News

UC Riverside names new athletics director

John Warren — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Greg Paules has been named UC Riverside’s next director of intercollegiate athletics. He will start in the role on March 23.

Gus Argenal introduced as men's basketball coach

John Warren — Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Heralding his ties to the Inland Empire and his commitment to winning through hard-work principles, UC Riverside on May 6 introduced its new men’s basketball head coach, Gus Argenal. Argenal comes to UCR following its most successful run since it joined NCAA’s Division I 24 years ago. In the past five years, UCR has been 89-63, the second winningest team in the Big West conference. In the past three years, UCR has won more than 20 games twice, and earned its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament.

UCR names Gus Argenal head men's basketball coach

UCR News — Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Gus Argenal has been named head coach of UC Riverside's men's basketball team. He comes to UCR from Cal State San Bernardino, where he won 50 games in two years, and delivered two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Division II final four. Argenal replaces Mike Magpayo, who left UCR this spring for Fordham University after a highly successful five-year run, including two 20-plus win seasons in the past three years.

Barrington Hargress: A record-setting season for player, team

Jordan Cornet — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0700

During a record-setting season for the UC Riverside Highlanders men’s basketball team, redshirt sophomore guard Barrington Hargress has been the pacesetter, breaking the team’s single-season scoring record. “Barrington has been the consummate leader of our team this year,” said Head Coach Mike Magpayo. “He has done a wonderful job taking on the responsibilities of being the maestro, quarterback — so to speak — and his fearlessness has seeped into the rest of the team.”

UCR softball team begins season under new coach

Jordan Cornet — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

The Highlanders softball team opened its season on Feb. 7 at home against Utah Tech. Conference play begins March 8 against UC Santa Barbara. The first-ever Big West Softball Championship is May 7-10 at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, where the conference’s top six teams will compete for the title. The tournament winner will earn a place in the NCAA Softball Championship. Previously, Big West teams secured an NCAA Championship spot by finishing first in the regular-season standings.

Highlanders men's basketball reasserts its winning ways

Jordan Cornet — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team is reasserting its winning ways this season, with a 15-9 overall and 8-4 Big West Conference record that includes a recently concluded five -game winning streak. A Feb. 1 win at Cal Poly at home was the team's fifth consecutive win; UC San Diego ended the streak with a 91-71 victory on Feb. 6. The Highlanders secured victories against UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Cal State Bakersfield, and Cal Poly during the five-game run.

UC Riverside welcomes Brittney Matta as new head softball coach

UCR News — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700

After a highly competitive nationwide search led by TurnkeyZRG Vice President, Katy Young Staudt, the University of California, Riverside announced the appointment of Brittney Matta as the new head coach of the UC Riverside Softball team. Matta, who most recently served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Texas at El Paso, or UTEP, prior to accepting the head coach role at UC Riverside, has a history of success both as a player and a coach.

Men's and women's basketball teams start seasons

Jordan Cornet — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

As the fall sports season continues to unfold, all eyes are turning toward the impending excitement of the UC Riverside men's and women's basketball teams. Following their impressive performances in the 2022-23 seasons, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating journey on the court this fall.

UCR Athletics looks back on historic season and ahead to 2023-24

UCR News — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

March 2, 2023, marked a symbolic milestone for UC Riverside Athletics. The Highlanders men’s basketball team was competing for first place in the Big West Conference in front of an electric crowd at a sold-out SRC Arena. It was one of the biggest games in the program’s history at the conclusion of its most successful season at the Division I level.

UC Riverside secures Athletics program partnership, with BSN Sports, Nike

UCR News — Thu, 11 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

UC Riverside Athletics has entered into a new five-year agreement with Nike and BSN SPORTS, Director of Athletics, Wesley Mallette, announced today, Thursday, May 11, 2023. As part of the partnership agreement, BSN SPORTS will be UC Riverside Athletics’ official provider of apparel, footwear and other equipment needs. The partnership will officially begin on July 1, 2023.

Women's golfer becomes first-ever at NCAA championships

Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Tiffany Le just keeps piling the accomplishments onto an already historic year. The sophomore punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Wednesday after shooting a 66 (-6) in round three of the Pullman Regional at the Palouse Ridge, finishing third overall while going 14-under par. She entered the week as the third Highlander ever to appear in NCAA Regionals, but will leave as the first in program history to compete in the NCAA Championships.

Head men’s basketball coach Mike Magpayo signs 5-year contract extension

UCR News — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0700

UC Riverside head men’s basketball coach and 2022-23 Big West Coach of the Year, Mike Magpayo, has signed a new five-year deal that will keep him at the helm of the Highlanders’ program through the 2027-28 season. Magpayo’s new contract comes on the heels of UCR’s best season in the program’s Division I history.

Highlanders set season records, nearly sweep postseason awards

UCR News — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0800

UC Riverside men's basketball earned numerous postseason awards following one of the most historic seasons in program history. Mike Magpayo was named the Big West Coach of the Year, the first time in program history the award has gone to UC Riverside. Lachlan Olbrich was named Big West Freshman of the Year, while Jamal Hartwell was named the Big West Sixth Man of the Year.