Aggies show that sports are about far more than just the game

By EMME DUNNING — features@theaggie.org

The UC Davis women’s basketball team has always strived for greatness. The program has secured six regular season championships since becoming an official member of the Big West Conference in 2007, including five in a row from 2017 to 2022, all under head coach Jennifer Gross. 

This past February the team set out to continue its legacy of excellence both on and off the court. Beginning with a game against UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 1 and continuing throughout the month, all members of the team and coaching staff took a knee together during the playing of the National Anthem at every home game as part of a Black Futures Month pre-game presentation.

Before the National Anthem began, a short speech written in collaboration with the players and coaches was also read aloud by a team member each night:

“We honor and remember the sacrifices, suffering and contributions of Black people to our country. We acknowledge those who have paved the way for us to continue the fight against the racial injustice that is still prevalent today. We challenge you — our family, friends and fans — to think about the ways that our community can fight discrimination and work together to build a more inclusive future through empathy, education and compassion.”

  This presentation was in solidarity with communities across the United States recognizing Black History Month, and with it a celebration of African American culture, achievements and perseverance. Cities across the nation commemorated the historic month through rallies, festivals, demonstrations and more. UC Davis, which has joined a growing movement to rebrand the month as Black Futures Month, showed support with various workshops and performances. 

Among the four UCD players who gave a speech preceding the playing of the National Anthem was fifth-year psychology and history double major, Evanne Turner, who found the presentation particularly impactful. 

“It is a piece of me,” Turner told The Aggie when reflecting on the importance of Black History Month. 

Turner led the Big West Conference in scoring in the 2022-23 season and has been named to the All-Big West First Team for both of the last two seasons. 

Although playing well is a major goal for the shooting guard, Turner wants to ensure that her legacy as a UC Davis athlete includes not only her achievements on the court, but also her commitment to social justice. 

“People should recognize you for more than just your sport,” Turner said. “You’re in the spotlight, so you need to use that platform to the best of your ability.” 

Turner and her team join a rich tradition of athletes using their platform through sports to amplify important issues. Colin Kaepernick, John Carlos, Elizabeth Williams and ​​Muhammad Ali are among these trailblazers. Historically, these athletes have endured intense backlash for their actions not only from fans, but in many cases from their own teammates and coaches. Jennifer Gross, head coach of the UCD women’s basketball team, is working hard to change this narrative. 

“Basketball players, and specifically women’s basketball players, have always been leaders when it comes to social justice issues,” Gross wrote in an email correspondence.

She added that she has “no doubt that [her] players will go on to be leaders in their respective fields where they will have the opportunity to influence systems, policies and institutions in ways that will lead to more equity for everyone.”

Gross also noted that the team’s dedication to supporting Black Futures goes far beyond the decision to kneel for the National Anthem. She highlighted initiatives including building mentoring relationships with a Sacramento elementary school, handing out informative pamphlets at home games and ensuring discussions of Black culture and history are commonplace within the team.

Long-time UC Davis women’s basketball play-by-play radio broadcaster and UC Davis alumni, Greg Wong, has seen the unique culture of the university’s women’s basketball program firsthand. 

“I don’t know if there are many other teams in the country that did something like that,” Wong said while reflecting on the team’s demonstration. 

“I think it speaks to this culture that [Gross] has built over the 13 years as head coach,” Wong continued. “[This culture] does empower their players to make these kinds of statements and have the backing of their coaches and of their community to be able to express themselves this way.”

It’s obvious that players, coaches and fans alike have taken note of the role athletes can play in social justice and movements larger than the game itself. Although Black History Month has come to a close, the UC Davis women’s basketball team’s commitment to Black Futures endures. 

Written by: Emme Dunning — features@theaggie.org

College journalism, both inside and outside the classroom, teaches students the skills necessary for navigating an ever-changing world 

By LAILA AZHAR — features@theaggie.org 

On May 4, Columbia University’s radio station, WKCR 89.9FM, released a statement on the importance of journalism on college campuses. 

