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UCD finds winning formula: Lack of scholarships hasn't been a hindrance for Aggies

The administration laid the foundation. The coaches and students bought into the concept. And now academics and athletics are woven together at UC Davis like a tightly knitted quilt.

To this day, there are critics who say it's impossible to succeed at both.

However, walk inside Hickey Gym and check out a bulletin board. The proof is there. An academic honor roll of student-athletes is accompanied by this message: "Way to go Aggies. Keep up the hard work academically and athletically."

Walk inside the Rec Hall, and there's a trophy case that displays the many plaques the school has collected.

Like Stanford, Davis has grown into an athletic power because it stresses academics first.

In 1996 and 1997, Davis won the Sears Directors' Cup for Division II schools. The award is given to the institution with the best overall athletic program in the nation. This academic year, the Aggies are on target to finish second in the competition.

"The reason why it works is because everybody from the administration to the coaches and students believe in the same philosophy," said Pam Gill-Fisher, associate athletic director. "We demand students focus on education and graduation first and use athletics as a way to supplement their college experience."

The supplement has turned out to be quite enriching this academic year.

The men's basketball team won the Division II national title, the football team advanced to the national semifinals and the men's water polo team finished fourth in the nation.

On the women's side, the indoor track and field, cross country and basketball teams finished in the top 10.

What's more impressive is that Davis has developed a successful athletic program without offering scholarships. And it has found a way to win in revenue sports such as football and men's and women's basketball.

"When I first joined the athletic department, I thought it would be impossible to win championships and compete in those sports," Gill-Fisher said.

"What we've done here is absolutely unbelieveable, and that's a tribute to the remarkable student-athletes we have at this school."

Davis will award scholarships beginning this fall. Officials say the process wasn't implemented to buy better athletes but to assist those who build debt at the school, which costs $14,000 annually to attend.

"We want to make sure our student-athletes leave here in good shape," Gill-Fisher said. "They sacrifice a lot of time working at both. The scholarship is a small means to lighten the load."

The blueprint to Davis' success starts at the admissions office. Students who want to attend must meet tough admission requirements.

"We're not going after people who can slide by," men's basketball coach Brian Fogel said. "We want people who are generally interested in academics and can succeed in the classroom. We're not going after people with a 2.2 GPA."

Said Travon Muhammad, a men's basketball player: "Consider the philosophy in these terms. If you have a 2.5 and a decent jump shot, maybe check us out. But if you have a 3.0 and a jump shot, please consider coming here."

And they come with polished academic records and decent athletic backgrounds.

"The students that couldn't get into Cal or Stanford athletically come to Davis," said Muhammad, who graduates in June.

"They know they can get a quality education and get a chance to play. Had they went to Cal or Stanford, they would still get a quality education but wouldn't necessarily get the playing time."