UC Davis Athletes to Showcase Tahoe-Inspired Jerseys

DAVIS -- UC Davis has introduced its striking "bold aqua" alternative athletics jerseys, set to debut this fall, creating a buzz in the local sports community.

The uniforms prominently feature the iconic outline of Lake Tahoe, which will be donned by nine major UC Davis sports teams throughout the season, including football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics.

"Our fans are going to love this. Our student-athletes and coaches are excited about it. It’s a fresh take that shakes things up," remarked Danielle Shank, Associate Athletics Director for External Relations at UC Davis.

Claiming a connection to the lake located approximately 130 miles from campus, UC Davis is embracing this playful branding.

"It's just a two-hour drive; it's not too far!" Shank added with enthusiasm.

This initiative emerged from a new partnership with Adidas and a multi-year extension with BSN Sports, providing the athletics department with the funding necessary to launch these alternative jerseys for the first time.

In crafting this concept, the department aimed to highlight its world-class academics while making a splash in the sports arena.

However, some college sports enthusiasts closer to Tahoe are expressing their discontent.

The University of Nevada at Reno is situated just 40 miles from the lake, leading to playful accusations of missed opportunities.

“There’s definitely some FOMO among Nevada fans regarding UC Davis taking this idea,” noted Chris Murray, a columnist for Nevada Sports Net.

Murray suggested that a hint of jealousy might be surfacing as UC Davis lays claim to Tahoe.

"For any official recruiting trip that Nevada conducts, Lake Tahoe is a must-see destination. It’s a significant selling point for University of Nevada coaches," he explained.

The social media response to the uniform announcement has been mixed.

Supporters praised the new look on Instagram, calling it "clean drip" and urging the school to "sell the merch." Conversely, critics on X labeled the branding as a "big stretch," with many pointing out that Davis isn’t exactly nearby Tahoe.

Yet UC Davis stands firm in its assertion that Lake Tahoe is within reach.

"We have a research center there. We want to draw more attention to that," Shank stated. "UC Davis is a humble university. Many people don’t realize how much groundbreaking research we conduct and that we rank among the top five public institutions for research."

UC Davis is actively involved in year-round research at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, located in Tahoe City and Incline Village. This center studies the lake and produces the annual Lake Tahoe clarity report, which was released recently.

The timing aligns perfectly with an emerging rivalry between Davis and Reno.

"Athletics thrives on competition, and as we join the Mountain West Conference, we’ll be facing Nevada Reno regularly. It’s exciting to stir up some rivalry," Shank noted.

By 2026, all major UC Davis sports teams, except for football, will compete alongside the University of Nevada in the Mountain West Conference.

"These two schools will soon be in the same conference, vying for the same athletes from Sacramento Valley, Bay Area, and northern Nevada. Competition is inevitable," Murray added.

Beyond the uniforms, UC Davis plans to extend its partnership by offering student-athletes in science-based majors opportunities to visit Tahoe facilities for hands-on learning experiences and team retreats.

Merchandise featuring the new logo will be available for purchase at the Aggie Sideline Store online starting this summer.