BasketBall

affectionately known across the state as “Coach Stig” — announced his retirement shortly after the championship win, having served 26 years as head coach of his alma mater.

Stiegelmeier, 65, certainly had offers to “move up” the coaching ladder over the years, but was happy with what he was accomplishing as he lived out that old saying, “Bloom where you’re planted.” Bloom he did.

THERE’S ALWAYS A LOCAL ANGLE ... Stiegelmeier roamed the South Dakota State sideline for 311 games, finishing with an overall record of 199-112 with 11 straight playoff appearances.

But where and when was the very first game he coached?

If you guessed Sept. 13, 1997, on Toomey Field (a 17-7 Jackrabbit win), move to the head of the class.

Coach Stig was clearly a winner from the get-go.

SPEAKING OF FOOTBALL ... Facing the toughest opening schedule in school history, UC Davis opened the 2022 season with a 1-4 mark, then won five in a row before a season-ending loss to Sacramento State to finish 6-5 and just miss the FCS playoffs.

Big Sky Conference teams play an eight-game league schedule, with room for three non-conference games.

Last fall the Aggies opened with losses to Cal and South Dakota State, then beat

See UCD, Page B6

Local Roundup

Gymnastics tri-meet is today

Enterprise staff

Today, the UC Davis gymnastics team returns to the friendly confines of the University Credit Union Center as to host a tri-meet with Air Force and AlaskaAnchorage.

The three squads are scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

River Cats

The Sacramento River Cats are thrilled to announce that longtime radio and television broadcaster Johnny Doskow has accepted a broadcasting position with the Oakland Athletics.

Former UC Davis star Morgan Bertsch drives to the basket in December game for the Mechelen Kangoeroes. Bertsch averaging almost 17 points a game as one of Europe’s top players.