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Pacific West Conference

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This article is about the current NCAA Division II conference. For the former NCAA Division I women's sports conference that briefly used this name, see Western Collegiate Athletic Association. For other uses, see PacWest.

The Pacific West Conference (also known as the PacWest) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. Member institutions are located in California and Hawaii.

Pacific West Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1992
CommissionerJessica Harbison Weaver
Sports fielded
  • 15
    • men's: 7
    • women's: 8
DivisionDivision II
No. of teams14
HeadquartersIrvine, California
RegionPacific States
Official websitewww.thepacwest.com
Locations
Location of teams in

The conference sponsors the following sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field outdoor for both men and women; baseball for men only; softball and volleyball for women only. The newest PacWest sports are men's tennis and women's golf, both added in 2012–13.[1]

History

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Formation

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PacWest Conference (California)
 
 
150km
100miles
 
Academy of Art
 
Vanguard
 
Jessup
 
Westmont
 
Menlo
 
Point Loma Nazarene
 
Fresno Pacific
 
Dominican
 
Concordia
 
Biola
 
Azusa Pacific
Location of PacWest members:   current
PacWest Conference (Hawaii)
 
 
150km
100miles
 
Chaminade
 
Hawai‘i–Hilo
 
Hawai‘i Pacific
Location of PacWest members:   current

The PacWest was formed in 1992 when the Great Northwest Conference (a men's conference) merged with the Continental Divide Conference (a women's conference containing some of the same members), in response to the departures of several members and new NCAA legislation requiring conferences to have at least six members.[2] In addition, some Hawai'i-based colleges joined the new conference.

At one point the conference expanded to 16 members, but in 2001, member schools from Washington, Alaska, California, and Oregon left to form the new Great Northwest Athletic Conference.[2]

With the departure of the final two mainland members, Montana State University–Billings and Western New Mexico University, to join the Heartland Conference in 2005, the four Hawai'i universities played one season as “independents” after receiving a waiver from the NCAA to keep the conference in name, while searching for new members, because in order to be eligible for conference membership in the NCAA, a conference must consist of a minimum of six member institutions who sponsor at least ten sports, with two team sports for each gender.

New PacWest Conference

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To comply with conference membership regulations, Hawai'i Pacific (HPU), Chaminade, BYU–Hawai'i and Hawai'i–Hilo added new sports to their programs. In July 2005, the Pacific West Conference voted to admit Notre Dame de Namur University as a provisional member, as it moved from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II. Grand Canyon University, formerly an NCAA D-II Independent, also joined the conference, returning the Pacific West Conference to full conference status with six members. Dixie State College of Utah joined the conference for the 2007–08 season. In 2008, it was announced that Academy of Art University would join the conference in the 2009–10 season as the conference's 8th member. In 2009 it was announced that Dominican University of California would join the conference in the 2009–10 season as the conference's 9th member.[3] That same year, the conference announced it would sponsor baseball as its 11th sport, with Hawai'i Pacific University, University of Hawai'i–Hilo, Dixie State College of Utah (now Utah Tech University), and Grand Canyon University competing on a Division II level.[4]

Recent expansion and contraction

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The conference began expansion in 2010 when the PacWest invited California Baptist University, from the NAIA's Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) to join the conference beginning with the 2011–12 school year.[5] On June 1, 2011, the conference announced the additions of Azusa Pacific University, Fresno Pacific University and Point Loma Nazarene University, all members of the GSAC,[1] which began Pacific West Conference play during the 2012–13 season. Holy Names University was also added to the PacWest in 2011, but did not begin the NCAA Division II membership process from the NAIA until July 13, 2012.[6] As part of the transition process from NAIA to NCAA Holy Names remained ineligible for NCAA postseason play through 2015–16.[1] On November 27, 2012, Grand Canyon announced it would leave the PacWest after the 2012–13 school year to accept an invitation to join the Division I Western Athletic Conference.[7] In July 2016, it was announced that Biola University would join the PacWest for the 2017–18 season. In October 2016, Dixie State announced that it would transition from the PacWest to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after the 2017–18 school year. On January 13, 2017, California Baptist announced that it will leave the PacWest in favor of moving up to NCAA Division I.[8] On March 23, 2020, Notre Dame de Namur announced the cessation of all its athletics after the 2019–20 school year.[9]

Chronological timeline

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Member schools

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Current members

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The PacWest currently has 14 full members, all but one are private schools. Reclassifying members listed in yellow.

