Dec. 13, 2002
DAVIS, Calif. -
Former UC Davis men's basketball and golf coach Joe Carlson, who passed away in late October of this year, will be remembered in a memorial service on Friday, January 3, 2003, 7 p.m. at the University Covenant Church in Davis. The "Celebration of Joe's Life" will be an opportunity for those who knew Joe to share their best memories of the man who spent 30 years as a teacher, coach, mentor and friend to countless students and student-athletes at UC Davis.
A native of Valley Hill, N.D., and a graduate of Ohio State University, Carlson joined the faculty of UC Davis' department of physical education in 1962. He took over as head coach of the Aggie men's basketball program for the 1963-64 season and, one year later, guided the program to its first winning season since 1952.
In 1967, his final year at the helm of the basketball program, he led UC Davis to its first-ever NCAA postseason appearance. The Aggies went 21-7, a record for victories that stood for almost three decades.
Carlson turned over the basketball program to Bob Hamilton, then took the reins of the UC Davis golf program. He brought the Aggies to national prominence during his 24-year career, making 16 team appearances at the NCAA Championships. Carlson reached the pinnacle of success in 1979, when his team captured the Division II title - the first-ever national championship in any sport at UC Davis.
Carlson stepped down as golf coach in 1992 and retired from the P.E. (now exercise science) department one year later. He was inducted into the Cal Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
In honor of Joe, an endowment has been established to fund a scholarship for the UC Davis golf program. For further information, please contact Cy Williams at (530) 752-0639.
