities, and provide greater support for the team. Her decision wasn't just about financial support; it was about continuing a legacy of impact.
Kobane shared that she made the gift "to do something each and every day that pays it forward to someone else". With her generosity, Kobane is ensuring future generations of athletes have the resources and support they need to succeed, both on and off the course.
And with her help, the women's golf program can continue to build on their success that saw them make the NCAA Regionals this season for the first time since 2015.
4) In The Community | CADSA Sock Drive
UC Davis' Coalition for African Diaspora Student-Athletes (CADSA) demonstrated its ongoing commitment to community service this season by organizing a sock drive in conjunction with UC Davis athletics. The initiative successfully collected approximately over 50 pairs of socks, which were donated to Wind Youth Services, Sacramento's oldest and largest drop-in center serving homeless and at-risk youth ages 12-24.
"Continuing to make a meaningful impact is central to Aggie Athletics' ability to support people and organizations doing good work in the community," said Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategy, Social Impact and Student-Athlete Development
Courtney Randall. "We're proud of CADSA for helping to lead that charge with their service efforts, specifically what they've done this year with their sock drive, and we're looking forward to the continued impact."
The sock drive addressed a critical but often overlooked need - while clothing donations typically focus on larger items like coats and sweaters, socks remain one of the most requested yet least donated essentials for vulnerable populations. This thoughtful approach reflects CADSA's ability to identify specific community needs and take targeted action.
Originally established in 1994 by the Sisters of Social Service adjacent to Loaves and Fishes, Wind Youth Services began as a daytime refuge for homeless teenagers. Through decades of growth and community support, including significant grants and a successful $700,000 capital campaign, Wind Youth Services has evolved into a comprehensive service provider operating Sacramento's only children's shelter for runaway homeless youth ages 12-17 and the region's most robust drop-in center for transitional aged youth 18-24.
Their programs provide not just immediate shelter and survival services, but also education and skills development to help break the cycle of homelessness.
This year's sock drive continued CADSA's tradition of impactful community engagement. Last year, the group organized a holiday toy drive that supported families affected by the criminal justice system through the Yolo County Public Defender's Office. Both initiatives demonstrate how UC Davis student-athletes are using their platform to address diverse community needs while strengthening ties between campus and the greater Sacramento region.
5) Women's Golf Qualifies for NCAA Regionals
Understanding they were on the bubble, the Aggies were on the edge of their seats during the NCAA Women's Golf Selection Show April 23rd and when UC Davis was announced, the cheers rang strong throughout Edwards Family Athletics Center. The Aggies were announced as the No. 9 seed in the Lubbock regional, their first NCAA appearance since 2015.
After three rounds, in challenging conditions, UC Davis made it known throughout the nation that the Aggies were here. Finishing seventh overall (+25), missing a one-hole playoff by one stroke, the Aggies out played some of the best in the nation including finishing better then No. 18 Arizona and going toe-to-toe with No. 19 Texas A&M, No. 43 Purdue and No. 31 Tennessee.
Individually, Skyler May finished inside the top 10 shooting -3 on the final day, the fourth-best round on that day, to finish eighth overall at +2. On that same final day, Vani Karimanal produced a -2 final day to jump 15 spots that day while Abby Leighton ended the tournament inside the top 20 with a 19th-place finishing score of +5.
