The Causeway Classic, a cherished football tradition between UC Davis and Sacramento State, witnessed a remarkable transformation this year. On Friday, the inaugural Causeway Boxing Classic took center stage, with the Aggies and Hornets showcasing their boxing skills alongside teams from the region. Then, on Saturday afternoon, the football teams were set to battle it out at Hornet Stadium.

Bringing Attention to the Sport

The football rivalry between these two teams has endured for years and decades. Boxing, though relatively small in the college community, was given a significant boost with this event. As Aishwarya Santosh, president of the UC Davis Boxing Club, pointed out, "The football teams have had this ongoing rivalry for years, decades. Boxing is a sport that’s small in the college community, so having something like this, it really brings attention to the sport and to the team." Hector Fajardo, director of operations for Combat U at Sacramento State, added, "We’ve got to kick off this weekend properly. We have to take the win here then take the win tomorrow. It’s going to be big. I’m excited."

Combat U: A Pioneering Program

This tournament came at a time when Sacramento State launched Combat U, the first university-backed development program for combat sports in the country. As Fajardo said, "It’s been 50 years since we’ve had collegiate boxing at Sacramento State and we get to kick it off with this big event." The teams were grateful for the spotlight on the sport after months of intense practice. Santosh said, "We’ve never really fought in a venue like this, with an audience this big. This is huge for college boxing and for UC Davis."

Friday Night's Action-Packed Event

Friday night's event was a spectacle with a full card of fourteen fights. Boxers from other colleges like the Air Force Academy, Cal Berkeley, and USC also participated. Fajardo expressed his expectations, saying, "I’m expecting a lot of action. These kids have been training very hard." The atmosphere was electric as the boxers stepped into the ring.

Saturday's Football Showdown

The much-awaited Causeway Classic kickoff was at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Hornet Stadium. Fans could catch the game on local KMAX31 and ESPN+. This matchup between the two teams has a rich history, and it was sure to be a thrilling encounter. Learn more about this storied rivalry at this link.