Oct. 17, 2002
DAVIS, Calif. -
UC Davis Athletics has announced a $1.5 million fundraising campaign to name the game field in the Aggies' planned multi-use stadium after legendary UC Davis football coach Jim Sochor, Director of Athletics Greg Warzecka announced Thursday.
"Coach Sochor is a major reason why the UC Davis football program has become one of the most successful in the history of NCAA Division II," said Warzecka. "This is a fitting tribute to a person who is not only a deserving member of the College Football Hall of Fame, but is still a very close member of the Aggie family. This campaign provides a wonderful opportunity for all of those whose lives he has touched to contribute to the new stadium in Coach Sochor's name." .
The $1.5 million effort is part of a $7 million fundraising campaign to help complete funding for the new stadium, which is projected to cost nearly $24 million. Students approved a majority of the funding in 1999 through the Facilities And Campus Enhancement Initiative. The stadium - which will be built on the west end of campus near the corner of Hutchison Road and LaRue Road - will seat an estimated 15,000 persons when finished in early 2005. .
Sochor is the most decorated and successful coach in the 84-year history of UC Davis football. With a career record of 156-41-5 in 19 seasons, Sochor won nearly 80 percent of his games. During his tenure as head coach, he recorded 18 consecutive championships in the Far Western Conference and Northern California Athletic Conference, posting an amazing career league record of 92-5 - a 98 percent winning percentage - and earning conference Coach of the Year honors 16 times. .
He became head coach in 1970, taking a team that was 3-7 a year earlier and leading it to a 6-4 mark, beginning a string of winning seasons that currently stands at an NCAA-record 32 years. .
During his tenure, Sochor's team played in 13 NCAA postseason games, including the Aggies' only appearance in the championship in 1982. Two other times he led squads to the national semifinals. In 1971 the Aggies won a share of the league title, never letting go of the conference championship banner under Sochor's time at the helm. .
A dozen players of his were drafted by the NFL, including quarterback Ken O'Brien of the New York Jets, safety Bo Eason of the Houston Oilers, quarterback Mike Moroski of the Atlanta Falcons and kicker Rolf Benirschke of the San Diego Chargers. Four former Aggie players or coaches under Sochor went on to win Super Bowl rings. A total of 13 players between 1970-88 won All-America honors, 16 are enshrined in the Cal Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame - as well as Coach Sochor - and eight received NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. .
Sochor has been inducted into several Hall of Fames as a player and coach, most recently earning distinction in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. From 1996-98 he was the offensive coordinator for the Scottish Claymores of the World League of American Football, helping the Claymores claim the league title his first year. .
He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from San Francisco State in 1960 and 1965, respectively, and his doctorate in physical education and recreation from Utah in 1968. Sochor played football, basketball and golf at San Francisco State, earning All-FWC and Little All-America accolades in football. He was inducted into the SFSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976. .
He and his wife, Donna are the parents of two grown daughters, Terri and Holly. .
For more information contact UC Davis Athletic Development at (530) 752-0188.
