West Coast Conference
Formerly | West Coast Athletic Conference (1956–1989) California Basketball Association (1952–1956) |
---|---|
Association | NCAA |
Founded | 1952 |
Commissioner | Stu Jackson (since 2023) |
Sports fielded |
|
Division | Division I |
Subdivision | non-football |
No. of teams | 9 (11 in 2025) |
Headquarters | San Mateo, California |
Region | Western United States |
Official website | www |
Locations | |
TheWest Coast Conference(WCC) — known as theCalifornia Basketball Associationfrom 1952 to 1956 and then as theWest Coast Athletic Conferenceuntil 1989 — is a collegiateathletic conferenceaffiliated withNCAA Division Iconsisting of nine member schools across the states ofCalifornia,Oregon,andWashington.
All of the current full members are private, faith-based institutions. Seven members areCatholic Churchaffiliates, with four of these schools beingJesuitinstitutions.Pepperdineis an affiliate of theChurches of Christ.The conference's newest member, theUniversity of the Pacific(which rejoined in 2013 after a 42-year absence), is affiliated with theUnited Methodist Church,although it has been financially independent of the church since 1969.[1]
History[edit]
The league was chartered by five northern California institutions, four from theSan Francisco Bay Area(San Francisco,Saint Mary's,Santa Clara,San Jose State) and one,Pacific,fromStockton.It began as the California Basketball Association, playing its first game on January 2, 1953. After two seasons under that name, the conference expanded to include Los Angeles-area schools Loyola (nowLoyola Marymount) andPepperdinein 1955 and became the "West Coast Athletic Conference" in 1956. After more than three decades as the WCAC, the name was shortened in the summer of 1989, dropping the word "Athletic."[2][3][4]
During the massive upheaval of conference affiliations in the 1990s, the WCC remained very stable. Before the2010 realignmentthat eventually led to Brigham Young joining the conference, the last change of membership was in 1980, whenSeattle Universityleft the conference. At the time, only theIvy Leagueand Pacific-10 Conference (now thePac-12 Conference) had remained unchanged for a longer period.
The WCC participates at theNCAA Division Ilevel and is considered to be amid-majorathletic conference. The conference sponsors 15 sports but does not includefootballas one of them.San Diego(Pioneer Football League) is the only school fielding a football team. The rest have all dropped the sport, some as early as the 1940s, before the conference existed (GonzagaandPortland), and one as late as 2003 (Saint Mary's).
Historically, the WCC's strongest sports have been soccer (nine national champions, including back-to-back women's soccer titles in 2001 and 2002) and tennis (five individual champions and one team champion). The conference has also made its presence felt nationally in men's basketball. San Francisco won two consecutive national titles in the 1950s with all-time greatBill Russell.Although the WCAC's stature declined in the 1960s, San Francisco was reckoned as a "major" basketball power until the early 1980s. Also of note was Loyola Marymount's inspired run to the Elite Eight in1990following the death ofHank Gathersduring that season's WCC championship tournament.
More recently,Gonzaga'srise to national prominence after being invited to the NCAA Tournament every year since their Cinderella run to the "Elite Eight" in1999has helped make the WCC a household name. As San Francisco was from the 1940s to the early 1980s, Gonzaga has gained recognition as a major basketball power, despite the WCC being a mid-major conference. Gonzaga has been to 23 consecutive NCAA tournaments—the longest streak for any school in the Western United States, the third-longest active streak, and the sixth-longest streak in history. They have also been to all but one WCC tournament final since 1995, and have played for the conference title every year since 1998. In 2016–17, theBulldogsadvanced all the way to thenational championship game—the deepest run by a conference team since San Francisco went to three consecutive Final Fours from 1955 to 1957. The Bulldogs reached the title game again in2021,this time entering the gameunbeaten,but again losing, this time toBaylor.
Saint Mary'shas also made marks for the conference as the Gaels appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2021 (making the "Sweet Sixteen" in 2010).
