What is the Big West Conference?
The Big West Conference is a Division I league of California public universities (plus Hawai'i in most sports), without football, and a national force in volleyball, baseball, water polo-adjacent aquatic sports and soccer.[1] [2]
Members and sports
Members include UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, Long Beach State, Cal Poly and Hawai'i; UC Davis departs for the Mountain West in 2026. Long Beach State and Hawai'i are perennial NCAA men's volleyball champions.[1] [3]
Since when does it exist?
Founded in 1969 as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association; renamed the Big West in 1988.[1]
Why does the Big West Conference matter?
In its signature sports the Big West competes for and wins national championships outright — a top-tier organization in volleyball, baseball and beach sports irrespective of football.[1] [2]
References
- Big West — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- NCAA — About the NCAA. Accessed August 2026.
- CBS Sports — UC Davis to the Mountain West in 2026. Accessed August 2026.