Athletics
and Recreation
Athletics
Whether you’re an athlete or fan of college athletics, you can get involved by showing up and teaming with Rufus to cheer on the blue and gold!
Mascot Rufus
School Colors Blue and gold
Men’s and Women’s Varsity Teams Basketball, cross country, soccer, track, volleyball, water polo
Athletics Facilities Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center, Student Activities and Athletics Center, Bobcat Field, Outdoor Basketball Courts, Recreation Fields, Tennis Courts, Aquatics Center, Health and Athletics Center
recreation
If your idea of wellness is fresh air and fun outside; an energetic place to do lifts and reps; or a chance to push, pull, run and pedal in matchups with other students, you’re in luck!
Sport clubs have included:
Archery, Basketball, Bobcat Dance Team, Cheer, Martial Arts, Softball, Swimming, Tennis
Intramural sports teams have included:
- Basketball, Dodgeball, FIFA, Flag Football, NBA 2K, Rocket League, Soccer, Super Smash Brothers, Tennis, Ultimate Volleyball
- 3V3 Basketball, Indoor Volleyball, Spike Ball, Flag Football, Futsal, Pickleball, Dodgeball, Soccer
Fitness
You’ll find state-of-the-art cardio, fitness and group exercise equipment in our recreation centers.
Outdoor Experience Program
The OEP is UC Merced’s hub of all things outdoors. There are activities like Week of Wilderness, and you can even rent outdoor equipment and kayaks. Outdoor Adventure trips have included skiing and snowboarding in the Sierras, rafting the American River, kayaking in the San Francisco Bay and surfing in Santa Cruz.
12
Sport Teams
Champions
28X CalPac Conference
Alumni Spotlights
Alumni Spotlights
Athletes
Athletes
ALEXANDRA LOPEZ
CROSS COUNTRY
Alumni, Class of 2024 Double majored in Psychology and Political Science and Government
Alexandra Lopez was the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Jim Davies Award as the California Pacific Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was a 7X All-Cal Pac performer between the sports and a 3X NAIA National Championship Cross Country qualifier.
ALEXANDRA LOPEZ
CROSS COUNTRY
Alumni, Class of 2024 Double majored in Psychology and Political Science and Government
Alexandra Lopez was the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Jim Davies Award as the California Pacific Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was a 7X All-Cal Pac performer between the sports and a 3X NAIA National Championship Cross Country qualifier.
BRYCEN MILLER
SOCCER
Alumni, Class of 2023 Economics
Brycen Miller was the 2023 recipient of the Dr. Jim Davies Award as the California Pacific Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He won two Cal Pac Tournament Championships with the Merced men’s soccer team and was a 3X Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week.
BRYCEN MILLER
SOCCER
Alumni, Class of 2023 Economics
Brycen Miller was the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Jim Davies Award as the California Pacific Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He won two Cal Pac Tournament Championships with the Merced men’s soccer team and was a 3X Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week.
OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (OEP)
OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (EOP)
MINA LAWSON
Alumni, Class of 2025 Cognitive Science
Mina enjoyed the Outdoor Experience Program so much, it inspired her to become an OEP student worker and trip supervisor in 2023.
“It’s super rewarding to take people to Yosemite for the first time and see them experience the magnitude of the mountains and Mariposa Grove for the first time,” Lawson said. “I believe that nature can bring people together.”
MINA LAWSON
Alumni, Class of 2025 Cognitive Science
Mina enjoyed the Outdoor Experience Program so much, it inspired her to become an OEP student worker and trip supervisor in 2023.
“It’s super rewarding to take people to Yosemite for the first time and see them experience the magnitude of the mountains and Mariposa Grove for the first time,” Lawson said. “I believe that nature can bring people together.”