Eventually, with the 2010 realignment opening up new avenues for expansion, the WCC decided to revisit expansion plans. The conference decided that it would only seek out private schools, but would not limit its search to faith-based institutions. Even so, the two additions,Brigham Young UniversityandUniversity of the Pacificare both faith-based institutions, although Pacific has not been financially sponsored by theUnited Methodist Churchsince 1969.
On August 31, 2010, BYU announced plans to join the WCC for the 2011–12 season in all sports the conference offers. BYU joined the conference on July 1, 2011.[5][6]BYU's arrival gave the WCC another school with a rich basketball tradition. The Cougars made the NCAA Tournament six straight times before failing to do so in 2013, and had made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances before joining the conference.
On March 27, 2012, theUniversity of the Pacific(UOP), a charter member of the conference in 1952, accepted an invitation to rejoin the WCC, effective July 1, 2013. The move removed Pacific from theBig West Conferenceback to the WCC, which Pacific left in 1971 in order to pursue its interests in football that it later abandoned in 1995.[7]
The WCC became the first Division I conference to adopt a conference-wide diversity hiring commitment, announcing the "Russell Rule", based on theNFL'sRooney Ruleand named afterBasketball Hall of Famerand social activistBill Russell,a graduate of charter and current conference member San Francisco, on August 2, 2020. In its announcement, the WCC stated:[8]
The “Russell Rule” requires each member institution to include a member of a traditionally underrepresented community in the pool of final candidates for every athletic director, senior administrator, head coach and full-time assistant coach position in the athletic department.
In September 2021, BYU announced that it would leave the WCC in 2023 for theBig 12 Conference.[9]The WCC announced on July 19, 2022 that it would add men's water polo starting in 2023–24. Full members Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Pepperdine, and Santa Clara were joined by affiliatesAir Force,California Baptist,andSan Jose State.[10]
2020s conference realignment[edit]
On December 22, 2023, the WCC announced thatOregon State UniversityandWashington State University,the two schools left behind by thecollapseof thePac-12 Conference,would become affiliate members in all sports apart from football and baseball through 2025–26.[11]This was followed in May 2024 with the announcement thatGrand Canyon UniversityandSeattle Universitywould join in July 2025, with Seattle rejoining after a 45-year absence.[12]
Member schools[edit]
Current full members[edit]
The WCC is made up entirely ofprivate,Christianinstitutions with all but two beingCatholic.Pacific is affiliated with theUnited Methodist Churchwhile Pepperdine is affiliated with theChurches of Christ.
Future members[edit]
Institution | Location | Founded | Joining | Type | Enrollment | Endowment (millions) |
Nickname | Colors | Current conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, Arizona | 1949 | 2025 | Private For-Profit[c] (Non-denominational) |
103,427[d] | $21.6 | Antelopes | WAC | |
Seattle University | Seattle, Washington | 1891 | 2025[e] | Private Catholic–Jesuit |
7,755 | $241.2 | Redhawks | WAC |
- Notes
- ^Pacific left the WCC after the 1970–71 school year to join thePacific Coast Athletic Association(now known as the Big West Conference); and rejoined the WCC, effective with the 2013–14 school year.
- ^The Pepperdine campus has a Malibu mailing address but lies entirely within unincorporatedLos Angeles County.
- ^Grand Canyon's for-profit status is disputed. The U.S. Department of Education treats it as a for-profit institution, but the Internal Revenue Service, the NCAA, and the state of Arizona consider it a nonprofit.
- ^Includes online students. Current on-campus enrollment is about 25,300.
- ^Seattle was previously a member of the WCC from 1971 to 1980.
