Pacific West Conference

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.

Pacific West Conference (PacWest)

Established	1992
Association	NCAA
Division	Division II
Members	14 (13 in 2018)
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, Utah, and Hawai'i.

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

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 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, and Grand Canyon University competing on a Division II level.^[4]

Recent expansion

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 will begin 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]

Membership

Current members

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined
Academy of Art University	San Francisco, California	1929	16,000	Urban Knights	2009
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa, California	1899	8,539	Cougars	2012
Brigham Young University–Hawai'i	Laie, Hawai'i	1955	2,400	Seasiders	1992
California Baptist University	Riverside, California	1950	8,541	Lancers	2011
Chaminade University of Honolulu	Honolulu, Hawai'i	1955	2,836	Silverswords	1992
Concordia University–Irvine	Irvine, California	1976	2,564	Eagles	2015
Dixie State University	Saint George !St. George, Utah	1911	8,570	Trailblazers	2007
Dominican University of California	San Rafael, California	1890	2,125	Penguins	2009
Fresno Pacific University	Fresno, California	1944	3,700	Sunbirds	2012
Hawai'i Pacific University	Honolulu, Hawai'i	1965	9,000	Sharks	1992
Hawai'i-Hilo !University of Hawai'i at Hilo	Hilo, Hawai'i	1941	3,800	Vulcans	1992
Holy Names University	Oakland, California	1868	1,331	Hawks	2012
Notre Dame de Namur University	Belmont, California	1851	1,967	Argonauts	2005
Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego, California	1902	3,487	Sea Lions	2012

Reclassifying member in yellow.
Brigham Young–Hawai'i — will discontinue athletics in 2017.^[8]
Dixie State — will join the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2018.^[9]

Future members

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Colors	Joins
Biola University	La Mirada, California	1908	5,942	Eagles		2017

Reclassifying member in yellow.^[10]^[11]

Affiliate members

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Sport	Primary Conference
California State University, Los Angeles	Los Angeles, California	1947	21,051	Golden Eagles	2014	tennis (W)	California Collegiate
California State University, Stanislaus	Turlock, California	1957	8,836	Warriors	2014	tennis (W)	California Collegiate
Sonoma State University	Rohnert Park, California	1960	8,769	Seawolves	2013	tennis (M); tennis (W)	California Collegiate

Former members

Institution	Location	Founded	Nickname	Joined	Left	Current Conference
Alaska !University of Alaska Fairbanks	Fairbanks, Alaska	1917	Nanooks	1992	2001	Great Northwest
Alaska-Anchorage !University of Alaska Anchorage	Anchorage, Alaska	1954	Seawolves	1992	2001	Great Northwest
Central Washington University	Ellensburg, Washington	1891	Wildcats	1998	2001	Great Northwest
Grand Canyon University	Phoenix, Arizona	1949	Antelopes	2005	2013	Western Athletic (NCAA D-I)
Humboldt State University	Arcata, California	1913	Lumberjacks	1998	2001	California Collegiate
Montana State University Billings	Billings, Montana	1927	Yellowjackets	1992	2005	Great Northwest
Northwest Nazarene University	Nampa, Idaho	1913	Crusaders	1999	2001	Great Northwest
Saint Martin's University	Lacey, Washington	1895	Saints	1998	2001	Great Northwest
Seattle Pacific University	Seattle, Washington	1891	Falcons	1992	2001	Great Northwest
Simon Fraser University	Burnaby, British Columbia	1965	Clan	1998	1999	Great Northwest
Western New Mexico University	Silver City, New Mexico	1893	Mustangs	1998	2005	Lone Star
Western Oregon University	Monmouth, Oregon	1856	Wolves	1998	2001	Great Northwest
Western Washington University	Bellingham, Washington	1893	Vikings	1998	2001	Great Northwest

Membership timeline

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

National championships

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)

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
Brigham Young–Hawai'i		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		5
California Baptist	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	6
Chaminade		Y	Y	Y	Y			4
Concordia–Irvine	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	6
Dixie State	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y			5
Dominican		Y	Y	Y	Y			4
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		6
Notre Dame de Namur		Y	Y	Y	Y			4
Point Loma Nazarene	Y	Y			Y	Y		4
Totals	10	14	12	10	14	7	5	72
Future Members
Biola	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	7
Affiliate Members
Sonoma State						Y		1

Holy Names — Track & Field Outdoor (M) begins play in 2017.^[12]

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
Brigham Young–Hawai'i	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y		Y	6
California Baptist	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	7
Chaminade	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y		Y	6
Concordia–Irvine	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	7
Dixie State	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	8
Dominican	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	7
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	7
Notre Dame de Namur	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y		Y	6
Point Loma Nazarene	Y	Y	Y	Y		Y	Y	Y	7
Totals	14	14	8	14	12	12	7	14	95
Future Members
Biola	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	8
Affiliate Members
California State–Los Angeles						Y			1
California State–Stanislaus						Y			1
Sonoma State						Y			1

Holy Names — Track & Field Outdoor (W) begins play in 2017.

