Great Northwest Athletic Conference

Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Name	Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Established	2001
Association	NCAA
Division	NCAA Division II
Members	10
Sports	16
Region	Pacific Northwest
Headquarters	Portland, Oregon
Commissioner	Melissa Palmer

Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Great Northwest Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division II, operating primarily in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Founded in 2001, it sponsors championships in 16 sports and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The conference's member institutions are located across the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia.

History

The conference was officially formed in 2001, succeeding the Pacific West Conference and absorbing several of its members to create a more regionally focused league in the Pacific Northwest. Its creation was part of a broader NCAA Division II restructuring aimed at improving geographic alignment and reducing travel costs. Key founding members included Western Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Alaska Anchorage. Over the years, the conference has seen membership changes with the departure of institutions like the University of North Dakota and the addition of schools such as Simon Fraser University, the first non-U.S. member in the NCAA.

Member institutions

The conference currently comprises ten full member institutions. From Washington, members include Central Washington University, Saint Martin's University, Seattle Pacific University, Western Washington University, and Northwest University. From Alaska, the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks are members. Oregon is represented by Western Oregon University, while Montana State University Billings represents Montana. Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, is the conference's Canadian member. Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho is also a full member.

Sports sponsored

The conference sponsors championship competition in 16 sports, eight for men and eight for women. Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, track and field, and baseball. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball, and rowing. Not all member institutions sponsor every sport; for example, football is sponsored by Central Washington University, Western Oregon University, and Simon Fraser University, while rowing is primarily sponsored by Western Washington University.

Conference champions

The conference awards regular season and tournament champions in each sponsored sport. In men's basketball, programs like Western Washington University and Seattle Pacific University have won multiple titles. In women's volleyball, Western Washington University and the University of Alaska Anchorage have been dominant forces. The cross country championships often feature strong performances from Simon Fraser University and Alaska Anchorage. The conference champion in football has frequently been Central Washington University, which has also competed in the NCAA Division II Football Championship.

Facilities

Member institutions feature notable athletic venues, including the Carver Gymnasium at Western Washington University and the Royal Brougham Pavilion at Seattle Pacific University. The University of Alaska Anchorage hosts events at the Alaska Airlines Center, while Central Washington University plays football at Tomlinson Stadium. Other significant facilities include Simon Fraser University's Terry Fox Field and Western Oregon University's McArthur Field. The conference basketball tournaments have been held at venues like the Alaska Airlines Center and Saint Martin's University's Marcus Pavilion.

Notable alumni

Conference alumni have achieved success in professional sports and beyond. In basketball, Luke Ridnour of the University of Oregon (who played at Blaine before college) and Brittney Griner's collegiate coach Niele Ivey are connected to the region. In football, Jon Kitna, who played at Central Washington University, had a long NFL career. Track and field standout David Ribich from Western Oregon University became a national champion. Soccer alumnae include Megan Rapinoe, who played at the University of Portland (not a member) but the conference has produced numerous professional players in the NWSL.

Category:NCAA Division II conferences Category:Sports organizations established in 2001 Category:Sports in the Pacific Northwest