There's an odd geographical pattern here. It seems that the UC schools in the north (Berkeley, Davis, SF, Santa Cruz and Merced) are focusing on academics and do not have athletics as a high priority. The southern campuses (LA, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Irvine and Riverside) for whatever reason are no less focused on academics give a lot of support to their sports programs. Could the fan bases have something to do with it?

Cal spent $500 M on the upgrade to Memorial Coliseum and Athletic Performance, $60 M on Haas, and $30 M on Wilcox.

How is that a de-emphasis?

Cal also had abysmal marketing before the first two football games this year while their marketing manager was sitting on other boards. (Alums and football coaches rang the bell to give away tickets and avoid an embarrassment.)

FTR, Cal has now brought in a football GM (like Stanford) and an OC to aid 6-win Wilcox.

I have some friends who think SoCal is more socially relaxed, maybe NorCal takes itself too seriously. I was with a small group in a Persian family's home in Orinda, and the wife said "White people don't socialize." I should have responded, delicately, but it probably wasn't the right time.

There’s an article in East Bay Time (SJ Mercury) by Pac12 expert Jon Wilner about the new chancellor at Cal and his emphasis on athletics. Says the right things; interesting to see if they can pull things off. I believe it’s subscriber only unfortunately. I believe you can see it on X if you subscribe ( I do not)


https://x.com/wilnerhotline/status/1887648468384292981

I didn’t realize the dropoff, but in 15-16 they were at 10k a game. By 19-20, down to 5k. They had that stretch where they were briefly good under Counzo Martin ( I think Hawaii beat them in NCAA tourney ?)), then he bailed and they went to the basement under an overmatched assistant. Never recovered. COVID didn’t help.

Listen, other schools freee pizza or alcohol would be the draw. At Davis, offer a free textbook or two and boom the arena will be filled! Haha

Davis is including free pizza and boba for the last 2 games.

Campus has put signs pushing Saturdays game at the MU, COHO, and library. I also saw a group of cheerleaders handing out flyers walking around campus today asking people if they are going to the game. All good stuff!

I think the move to Mountain West will significantly attract good prospects. It blows my mind that Napa has 3 of the top 50 players in the state right down the road. Davis should be all over those kids.

what schools? Prolific Prep? That’s not a traditional high school.

What’s scary is that 3 of the top 40 are committed to CSUN, if I read the list correctly

Do you have a link to this list?

here’s the list I saw; there’s a bunch out there with a lot of variation especially in bottom half:

https://247sports.com/Season/2024-Basketball/RecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=highschool&State=CA


Which is from LAST YEAR!!

Here is this years list:

https://247sports.com/season/2025-basketball/recruitrankings/?InstitutionGroup=highschool&State=CA

3 committed to Big West schools

Amazing how many move out of state but I was suprised that Cal got two of the top 25.

If we can get one great kid....just one...I really think Davis can become a power on the west coast. We have the school, we have the location, we have the alumni....its our time!!!

That would cost more than the staff makes in total. For. One. Player.

it wouldn’t cost the department anything; just not sure what NIL support we have from donors (we did keep TY with some cash)

Kinda. The funds are largely redirected donor contributions that would otherwise go to team Aggie, facilities campaigns, etc.