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors
Academy of Art University San Francisco, California 1929 For-profit 7,805 Urban Knights 2009    
Azusa Pacific University Azusa, California 1899 Evangelical 7,133 Cougars 2012    
Biola University La Mirada, California 1908 Evangelical 5,387 Eagles 2017      
Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, Hawai'i 1955 Catholic 1,892 Silverswords 1992    
Concordia University Irvine Irvine, California 1976 Lutheran LCMS 3,744 Golden Eagles 2015    
Dominican University of California San Rafael, California 1890 Catholic 1,889 Penguins 2009      
Fresno Pacific University Fresno, California 1944 Mennonite 3,032 Sunbirds 2012    
Hawai'i Pacific University Honolulu, Hawai'i 1965 Nonsectarian 4,586 Sharks 1998    
University of Hawai'i at Hilo Hilo, Hawai'i 1947 Public 2,977 Vulcans 1992    
Jessup University Rocklin, California 1939 Nondenominational 1,624 Warriors 2024      
Menlo College Atherton, California 1927 Nonsectarian 745 Oaks 2024      
Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, California 1902 Nazarene 4,319 Sea Lions 2012    
Vanguard University Costa Mesa, California 1920 Assemblies of God 2,256 Lions 2024    
Westmont College Santa Barbara, California 1937 Christian 1,293 Warriors 2023      


Affiliate members

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The PacWest currently has four affiliate members, all are public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment
(Fall 2018)[12] 		Nickname Joined Colors PacWest
sport(s) 		Primary
conference
California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California 1947 Public 27,685 Golden Eagles 2014     women's tennis California (CCAA)
California State University, Stanislaus Turlock, California 1957 10,214 Warriors      
Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, Colorado 1925 8,907 Mavericks 2021       men's & women's tennis Rocky Mountain (RMAC)
Metropolitan State University of Denver
(MSU Denver) 		Denver, Colorado 1965 17,678 Roadrunners    

Former members

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The PacWest had 19 former full members, all but seven were public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Current
conference
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, Alaska 1954 Public 16,242 Seawolves 1992 2001 Great Northwest (GNAC)
University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, Alaska 1917 Public 9,380 Nanooks 1992 2001 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Brigham Young University–Hawai'i Laie, Hawai'i 1955 LDS Church 3,176 Seasiders 1998 2017 N/A[a]
California Baptist University Riverside, California 1950 Baptist 11,491 Lancers 2011 2017 Western (WAC)[b]
Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington 1891 Public 10,145 Wildcats 1998 2000 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Dixie State University[c] St. George, Utah 1911 Public 12,650 Trailblazers 2007 2018 Western (WAC)[b]
Grand Canyon University Phoenix, Arizona 1949 Christian
(For-profit)[d] 		25,000 Antelopes 1992;
2005 		1993;
2013 		Western (WAC)[b]
(Mountain West[b] in 2026)
Holy Names University Oakland, California 1868 Catholic 1,331 Hawks 2012 2023 Closed in 2023
Humboldt State University[e] Arcata, California 1913 Public 7,774 Lumberjacks 1998 2001 California (CCAA)
Montana State University Billings Billings, Montana 1927 Public 4,600 Yellowjackets 1992 2005 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, Idaho 1913 Nazarene 2,000 Crusaders 1999 2001 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Notre Dame de Namur University Belmont, California 1851 Catholic 1,492 Argonauts 2005 2020 N/A[f]
Portland State University[g] Portland, Oregon 1946 Public 27,285 Vikings 1992 1996 Big Sky[b]
Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington 1895 Catholic 1,628 Saints 1998 2001 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington 1891 Free Methodist 3,773 Falcons 1992 2001 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Simon Fraser University Burnaby, British Columbia 1965 Public 35,604 Red Leafs[h] 1998 1999 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Western New Mexico University Silver City, New Mexico 1893 Public 3,820 Mustangs 1994 2005 Lone Star (LSC)
Western Oregon University Monmouth, Oregon 1856 Public 6,233 Wolves 1998 2001 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington 1893 Public 13,070 Vikings 1998 2001 Great Northwest (GNAC)
Notes
  1. ^ BYU–Hawaii dropped its athletics program after the 2016–17 school year.
  2. ^ a b c d e Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  3. ^ Now known as Utah Tech University.
  4. ^ Grand Canyon's for-profit status is disputed. The U.S. Department of Education considers it for-profit, but the NCAA, the state of Arizona, and the Internal Revenue Service consider it a nonprofit.
  5. ^ Currently known as California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt since January 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Notre Dame de Namur dropped its athletics program after the 2019–20 school year.
  7. ^ Portland State joined the PacWest only for women's sports.
  8. ^ SFU's nickname during its PacWest tenure was Clan.