Associate members[edit]
Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Type | Enrollment | Endowment (millions) |
Team | Primary conference |
WCC sport(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States Air Force Academy (Air Force) |
USAF Academy, Colorado | 1954 | 2023–24 | Federal | 4,304 | $98.9 | Falcons | Mountain West | Men's water polo |
California Baptist University | Riverside, California | 1950 | 2023–24 | Private Baptist |
11,580 | $119.1 | Lancers | WAC | Men's water polo |
Creighton University | Omaha, Nebraska | 1878 | 2010–11 | Private Jesuit |
8,910 | $713 | Bluejays | Big East | Women's rowing |
Oregon State University | Corvallis, Oregon | 1868 | 2024–25 | Public | 37,121 | $819.6 | Beavers | Pac-12 | Multiple[a] |
San Jose State University | San Jose, California | 1857 | 2023–24 | Public | 33,025 | $197.1 | Spartans | Mountain West | Men's water polo |
Washington State University | Pullman, Washington | 1890 | 2024–25 | Public | 20,976[b] | $1,290 | Cougars | Pac-12 | Multiple[c] |
- ^Oregon State competes as an associate member in men’s and women’s basketball, men's and women’s soccer, volleyball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s cross country and women’s rowing.
- ^Includes only enrollment at the main Pullman campus. Washington State has four other physical campuses.
- ^Washington State competes as an associate member in men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s golf, women's tennis, men's and women’s cross country and women’s rowing.
Former full members[edit]
Of the former members of the WCC, only BYU (Latter Day Saints), and Seattle (Catholic) are Christian institutions. The other five are allpublic universities.
Institution | Nickname | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Joined | Left | Current conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Cougars | Provo, Utah | 1875 | Private LDS |
34,737 | 2011 | 2023 | Big 12 |
California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) |
Bulldogs | Fresno, California | 1911 | Public | 22,565 | 1955 | 1957 | Mountain West |
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) |
Gauchos | Santa Barbara, California[a] | 1891 | Public | 21,927 | 1964 | 1969 | Big West |
University of Nevada, Reno (Nevada) |
Wolf Pack | Reno, Nevada | 1874 | Public | 18,227 | 1969 | 1979 | Mountain West |
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) |
Rebels | Las Vegas, Nevada[b] | 1957 | Public | 28,203 | 1969 | 1975 | Mountain West |
San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Spartans | San Jose, California | 1857 | Public | 30,448 | 1952 | 1969 | Mountain West |
Seattle University[c] | Redhawks | Seattle, Washington | 1891 | Private Jesuit |
7,500 | 1971 | 1980 | WAC |
- ^The UCSB campus has a Santa Barbara mailing address, but is outside the city limits in the unincorporated community ofIsla Vista.
- ^The UNLV campus lies outside theLas Vegascity limits in the unincorporated community ofParadise.The U.S. Postal Service considers all unincorporated areas within the Las Vegas Valley to have a Las Vegas address.
- ^Seattle will rejoin the WCC in 2025.
Former associate members[edit]
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Joined | Left | Primary conference |
WCC sport(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB)[a] |
Roadrunners | Bakersfield, California | 1965 | Public | 8,317 | 2012–13 | 2012–13 | Big West | women's golf |
California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) |
Golden Eagles | Los Angeles, California | 1947 | Public | 23,258 | 1975–76 | 1975–76 | CCAA (NCAA Division II) |
baseball |
University of Nevada, Reno (Nevada) |
Wolf Pack | Reno, Nevada | 1874 | Public | 18,227 | 1984–85 | 1990–91 | Mountain West | baseball |
1985–86 | 1986–87 | women's basketball, women's tennis, women's volleyball | |||||||
United States International University (USIU) |
Gulls | San Diego, California | 2001 | Private | 3,871 | 1985–86 | 1986–87 | n/a[b] | women's basketball, women's tennis, women's volleyball |
- Notes
Membership timeline[edit]
Full membersAssociate member (basketball)Associate member (other sports)Other ConferenceOther Conference
- Due to space limitations, the following affiliations are not linked within the timeline:
- Fresno State had dual membership with theCalifornia Collegiate Athletic Associationduring their tenure in the WCAC before committing full-time with the CCAA from 1957 to 1969:
- Pepperdine was an independent school for the 1954–55 season.
- UC Santa Barbara joined what was then theBig West Conferencein 1969. It left in 1974 to become independent and returned in 1976.
