The West Coast Conference (WCC)
The West Coast Conference (WCC) is a collegiate athletic conference that was founded in 1952 and is composed of 10 member schools. The conference is located in the western United States, along the Pacific coast, and it sponsors 19 sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and golf. The WCC is one of the most competitive conferences in college sports and is home to some of the most successful programs in the country.
History of the WCC
The West Coast Conference was founded in 1952 with six original members: the University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University, Saint Mary’s College, the University of Portland, the College of the Pacific, and Loyola Marymount University. Since then, the conference has grown to include 10 member schools.
The WCC experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1990s, as four schools joined the conference: Gonzaga University in 1995, Pepperdine University in 1996, the University of San Diego in 1998, and the University of the Pacific in 2013.
WCC Member Schools
The West Coast Conference is currently composed of 10 member schools:
- University of San Francisco
- Santa Clara University
- Saint Mary’s College
- University of Portland
- College of the Pacific
- Loyola Marymount University
- Gonzaga University
- Pepperdine University
- University of San Diego
- University of the Pacific
WCC Sports and Championships
The West Coast Conference sponsors 19 sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball, and water polo for both men and women.
The conference holds championships in all of its sponsored sports, with the exception of rowing, which is not a championship sport. The WCC also holds a tournament to determine the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which is usually held in early March.
Athletic Success of WCC Schools
The West Coast Conference is home to some of the most successful programs in college sports.
In men’s basketball, the conference has won two national championships (Gonzaga in 2017 and Santa Clara in 1952). The conference has also had four teams in the Final Four (Gonzaga, Santa Clara, University of San Francisco, and Loyola Marymount).
In soccer, Santa Clara has won two national championships and has made three appearances in the College Cup. The University of Portland has also won two national championships and made three appearances in the College Cup.
In volleyball, Pepperdine has won three national championships and has made five appearances in the Final Four.
The WCC also boasts a strong history in golf, with Pepperdine winning the national championship in 1997 and Saint Mary’s winning the national championship in 1959.
West Coast Conference Schools in the NCAA Tournament
Since the West Coast Conference was founded in 1952, WCC schools have made numerous appearances in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Gonzaga has made 19 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a run to the Final Four in 2017. Santa Clara has made 10 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with its last appearance in 1996.
The University of San Francisco has made 14 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with its last appearance in 1998. Saint Mary’s has made 10 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with its last appearance in 2013.
Loyola Marymount has made eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with its last appearance in 1990. Pepperdine has made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with its last appearance in 2002.
The University of San Diego has made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with its last appearance in 2008. The University of the Pacific has made one appearance in the NCAA Tournament, in 2004.
West Coast Conference Schools in the Postseason
In addition to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, WCC schools have made numerous appearances in other postseason tournaments.
Gonzaga has made seven appearances in the NIT, with its last appearance in 2008. Santa Clara has made five appearances in the NIT, with its last appearance in 1999.
The University of San Francisco has made six appearances in the NIT, with its last appearance in 1994. Pepperdine has made four appearances in the NIT, with its last appearance in 2002.
Saint Mary’s has made three appearances in the CIT, with its last appearance in 2017. Loyola Marymount has made two appearances in the CIT, with its last appearance in 2011.
The University of San Diego has made one appearance in the CIT, in 2014. The University of the Pacific has made one appearance in the CBI, in 2014.
West Coast Conference Awards and Honors
The WCC has produced numerous athletes who have won individual awards and honors.
Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison was named the National Player of the Year in 2006, while St. Mary’s Matthew Dellavedova was named the National Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
Santa Clara’s Kurt Rambis was named the National Freshman of the Year in 1977, while Gonzaga’s Kyle Wiltjer was named the National Sixth Man of the Year in 2016.
In addition, the WCC has produced numerous All-Americans, including Santa Clara’s Steve Nash and Gonzaga’s Nigel Williams-Goss.
The Future of the West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference is currently one of the most competitive conferences in college sports. With its strong history of success and its talented pool of athletes, the WCC is poised to continue its success for years to come.
The conference is always looking for ways to improve and provide the best possible experience for its athletes, coaches, and fans. The WCC is also looking to expand, with the potential of adding new schools and new sports in the future.
Conclusion
The West Coast Conference is one of the most successful conferences in college sports. The conference is composed of 10 member schools and sponsors 19 sports. The WCC has produced numerous athletes who have won individual awards and honors, and its teams have made numerous appearances in the NCAA Tournament and other postseason tournaments.
With its strong history of success and its talented pool of athletes, the WCC is poised to continue its success for years to come.