PAF Board President

Occupation: Owner of Noma Vineyards

Spouse: Janet Noma

PAF Member for: 5 years

What interested you in joining the PAF: Basketball tickets

"In 2013, I joined the Pacific Athletic Foundation because I was interested in basketball tickets. But I quickly learned what the PAF represents and how it supports the student-athletes. Some of the things it helps to provide are training facilities, the SPARTA program, and meals.

When Ted Leland returned to be the Athletic Director, he stressed the idea of "family." Although I've been involved a short time, I've felt it here at UOP. The people I've met has been the best part of being involved with the PAF from the members, staff, coaches and student-athletes.

The last few years, Wilson Yu has led the growth of the PAF in supporting the athletic department. The Board and I hope to continue that growth and success of all 18 programs." -Leland Noma

Celebrating over 150 years in the community

20 locations in Northern California

Bank of Stockton

Bank of Stockton’s association with Pacific began in the early 1920s when then university President Tully C. Knoles spearheaded an effort to move the university from San Jose to Stockton. He called upon Gene Wilhoit, the fifth president of the Bank of Stockton, to assist with financing and fundraising. Wilhoit was a graduate of College of the Pacific on the San Jose campus and in 1922 was elected to the university's Board of Regents. In 1924, Gene Wilhoit and Tully C. Knoles formed the committee to raise funds to bring Pacific to Stockton, and the Stockton Campus was born.

In 1927, R.L. Eberhardt was hired by Wilhoit as the Bank of Stockton's cashier. In 1936, Eberhardt succeeded Wilhoit as president of Bank of Stockton, and the Eberhardt family's close ties with the university became the foundation of their philanthropic support ever since. The Bank of Stockton and the Eberhardt family have positively and generously impacted campus life for decades with the naming of the Eberhardt School of Business in 1995, participation on Pacific's Board of Regents, the founding of the Student Investment Fund, and strong support for athletics with R.L. Eberhardt's sons, Bob and Douglass Eberhardt, named to the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame.   

Bank of Stockton recently partnered with Pacific Athletics providing a generous donation to upgrade the Chris Kjeldsen pool and to help purchase one of the largest collegiate aquatics video boards in the country.  

Ellen Deering Athletic Scholarship

Women's Soccer Redshirt Senior, Melissa Ma is the recipient of the Ellen Deering Athletic Scholarship. She carries 3.82 cumulative GPA majoring in Health, Exercise, & Sport Science.

While not being able to participate on the soccer field as much as she would like due to injuries, Ma found other ways to be involved on campus.

"I realized because I wasn't playing, there was a whole different aspect of being a student-athlete," Ma said. "And that was the platform that we have to represent something bigger than us. I wanted to show that student-athletes could have an impact on campus that's more than being an athlete and doing well."

With a goal to get more involved, Ma joined the Pacific Student-Athletes Advisory Committee (PSAC) and served as President. She has also been president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, secretary of Pacific’s Pre-Physician Assistant Club, on the Athletics Advisory Board and was part of the search committee for the athletics director.

During her time as PSAC President she created and distributed 500 wristbands in support of a fellow student-athlete undergoing cancer treatment, an act she was recognized for with the WCC Represent Award. “Being an athlete and going through the way I did, I think it was a humbling experience,” Ma said. “From that, I became even stronger, even more confident. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, and molded me into a person that, looking at my freshman year, was completely different. I think it was just an amazing experience.”

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 I Papapavlos Bistro & Bar

Join the PAF for the first Coaches Luncheon of the 2018-19 season featuring 5 of our Pacific head coaches and their student-athletes. Guests will have the opportunity to hear from Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, and Men's Water Polo as they enjoy lunch at Papapavlos. The cost to attend is $25/person. To register, click below or contact Bri Rodriguez at [email protected] or 209-946-2230.

Friday, October 19, 2018 I Knoles Field Parking Lot

The PAF invites you to attend the PAF Men's Soccer tailgate prior to their game against San Francisco on October 19th. The tailgate is exclusive to PAF members and will begin at 6:00. It will be located in the parking lot at the south end of Knoles Field. The cost to attend is $10/person and will include unlimited access to the Taco Truck, alcohol, soda, water, and goal-line seating. To register, click below or contact Bri Rodriguez at [email protected] or 209-946-2230.

Thursday, November 1, 2018 I Dave Wong's Restaurant

The Men's Basketball program invites you to join them as they begin the 2018-19 season with their Tip-Off Dinner at Dave Wong's. The cost to attend is $50/person and will include a family-style dinner. Guests will have the opportunity to hear from head coach, Damon Stoudamire as he talks about each of his players, members of his coaching staff, and gives a preview of the upcoming season. To register, click below or contact Linda Vasquez at [email protected] or 209-946-2341.

Friday, November 9 - Saturday, November 10, 2018 I Reno, Nevada

The Pacific Athletic Foundation invites you to join us on our PAF Booster Trip as we support our Men's Basketball team when they take on pre-season Top 10 Ranked Nevada Wolf Pack on Friday, November 9th! The trip includes charter bus transportation to and from Reno, pre-game hospitality, game ticket(s), one-night stay at ElDorado Resort & Casino, and brunch. To register, click below or contact Bri Rodriguez at [email protected] or 209-946-2230.