University of California Athletics

Aaron Giacosa is in his seventh year as an academic advisor at the Athletic Study Center at Cal in 2017, working primarily with the football program. Prior to his time in Berkeley, Giacosa worked as a college academic counselor for student-athletes at UCLA from 2005-11.

When Giacosa first came to Cal, he served as the football advising coordinator while working directly with wide receivers, defensive backs, and linebackers. Additionally, he served as the academic advisor to the women’s lacrosse team. He has worked solely with the football program since 2013.

As an academic advisor, Giacosa provides holistic support to student-athletes by helping them understand and comply with University, College and NCAA rules, choose appropriate courses and majors, develop time management skills, and resolve personal issues unique to athletes.  He monitors the completion of breadth requirements, suggests enrichment opportunities, checks progress toward a degree, explains academic services and procedures and, as graduation nears, assists student-athletes in planning for graduate school and/or investigating career options.

Furthermore, he serves as the administrator for the Degree Completion Program, which assists former Golden Bear football student-athletes looking to return to Cal and earn their degree. Some of the recent graduates he has worked with include former NFL running backs Justin Forsett and JJ Arrington and defensive end Andre Carter. He is working with other former Cal football players actively pursuing their degrees.

Giacosa is a 2004 graduate of UCLA where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He earned his master’s degree in the Cultural Studies of Sport in Education from Cal in 2015.

Giacosa and his wife, Nicole, have a daughter, Adalyn, and are expecting their second child in the fall.

Last Updated
Aug. 14, 2017