Great Northwest Athletic Conference

U.S. college athletic conference

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Great Northwest Athletic Conference" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC)

Association| NCAA
Founded| 2001; 24 years ago (2001)
Commissioner| David Haglund (since 2011)
Sports fielded|

* 16
* men's: 8
* women's: 8

Division| Division II
No. of teams| 10
Headquarters| Portland, Oregon
Region| Idaho, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Washington, Oregon
Official website| gnacsports.com
Locations

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. It has historically operated in the northwestern United States, but also includes schools in Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia.

The GNAC is the only NCAA conference in any division with a Canadian university as a member.

## History

[edit]

The conference formed in 2001 when its original ten members split from the Pacific West Conference.

Great Northwest Athletic Conference (Pacific Northwest)

200km
124miles

Central Washington

Simon Fraser

Montana State–Billings

Western Washington

Western Oregon

Seattle Pacific

Saint Martin's

Northwest Nazarene

Location of GNAC members:  current

Great Northwest Athletic Conference (Alaska)

500km
311miles

Alaska–Anchorage

Alaska

Location of GNAC members:  current

### Chronological timeline

[edit]

* 2001 – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) was founded. Charter members included the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, the University of Alaska at Anchorage, Central Washington University, Humboldt State University (now California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt), Northwest Nazarene University, Saint Martin's, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Western Oregon University and Western Washington University, beginning the 2001–02 academic year.
* 2006 – Humboldt State left the GNAC to join the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) after the 2005–06 academic year. This would result in the GNAC dropping football, with Western Washington and Central Washington becoming football affiliates of the now defunct North Central Conference (NCC) and Western Oregon competing as a D-II Independent.
* 2007 – Montana State University at Billings joined the GNAC in the 2007–08 academic year.
* 2008 – Seattle left the GNAC to join the Division I ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as an NCAA D-I Independent (who would later join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), beginning the 2012–13 school year) after the 2007–08 academic year.
* 2008 – Dixie State University (now Utah Tech University) joined the GNAC as an affiliate member for football (with Humboldt State returning for that sport) with the 2008 fall season (2008–09 academic year), leading to the GNAC to begin sponsoring football once again.
* 2010 – Simon Fraser University joined the GNAC in the 2010–11 academic year, becoming the first Canadian institution of higher education.
* 2012 – Three institutions joined the GNAC as affiliate members, all effective in the 2012 fall season (2012–13 academic year):
* Azusa Pacific University for football
* and the University of Mary and the University of Sioux Falls for men's soccer
* 2013 – South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (South Dakota Mines) joined the GNAC as an affiliate member for men's soccer in the 2013 fall season (2013–14 academic year).
* 2014 – South Dakota Mines added football to its GNAC affiliate membership in the 2014 fall season (2014–15 academic year).
* 2015 – South Dakota Mines left the GNAC as an affiliate member for men's soccer after the 2014 fall season (2014–15 academic year).
* 2015 – Concordia University–Portland joined the GNAC in the 2015-16 academic year.
* 2016 – Dixie State and South Dakota Mines left the GNAC as affiliate members for football after the 2015 fall season (2015–16 academic year).
* 2019 – Humboldt State left the GNAC as an affiliate member for football as the school announced it was dropping the sport after the 2018 fall season (2018–19 academic year).
* 2019 – The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) and the University of Central Oklahoma (along with Humboldt State returning for that sport), joined the GNAC as affiliate members for women's rowing in the 2020 spring season (2019–20 academic year).
* 2020 – Concordia–Portland left the GNAC as the school ceased operations after the 2019–20 academic year.
* 2020 – Azusa Pacific left the GNAC as an affiliate member for football as the school announced it was dropping the sport after the 2020 fall season (2020–21 academic year).
* 2020 – UC San Diego left the GNAC as an affiliate member for women's rowing after the 2020 spring season (2019–20 academic year), coinciding with the start of its transition to NCAA Division I.
* 2022 – Central Washington, Western Oregon and Simon Fraser, the only 3 football-sponsoring schools remaining in the GNAC, announce that they will be joining the Lone Star Conference as football affiliates after the 2021 fall season (2021–22 academic year), bringing an end to the GNAC as a football conference for a second time.

