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Cal Aggie Alumni Association

Cal Aggie Alumni Association
 

Reggie Higashi



By Leslie Cory ’13

Every UC Davis memory that Reggie Higashi ’97 recalls starts and ends with Aggie pride. This comes as no surprise, since Higashi immersed himself into all that embodied the UC Davis spirit during his four years as an undergraduate. “Being involved with student activities, the Spirit Squad and various internships, I can say that it’s welcoming to know that you have a place to be proud of,” he says.

Even after graduating, Higashi never let UC Davis get too far out of reach. Not only has he made it to 18 straight Homecoming games, but makes an effort to attend other annual events such as the Causeway Classic football game and Picnic Day. Because he cheered for the UC Davis basketball and football teams during his time as a student, he now feels compelled to come back as an alumnus to cheer for the sporting teams and also support the current cheer and dance teams.

Higashi’s love for cheering people on and encouraging them to persevere extends into his everyday activities. With a degree in exercise biology, Higashi pursued a career in rehabilitation. He works in Placerville as a clinical exercise physiologist in the cardiac rehabilitation department at Marshall Medical Center. Here, he helps patients who are recovering from various heart problems. In addition to this, Reggie works as an adjunct professor at American River College, teaching human anatomy and physiology. Besides keeping busy with these two professions, he also finds time to teach CPR and first aid classes.

In 2001, Higashi acted as the assistant coach for the UC Davis Stunt and Cheer Team. Reminded of his experiences as a former member of the team, he found himself inspired to get his friends involved in the sport again. This prompted him to become involved with the Cal Aggie Alumni Association.

After becoming a life member of CAAA in 2003, he decided to start the UC Davis Alumni Spirit Squad Chapter. “This was an opportunity to stay connected with old teammates and have a vehicle to connect them to Davis in an organized way,” Higashi explains.

His dedication to staying in touch with his old teammates as well as the campus did not end there. He makes an effort to attend any CAAA events that are in the area and has taken part in helping students achieve their goals. The mentors he had as a student truly made a difference in his life, Higashi says.

“Having been involved with Take an Aggie to Lunch, Take an Aggie to Work, Aggie Diner, Homecoming and Picnic Day allows alumni to interact and dialogue about various paths and decisions that may influence and impact the student to pursue other avenues that they may not have though about.”

Higashi lives in Elk Grove, Calif., with his wife, Erica Higashi ’97, and their children.

Posted November 2011