UC Davis Athletics

A TRIBUTE TO JIM SOCHOR: HIS LIFE AND LEGACY  
Saturday, April 30 - 10 a.m. - Aggie Stadium

This  free, public event will feature tributes from key selected figures including current head coaches and former NFL standouts.   Please note: the start time of the event has been moved up to 10 a.m. since previous announcements.

Sochor served at the helm of the Aggie football program from 1970-88, during which he amassed 156 career victories, 18 conference championships and 18 NCAA postseason appearances. An enshrinee of the Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame, Sochor is credited for establishing a philosophy later known as "Aggie Pride." For an extended bio on Coach Sochor, click here.

True to the Sochor family's request and Jim's own wishes, the tribute event is meant to carry a lively, festive atmosphere that resembles a UC Davis football game day. The Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh will provide entertainment while a reception with light refreshments will take place following the event program. Please refer to this page for continued updates as the event draws nearer.

EVENT PROGRAM
Master of Ceremonies:
Bob Dunning, master of ceremonies

First Half:
Cy Williams, head UC Davis men's golf coach
Paul Hackett, former UC Davis QB, longtime college/pro coach
Bob Biggs, former UC Davis QB and coach
Joan Smith-MacLean, M.D., Sutter Health family medicine

Second  Half:
Rolf Benirschke, former UC Davis and NFL kicker, philanthropist/author
Ken O'Brien, former UC Davis and NFL QB, assistant coach and broadcaster
Scott Barry, former UC Davis QB
Jennifer Gross, head  UC Davis women's basketball coach
Mike Campbell, family friend to Sochors

Fifth Quarter Huddle:
Please join us on Sochor Field for drinks and light refreshments, provided by Whole Foods. (See also Event Information below for more on food and beverage.)

MEMORIAL FUND
In conjunction with the Sochor Family and many alumni and friends of UC Davis, a memorial fund has been created in Jim's memory at the UC Davis Foundation. The primary purpose of this fund is to provide resources to erect a full size bronze likeness of Coach Sochor at Aggie Stadium to provide a lasting reminder of his contributions and influence on our great university.

Gifts in memory of Jim can be made payable to the Jim Sochor Athletic Fund and mailed to:
UC Davis Athletics Development
Attn: Sochor Fund
One Shields Ave
Davis, CA 95616

Or online at: give.ucdavis.edu/DEVP/323615.

DAVIS ENTERPRISE TRIBUTE
The Davis Enterprise newspaper will run a month-long series of Sochor-related features throughout the month of April, culminating with a 16-page, full-color keepsake tabloid during the week of the event. Fans and friends may include their own tribute ad in the tab. Information on contributing a personalized tribute is available on this flyer. Links to the Enterprise coverage will also be available in the "Around The Web" section on the front page.

PARKING/DIRECTIONS/EVENT INFORMATION
Parking for the Sochor tribute will be available in Lot 56 (south of Aggie Stadium, behind the scoreboard) and Lot 53 (adjacent to the Western Human Nutrition Research Center). Note that these are the usual parking lots for Aggie home football games. Additional parking is available in Lot 30 (adjacent to Rec Pool) or the West Entry Parking Structure (adjacent to Hutchison IM Field). The entrances on the northeast and southwest of Aggie Stadium will be open for this event, with the alumni check-in and guest book available near the southwest.

- From Interstate 80 West or East
Exit State Highway 113 (to Woodland). Take first exit (Hutchison Drive) and turn right. Turn right (at signal) on Health Sciences Drive. Proceed straight into Lot 56 or continue right on West Health Sciences Drive to Lot 53.

- From Interstate 5 North
Exit at East Main Street in Woodland. Turn right on East Main Street, then turn left onto freeway entrance for State Highway 113 South. Take Hutchison Drive exit (final exit before 113 merges with Interstate 80) and turn left. Turn right (at signal) on Health Sciences Drive.  Proceed straight into Lot 56 or continue right on West Health Sciences Drive to Lot 53.

With potential warm weather in late April and a program expected to last 90 minutes, all fans are  encouraged to bring extra shade (e.g. umbrellas), water and sunscreen. Fans will be allowed to bring in outside beverages and snacks into Aggie Stadium for this event, as the concession stands will not be open. If you need assistance at any time during the game, please see one of our attendants.

FOOTBALL ALUMNI
Former UC Davis football players and golfers who competed for Jim Sochor should report to the southwest entrance (a.k.a. Raycraft Gate). The Sochor family wishes that all alumni of Jim's sports identify their years of competition on a nametag as part of the day's event program.

LODGING  
Several hotels in the Davis and Sacramento area will offer special rates for guests of the Jim Sochor celebration event on a first-come, first-served basis (each has a limited number of rooms available). Reference the group code "Aggie Pride" at the following properties. Update: the deadlines for each promo code have expired; however, guests are encouraged to contact these hotels in appreciation of  their support of this event.

OTHER LINKS  
Photo Gallery | Memory Book  | Remembering An Aggie Legend