The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports conference housed in the Northwest United States. It is composed of 15 institutions located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and California, making it one of the largest Division II conferences of all. The GNAC is recognized for its strong athletic programs, excellent student leaders, and top-notch academic standards for all of its member institutions.
History of GNAC
The GNAC was founded in 2001, when the Northwest Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC) and the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) merged. The combined conference added two more schools to its membership: Concordia University of Portland (Oregon) and Central Washington University.
At its founding, the GNAC included nine institutions in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Since then, six new members – Alaska Pacific University, Humboldt State University, Montana State University-Northern, Simon Fraser University, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and University of Mary – have been added to the conference.
Member Institutions in the GNAC
The following is a list of all 15 member institutions in the GNAC:
- Alaska Pacific University
- Central Washington University
- Concordia University of Portland (Oregon)
- Eastern Washington University
- Humboldt State University
- Montana State University-Northern
- Northwest Nazarene University
- Saint Martin’s University
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University
- Simon Fraser University
- University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- University of Mary
- Western Oregon University
- Western Washington University
Sports That GNAC Member Institutions Compete in
The GNAC is comprised of 15 members schools, participating in 16 different sports: softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, basketball, wrestling, swimming, golf, and track and field. Every school that participates in the GNAC is required to participate in at least one of these sports.
Notable Achievements and Rivalries in the GNAC
The GNAC has celebrated numerous achievements by its member institutions and student athletes over the years. Some notable individual achievements include: Concordia University of Portland’s (Oregon) Rich Chamberlin being selected as the 2006-2007 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year; Western Washington University’s Kristin White being selected as the 2007 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year; and Simon Fraser University’s Jen Lewandowski being selected as the 2009 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year.
The GNAC is also home to several fierce rivalries such as the Red River Rivalry (Central Washington University vs. Eastern Washington University), the Catfight (Alaska Pacific University vs. University of Alaska-Fairbanks), and the Castlegar Cup (Simon Fraser University vs. University of British Columbia).
How the GNAC Works and Operates
The operations of the GNAC are governed by an Executive Committee, which is composed of representatives from each of the 15 member institutions. The Executive Committee is in charge of making decisions on issues such as scheduling, championships, governance, and policymaking.
The NCAA Division II Manual governs the GNAC’s scheduling and championship events. All GNAC members competing in a particular sport are required to compete in regular season conference games and championship tournaments as required by the NCAA. The winner of the conference championship is then eligible to compete in the NCAA Division II national championship tournament.
Impact of the GNAC on the National Sports Scene
Many of the GNAC’s member institutions are home to championship-winning athletic programs, including both men’s and women’s teams. The GNAC’s athletes have competed in over 30 NCAA Division II national championships since its inception. In addition, the conference’s student athletes have received numerous individual awards and accolades.
The GNAC has also been successful in fostering a strong relationship between the conference and its local communities. The GNAC’s member schools host numerous events and activities geared towards the youth of the Northwest, promoting education, athletics, and general well-being.
The Future of GNAC
The GNAC is currently looking ahead to the new decade, with plans for continued expansion, greater competition, and increased recognition on the national stage. In recent years, the conference has been working to increase its visibility by adding member institutions from other states, Alaska and California. In addition, the GNAC has been making strides towards improving its marketing efforts, broadcasting more games on television, and strengthening its academic standards.
As the GNAC enters the future, it is poised to become one of the most successful Division II conferences in the nation. With its ever-growing fanbase, increased competition, and strong academic standards, the GNAC is sure to remain a powerhouse in the world of college athletics for years to come.