Former affiliate members

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The PacWest had one former affiliate member, which was also a public school:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors PacWest
sport(s) 		Current
conference
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California 1960 Public 9,201 Seawolves 2013 2021       men's tennis;
women's tennis 		California (CCAA)

Membership timeline

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Vanguard UniversityMenlo CollegeJessup UniversityWestmont CollegeMetropolitan State University of DenverColorado Mesa UniversityBiola UniversityConcordia University IrvineCalifornia State University, StanislausCalifornia State University, Los AngelesSonoma State UniversityPoint Loma Nazarene UniversityHoly Names UniversityFresno Pacific UniversityAzusa Pacific UniversityCalifornia Baptist UniversityDominican University of CaliforniaAcademy of Art UniversityUtah Tech UniversityNotre Dame de Namur UniversitySeattle UniversityNorthwest Nazarene UniversityWestern Washington UniversityWestern Oregon UniversitySaint Martin's UniversityCalifornia State Polytechnic University, HumboldtHawaii Pacific UniversityCentral Washington UniversityBrigham Young University–HawaiiWestern New Mexico UniversitySeattle Pacific UniversityPortland State UniversityUniversity of Hawaiʻi at HiloGrand Canyon UniversityMontana State University BillingsChaminade University of HonoluluUniversity of Alaska AnchorageUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks

 Full member    Associate member  

National championships

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Academy of Art

  • Women's outdoor track & field (2013)

Azusa Pacific

  • Women's outdoor track & field (2021, 2023)

BYU–Hawai'i

  • Men's tennis (2002, 2003)
  • Women's tennis (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007)
  • Women's volleyball (1999, 2002)

Grand Canyon

  • Men's soccer (1996)
  • Men's indoor track & field (2012)

Hawai'i Pacific

  • Women's volleyball (1998, 2000)
  • Softball (2010)
  • Men's tennis (2016)

Point Loma Nazarene

  • Women's soccer (2023)

Sports

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Conference sports
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball  Y
Basketball  Y  Y
Cross Country  Y  Y
Golf  Y  Y
Soccer  Y  Y
Softball  Y
Tennis  Y  Y
Track & Field Outdoor  Y  Y
Volleyball  Y

Men's sponsored sports by school

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School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country 		Golf Soccer Tennis Track
& Field
Outdoor 		Total
PWC
Sports
Academy of Art  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Azusa Pacific  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Biola  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Chaminade  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Concordia–Irvine  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Dominican  N  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Fresno Pacific  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Hawai'i Pacific  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Hawai'i–Hilo  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Jessup  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Menlo  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Point Loma Nazarene  Y  Y  Y  Y 4
Vanguard  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Westmont  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Totals 13 14 12 10 14 9+2 9 91+2
Affiliate Members
Colorado Mesa  Y 1
Metropolitan State  Y 1

