"A national NCAA academic honor, three Coach of the Year awards, record streaks in basketball and the continued support of our donors and veteran partners reflect the full scope of what UC Davis Athletics represents," said Rocko DeLuca. "We're seeing excellence in the classroom, competitive success and a community that continues to rally around our student-athletes. That collective commitment is what drives our momentum and defines Aggie Pride."
— Rocko DeLuca, Director of Athletics
STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT – Tim Kerr
In a season filled with accomplishments for our men's water polo team, one that stands out is the awarding of the 2025 National Collegiate Men's Water Polo Elite Scholar-Athlete honor to Tim Kerr. An electrical engineering student with a 4.0 GPA, Kerr also served as captain of the Aggies during their run to a 10th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
This award represents the true essence of what it means to be a student-athlete, recognizing individuals who have competed at the national championship level while maintaining the highest academic standards among their peers. One of just eight Division I student-athletes to receive this honor, Kerr embodies Aggie Pride at the highest level.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT – Coaches of the Year
Austin Pile – Field Hockey
In his fourth year leading the program, Austin Pile guided the Aggies through one of the most demanding schedules in UC Davis field hockey history, earning six regular-season victories against a slate that featured multiple RPI Top-30 opponents. His leadership was reflected in seven MPSF end-of-season honors, including five All-Conference selections.
Off the field, Pile played a pivotal role in launching the MPSF's inaugural field hockey season, helping grow the conference to a record 16 sponsored sports and laying the groundwork for long-term success within the league. He closed the year by leading UC Davis as the host of the first-ever MPSF Championship at the UC Davis Field Hockey Facility—bringing postseason play to Davis and spotlighting the program's continued momentum and visibility.
Dan Conners – Women's Volleyball
Dan Conners capped a historic 2025 season by earning Big West Coach of the Year honors for the first time after guiding the Aggies to a program-record 16 conference wins and becoming UC Davis' all-time wins leader.
Only the second coach in program history to receive the award, Conners oversaw one of the most decorated seasons in conference play. Jade Light was named Player of the Year, Mia Starr earned Setter of the Year honors, and Ximena Cordero was recognized as Libero of the Year—marking just the second time UC Davis has produced a conference Player of the Year.
Under his guidance, the Aggies captured their first Big West championship, completed the program's first undefeated home season, and recorded the most conference wins in a single year. The season also carried national impact, with Light earning AVCA All-Region and All-America honors to become UC Davis' first All-American since 1996.
Daniel Leyson – Men's Water Polo
Daniel Leyson earned Big West Coach of the Year honors in 2025, marking the sixth conference Coach of the Year award of his 13-year tenure and his first since UC Davis joined the Big West.
Leyson led the Aggies through a balanced regular season before orchestrating a postseason surge, guiding the team to three consecutive wins at the Big West Championship to claim the tournament title. The run secured UC Davis' eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and its first berth since 2022.
The season also produced five All-Conference honorees, highlighted by Thomas Kiesling's selection to the All-Big West First Team. Baxter Chelsom, Andrew Hitchcock, and Oleg Shatskikh earned Second Team recognition, while Oriol Viñas was named to the All-Freshman Team. Kiesling added national distinction with ACWPC All-American Third Team honors.
DONOR IMPACT – Honorable Gordon Baranco and Rosalie Vanderhoef
Gordon Baranco
Gordon Baranco was recognized as the Champion Aggies Club Donor of the Game during the Jan. 24 men's basketball matchup against UC Riverside. A standout student-athlete for UC Davis men's basketball from 1966–69, Baranco's connection to the program spans decades of both athletic and philanthropic impact.
Following his playing career, Baranco earned his law degree from King Hall School of Law and went on to serve as a judge in Oakland for more than 36 years. His commitment to UC Davis has remained steadfast, with long-standing support of the School of Law, the African American Studies Department and UC Davis Athletics.
A loyal supporter of the men's basketball program for over 30 years, Baranco was also an original donor to the Dick Lewis and Bob Hamilton Awards and continues to give in honor of his former athletic trainer and coach. In recognition of his lasting impact on the program, the Gordon S. Baranco Award is presented annually to a UC Davis men's basketball student-athlete who exemplifies leadership, unselfishness and commitment to the team.
Rosalie Vanderhoef
Rosalie Vanderhoef was recognized as the Champion Aggies Club Donor of the Game during the Jan. 31 women's basketball game against Cal State Bakersfield, a 76–68 Aggie victory. She was honored for her decades of unwavering support and deep connection to UC Davis Athletics and the campus community.
For more than 40 years, Vanderhoef has been a familiar presence at Aggie events, often cheering on student-athletes alongside her late husband, former Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. Originally from Wisconsin, she brought with her a strong appreciation for the tradition and spirit of college athletics, helping foster a lasting legacy of pride, engagement and generosity at UC Davis.
Her support has extended across multiple areas of the university and athletics department, including football and women's basketball, the Aggie Pack, sports medicine and major facility projects. Among the most notable is UC Davis Health Stadium, a transformative investment that continues to benefit student-athletes and fans alike.
IN THE COMMUNITY – VetTix
Through our VetTix partnership, UC Davis Athletics continues to welcome veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families to Aggie games throughout the year. Veterans from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Marine Corps have joined us in the stands, often alongside their families, turning game days into shared experiences on campus.
After attending a UC Davis Basketball game this year, John (U.S. Air Force) shared, "Exciting game - great atmosphere, great fans – wonderful night – thank you UC Davis."
Since 2023, this partnership has expanded access to ticketed UC Davis Athletics events across all sports. What began as a focused outreach effort is now a consistent part of how we engage with the military and first-responder community—creating opportunities for families to spend time together and be part of Aggie game day.
We also continue our partnership with Travis Air Force Base, ensuring service members across Davis and Northern California are aware of and connected to these opportunities. This program reflects our commitment to community access, connection, and appreciation for those who serve.
AGGIES IN COMPETITION – Men's and Women's Basketball
A quick snapshot of recent momentum, notable streaks and milestone moments for both programs.
Men's Basketball
As one of UC Davis' biggest rivals during their time in the Big West Conference, UC Santa Barbara has delivered plenty of battles in both the regular season and postseason over the past 19 seasons. Recently, the Aggies have gained the upper hand in the series.
Since a home win in the 2023–24 conference opener, UC Davis has built a six-game winning streak against the Gauchos, sweeping the two-game series in each of the last three years. The stretch has included several standout performances, highlighted by three consecutive 20-plus-point games from former Aggie TY Johnson and, most recently, an 18-point comeback victory on the road in January.
Women's Basketball
Redshirt senior Megan Norris continues to add to an impressive list of accomplishments during her fifth season in the blue and gold.
On opening night against Jessup, her six-block performance made her just the seventh player in program history to reach 100 career blocks. A month later, she scored a season-high 26 points in a comeback win over Hawai'i to become the 22nd player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points.
Norris also broke the single-season rebounding record against UC San Diego last week. With only a handful of games remaining, she is continuing to close in on the program's all-time career rebounds mark.
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS:
UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked No. 1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as No. 1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.
For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/.
# # #
