Azusa Pacific Cougars Explained

Azusa Pacific Cougars
University:Azusa Pacific University
Association:NCAA
Conference:PacWest (primary)
PCSC (swimming and diving)
GCC (women's water polo)
Division:Division II
Director:Gary Pine
Location:Azusa, California
Teams:16
Mens Teams:6
Womens Teams:10
Basketballarena:Felix Event Center
Baseballfield:Cougar Baseball Complex
Softballstadium:Cougar Softball Complex
Soccerstadium:Cougar Soccer Complex
Tenniscourt:Munson and Bavougian Tennis Complex
Trackvenue:Cougar Athletic Stadium
Mascot:Freddy Cougar
Nickname:Cougars
Pageurl:https://athletics.apu.edu/
Ncaa Titles:2

The Azusa Pacific Cougars are the athletic teams that represent Azusa Pacific University, located in Azusa, California, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) for most of its sports since the 2012–13 academic year; while its women's swimming & diving team competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference (PCSC) and its women's water polo team competes in the Golden Coast Conference (GCC). The Cougars previously competed in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1986–87 to 2011–12. On July 11, 2011 Azusa Pacific began the three-year transition process to becoming a member of the NCAA.[1] Azusa Pacific University decided to end its football program in December 2020 due to financial restructuring.[2]

Azusa Pacific Athletics achieved eight consecutive wins of the Directors’ Cup from 2005 to 2012, with a total of 108 GSAC Championships and 36 NAIA National Championships.[3] Since joining NCAA Division II, the program has added 45 PacWest Conference Championships, four GNAC championships in football, and two NCAA national championships.

Varsity teams

Azusa Pacific competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include acrobatics and tumbling, basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo.

National championships

Team

Women's basketball (1)NAIADivision I2011Union (TN)65–59
Women's cross country (1)NAIASingle2008Cedarville66–97
Football (1)NAIASingle1998Olivet Nazarene17–14
Men's soccer (1)NAIASingle2007Concordia Irvine2–0
Men's tennis (1)NAIASingle2005Santa Fe (NM)5–3
Men's indoor track and field (8)NAIA[4] Single1996Oklahoma Baptist91–83 (+8)
2002Doane72–37.5 (+34.5)
2003MidAmerica Nazarene61–43.5 (+17.5)
2004Lindenwood75–47.5 (+27.5)
2007Oklahoma Baptist83–62 (+21)
2008Oklahoma Baptist64.75–64 (+0.75)
2009Dickinson State78.5–55 (+23.5)
2010Wayland Baptist71–56 (+15)
Women's indoor track and field (3)NAIASingle[5] 2003Doane121–51
2004Simon Fraser95–65
2012Oklahoma Baptist108–107
Men's outdoor track and field (15)NAIASingle1983Saginaw Valley State94–36 (+58)
1984Saginaw Valley State93–77 (+16)
1985Wayland Baptist94–76 (+18)
1986Wayland Baptist112–86 (+25)
1987Wayland Baptist108–82 (+26)
1988Prairie View A&M112–63 (+48)
1989Adams State115–70 (+45)
1991Central State (OH)
Lubbock Christian
87–42 (+45)
1992Central State (OH)93–76 (+17)
1994Central State (OH)82–66 (+16)
1995Lubbock Christian105⅓–104 (+1⅓)
2001Life97–50 (+47)
2002Life54–50 (+4)
2008Dickinson State61–57 (+4)
2009Dickinson State80–71 (+9)
Women's outdoor track and field (6)NAIA (4)Single[6] 2003Lindenwood86–78 (+8)
2004Lindenwood104–76 (+28)
2007Cedarville73–58
2010Oklahoma Baptist61–60 (+1)
NCAA (2)Division II2021Grand Valley State81–77
2023Minnesota State66-57

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reinsch. Joe. Azusa Pacific Accepted Into NCAA Division II Membership Process. Azusa Pacific University. 22 July 2011.
  2. Web site: Football Draws to a Close at Azusa Pacific.
  3. Web site: Azusa Pacific University Athletics - Official Athletics Website.
  4. Web site: NAIA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship Results . Men’s Championship History . NAIA. 22 February 2024.
  5. Web site: NAIA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship Results . NAIA. NAIA.org. 22 February 2024.
  6. Web site: NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship Results . NAIA Sports Information Directors Manual. NAIA. 26 May 2022.