* UC Davis volunteers take on community projects


* Spirit clubs team up behind UC Davis athletes


UC DAVIS VOLUNTEERS TAKE ON COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The daily planners and electronic organizers of some
students, faculty and staff members, and alumni at the
University of California, Davis, have intriguing entries this
week -- from planting trees or building a house to collecting
donations of diapers and sorting used clothing.


About 400 members of the campus community, mostly students,
will give a leg up to about 25 community service and civic
organizations in Davis, Yolo County and Sacramento during the
campus' second annual Week of Service running through Sunday,
Feb. 17.


The annual event has been organized by Human Corps, a
student-managed office dedicated to matching campus
volunteers with organizations seeking help.


"The week fosters the value of community service, highlights
opportunities in the local area and helps people enjoy the
reward of serving others," says Kim Bahrami, student manager
of Human Corps.


Organizations participating in service week range from the
Yolo County Hospice Thrift Shop and the Sacramento Crisis
Nursery to Habitat for Humanity and a city of Davis parks
program. Volunteers will build children's furniture or visit
seniors in their homes to help them learn to use computers.
Some will paint office interiors; others will paint murals.
Yet others will serve meals to the homeless.


Last year, Human Corps facilitated about 240,000 hours of
community service by matching 1,300 campus volunteers with
100 organizations.


Media contacts: Kim Bahrami, Human Corps, (530) 752-3813,
hcorps@ucdavis.edu; Julia Ann Easley, (530) 752-8248,
jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.



SPIRIT CLUBS TEAM UP BEHIND UC DAVIS ATHLETES


The crowd can be a blur when UC Davis gymnast Stacy Wong
competes in the floor exercise. But one thing is clear.
Enthusiastic fan support pushes her to perform.


Wong is one of the varsity and club athletes cheered on by
two athletic spirit clubs -- one of them believed to be the
largest of its kind in collegiate athletics and together, a
rarity in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic
Association.


"It is such a boost having so many people behind you who want
you to succeed," Wong says. "You want to do well for
yourself, your team -- and the fans."


Established eight years ago, the Aggie Pack boasts about
8,000 undergraduate students as members each season, and
Aggie Fanatics, now in its third year, unites more than 5,500
university alumni and employees with area residents.


"They're loud, they're boisterous," says Brian Fogel, head
coach of the UC Davis men's basketball team. "It makes a true
college basketball environment."


The organizations generate enthusiasm and interest at UC
Davis athletic contests by offering promotional giveaways as
incentives for attending events.


Setting the Fanatics apart from the Aggie Pack is its
outreach into the local community, which comprises about 90
percent of the organization's membership. All members receive
weekly sports updates by e-mail, and to foster more interest
in the UC Davis athletics program, student-athletes visit
local elementary schools.


"The response to Fanatics has been amazing," says Jennifer
Wong, one of a handful of students who help run the two
organizations. "I see people downtown wearing Fanatics T-
shirts and hats."


The Aggie Pack gets behind every varsity sport at least once
during the season and some club sports, while the Fanatics
supports football, basketball and gymnastics events.


Media contacts: Scott Brayton, director of athletics
marketing and sports promotion, (530) 752-2699,
sabrayton@ucdavis.edu; Mark Honbo, Sports Information Office,
(530) 752-3505, mwhonbo@ucdavis.edu; Julia Ann Easley, News
Service, (530) 752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.