NEW ORLEANS, La. – UC Riverside head men's basketball coach, Mike Magpayo, was named one of four recipients of the Rising Coaches Trailblazer Award on Saturday, April 2, during the NCAA Men's Final Four.  The Rising Coaches Trailblazer Awards are presented to individuals who have blazed the way for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion throughout the coaching and sports industry.

Magpayo, the first-ever Asian American head coach at the men's Division I level, is the founder and current president of the Asian Coaches Association, whose mission is to support and elevate Asian coaches at all levels.

"We are incredibly proud of the way Coach Magpayo continues to build, lead and develop our student-athletes," said UC Riverside Director of Athletics Wesley Mallette. "Mike is a great leader who sets a great example and cares deeply about making an impact on the lives of others. This award is well deserved. Mike is a true trailblazer and embodies everything this award represents."  

The Highlanders' head coach was joined as a recipient of the Trailblazer Award by South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley, Portland Trailblazers assistant coach Edniesha Curry and Dr. China Jude, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Denver Broncos.

Magpayo is no stranger to documented success during his short time in Riverside. He was the winner of the Joe B. Hall Award following the 2020-21 season, given to the nation's top first-year Division I men's head coach. He served in an interim capacity in 2020-21, then was named permanent head coach in May of 2021 after leading UCR to its highest Big West Tournament seed in program history.

Magpayo led this year's squad to a 16-12 record with a pair of wins coming on national television, defeating Hawaii and Cal State Fullerton on ESPNU. The Highlanders also knocked off Arizona State in Tempe on a buzzer-beating three to cement the program's third win over a Power 5 program in as many years.