UC Merced Golden Bobcats

On April 19, 2011, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) made UC Merced one of four new members to join the organization. On May 6, 2011, the Bobcats were made official members of the CalPac. The school colors are royal blue and gold. The Bobcats played intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) starting in the 2011–12 academic year. In November 2023, UC Merced was invited to join the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), and were approved by the NCAA to join the NCAA Division II level. They began play and reclassification in the fall of 2025. ==Varsity teams==

All of UC Merced's intercollegiate sports teams compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The UC Merced Recreation and Athletics Department sponsors twelve intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, volleyball, waterpolo and outdoor track and field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, volleyball, waterpolo and outdoor track and field. ==Club/intramural sports==

The UC Merced Recreation and Athletics Department sponsors Club sports, including: archery, the Bobcat Dance Team, cheer, tennis, golf, and softball as of now. The university plans on adding more ICA and Club teams as the school progresses. Intramural sports include a wide array of sports such as basketball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, dodgeball, grass volleyball, indoor volleyball, table tennis, soccer, e-sports, archery, etc. ==References==