Head men’s basketball coach Mike Magpayo signs 5-year contract extension

UC Riverside head men’s basketball coach and 2022-23 Big West Coach of the Year, Mike Magpayo, has signed a new five-year deal that will keep him at the helm of the Highlanders’ program through the 2027-28 season. Magpayo’s new contract comes on the heels of UCR’s best season in the...

By UCR News | | Athletics

Highlanders move into second place after blowout win

High-octane offense was on display on both sides at Premier America Credit Union Arena, but UC Riverside proved too much for CSUN on Monday night with a resounding 96-76 win over the Matadors. Their 19th win, which extended a team record in Division I play, was the Highlanders third straight...

By UCR News | | Athletics

Athletics releases spring schedules

UC Riverside’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics this week released schedules for its spring athletic teams. Baseball UC Riverside head baseball coach Justin Johnson has announced the Highlanders’ 2023 schedule. UC Riverside returns more than half of its starting lineup from 2022 and its top three starting pitchers in Tyler Frazier...

By UCR News | | Athletics

Highlanders fend off Cal Poly, move into first place in Big West

UC Riverside welcomed students back to campus on Monday at a packed SRC Arena, treating them to free extra basketball with a thrilling 83-78 overtime win over Cal Poly to move into first place in the Big West. The Highlanders are now 6-1 in conference play, the best start in...

By UCR News | | Athletics

UC Riverside men’s soccer wins first Big West regular season title

The UC Riverside Highlanders made history on Saturday evening, downing UC Santa Barbara 4-1 for their first Big West regular season championship in program history. The Highlanders earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big West Men’s Soccer Championship. A ruckus and energetic crowd at UC Riverside Soccer Stadium...

By UCR News | | Athletics

Fall campaigns underway; fans look to basketball openings

Schedules are ongoing for many fall sports, with excitement building for the men's and women's basketball seasons, which begin later this fall and come on the heels of impressive 2021-22 campaigns for both. Following are early season reviews and pre-season previews for UC Riverside's fall sports teams. All ticket purchases...

By UCR News | | Athletics

UCR enters Big West tournament as No. 3 seed, first game Thursday

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team is hoping to cap off the best season in program history with a first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament. But the Highlanders will have to win the Big West Men’s Basketball Championship to do so, which begins this Tuesday at the at the Michelob...

By Omar Shamout | | Athletics

Professor launches Center for Athletes’ Rights and Equity

New research center is the brainchild of Eddie Comeaux, a UCR higher education professor and former Division I college athlete

By Tess Eyrich | | Social Science / Education

Education school launches athletic leadership minor

New undergraduate program is a first for the University of California system

How UCR student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff have responded to a shortened spring season

On the morning of March 12, head men’s basketball coach David Patrick was at an Anaheim hotel preparing his team to take on UC Santa Barbara in the first round of the Big West Tournament. But he didn’t really expect the game, which was scheduled to take place in only...

By Omar Shamout | | Athletics

'Falling out of love' led to record-breaking tennis career

A shift from soccer to tennis jostled Kyle McCann's Irish footballer-father, but a storied UCR career affirms it was the right move.

By J.D. Warren | | Students

Back in Action: Baseball Optimistic About Season Ahead

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—With a slew of new faces and a strong core of upperclassmen, the UC Riverside baseball team is optimistic about the season ahead. "People will enjoy watching the style of play we have," head coach Troy Percival said. "We've never had as much speed as we do right now...

By Quinn Roberts | | Athletics

Back in Action: Softball Has Sights Set on Success

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—After an incredibly successful and historical 2018 season for the UC Riverside Softball Team, the Highlanders have waited patiently to return to the diamond, flipping their calendars and preparing for an exciting 2019 campaign. "We are so excited to get this season going," Head Coach Nikki Palmer said. "Each...

By Quinn Roberts | | Athletics

Women's Volleyball Adds Former National Champion Andy Hein to Coaching Staff

RIVERSIDE, Calif.- The UC Riverside women's volleyball team made a huge addition to its coaching staff on March 4 as the Highlanders announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Andrew Hein. The former national champion and Team USA medalist comes to Riverside with a lengthy coaching and player resume in Southern...

By Quinn Roberts | | Athletics