Pacific West Conference

Pacific West Conference
Pacific West Conference
Established	1992
Association	NCAA
Division	Division II
Members	11
Sports fielded	15 men's: 7; women's: 8; ;
Region	Pacific States
Headquarters	Newport Beach, California
Commissioner	Bob Hogue (since 2007)
Website	www.thepacwest.com
Locations

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

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[]

Formation[]

PacWest Conference (California)

[Interactive fullscreen map]

Location of PacWest members:

current

PacWest Conference (Hawaii)

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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[]

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.1^{[permanent dead link]} 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 Dixie State University), and Grand Canyon University competing on a Division II level.^[4]

Recent expansion and contraction[]

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]

Member schools[]

Current members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Joined	Type	Enrollment	Nickname
Academy of Art University	San Francisco, California	1929	2009	Private (For-profit)	16,000	Urban Knights
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa, California	1899	2012	Private (Evangelical)	8,539	Cougars
Biola University	La Mirada, California	1908	2017	Private (Evangelical)	5,942	Eagles
Chaminade University of Honolulu	Honolulu, Hawai'i	1955	1992	Private (Catholic)	2,836	Silverswords
Concordia University Irvine	Irvine, California	1976	2015	Private (Lutheran LCMS)	2,564	Eagles
Dominican University of California	San Rafael, California	1890	2009	Private (Catholic)	2,125	Penguins
Fresno Pacific University	Fresno, California	1944	2012	Private (Mennonite)	3,700	Sunbirds
Hawai'i Pacific University	Honolulu, Hawai'i	1965	1992	Private (Nonsectarian)	9,000	Sharks
University of Hawai'i at Hilo	Hilo, Hawai'i	1947	1992	Public	3,600	Vulcans
Holy Names University	Oakland, California	1868	2012	Private (Catholic)	1,331	Hawks
Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego, California	1902	2012	Private (Nazarene)	3,487	Sea Lions

Affiliate members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Joined	Type	Enrollment (Fall 2018)^[10]	Nickname	PacWest sport(s)	Primary conference
California State University, Los Angeles	Los Angeles, California	1947	2014–15	Public	27,685	Golden Eagles	tennis (W)	CCAA
California State University, Stanislaus	Turlock, California	1957	2014–15	Public	10,214	Warriors	tennis (W)	CCAA
Sonoma State University	Rohnert Park, California	1960	2013–14	Public	9,201	Seawolves	tennis (M); tennis (W)	CCAA

Former members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Joined	Left	Type	Nickname	Current conference
University of Alaska Fairbanks	Fairbanks, Alaska	1917	1992	2001	Public	Nanooks	GNAC
University of Alaska Anchorage	Anchorage, Alaska	1954	1992	2001	Public	Seawolves	GNAC
Brigham Young University–Hawai'i	Laie, Hawai'i	1955	1992	2017	Private	Seasiders	Dropped sports
California Baptist University	Riverside, California	1950	2011	2018	Private	Lancers	WAC (NCAA D-I)
Central Washington University	Ellensburg, Washington	1891	1998	2001	Public	Wildcats	GNAC
Dixie State University	St. George, Utah	1911	2007	2018	Public	Trailblazers	WAC (NCAA D-I)
Grand Canyon University	Phoenix, Arizona	1949	2005	2013	Private	Antelopes	WAC (NCAA D-I)
Humboldt State University^[a]	Arcata, California	1913	1998	2001	Public	Lumberjacks	CCAA
Montana State University Billings	Billings, Montana	1927	1992	2005	Public	Yellowjackets	GNAC
Northwest Nazarene University	Nampa, Idaho	1913	1999	2001	Private	Crusaders	GNAC
Notre Dame de Namur University	Belmont, California	1851	2005	2020	Private	Argonauts	Dropped sports
Portland State University	Portland, Oregon	1946	1992	1996	Public	Vikings	Big Sky (NCAA D-I)
Saint Martin's University	Lacey, Washington	1895	1998	2001	Private	Saints	GNAC
Seattle Pacific University	Seattle, Washington	1891	1992	2001	Private	Falcons	GNAC
Simon Fraser University	Burnaby, British Columbia	1965	1998	1999	Public	Clan^[b]	GNAC
Western New Mexico University	Silver City, New Mexico	1893	1998	2005	Public	Mustangs	Lone Star
Western Oregon University	Monmouth, Oregon	1856	1998	2001	Public	Wolves	GNAC
Western Washington University	Bellingham, Washington	1893	1998	2001	Public	Vikings	GNAC

Notes

^ Known now as California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt since 2022.
^ Currently Simon Fraser has no active nickname, but is working on one in the future.

