Jim Sochor tribute set for Saturday at UC Davis | The Sacramento Bee

A festive tribute to UC Davis coaching legend Jim Sochor will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Aggie Stadium. Admission is free.

Sochor, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, died Nov. 23. He was 77.

Sochor compiled a Division II record of 156-41-5 and won 18 consecutive conference championships during his UCD head coaching tenure from 1970 to 1988. A popular figure around the UCD campus even in retirement, Sochor was renowned for his brilliant mind and his innovative coaching methods.

He was the athletic director at UCD from 1989 to 1991. He also served as the offensive coordinator of the NFL Europe Scottish Claymores from 1996 to 1998.

A number of Sochor’s former players – including former NFL players Ken O’Brien, Rolf Benirschke and Scott Barry – and coaching colleagues will participate in the ceremony.

The Sochor family, alumni and friends have established a memorial fund through the UC Davis Foundation to raise donations for a full-size bronze likeness of the coach to be placed at Aggie Stadium. Gifts can be made payable to the Jim Sochor Athletic Fund and mailed to: UC Davis Athletics Department, Attn: Sochor Fund, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616 or online at give.ucdavis.edu/DEVP/323615.