Women's sponsored sports by school

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School Basketball Cross
Country 		Golf Soccer Softball Tennis Track
& Field
Outdoor 		Volleyball Total
PWC
Sports
Academy of Art  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
Azusa Pacific  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Biola  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
Chaminade  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Concordia–Irvine  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Dominican  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
Fresno Pacific  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Hawai'i Pacific  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Hawai'i–Hilo  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Jessup  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
Menlo  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Point Loma Nazarene  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Vanguard  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Westmont  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Totals 14 13 10 14 11 12+4 10 14 92+4
Affiliate Members
Cal State Los Angeles  Y 1
Cal State Stanislaus  Y 1
Colorado Mesa  Y 1
Metropolitan State  Y 1

Other sponsored sports by school

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Future members indicated in gray.

School Men Women
Lacrosse Swimming
& Diving 		Track
& Field
Indoor 		Volleyball [a] Water
Polo [a] 		Wrestling Beach
Volleyball [a] 		Lacrosse Stunt[b] Swimming
& Diving 		Track
& Field
Indoor 		Water
Polo 		Wrestling [a]
Academy of Art IND IND
Azusa Pacific IND PCSC IND GCC
Biola PCSC IND PCSC IND
Chaminade IND
Concordia Irvine RMAC PCSC IND MPSF WWPA PCSC IND GCC
Dominican RMAC MEC
Fresno Pacific PCSC WWPA PCSC WWPA
Hawaii Pacific IND
Jessup TBA MPSF[c] IND TBA
Menlo MPSF MPSF MPSF
Vanguard TBA MPSF MPSF TBA IND TBA MPSF
Westmont IND PCSC IND
  1. ^ a b c d De facto Division I sport. The NCAA men's volleyball championship is open to members of Divisions I and II, and the NCAA championships in beach volleyball and men's and women's water polo are open to members of all three NCAA divisions.
  2. ^ De facto Division I sport as part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program.
  3. ^ Jessup joins MPSF men's volleyball in a later year.

Conference facilities

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Team Basketball Arena Capacity
Academy of Art Kezar Pavilion 4,000
Azusa Pacific Felix Events Center 3,500
Biola Richard Chase Gymnasium 2,400
Chaminade McCabe Gymnasium 2,800
Concordia Irvine CU Arena 2,400
Dominican Conlan Center 1,285
Fresno Pacific Fresno Pacific University Special Events Center 1,500
Hawai'i Pacific Shark Tank – St Francis School
Hawai'i–Hilo Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium 3,800
Jessup Warrior Arena —
Menlo Haynes–Prim Pavilion 600
Point Loma Nazarene Golden Gym 1,600
Vanguard Peterson Gymnasium[a] 1,500
Westmont Murchison Gymnasium 1,179
  1. ^ At Orange Coast College.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Staff (June 2, 2011). "PacWest conference expands to 14 schools". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "About the GNAC". Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  3. ^ "PacWest adds Dominican University of California as 9th conference program". Pacific West Conference. June 12, 2009. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  4. ^ "PWC Adds Baseball". Pacific West Conference. 2008. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008.
  5. ^ Broughton, Bob (January 3, 2011). "Five Southern California schools headed for Division II". Courtesy Runner. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  6. ^ "HNU enters NCAA II member process". July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  7. ^ "Grand Canyon University to Join WAC" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. November 27, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  8. ^ "CBU Announces D1, WAC Move". California Baptist University. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  9. ^ "NDNU Athletics Will Not Continue Past Spring 2020". ndnuargos.com. March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "PacWest History: The Megaconference Era". Pacific West Conference. July 28, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  11. ^ "Westmont Begins NCAA Division II Membership Process". Westmont Warriors. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  12. ^ As of July 6, 2019. "Term Enrollment summary".
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