UC San Diego Athletics commemorated a successful year during the 2026 Triton Awards, honoring scholar-athletes and coaches for their achievements in athletics, academics, and community service. Director of Athletics Andy Fee highlighted that Triton athletes outpaced the campus average in GPA and boasted the highest graduation rate among public Division I institutions. Key awards were given to standout athletes, with Makayla Rose (women's basketball) and Sebastiano Sani (men's volleyball) taking home Athlete of the Year honors.

By the Numbers
  • UC San Diego finished with a program-best 24-9 overall record and 17-3 in conference play.
  • Six Tritons earned All-Big West honors in the 2025-26 season.
Yes, But

While the award ceremony highlighted individual and team achievements, it also underscored broader academic successes that may not always get the same public recognition as athletic feats.

State of Play
  • UC San Diego is continuing to build its reputation in NCAA Division I competition.
  • The athletics department is focused on balancing sports success with academic performance among its scholar-athletes.
What's Next

Looking ahead, UC San Diego aims to maintain its competitive momentum while enhancing its academic prestige, potentially attracting more talented athletes and scholars.

Bottom Line

The Triton Awards not only celebrate athletic prowess but also exemplify UC San Diego's commitment to academic excellence and community involvement, setting a high standard for future cohorts of scholar-athletes.