UC Davis freshman forward Scott Darmstadt, holding the national trophy, gets a hug from a fellow student during the celebration at the Rec Hall for the men's basketball team. Bee/Hector Amezcua

(W)hooping it up at UCD: Belated fete for winning national title

Final exams were over, so it was time to party. UC Davis set aside academics in favor of athletics Friday as the Aggies honored their NCAA Division II national championship men's basketball team at the Rec Hall.

The event, called "A Tribute to the Champions," was delayed nearly a month after the Aggies defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 83-77 in the national title game March 21.

The university held final exams that week and later closed down for spring break.

Friday, the campus was alive. An estimated 2,000 came out for a major fiesta.

They left their books at home, picked up pompons and cheered the team, which finished the season 31-2 overall, 14-0 in the Northern California Athletic Conference, in winning the school's first men's basketball title.

"The atmosphere and the feeling in this place is undescribable," junior guard J.C. Timmons said. "It was like we just won the game yesterday."

The hour-long event featured a video montage of the season's highlights, introductions of the players and coaches and the hoisting of the school's first championship banner to the rafters.

"I'm thrilled that we were able to bring a championship home," said Bob Williams, who guided the Aggies to the title before taking the head coaching job at UC Santa Barbara last month. "The championship puts a special stamp on the (basketball) program and school. We've left a legacy that we can be very proud of."

Williams is a part of the past. But who will be Davis' coach of the future?

The Aggies are seeking a replacement, and Williams used the celebration to campaign for assistant coach Brian Fogel.

"Obviously, I would like to see my assistant get the position," Williams said. "Fogel had a great deal in building the program and us winning the championship. I wholeheartedly endorse him for the job."

Junior guard Dante Ross agreed.

"He (Fogel) is my No. 1 candidate," said Ross, who scored 15 points in the title game and will return as one of the Aggies' top players next season. "I know the whole team would be happy if he got the job."