- USIU was a full independent after departing the WCC conference before dropping all collegiate athletics in 1991.
- Oregon State and Washington State have a two-year agreement with the WCC for associate memberships in various sports. It has not been announced which conference the associate sports will join in 2026.
Sports[edit]
The West Coast Conference sponsors championship competition in seven men's and nine women's NCAA sanctioned sports, with the newest addition being men's water polo in 2023–24.[13]
Sport | Men's | Women's |
---|---|---|
Baseball | 9 |
-
|
Basketball | 11 |
11
|
Beach Volleyball | - |
7
|
Cross Country | 8 |
11
|
Golf | 10 |
6
|
Rowing | - |
8
|
Soccer | 9 |
11
|
Softball | - |
6
|
Tennis | 8 |
9
|
Volleyball | - |
11
|
Water Polo | 7 |
-
|
Men's sports[edit]
School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross country |
Golf | Soccer | Tennis | Water polo |
Total sports |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gonzaga | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6 |
Loyola Marymount | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6 |
Pacific | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6 |
Pepperdine | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 6 |
Portland | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | 5 |
Saint Mary's | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6 |
San Diego | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6 |
San Francisco | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 5 |
Santa Clara | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 |
Associate members | ||||||||
Air Force | Yes | 1 | ||||||
California Baptist | Yes | 1 | ||||||
Oregon State | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 | ||||
San Jose State | Yes | 1 | ||||||
Washington State | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 | ||||
Totals | 9 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 62 |
Future full members | ||||||||
Grand Canyon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6 |
Seattle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 6 |
School | Football | Rowing[a] | Swimming &diving |
Track & field (indoor) |
Track & field (outdoor) |
Volleyball |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gonzaga | No | WIRA | No | Independent | Independent | No |
Grand Canyon | No | No | WAC[b] | WAC[b] | WAC[b] | MPSF |
Pacific | No | No | MPSF | No | No | No |
Pepperdine | No | No | No | No | Independent | MPSF |
Portland | No | No | No | Independent | Independent | No |
Saint Mary's | No | No | No | Independent | Independent | No |
San Diego | Pioneer League | WIRA | No | No | No | No |
San Francisco | No | No | No | Independent | Independent | No |
Santa Clara | No | WIRA | No | Independent | Independent | No |
Seattle | No | No | WAC[b] | WAC[b] | WAC[b] | No |
Women's sports[edit]
School | Basketball | Beach volleyball |
Cross country |
Golf | Rowing | Soccer | Softball | Tennis | Volleyball | Total WCC sports |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gonzaga | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7 |
Loyola Marymount | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Pacific | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 |
Pepperdine | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7 |
Portland | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7 |
Saint Mary's | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
San Diego | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 |
San Francisco | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 7 |
Santa Clara | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 |
Associate members | ||||||||||
Creighton | Yes | 1 | ||||||||
Oregon State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 | ||
Washington State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 | ||
Totals | 11 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 80 |
Future full members | ||||||||||
Grand Canyon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Seattle | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Future associate members |
School | Swimming &diving |
Track & field (indoor) |
Track & field (outdoor) |
Water polo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gonzaga | No | Independent | Independent | No |
Grand Canyon | WAC[a] | WAC[a] | WAC[a] | No |
Loyola Marymount | No | No | No | Golden Coast |
Pacific | MPSF | No | Independent | Golden Coast |
Pepperdine | MPSF | MPSF | Independent | No |
Portland | No | MPSF | Independent | No |
Saint Mary's | No | MPSF | Independent | No |
San Diego | MPSF | No | Independent | No |
San Francisco | No | MPSF | Independent | No |
Santa Clara | No | Independent | Independent | Golden Coast |
Seattle | WAC[a] | WAC[a] | WAC[a] | No |
Facilities[edit]
Future members in gray.
- ^Seated capacity; full capacity is 6,000.
