UC Davis Athletic Director explains move to Mountain West Conference
Dec 16, 2024, 8:55 AM
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
UC Davis made headlines last week when the news broke that the Aggies are heading to the Mountain West Conference in 2026.
Aggies broadcasters Scott Marsh and Scott Gordon had a chance to sit down with UC Davis Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca to discuss the program’s move to the Mountain West Conference, explain what the conference shift means for the school’s future in athletics, and much more.
Plus, Rocko and the guys recap a memorable UC Davis football season that resulted in a trip to the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
More on UC Davis Athletics joining the Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference today announced the addition of the University of California, Davis, beginning July 1, 2026.
“Adding UC Davis further strengthens the trajectory of the Mountain West as it continues to build its brand that has proven to elevate institutions and student-athletes,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “Chancellor Gary S. May and Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca have shared their strategic plan and financial vision for enhancing student-athlete development, welfare, and competitive excellence, and I believe UC Davis brings a wealth of positives in the continuing growth of the Mountain West.”
Starting with the 2026-2027 academic year, the Mountain West will feature the United States Air Force Academy, University of California, Davis, Grand Canyon University, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, San José State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Texas, El Paso and the University of Wyoming.
UC Davis will compete in 16 conference-sponsored sports. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swim and dive, tennis, and volleyball. Men’s sports include basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, outdoor track and field, and tennis.
“We are thrilled to join the Mountain West Conference, and we look forward to an incredible experience for our student-athletes and for our fans,” said UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May. “Our transition to the highly regarded Conference will introduce our Aggie community to a broader audience in major metropolitan areas and through increased media coverage. It also provides us with an opportunity to align with universities that share similar academic strengths—such as agriculture, engineering, and sciences—while also expanding our competitive presence in the Western United States.”
The University of California, Davis, was founded in 1908 primarily as an agricultural campus. Over the past century, it has expanded to include graduate and professional programs in medicine (including the UC Davis Medical Center). The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the largest veterinary school in the United States.
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