University of California, Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a coeducational public university located on the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara County, California. UCSB's campus has not been annexed by the city of Santa Barbara and is not technically part of the city, though it is closer in proximity to Goleta. The City of Santa Barbara runs a strip of "city" through the ocean and around UCSB. Although UCSB has a Santa Barbara mailing address, as do other unincorporated areas around the city, it is not in Santa Barbara city. The campus is divided into three parts: Main campus, Storke campus, and West campus. The campuses surround the community of Isla Vista. It is one of ten University of California campuses.

Athletics

UCSB's sports teams compete in the Big West Conference, with the exception of the men's and women's water polo teams and the men's volleyball team, which are in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Santa Barbara is best known for its women's basketball and men's soccer teams, which are often among the best in the country. In 2004, the men's soccer team advanced to the NCAA championship match where it lost to Indiana University Bloomington on penalty kicks. In 2005, the women's basketball team won its unprecedented ninth straight Big West Conference Championship. The team had its best year in history during the 2004 season when it advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 where it lost to eventual champion University of Connecticut.

Related Topics:
Big West Conference - Mountain Pacific Sports Federation - Basketball - Soccer - NCAA - Indiana University Bloomington - Penalty kicks - University of Connecticut

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The Gauchos men's basketball team had its best years in the late '80s and early '90s under coach Jerry Pimm. UCSB basketball and volleyball teams play at the Thunderdome.

Related Topics:
Gauchos - Jerry Pimm - Thunderdome

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UCSB's most famous athletic alumni are NBA player Brian Shaw, who has played for the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, and MLB all-star shortstop Michael Young who plays for the Texas Rangers.

Related Topics:
NBA - Brian Shaw - Boston Celtics - Miami Heat - Orlando Magic - Los Angeles Lakers - MLB - Michael Young - Texas Rangers

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UCSB was one of several California-based universities to discontinue their football programs during the 1990s. The stadium, Harder Stadium, is still used for the UCSB soccer teams.

Related Topics:
California - Universities - Football - 1990s - Harder Stadium

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Sports radio and television personality Jim Rome is also a graduate of UCSB.

Related Topics:
Sports - Radio - Television - Personality - Jim Rome

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Since 1998, UCSB athletics have received support from a booster club, the Gaucho Locos, founded by the UCSB student body. The Gaucholocos were originally known as the Gauchoholics but changed its name due to negative connotations, especailly since UCSB already has a reputation as a party school. The Gaucho Locos could be spotted at UCSB athletic events with their signature golden yellow t-shirts with a top ten list on their back, similar to the ones on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Related Topics:
Gaucho Locos - The Late Show with David Letterman

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The Locos are also accompanied by their famous mascot, "The Fantom of the Dome" a man with a Zorro mask and a black cape, who usually wears denim shorts along with a golden yellow UCSB basketball jersey and a Gaucholoco t-shirt underneath. Many of the cheers and antics used by the Gaucholocos are considered to be some of the most original and entertaining cheers west of the Mississippi.

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