- ^abAt the time Oregon State and Washington State were announced as incoming associate members for 2024–25 and 2025–26, they had a 30-day window to potentially add baseball to their membership. The window expired on January 26, 2024 with no announcement from the WCC or either school.[14]Washington State later joined theMountain West Conferencefor baseball, while Oregon State opted to compete as anindependent.[15][16]
- ^Seattle also uses the on-campusRedhawk Center(capacity 999) for home games.
Notable sports figures[edit]
Some of the famous athletes who played collegiately for WCC schools and coaches and executives that attended WCC schools, include:
- Basketball:
- Mahershala Ali,two-timeAcademy Award-winning actor who played basketball at Saint Mary's under his birth name of Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore
- David Cooke, formerNBAplayer (St. Mary's)
- Dan Dickau,former NBA player (2002-2008) (Gonzaga)
- Brandon Davies,former NBA player who currently plays in theLiga ACB.During his sophomore year, he helped BYU rise as high as #3 in the national polls before being suspended for an honor code violation. He was reinstated for his junior and senior seasons and named to the All West Coast Conference team. (2009-2013) (BYU)
- Rick Adelman,former NBA head coach (Loyola Marymount)
- Dennis Awtrey,former NBA player (1970-1982) (Santa Clara)
- Bernie Bickerstaff,former NBA head coach (San Diego)
- Mike Brown,former NBA head coach (San Diego)
- Ricardo Brown,former NBA player, one of thePhilippine Basketball Association's 25 Greatest Players
- Bill Cartwright,former NBA player and head coach, former NBA All-Star (San Francisco)
- Mike Champion,former NBA player (1988-1989) (Gonzaga)
- Doug Christie,former NBA player (1993–2007) selected 17th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics (Pepperdine)
- Darwin Cook,former NBA player (1980-1989) (Portland)
- Matthew Dellavedova,formerNBAplayer with several teams, and currently withMelbourne Unitedin theAustralian NBL(Saint Mary's)
- Maggie Dixon,former women's head coach atArmy(San Diego)
- Richie Frahm,former NBA player (2003-2008) (Gonzaga)
- Hank Gathers,college player who led the nation in scoring and rebounding in 1990 before collapsing and dying during the WCC tournament (Loyola Marymount)
- Rui Hachimura,current NBA player with theLos Angeles Lakers(Gonzaga)˜
- Bruce Hale,former NBA player (1948–51) (Santa Clara)
- Elias Harris,currentGermany international(Gonzaga)
- Chet Holmgren,current NBA player with theOklahoma City Thunder(Gonzaga)˜
- Dennis Johnson,Basketball Hall of Famer, former NBA player (1976-1990) 1979 NBA Finals MVP and 5-Time NBA All-Star. Coached the LA Clippers for one season (2003) (Pepperdine)
- K. C. Jones,former NBA player (1958-1967), andBasketball Hall of Famer(San Francisco)
- Bo Kimble,former NBA player (1990-1993) (Loyola Marymount)
- Corey Kispert,current NBA player with theWashington Wizards(Gonzaga)˜
- Harold Keeling,formerNBAplayer, (1986), (Santa Clara)
- Tom Meschery,former NBA player (1961-1971), and NBA All-Star (1963) (Saint Mary's)
- Patty Mills,currentAustralia men's internationalwith theAtlanta Hawks(Saint Mary's)
- Adam Morrison,former NBA player known for being the 3rd overall pick in the2006 NBA draftby theCharlotte Bobcatsand the 2005-06 National College Co-Player of the Year (Gonzaga)
- Austin Daye,former NBA player, also with European professional experience. Selected with the 15th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft (Gonzaga)
- Stew Morrill,former college head coachUtah State(Gonzaga)
- Eric Musselman,former NBA head coach (San Diego)
- Steve Nash,Basketball Hall of Famer, former NBA player (1996-2014) and 2005 and 2006NBA MVP(Santa Clara)
- Andrew Nembhard,current NBA player with theIndiana Pacers(Gonzaga)˜
- Dick O'Keefe,inaugural seasonNBAplayer, (1947–51) (Santa Clara)
- Bud Ogden,formerNBAplayer, (1969-1971) (Santa Clara)