Membership timeline[]

Full member (all sports) Full member (non-football) Associate member (football-only) Associate member (sport)

National championships[]

Azusa Pacific

Women's Outdoor Track & Field (2021)

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)

Academy of Art

Women's Outdoor Track & Field (2013)

Sports[]

**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[]

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			4
Concordia–Irvine	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	6
Dominican		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
Holy Names	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	7
Point Loma Nazarene	Y	Y			Y	Y		4
Totals	9	12	10	8	12	7	6	64
Affiliate Members
Sonoma State						Y		1

Women's sponsored sports by school[]

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
Holy Names	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	8
Point Loma Nazarene	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	7
Totals	12	12	7	12	10	11	7	12	83
Affiliate Members
Cal State Los Angeles						Y			1
Cal State Stanislaus						Y			1
Sonoma State						Y			1

Other sponsored sports by school[]

School	Men							Women
School	Football	Lacrosse	Swimming & Diving	Track & Field Indoor	Volleyball ^[a]	Water Polo ^[a]	Wrestling	Beach Volleyball ^[a]	Swimming & Diving	Track & Field Indoor	Water Polo ^[a]
Academy of Art				IND						IND
Azusa Pacific	GNAC			IND					PCSC	IND	GCC
Biola			PCSC	IND					PCSC	IND
Concordia–Irvine			PCSC	IND	MPSF	WWPA		IND	PCSC	IND	GCC
Fresno Pacific			PCSC			WWPA			PCSC		WWPA

^ ^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.

Conference facilities[]

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
Holy Names	Tobin Gymnasium	300
Point Loma Nazarene	Golden Gym	1,600

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c Staff (June 2, 2011). "PacWest conference expands to 14 schools". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
^ ^a ^b "About the GNAC". Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
^ "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.
^ "PWC Adds Baseball". Pacific West Conference. 2008. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008.
^ Broughton, Bob (January 3, 2011). "Five Southern California schools headed for Division II". Courtesy Runner. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
^ "HNU enters NCAA II member process". July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
^ "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.
^ "CBU Announces D1, WAC Move". California Baptist University. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
^ "NDNU Athletics Will Not Continue Past Spring 2020". ndnuargos.com. March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
^ As of July 6, 2019. "Term Enrollment summary".

External links[]

Official website

[11] Known now as California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt since 2022.

[12] Currently Simon Fraser has no active nickname, but is working on one in the future.

[DI-13] 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.

[exp14-1] Staff (June 2, 2011). "PacWest conference expands to 14 schools". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved June 2, 2011.

[gnachist-2] "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.

[ndnu-9] "NDNU Athletics Will Not Continue Past Spring 2020". ndnuargos.com. March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.

[10] As of July 6, 2019. "Term Enrollment summary".

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v t Pacific West Conference
Members	Academy of Art Urban Knights Azusa Pacific Cougars Biola Eagles Chaminade Silverswords Concordia–Irvine Eagles Dominican Penguins Fresno Pacific Sunbirds Hawai'i Pacific Sharks Hawai'i–Hilo Vulcans Holy Names Hawks Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions
Affiliates	Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles (women's tennis) Cal State Stanislaus Warriors (women's tennis) Sonoma State Seawolves (men's and women's tennis)

v NCAA Division II all-sports conferences
Atlantic	Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Mountain East Conference Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Independent — Bluefield State College Salem University
Central	Great American Conference Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
East	Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference East Coast Conference Northeast-10 Conference
Midwest	Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Great Lakes Valley Conference Great Midwest Athletic Conference
South	Gulf South Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Sunshine State Conference
South Central	Lone Star Conference Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Southeast	Conference Carolinas Peach Belt Conference South Atlantic Conference
West	California Collegiate Athletic Association Great Northwest Athletic Conference Pacific West Conference
Division II	Independents