DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis Athletics' annual Champion Aggies Challenge reached new heights in 2026, raising a record $661,573 from 835 donors in support of the department's 25 intercollegiate athletics programs. The five-day campaign marked the highest fundraising total in event history, reflecting the continued commitment of Aggie alumni, families, fans and supporters to the success of UC Davis student-athletes.

Building on the momentum of previous campaigns, UC Davis Athletics increased its overall fundraising goal by nearly $200,000 this year, encouraging teams to set more ambitious targets and expand their reach within the Aggie community. The increased expectations challenged programs to engage new supporters and build on existing relationships to generate additional support for their student-athletes.

"The response from the Aggie community this year was incredible," said Liz Gullett, Chief Development Officer. "We challenged our teams to raise more, set higher goals and reach new milestones, and they rose to that challenge. I'm incredibly proud of the work our teams put into engaging their supporters, and I'm grateful for the investment our Aggie community continues to make in our student-athletes."

Lacrosse led all programs with $100,000 raised, followed by football with $93,000. Across the department, 12 teams met or exceeded their individual fundraising goals, highlighting the collective efforts of coaches, student-athletes and supporters in making this year's campaign a record-setting success.

The following programs met or exceeded their fundraising goals during the 2026 Champion Aggies Challenge:

• Beach Volleyball
• Field Hockey
• Women's Golf
• Lacrosse
• Softball
• Swim & Dive
• Men's Tennis
• Women's Tennis
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Men's Water Polo
• Women's Water Polo

The Champion Aggies Challenge is UC Davis Athletics' annual five-day fall fundraising campaign, bringing together the Aggie community to provide critical support for all 25 intercollegiate athletics programs. Funds raised through the campaign provide coaches with additional resources and flexibility to address program needs, enhance the student-athlete experience and support success in competition, in the classroom and beyond.

This year's record-setting campaign reflects the continued generosity of the Aggie community and its shared investment in providing meaningful opportunities for current and future generations of UC Davis student-athletes.

To learn more about supporting UC Davis Athletics, visit championaggiesclub.com.

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS 

UC Davis Athletics represents one of the nation's premier public universities on the NCAA Division I stage, with more than 650 student-athletes competing across 25 sports, including 16 programs in the Mountain West Conference. Located in California's quintessential college town, UC Davis combines championship-level athletics with the academic excellence of the nation's #8 public research university and is home to the nation's No. 1 programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine and sustainability. With a growing national media presence, bold investments in facilities and the student-athlete experience, and a tradition of developing champions in competition, in the classroom and beyond, the Aggies are elevating UC Davis on a national stage.

For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/.