- Michael Olowokandi,formerNBAplayer (Pacific)
- Kelly Olynyk,currentCanada men's internationalwith theMiami Heat(Gonzaga)
- Jeremy Pargo,current NBA player with theCleveland Cavaliers(Gonzaga)
- Filip Petrušev,NBA draft 2021, Philadelphia 76ers; currently plays forCrvena zvezdaof the Adriatic League and EuroLeague (Gonzaga)
- Kurt Rambis,former NBA player (1981-1995) and NBA head coach (1999 and 2009-2011) (Santa Clara)
- Bill Russell,Basketball Hall of Fame Player (12-Time All-Star, 5-Time NBA MVP, and 11-Time NBA Champion) and coach, 1956 College Player of the Year (San Francisco)
- Robert Sacre,current NBA player with theLos Angeles Lakers,and currentCanada international(Gonzaga)
- Omar Samhan,currently playing in Lithuania and the Euroleague withŽalgiris(Saint Mary's)
- Ken Sears,formerNBAPlayer (1955–64), First basketball player on aSports Illustratedcover. (Santa Clara)
- Jose Slaughter,former NBA player (1982-1983) (Portland)
- Erik Spoelstra,current head coach of the Miami Heat (Portland)
- John Stockton,Basketball Hall of Famer (10-Time All-Star, and All-Time NBA Leader in Assists and Steals) (Gonzaga)
- Jalen Suggs,current NBA player with theOrlando Magic(Gonzaga)
- Drew Timme,current player with theWisconsin Herdin the NBA G League (Gonzaga)˜
- Ronny Turiaf,currentLos Angeles Clippersplayer (Gonzaga)
- Courtney Vandersloot,current W NBA player with theNew York Liberty(Gonzaga)
- Nick Vanos,formerNBAplayer, (1985–87) (Santa Clara)
- Soccer:
- Conor Casey,2010 MLS CupMVP, 2009 MLS Best XI, and formerUnited States men's national soccer teamforward (Portland)
- Brandi Chastain,member of theUSA national teamthat won the1999 Women's World Cup(Santa Clara)
- Steve Cherundolo,Hannover 96captain and three-time World Cup veteran (2002, 2006, 2010) with theUnited States men's national soccer team(Portland)
- Brian Ching,USA men's national team player (Gonzaga)
- John Doyle,general manager of theSan Jose Earthquakes,former USA men's national team player (San Francisco)
- Kasey Keller,former US international goalkeeper and four-time World Cup (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006) veteran (Portland)
- Shannon MacMillan,member of the 1999 Women's World Cup winners (Portland)
- Tiffeny Milbrett,member of the 1999 Women's World Cup winners (Portland)
- Megan Rapinoe,American professional soccer player who plays theUnited States women's national soccer team(Portland)
- Christine Sinclair,two-timeHermann Trophywinner and all-time leading goal scorer for theCanadian women's national team(Portland)
- Aly Wagner,2002 Hermann Trophy winner and member of the US women's soccer team thatwon gold at the 2004 Olympics(Santa Clara)
- Baseball:
- Jon Moscot,major league baseball pitcher (Cincinnati Reds)
- Jason Bay,2004National LeagueRookie of the Yearand three-time All-Star (Gonzaga)
- Vance Law,former MLB player, and 1-time MLB All-Star (1988). Former BYU Baseball Coach (2000-2012). Son of MLB Pitcher Vern Law. (BYU)
- Randy Winn,former MLB outfielder and 2002 All-Star (Santa Clara)
- Dan Haren,2007 American League All-Star Game starting pitcher, currently with theWashington Nationals(Pepperdine)
- Noah Lowry,major-league pitcher (currently a free agent) and former college roommate of Dan Haren (Pepperdine)
- Mike Redmond,former MLB catcher and current manager of theFlorida Marlins(Gonzaga)
- Mark Teahen,former MLB player (Saint Mary's)
- Tom Candiotti,former MLB pitcher (Saint Mary's)
- Mike Scott,former major-league pitcher (Pepperdine)
- Randy Wolf,former MLB pitcher (Pepperdine)
- Brian Matusz,pitcher with theBaltimore Orioles(San Diego)
- CJ Wilson,pitcher with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim(Loyola Marymount)
- Theo Epstein,President of theChicago Cubsand former general manager of theBoston Red Sox(San Diego – School of Law only; earned bachelor's degree at Yale)