“While these last two weeks have been an intense moment for anyone on Columbia’s campus, we want to take the time to reaffirm our belief in the necessary value of student journalism,” the statement reads. “The work being done shows us just how valuable and necessary it is to listen to student voices during these times of strife.” 

The statement was put out two weeks after WKCR began covering student protests against the university’s investments in companies that profit from the Israel Palestine war and subsequent police action faced by protestors. 

When the Columbia administration restricted mainstream media outlets’ access to the campus, the journalists at WKCR used their unique position as students to continue to report on the events unfolding. 

Student journalism has played a major role in coverage of events unfolding on college campuses, as demonstrated by Columbia students and other outlets including UCLA’s Daily Bruin and the University of Texas at Austin’s The Daily Texan. 

The same is true at UC Davis. While our university doesn’t have an official journalism program, students interested in the field have many options to practice reporting skills. 

Those interested in written media have the opportunity to write for The California Aggie, the student-run campus newspaper, which robustly covers campus and city news. The paper reports on a wide variety of topics and is made up of seven desks: campus news, city news, opinion, features, arts & culture, science & technology and sports. Students can apply for staff or volunteer positions, which open quarterly, or submit opinion pieces to opinion@theaggie.org for consideration.

Outlets such as Davis Political Review and Her Campus at UCD also provide spaces for students interested in platforms focused around specific topics. 

Additionally, the University Writing Program offers classes specialized in journalism skills, including “Writing in the Professions: Journalism” (UWP 104C), which gives students practical experience researching, interviewing and writing articles.

Alexis Muthoga, a third-year African American studies major, is currently enrolled in UWP 104C and emphasized the class’ focus on hands-on learning. 

“I would recommend the class to people who are interested in learning how to interview and do journalistic-style writing,” Muthoga said. “Having a certain level of curiosity and interest in the subject helps you learn the most you can.” 

The class also provides a friendly space for students to get feedback on their writing. 

“The energy in here is great,” Caitlin Ware, a third-year communications major, said. “It’s upbeat and a really positive environment. When you give feedback, you have to be strict of course, but it’s still a great environment.” 

KDVS News is another example of a way students can get involved with journalism outside of the classroom. It provides a unique opportunity for students interested in broadcast journalism. The group, which is housed under campus radio station KDVS 90.3 FM, produces a bi-weekly 30-minute segment covering campus news, along with a shorter interview-focused segment titled “Keepin’ It Freeform,” which is posted on the group’s Instagram account. 

Remali De Silva, a third-year English major and the group’s news director, commented on what she hopes KDVS News will bring to reporting on the UC Davis campus. 

“We think it’s important to keep the news vibrant and different and show it in all its forms,” De Silva said.

The skills taught through practicing journalism are not solely applicable to those who want a career in journalism. George Miller, one of the UWP 104C instructors, described the ways in which practicing journalism encourages a deeper awareness of the world. 

“To make human connections, we need to be aware of what’s going [on] around us, and to be honoring life by observing it,” Miller said. “If we are patiently observing, if we’re paying attention, then we can remain curious, and we can, as writers, help to satisfy curiosity that readers have, including curiosity they didn’t even know they had.” 

Miller continued by commenting on the role of journalists in today’s technologically adept world. 

“No other form of writing invites distracted browsing to the extent that journalism does,” Miller said. “Every year, the attention span of readers, the different kinds of distraction that readers have, increases. You’re always, as a journalist, trying to get their attention and keep their attention, and you hope to do that honorably rather than through cheap falsifying tricks.”

In an era defined by information overload, the skills learned through journalism are essential for anyone navigating complex issues. As college journalism continues to play an important role in the media, journalistic opportunities provide a path for students to deepen their understanding of the world around them. 

Even without a formal program, UC Davis is still full of these opportunities for students to benefit from the lessons that journalism can teach. 

Written by: Laila Azhar — features@theaggie.org 

Students majoring in the animal sciences share what sets Davis’ program apart from other universities

By ZOEY MORTAZAVI — features@theaggie.org

If there is one thing UC Davis is known for, it is the university’s deep-rooted connection to animals and farming. When many think of Davis, its association with cows and agricultural life may be some of the first things that come to mind. 

