Athletics

It’s that time of year again - time to show your Bobcat pride at UC Merced’s annual Homecoming celebration.

Students, staff, faculty, alumni and the community are welcome to the two-day event, which will include a downtown block party for the first time.

The event kicks off Friday at the Downtown Campus Center (DCC). Since its opening in January, the DCC has helped revitalize downtown Merced and, from 6-11 p.m., it will be the site of new Homecoming events.

The Merced Sun-Star announced its 20 Under 40 honorees in 2018 and for the second consecutive year, numerous UC Merced alumni, staff and faculty members were chosen for their efforts to make the community a great place to live, work and learn.

UC Merced’s men's and women's soccer team's invite everyone out to an inaugural double-header on the newly unveiled Bobcat Field.

The games are presented by the Merced Mall and begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3. Bring the whole family for free kettle corn, face-painting, T-shirt throws, free sunglasses for children and a post-game autograph session for Bobcats fans. Visitors can also talk to staff members about participating in a half-time water-balloon toss.

The University of California, Merced men's soccer team enters the season this week ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll.

The ranking marks the first time in program history that the Bobcats begin their season ranked. They open their 2018 campaign against No. 22 Westmont College on Wednesday, Aug. 22, on Bobcat Field.

Last fall, Turlock native Marcus DeCouto reminded the sports scene that UC Merced consistently brings some of the top freshmen to the California Pacific Conference.

DeCouto, now a sophomore midfielder on the Bobcats’ men’s soccer team, became the first Cal Pac player since 2015 to record at least 10 goals and 10 assists in a single season. To little surprise, he was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year.

When prospective student-athletes visit UC Merced, soccer standout Abbie-Leigh Meneses is among the first people they meet.

Not long ago, Meneses was a recruit herself, touring the University of California’s 10th and newest campus. She fell in love with UC Merced and its central location within driving distance to Yosemite National Park and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Traditional UC Merced events — Homecoming, Preview Day and Family Weekend, plus the Chancellor’s Scholars recognition ceremony — came together for a first-of-its-kind bundle of activities that highlighted the campus for current and prospective students, alumni, family members and friends, and the community. Events included a women’s volleyball game, information sessions, women’s and men’s soccer games, a tailgate party and karaoke.

Saturday’s annual Journey 5K Fund Run has special meaning for the UC Merced community.

Last November, the campus lost Ryan Nunez — head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams — in a tragic motorcycle accident.

UC Merced’s Athletics Department has hired women's volleyball coach and alumnus Surabordin "Ai" Prachumsri as the men's volleyball head coach.

The seventh annual Building Future Champions Dinner and Auctio