Jen Gross becomes UC Davis' all-time winningest women's basketball coach
Aggies rout Cal State Fullerton, 71-54, as Gross picks up win No. 252
It's not often that a post-game ceremony can have a home crowd more excited and enthralled than does the action in the actual game, but that was the case Saturday afternoon at the University Credit Union Center as UC Davis women's basketball head coach Jen Gross was honored as the winningest coach in her sport in school history.
The game itself, a workmanlike 71-54 Aggie win over Cal State Fullerton, was a mere warmup for the ceremony that followed as PA announcer Bob Kerr used the final buzzer to ask the crowd to "remain in the arena for some breaking news."
The breaking news, to no one's surprise, was that Gross had achieved victory No. 252 in her 14 years of steering Aggie fortunes, breaking a tie with Sandy Simpson, whose 251 wins also came in 14 seasons.
The large video board at the north end of what used to be known as Rec Hall lit up with moving testimonials from Simpson, plus Aggie men's head basketball coach Jim Les, UCD Chancellor Gary May, Aggie Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca, Hall of Fame Stanford women's basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, Kelly Ratliff, Therese Cardinet and several players coached by Gross or who played with Gross.
It was all topped off by a moving message from the coach's parents, Joan and Steven Gross.
"It's special because this place has always been so special to me," said Gross as she received non-stop congratulations from players and fans.
"I'm just carrying on the legacy set by Pam Gill and Jorja Hoehn and Sandy Simpson. It's about growth and learning and at the end of the day discovering what Aggie Pride is all about."
Simpson, who was head coach for Gross' senior season and is now a regular at Aggie home games, talked about the common thread that has united Aggie athletes and coaches through the years.
"The greatest thing is to have somebody who was a player here carrying on the tradition as a head coach," Simpson noted.
"There is great connectivity and a common thread through different eras. I couldn't be more thrilled for Jen and all she has accomplished and will continue to accomplish. She's done so well and she's done it the right way. She's a coach who truly cares about her players."
Added UCD star Megan Norris, who led all scorers with 21 points Saturday, "It's such an honor to play for her. She is such a great person and a great coach."
The outcome of the game itself was no surprise as the Aggies led wire to wire to push their record to 9-4 in the Big West Conference and 15-8 overall.
Fullerton drops to 3-10 and 5-18.
Norris hit a 3-pointer in the opening 20 seconds and had seven points before the game was three minutes old.
Leading 15-9, UCD went on a 16-0 run to remove all doubt about the ultimate outcome.
Tova Sabel hit three straight long-range bombs to keep the Titans from mounting a rally in the second half.
The Aggies return to action Thursday (5 p.m.) at UC Riverside, then come home Saturday, February 15 (2 p.m.) against UC San Diego.
Reach Bob Dunning at bobdunning@thewaryone.com
So awesome. I wish I could have been there. At least I can brag that I was present when Kourtney Eaton broke the record for career assists. It was a special moment because the previous record holder was none other than Jen Gross.
Right on🎉💐
..and Therese Cardinet was there too.
Coolio. Now, THAT is taking me back to my basketball days at DSHS.
Congrats coach👏