University of California-Merced Athletics

The Golden Bobcats compete in the NJCAA, which serves as a stepping stone between high school and four-year university athletics. With 195 total athletes out of 8,372 students, just 2.3% of the student body participates in varsity sports. The program offers 12 varsity sports with $106,250 in athletic scholarships available. UC Merced competes in the California Collegiate Athletic Association alongside other California schools. As the newest UC campus, founded in 2005, the athletic program is still building its traditions and identity. The focus remains more on academics and research than big-time sports culture. Students looking for packed stadiums and intense rivalries will find a more modest athletic scene that emphasizes participation over spectacle.