Find out which sports these nine UC schools really excel in.
Not every UC is created alike, and that goes for their athletic programs, too. If you’re interested in being an athlete at one of the nine UCs that participate in intercollegiate sports, familiarize yourself with the programs for which each school is best known
In addition to NCAA sports, most UCs also offer students the option of participating in intramural sports.
1. University of California, Santa Barbara
Top Sport: Soccer
The University of California, Santa Barbara, has been called “Soccer Heaven” and we can see why; the men’s soccer team has made nine NCAA tournament appearances, two College Cup title-game appearances, and they even laid claim to the 2006 national championship.
2. University of California, Los Angeles
Top Sport: Basketball
The University of California, Los Angeles, is known for its strong athletics across the board, but its men’s basketball team is particularly impressive; they’ve made 45 NCAA tournament appearances, 18 Final Four appearances, and have received 11 national championships. As an added bonus, the school has three separate basketball gyms, winning it a spot on Best College Reviews’ list of most amazing collegiate recreation centers.
3. University of California, Santa Cruz
Top Sport: Tennis
The University of California, Santa Cruz, may not be a sports powerhouse like some other UCs, but the Banana Slugs have certainly made an impression with their men’s tennis program — the team became the first Division III team to win an outdoor and indoor championship in the same year, and they’ve won a total of six national championships.
Photo: Goslugs.com
4. University of California, San Diego
Top Sport: Swimming
San Diego’s perfect weather must be motivating its UC students to get in the water: The University of California, San Diego’s women’s swimming and diving team is currently ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II.
5. University of California, Berkeley
Top Sport: Crew
Crew became University of California, Berkeley’s first organized sport in 1868, and its program has skyrocketed since; Cal’s men’s crew team has represented the U.S. three times in the Olympics and has won 16 national championships.
6. University of California, Merced
Top Sport: Cross Country
The University of California, Merced, isn’t well known for its sports teams, but its men’s and women’s cross country teams have recently been impressing: Both teams won third place in the 2013 Cal Pac meet.
Photo: UCmercedbobcats.com
7. University of California, Davis
Top Sport: Football
The University of California, Davis, has a lot of good sports teams, but it really holds its own when it comes to football: The Aggies are currently ranked seventh in the NCAA’s Division 1-AA’s Big Sky Standings.
8. University of California, Riverside
Top Sport: Baseball
The University of California, Riverside’s athletic department is most proud of its baseball program, and for good reason; the team has won two Division II national championships and one Big West Conference Championship for UCR, as well as laid claim to four jersey numbers on the Wall of Honor (Jack Caroll’s, Jack Smitheran’s, Eric Show’s and Troy Percival’s).
9. University of California, Irvine
Top Sport: Volleyball
The University of California, Irvine’s men’s volleyball team has really been excelling over the past few years — its 2006-2007, 2008-2009 and 2011-2012 teams all won NCAA Division I national titles.
Photo: Uci.edu
If you’re an athlete who wants to attend college in California, get excited about your future — you have plenty of great options to consider!