How a green kickoff tee creates a high-stakes challenge for a Labrador retriever
In short: At UC Davis football games, the real tension isn't just on the scoreboard. It is found in the grass, where a specialized retriever named Cori must hunt for a tiny, green object that is nearly invisible to her eyes.
The challenge lies in the biology of the canine eye. Cori, a Labrador retriever owned by Veterinary Medicine Professor Lisa Tell, faces a unique difficulty during every kickoff: the team's preferred tee is green, matching the color of the turf. Because dogs are dichromatic, they struggle to distinguish between these two shades of green [S1:<0xE2><0x80><0x8A>p12]. To prepare for this, the team has even practiced with a blindfolded Cori to ensure she can successfully retrieve the equipment.
This tradition is part of a much larger, high-energy atmosphere at UC Davis Health Stadium. The football program has a storied history, having fielded teams since 1915, with only brief interruptions during the World Wars. The current season features a variety of themed home games, ranging from 'Salute to Ag Day' to a 'Doxie Derby'—a dachshund race inspired by the university's Picnic Day.
The stadium experience is also defined by iconic figures like Maggie the Aggie. This year, communication major Nicole Shroyer performs the role, riding her 13-year-old quarter horse, Red, onto the field to signal the start of the game. Between the agricultural tributes, the return of the Brewfest, and the intense rivalry of the Causeway Classic against Sacramento State, the Aggies' home schedule is designed to be a continuous celebration.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: What to Expect at UC Davis Football Games This Fall
- Also: UC Davis Aggies football
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