Other sponsored sports by school

School	Men							Women
School	Football	Lacrosse	Swimming & Diving	Track & Field Indoor	Volleyball ^‡	Water Polo ^‡	Wrestling	Beach Volleyball ^‡	Swimming & Diving	Track & Field Indoor	Water Polo ^‡
Academy of Art				IND						IND
Azusa Pacific	GNAC			IND					PCSC	IND	GCC
California Baptist			RMAC		MPSF	WWPA	RMAC		RMAC		GCC
Concordia–Irvine			PCSC	IND	IND	WWPA		IND	PCSC	IND	GCC
Dixie State	RMAC								PCSC
Fresno Pacific			PCSC			WWPA			PCSC		GCC
Holy Names					IND
Notre Dame de Namur		IND
Future Members
Biola			PCSC	IND					PCSC	IND

^‡ — D-I sport
Concordia–Irvine (MPSF) — Volleyball (M) joins the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in 2017.^[13]

Conference facilities

Team	Basketball Arena	Capacity
Academy of Art	Kezar Pavilion	4,000
Azusa Pacific	Felix Events Center	3,500
BYU–Hawai'i	Cannon Activities Center	4,500
California Baptist	Van Dyne Gymnasium	1,200
Chaminade	McCabe Gymnasium	2,800
Concordia–Irvine	CU Arena	2,400
Dixie State	Burns Arena	4,869
Dominican	Conlan Center	1,285
Fresno Pacific	Fresno Pacific University Special Events Center	1,500
Hawai'i Pacific	Blaisdell Center St. Andrew's Priory	7,500 530
Hawai'i–Hilo	Afook-Chinen Civic Center	3,800
Holy Names	Tobin Gymnasium	300
Notre Dame de Namur	Walter Gleasen Gym	800
Point Loma Nazarene	Golden Gym	1,600
Future Members
Biola	Richard Chase Gymnasium	2,400

References

1 2 3 Staff (June 2, 2011). "PacWest conference expands to 14 schools". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
1 2 "About the GNAC". Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
↑ "PacWest adds Dominican University of California as 9th conference program". Pacific West Conference. June 12, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
↑ "PWC Adds Baseball". Pacific West Conference. 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. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
↑ "Grand Canyon University to Join WAC" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. November 27, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
↑ "BYU–Hawai'i to transition out of intercollegiate athletics in three years". Brigham Young University—Hawai'i. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
↑ "Dixie State Athletics Officially Joins the RMAC As Conference's 16th Member". Dixie State Athletics. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
↑ http://athletics.biola.edu/news/2016/7/20/baseball-biola-university-approved-for-provisional-ncaa-division-ii-membership.aspx
↑ http://thepacwest.com/news/2016/7/20/GEN_0720160952.aspx
↑ "Holy Names University to add Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field starting in 2017-18". Holy Names University Department of Athletics. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
↑ "Concordia Set To Enter MPSF In 2018". Concordia University Irvine. Retrieved June 29, 2016.

External links

Official website

Pacific West Conference

Members

Future	Biola Eagles

Affiliates

NCAA Division II

Atlantic	Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Mountain East Conference Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Independent — Bluefield State College

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 Independent — Oakland City University Salem International University

South	Gulf South Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Sunshine State Conference Independent — Auburn University at Montgomery

South Central	Heartland Conference 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 ECAC Division II Lacrosse League

NCAA	Conferences Institutions Baseball (Championship) Basketball (Men, Women) Cross Country (Men, Women) Field Hockey (Championship) Football (Championship) Golf (Men, Women) Lacrosse (Men, Women) Rowing (Championship) Soccer (Men, Women) Softball (Championship) Swimming & Diving (Men, Women) Tennis (Men, Women) Track & Field (Men's indoor and outdoor, Women's indoor and outdoor) Volleyball (Championship) Wrestling (Championship) Discontinued — Ice Hockey (Championship)

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