Arizona Community College Athletic Conference

Arizona Community College Athletic Conference
Name	Arizona Community College Athletic Conference
Established	1969
Association	National Junior College Athletic Association
Division	Division I, II
Region	Arizona
Commissioner	David "Fitz" Fitzsimmons
Headquarters	Phoenix, Arizona
Website	www.accac.org

Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. The Arizona Community College Athletic Conference is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics at the community college level within the state of Arizona. Operating under the umbrella of the National Junior College Athletic Association, it is one of the premier conferences in the Western United States for Division I and Division II competition. The conference fosters athletic excellence and academic achievement, providing a critical pathway for student-athletes to transition to four-year NCAA and NAIA institutions.

History

The conference was founded in 1969 to organize and standardize competition between the growing number of community colleges in Arizona. Its formation coincided with the rapid expansion of the Maricopa County Community College District and other systems across the state. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the conference solidified its membership and competitive structure, becoming a recognized force within the NJCAA Region I landscape. Key historical developments include the integration of women's athletics following Title IX and the conference's adaptation to various NJCAA divisional realignments over the decades. The leadership of early commissioners and athletic directors from institutions like Phoenix College and Mesa Community College was instrumental in establishing its enduring framework.

Member institutions

The conference comprises ten member colleges located across Arizona, primarily within the Phoenix metropolitan area and Pima County. Full members include Arizona Western College in Yuma, Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Cochise College in Douglas, Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, GateWay Community College in Phoenix, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, and Phoenix College. Pima Community College in Tucson and Scottsdale Community College are also prominent members. These institutions represent diverse districts including the Maricopa County Community College District and the Pima Community College District.

Sports offered

The conference sponsors a wide array of sports for men and women, competing primarily at the NJCAA Division I level, with some sports in Division II. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, and track and field. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. Notably, the conference is a national powerhouse in sports like baseball and softball, with its members frequently competing in the NJCAA World Series. The football league, often referred to as the Western States Football League, is one of the most competitive junior college football circuits in the nation.

Conference championships

Conference championships are held annually in each sponsored sport, culminating in the awarding of the ACCAC title. These championships serve as qualifiers for NJCAA Region I tournaments and subsequent national tournaments. Members have won numerous NJCAA national championships; for example, Central Arizona College has claimed multiple titles in baseball and women's basketball, while Arizona Western College and Eastern Arizona College have storied histories in football. The women's basketball and baseball tournaments regularly feature strong contingents from the conference, highlighting its sustained competitive success on the national stage.

Notable alumni

The conference has served as a vital springboard for thousands of student-athletes who have achieved prominence in professional sports and beyond. In Major League Baseball, alumni include World Series champions like Curt Schilling (Yavapai College) and Ian Kinsler (Central Arizona College). National Football League standouts such as Aaron Francisco (BYU/Arizona Cardinals) and Jake Plummer (Arizona State/Denver Broncos) began their careers at Scottsdale Community College and Glendale Community College, respectively. Basketball alumni have excelled in the NBA and internationally, while many others have transferred to major programs like the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and the University of Oklahoma.

Governance and leadership

The conference is governed by a constitution and bylaws, with oversight provided by the NJCAA. The chief administrative officer is the Commissioner, a position held by David "Fitz" Fitzsimmons. Governance involves an Executive Committee composed of athletic directors and presidents from member colleges, which sets policy and strategic direction. Key committees, such as those for eligibility, championships, and sportsmanship, manage daily operations and uphold NJCAA rules. The conference office, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, coordinates scheduling, officiating, championship events, and public relations, working closely with the Arizona Interscholastic Association and four-year conferences like the Pac-12 Conference and Western Athletic Conference.

Category:National Junior College Athletic Association conferences Category:Sports in Arizona Category:Community college athletic conferences in the United States