DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis Athletics welcomed current student-athletes and former Aggies back to campus Tuesday, Oct. 6, for Aggie Elevate, an evening dedicated to connection, professional development and the lasting impact of the student-athlete experience.
Hosted at the University Credit Union Center in partnership with Aggie Leverage and the Aggie Varsity Club, the event brought together student-athletes and letterwinners to network, share experiences and explore opportunities beyond competition.
UC Davis Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca opened the evening with remarks emphasizing the importance of the Aggie community and building relationships that extend beyond a student-athlete's time on campus.
The evening's keynote speaker, Angel Martinez '77, a former UC Davis All-American in Track and Field and Cross Country, shared his professional journey and the experiences that helped shape his career as a leader in the footwear industry. Throughout his career, Martinez has held founding and leadership roles with major footwear brands such as Reebok, Keen, Ariat, UGG, Teva, and Hoka, combining his passion for sports with an interest in innovation, research and competition.
Martinez currently serves as Co-Chief Executive Officer of OOFOS, a footwear company focused on recovery and reducing the physical stress placed on the body. Drawing on his experiences as a student-athlete and business leader, he encouraged current Aggies to embrace the relationships, opportunities and lessons that will shape their lives beyond competition.
"Being a student-athlete at UC Davis taught me lessons that stayed with me throughout my career," said Martinez. "The discipline, relationships and experiences you gain here prepare you for so much more than competition. It's important to recognize the opportunities you have right now, invest in the people around you and understand that taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally, is just as important as pushing yourself to succeed."
Martinez also discussed the importance of recovery and taking care of the body beyond competition, connecting his professional work with the demands student-athletes face throughout their athletic careers and beyond.
For current student-athletes, the opportunity to hear directly from a former Aggie who successfully translated his athletic experiences into a professional career offered a valuable perspective on life after college.
"Hearing from someone like Angel, who was once in our position as a UC Davis student-athlete, really puts into perspective how much we're gaining from this experience beyond our sport," said Ella Palmer, president of the UC Davis Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). "It's encouraging to see how the relationships we build, the challenges we overcome and the lessons we learn here can continue to shape our lives long after we graduate."
Martinez concluded the evening with a surprise announcement that all UC Davis student-athletes would receive a complimentary pair of OOFOS recovery footwear, drawing an enthusiastic response from those in attendance.
OOFOS serves as the Official Recovery Footwear of UC Davis Athletics, reflecting a shared commitment to student-athlete performance, recovery and well-being.
"We're proud to have OOFOS as the Official Recovery Footwear of UC Davis Athletics," said UC Davis Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca. "This partnership is another example of our commitment to providing student-athletes with the resources they need to be successful both on and off the field. Having an Aggie like Angel Martinez involved makes it even more special, and we look forward to continuing to build our relationship with him and the OOFOS team."
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/.
