MERCED, Calif. – University of California, Merced Athletics is celebrating NCAA Division II and UC Merced's 20th anniversary on Friday, September 5 when women's soccer plays host to Simon Fraser. Kickoff is at 7:00pm.
After the game, the night sky will light up with the Fiat Lux drone show.
The milestone evening begins with the Bobcat fanfest where fans can enjoy food trucks, live DJ Fredo on the Radio from Hot 104.7, yard games, performances, meet and greets, and more. The fanfest starts at 5:30pm on Scholar's Lane adjacent to Bobcat Field. Fredo on the Radio will start at 5:00pm.
Student-athletes from UC Merced women's volleyball, men's soccer, men's water polo, and men's & women's cross country will sign autographs and visit with fans as part of the meet and greet. Schedule posters will be available for fans to pick up. Fans can also bring items to be signed.
Also, be sure to be one of the first 1,000 fans through the Bobcat Field gates to receive your commemorative NCAA Division II celebration T-shirt. Gates open at 6:00pm.
Admission to the game is free to celebrate the start of NCAA Division II & UC Merced's 20th anniversary. Hourly parking is available in Bellevue Lot. Free parking in Bellevue Lot begins at 6:00pm.
Friday will mark the first home athletics competition against a NCAA Division II opponent in the NCAA Division II era. Earlier in the day, women's volleyball will play Westmont College in the Sunbird Classic in Fresno. First serve is at 9:00am at Fresno Pacific University. Men's soccer will begin its season at Western Oregon on Saturday morning, while cross country will toe the starting line at the Kim Duyst Twilight in Ceres, Calif., on September 13. UC Merced men's water polo opened its season with the Bobcat Mini over Labor Day Weekend.
UC Merced's complete schedule is available here.
Following September 5, general admission ticket pricing for the regular season is $10. UC Merced students with a valid CatCard and children ages 12 and under are free. Other discounts are available for non UC Merced students, faculty & staff, and graduate students.
