BAKERFIELD, Calif. — The CSUB softball team will have a new conference home starting with the 2009–10 season after accepting an invitation to join the Pacific Coast Softball Conference, the university announced Thursday.
The PCSC extended invitations for conference membership to six schools: CSUB, Idaho State University, University of Northern Colorado, Seattle University, Utah Valley University and Weber State University. All six schools accepted their bids and will begin competing in the PCSC in 2010, joining charter members Loyola Marymount, Portland State, Sacramento State, Saint Mary’s, San Diego and Santa Clara to raise the conference’s membership to 12 schools.
“This is a big step forward for our program,” said CSUB Head Coach Kathy Welter. “Long term, the biggest benefit will be the ability to play for an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament starting in 2011. Short term, it will be a tremendous help in terms of scheduling and will give us a conference championship to play for.”
Starting with the 2010 season, the PCSC will split into two divisions, the Coastal and Mountain. The division winners will meet in a best-of-three championship series to determine the conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth. The Coastal Division will consist of the six California–based schools; CSUB, Loyola Marymount, Sacramento State, Saint Mary’s, San Diego and Santa Clara. Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Seattle, Utah Valley and Weber State will form the Mountain Division.
“We are delighted to welcome California State University, Bakersfield, Idaho State University, University of Northern Colorado, Seattle University, Utah Valley University, and Weber State University as members of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference,” said PCSC Commisioner Wendy Guthrie.
“At the forefront of this decision is the desire to increase opportunities for student-athletes and contribute to the development of NCAA Division I softball. The addition of a conference championship series will enhance the student-athlete experience and heighten the visibility of the league. This is an intentional and strategic step toward positioning the conference for sustainability and growth.”
The PCSC completed its sixth year of competition in 2008 and has had an automatic NCAA Tournament bid for its conference champion since 2006. Loyola Marymount has won three PCSC titles, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Santa Clara, 2004, Portland State, 2006, and Sacramento State, 2008, have also won conference championships.
The Roadrunners are in their third year of a five-year transition period to full NCAA Division I membership. They will become a full NCAA Division I member in the 2010-11 academic year.
CSUB finished its first full season of NCAA Division I competition this past season, posting a 22–25 record playing as a NCAA Division I Independent. The ’Runners won three NCAA Division II national titles and reached the Division II College World series five times.
CSUB will play the upcoming season as an independent once again, and it will do so with against a very ambitious schedule. The ’Runners will open the season at the ASU Kajikawa Classic where they will meet defending national champion Arizona State on Feb. 7.
They open their 27–game home slate by hosting Pacific and Santa Clara on Feb. 21. But ’Runner fans may find themselves peeking ahead to Mar. 22 when CSUB welcomes 10–time NCAA Champion UCLA to Bakersfield for a doubleheader.
NEW PCSC MEMBER QUICK FACTS
CSU BAKERSFIELD PROFILE
Location: Bakersfield, Calif.
Founded: 1970
Enrollment: 8,000
Nickname: Roadrunners
Colors: Blue and Gold
President: Dr. Horace Mitchell
Athletic Director: Rudy Carvajal
Head Coach: Kathy Welter
Record at CSUB: 923–392–3 (23 years)
Career Record: 1,062–481–7 (29 years)
IDAHO STATE PROFILE
Location: Pocatello, Idaho
Founded: 1901
Enrollment: 13,929
Nickname: Bengals
Colors: Orange and Black
President: Dr. Arthur Vailas
Athletic Director (Interim): Jeff Tingley
Head Coach (Interim): Andrea Wilson
Record at ISU: First year
Career Record: First year
NORTHERN COLORADO PROFILE
Location: Greeley, Colo.
Founded: 1889
Enrollment: 10,831
Nickname: Bears
Colors: Blue and Gold
President: Kay Norton
Director of Athletics: Jay Hinrichs
Head Coach: Jennifer Schunke
Record at UNC: 26–75 (2 years)
Career Record: 26–75 (2 years)
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY PROFILE
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Founded: 1891
Enrollment: 7,529
Nickname: Redhawks
Colors: Red and White
President: Fr. Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
Athletic Director: Bill Hogan
Head Coach: Dan Powers
Record at Seattle: 167–91 (5 years)
Career Record: 167–91 (5 years)
WEBER STATE PROFILE
Location: Ogden, Utah
Founded: 1889 (Four–year 1962)
Enrollment: 18,303
Nickname: Wildcats
Colors: Purple and White
President: Dr. F. Ann Millner
Athletic Director: Jerry Graybeal
Head Coach: Tina Johnson
Record at WSU: First year in 2010
Career Record: 85–168–3 (7 years)
UTAH VALLEY PROFILE
Location: Orem, Utah
Founded: 1941
Enrollment: 26,696
Nickname: Wolverines
Colors: Green, White and Gold
President: Dr. Elizabeth J. Hitch
Athletic Director: Mike Jacobsen
Head Coach: Todd Fairbourne
Record at UVU: 310–229–1 (10 years)
Career Record: 310–229–1 (10 years)
Courtesy: Kirby Lee/Image Of Sport
