The campus Police Department has organized a community tribute to the first responders and others who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Twenty-one years later, on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 11, all are invited to UC Davis Health Stadium for UC Davis’ first 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb — walking up 110 flights, the same number that confronted first responders that fateful day in the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

“I had always wanted to participate in an event like this, but was unable to find anything, so I decided to create a local event for first responders and the community,” said officer Tabbasum (Tabby) Malik, who joined the campus Police Department in 2019 after graduating from UC Davis and the department’s Cadet Academy.

Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and when one of the hijacked planes crashed in Pennsylvania. Among the victims: 403 firefighters and police officers who died when the twin towers collapsed. Other first responders are suffering and some have died from illnesses believed related to exposure to dust, debris and toxins at ground zero.

If you’re planning to join the stair climb, get your registration in by this Friday (Sept. 2) to ensure you will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a food-truck lunch. Registration will continue after that date, online and at the stadium the day of the event, and a limited number of T-shirts will be available for late registrants. See more registration information below, including how to make a contribution.

THE T-SHIRT

The Police Department is hosting the event, with Athletics and Student Housing and Dining Services as co-sponsors. Campus firefighters will be there, too. First responders are encouraged to dress in their fire turnouts or police uniforms.

Malik said he has received a lot of organizational help from the CORE program and outreach unit and other department members.

“The main goal for this event is to honor all individuals, first responders and civilians who lost their lives as a result of 9/11,” he said. “It also gives everyone in the community a chance to get together, just as the whole country did in the wake of 9/11.”

The stadium will open at 7 a.m. and stair climbing will begin at 7:15 after a short program that will include the national anthem and flag raising. You can arrive later if you wish, but be advised: The event will end at 11:30 a.m. Snacks and water will be provided free of charge.