What is the West Coast Conference?
The West Coast Conference (WCC) is the Division I conference of the West Coast's private, mostly faith-based universities, long defined by high-level basketball and Olympic-sport programs without football.[1] [2]
Members and sports
Members include Saint Mary's, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Portland, San Diego and Pacific. Gonzaga — the league's dominant basketball program for two decades — departed for the rebuilt Pac-12 in July 2026 after winning a final WCC title.[2] [3]
Since when does it exist?
Founded in 1952 as the California Basketball Association; headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.[1]
Why does the West Coast Conference matter?
The WCC's basketball pedigree (Gonzaga's Final Fours, Saint Mary's tournament runs, Bill Russell's USF legacy) and strong soccer, baseball and tennis programs keep it among the leading non-football conferences in the West.[1] [2]
References
- WCC — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Gonzaga University — Closing a chapter with the WCC. Accessed August 2026.
- SI — WCC adds member to counter Gonzaga departure. Accessed August 2026.