- Kris Bryant,Chicago Cubs3rd baseman, 2013 2nd overall draft pick, 2015National LeagueRookie of the Year,and 2016 NL MVP leading the Cubs to the2016 World SeriesChampionship (San Diego)
- Bill Bavasi,MLB executive (San Diego)
- Ken Dayley,former major league pitcher, 1980 1st round draft pick, 3rd overall, pitched in both the '85 and '87 World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals (Portland)
- Bill Krueger,former major league pitcher (Portland)
- Pat Casey,current Oregon State baseball head coach, his team winning both the 2006 and 2007 College World Series (Portland)
- Von Hayes,former major league outfielder/first baseman (Saint Mary's)
- Water polo:
- Terry Schroeder– former NCAA player, two-time Olympic silver medal winner (1984 and 1988), and Head Coach of silver medal winning men's water polo team at the2008 Summer Olympics(Pepperdine)[17][18]
- Merrill Moses– silver medal winner at the2008 Summer Olympics(Pepperdine)[18]
- Jesse Smith– silver medal winner at the2008 Summer Olympics(Pepperdine)[18]
- Volleyball:
- Mike Whitmarsh– winner of 28AVPbeach volleyball events, as well as a silver medal in the sport at the1996 Summer Olympics(San Diego – volleyball and basketball; however, men's volleyball is not a WCC sport)
- Taylor Sander– member of the American US Indoor Volleyball team and a player for Blu Volleyball Verona. Led US national team to an upset of Brazil to win the FIVB World League 2014. Was named best outside spiker and tournament MVP. He holds the BYU all-time single-match record for service aces (nine) and career service aces (182). In the rally-scoring era ranks No. 1 at BYU in career kills (1,743), career attempts (3,464), career service aces (182), season attempts (1,021 in 2014), season service aces (55 in 2014) and aces in a match (nine).[19](BYU – volleyball; however Men's Indoor volleyball isn't a WCC sport)
- Football
- Hust Stockton–back;Frankford Yellow Jackets(NFL) (1925–1928). Member of the Yellow Jackets'1926 NFL Championshipteam. Grandfather of John Stockton. (Gonzaga)
- Ray Flaherty–end;Los Angeles Wildcats(1926),New York Yankees(1927–1928),New York Giants(1928–1929,1931–1935),No. 1 retired.Head Coach;Gonzaga Bulldogs(1930),Boston/Washington Redskins(1936–1942),New York Yankees(1946–1948),Chicago Hornets(1949). Three timeNFL champion(1934,1937,1942).Pro Football Hall of Fame(1976). (Gonzaga)
- Tony Canadeo–halfback;Green Bay Packers(1941–1944,1946–1952).Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame,No. 3 retired,Pro Football Hall of Fame(1974). (Gonzaga)
- Tom Fears–wide receiveranddefensive back;Los Angeles Rams(1948–1956). The first Mexican-born player to be drafted into the National Football League. Broke theNFL's single-season record in 1949 with 77 receptions for 1013 yards, and again in 1950 with 84 receptions for 1116 yards. Career totals include 400 receptions for 5,397 yards and 38 touchdowns.Pro Football Hall of Fame(1970). (Santa Clara)
- Pete Carroll– former coach of the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL, former head coach of USC Trojans of the NCAA. Led Seattle toSuper Bowl XLVIII,where they defeated the Denver Broncos. Led the USC Trojans to 6 BCS Bowl victories.[20](Pacific)
- Ted Leland– a first team PCAA selection as a defensive end in 1969. Current athletic director at Pacific. Served as athletic director at Stanford University for 12 years, leading them to the NACDA Directors' Cup from 1995 to 2005.[21](Pacific)
- John Fassel– special teams coordinator for the St. Louis Rams of the NFL.[22](Pacific)
- Hue Jackson– former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, former head coach of the Oakland Raiders.[23](Pacific)
See also[edit]
- West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament
- West Coast Conference women's basketball tournament
- West Coast Conference baseball tournament
References[edit]
- ^"History & Mission".University of the Pacific.RetrievedMarch 31,2012.