This may be because UC Davis’ Veterinary School is the No. 1 veterinary program in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report. Davis is also ranked as the second-best program worldwide, with the first-place ranking going to the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London. 

Davis’ veterinary residency program is the nation’s largest by far, offering more than 30 specialties and hosting more than 700 students in pursuit of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, as well as other professional and graduate degrees. UC Davis undergraduate students majoring in animal sciences have reported loving the hands-on approach and interactive labs that many courses here include. 

Sadie Liu, a first-year animal science major, shared some of her experiences as a student in the Department of Animal Science.

“As an aspiring pre-veterinary student, I have absolutely loved every second of my experiences here at Davis,” Liu said. “The animal science classes and labs that I’ve taken have been incredibly hands-on and eye-opening, and I adore spending time with all the newborn animals, too.”

Liu is also the current secretary for Davis’ Veterinary Aide Club. She explained that Davis takes an interactive approach to its animal science program that helps it stand out among many other prestigious universities.  

 “I think that these interactive opportunities are truly what sets the Davis veterinary program apart from other colleges, as they not only instill scientific and technical knowledge, but also ethical and moral consideration,” Liu said. “I am so excited to continue my veterinary pursuits at Davis, and I can’t wait to see what the program teaches me next.” 

In addition to boasting a successful program, the veterinary school’s hospital aids over 50,000 patients each year and utilizes over $89 million in annual research funding. The school also celebrated its 75th anniversary in April of 2023. 

The hospital has also received approval from the American Animal Hospital Association, which is the only current organization to accredit companion animal vet hospitals like the Davis veterinary school. The hospital hosts the Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials, which provides undergraduate students with the chance to work with animals, veterinary professionals and other researchers in the field. 

Undergraduate students have expressed that the empirical lab approach at Davis is what makes the program so useful for students trying to become veterinarians. 

“I think anyone who is hoping to pursue a career in the veterinary field has heard about UC Davis’ prestige in both animal and veterinary science,” Olivia Patsch, a first-year animal science major, said. “The action-based labs really go to show why Davis has a top spot in this field. I feel like UC Davis is all about learning by doing; I’ve been exposed to so many different types of animals and different ways of applying concepts that I’ve seen in class.”

Patsch continued to discuss some of the benefits that she has observed as a part of the program as an undergraduate student. 

 “There are so many research opportunities and the professors I’ve had thus far are so caring,” she said. “There’s a pretty massive stockpile of information and resources for students to chip away at, and I’m really looking forward to my next three years here as an animal science major.”

All of the animal science programs at Davis are a subset of the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The college offers 27 majors, including the animal science and animal science and management major. 

As students progress further into the animal science curriculum, many choose to apply to veterinary schools when they become upperclassmen. Students who receive their undergraduate degrees from Davis have access to the veterinary school’s resources before applying, which many consider a plus of the undergraduate animal science program.

Chloe Palarca-Wong, a fourth-year animal science major, shared her thoughts on the department as a student who is graduating this year.

“The animal science classes have been really interesting and hands-on, which is something I don’t think you can get at a lot of other schools,” Palarca-Wong said. “The highlight for me is definitely being in Davis, where there are so many opportunities to engage in veterinary medicine — there are clinics, volunteering and a lot of research options.”

 Palarca-Wong continued by explaining what makes Davis’ labs and programs unique. 

“In labs, we work with the dairy cows, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens and other animals too,” Palarca-Wong said. “It’s really cool because we’ll learn things on paper and we get to actually see and apply those concepts to the animals in-person. Another great thing is that all the professors who teach the courses and labs have their own research, and they take undergraduate students and will let you work with them, because Davis is a big research institution.” 

Universities all over the world have specialities and programs that stand out; here at Davis, the veterinary school and animal science program are the primary example of that. Davis’ program has contributed a great deal to veterinary medicine and will continue to do so for years to come as the program continues to develop, expand and flourish. 

Written by: Zoey Mortazavi — features@theaggie.org