The California Pacific Conference (CPC) has long been a cornerstone of college sports on the West Coast, establishing strong rivalries and fostering some of the nation’s finest athletes in their respective fields. It is one of the most successful NCAA Division II conferences in the nation and has a storied history dating back to its first conference in the late 1970s.
History
The California Pacific Conference (CPC) began in 1977 as the Golden Coast Conference with six members, including institutions from California, Nevada and Arizona. The conference states remained unaltered until 1994 when the majority of members left to join either the Pac-10 or the then newly formed Big West Conference. The Golden Coast Conference was rebranded in 1997 as the California Pacific Conference, consisting mainly of smaller, private schools from the state of California.
Member Institutions
The California Pacific Conference is currently comprised of nine universities from California. They are:
- Azusa Pacific University
- Concordia University Irvine
- Dominican University of California
- Fresno Pacific University
- Notre Dame de Namur University
- Point Loma Nazarene University
- San Diego Christian College
- San Francisco State University
- Holy Names University
Sports & Notable Achievements
The California Pacific Conference sponsors competitions in 15 sports at the Division II level across men’s and women’s programs. Its primary sports are basketball, soccer, and volleyball, in which CPC teams have been very successful over the years. The conference is home to the women’s volleyball program at Azusa Pacific University, one of the most decorated teams in Division II history having won 15 national championships. Other notable CPC achievements include the 2014 Division II soccer and lacrosse national championships won by Grand Canyon University and Azusa Pacific University respectively.
Rivalries & Conference Governance
Given the close proximity of the member institutions, the California Pacific Conference has seen the emergence of several strong regional rivalries, most notably the one between Fresno Pacific and Point Loma Nazarene Universities in soccer and basketball. The conference is governed by a Board of Directors that is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the conference’s scheduling and championship events.
Championship Events
The California Pacific Conference conducts annual championship events in each of its sponsored sports. These events are open to all conference members and serve to determine the season’s conference champion. The championship events also serve as a qualifier for the NCAA Division II National Tournament in each particular sport.
Role & Impact
The California Pacific Conference has long held an integral role in the local and national sports scene. By hosting high-level Division II competition and fostering top-notch athletes, the CPC has helped continue collegiate sports tradition on the West Coast. The conference has provided a platform for smaller, private schools in California to compete successfully against larger institutions and gain national recognition.
Future Prospects
The California Pacific Conference’s future is looking bright. Recent trends suggest that the conference is only going to gain in strength, with all nine of its member universities showing strong commitment to the conference’s purpose and vision. For the coming years, the CPC has set a target of expanding its reach beyond California with the aim of becoming a more nationally competitive conference.
The California Pacific Conference continues to prove itself as one of the most successful NCAA Division II conferences in the nation. As it looks to the future, the CPC appears to have plenty of potential and is sure to have an impact on the national college sports scene for years to come.