- ^"Transactions: College".Times Daily.Florence, AL.Associated Press. July 14, 1989. p. 2B.
- ^"WCAC shortens its name to West Coast Conference".Spokane Chronicle.July 14, 1989. p. B5.
- ^West Coast Conference Official Athletics Site – On CampusArchivedMarch 9, 2009, at theWayback Machine.Wccsports.cstv (July 1, 2011).
- ^"BYU Becomes Ninth Member of West Coast Conference"(Press release). West Coast Conference. July 1, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon August 9, 2016.RetrievedMarch 20,2016.
- ^Katz, Andy (August 31, 2010)."BYU leaving MWC for 2011–12 season".ESPN.RetrievedSeptember 1,2010.
- ^VanderBeek, Brian (March 28, 2012)."University of the Pacific joins West Coast Conference".The Modesto Bee.RetrievedMarch 28,2012.
- ^"Russell Rule Diversity Hiring Commitment"(Press release). West Coast Conference. August 3, 2020.RetrievedAugust 3,2020.
- ^"BYU to Join Big 12 Conference"(Press release). BYU Cougars. September 7, 2021.RetrievedJune 10,2022.
- ^"West Coast Conference Adds Men's Water Polo"(Press release). West Coast Conference. July 19, 2022.RetrievedJuly 27,2022.
- ^"West Coast Conference Adds Oregon State and Washington State as Affiliate Members"(Press release). West Coast Conference. December 22, 2023.RetrievedDecember 22,2023.
- ^"West Coast Conference Adds Grand Canyon University and Seattle University as Members"(Press release). West Coast Conference. May 10, 2024.RetrievedMay 10,2024.
- ^"West Coast Conference Adds Men's Water Polo"(Press release). West Coast Conference. July 19, 2022.RetrievedJuly 2,2023.
- ^Brown, Matt (January 25, 2024)."Here's the affiliate sports contract between the WCC, OSU and WSU:".Extra Points.RetrievedJanuary 25,2024.
- ^"Mountain West Adds Washington State in Baseball and Women's Swimming"(Press release). Mountain West Conference. April 16, 2024.RetrievedApril 16,2024.
- ^Freeman, Joe (January 26, 2024)."Oregon State baseball to play independent schedule in 2025, giving Beavers chance to 'create our own identity'".The Oregonian.
- ^Pepperdine Athletes Prepare for Beijing Olympics | Pepperdine University.Pepperdine.edu.
- ^abcNational Men Water Polo Team USA Men's Olympic TeamArchivedJanuary 27, 2013, at theWayback Machine.Usawaterpolo.org.
- ^"BYU sweeps California Baptist as Taylor Sander sets program kills record".NCAA. March 23, 2014.RetrievedJune 12,2014.
- ^[1]ArchivedJuly 3, 2014, at theWayback Machine
- ^Dr. Ted Leland."Ted Leland Bio – Pacific".Pacifictigers.RetrievedJuly 19,2015.
- ^"John Fassel athletic career, photos, articles, and videos".Fanbase. Archived fromthe originalon November 8, 2015.RetrievedJuly 19,2015.
- ^Hobson, Geoff."Cincinnati Bengals: Hue Jackson".Bengals. Archived fromthe originalon March 27, 2012.RetrievedJuly 19,2015.