## Member schools

[edit]

### Current members

[edit]

The GNAC currently has ten full members, all but three are public schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Colors

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, Alaska | 1954  | Public | 10,687  | Seawolves | 2001  |
University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks, Alaska | 1917  | Public  | 7,451  | Nanooks | 2001  |
Central Washington University | Ellensburg, Washington | 1891  | Public  | 8,509  | Wildcats | 2001  |
Montana State University Billings | Billings, Montana | 1927  | Public  | 4,129  | Yellowjackets | 2007  |
Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa, Idaho | 1913  | Nazarene | 1,646  | Nighthawks | 2001  |
Saint Martin's University | Lacey, Washington | 1895  | Catholic | 1,505  | Saints | 2001  |
Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, Washington | 1891  | Free Methodist | 2,261  | Falcons | 2001  |
Simon Fraser University | Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada | 1965  | Public  | 26,776  | Red Leafs | 2010  |
Western Oregon University | Monmouth, Oregon | 1856  | Public  | 3,823  | Wolves | 2001  |
Western Washington University | Bellingham, Washington | 1893  | Public  | 14,700  | Vikings | 2001  |

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

### Affiliate members

[edit]

The GNAC currently has two affiliate members, both are public schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Colors  | GNAC
sport  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond, Oklahoma | 1890  | Public  | 12,554  | Bronchos | 2019  |     | women's rowing  | Mid-America (MIAA)
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt[b][c] | Arcata, California | 1913  | Public  | 6,045  | Lumberjacks | 2019  |     | women's rowing  | California (CCAA)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Cal Poly Humboldt was a full member of the GNAC from 2001–02 to 2005–06, and was as an affiliate member of the GNAC for football from the 2008 to 2018 fall seasons (2008–09 to 2018–19 school years).
3. ^ Formerly known as Humboldt State University until January 26, 2022.

### Former members

[edit]

The GNAC had three former full members, all but one were private schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Left[b] | Current
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Concordia University–Portland | Portland, Oregon | 1905  | Lutheran LCMS | N/A  | Cavaliers | 2015  | 2020  | Closed in 2020
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt[c][d] | Arcata, California | 1913  | Public | 5,858  | Lumberjacks | 2001  | 2006  | California (CCAA)
Seattle University | Seattle, Washington | 1891  | Jesuit | 7,107  | Redhawks | 2001  | 2008  | West Coast (WCC)[e]

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. ^ Cal Poly Humboldt remains in the GNAC as an affiliate member for women's rowing.
4. ^ Formerly known as Humboldt State University until January 26, 2022.
5. ^ Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.

### Former affiliate members

[edit]

The GNAC had seven former affiliate members, all but three were public schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Left[b] | GNAC
sport  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, California | 1899  | Evangelical
Christian | 7,133  | Cougars | 2012  | 2020  | football  | Pacific West (PacWest)
Dixie State University[c] | St. George, Utah | 1911  | Public | 12,556  | Red Storm[d] | 2008  | 2016  | football  | Western (WAC)[e]
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt[f][g] | Arcata, California | 1913  | Public  | 5,858  | Lumberjacks | 2006  | 2019  | football  | California (CCAA)
University of Mary | Bismarck, North Dakota | 1959  | Catholic | 3,794  | Marauders | 2012  | 2016  | men's soccer  | Northern Sun (NSIC)
University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 1883  | Baptist | 1,594  | Cougars | 2012  | 2013  | men's soccer  | Northern Sun (NSIC)
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Rapid City, South Dakota | 1885  | Public  | 2,493  | Hardrockers | 2014fb. | 2016fb. | football  | Rocky Mountain (RMAC)
2013m.soc. | 2015m.soc. | men's soccer
University of California, San Diego | San Diego, California | 1960  | Public  | 41,482  | Tritons | 2019  | 2020  | women's rowing  | Big West (BWC)[e]

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. ^ Currently known as Utah Tech University.
4. ^ Currently known as the Utah Tech Trailblazers.
5. ^ a b Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
6. ^ Cal Poly Humboldt was a full member of the GNAC from 2001–02 to 2005–06. However it remains in the GNAC as an affiliate member for women's rowing.
7. ^ Formerly known as Humboldt State University until January 2022.

### Membership timeline

[edit]

Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football)   Associate member (football)   Associate member (sport)

* The GNAC did not sponsor football during the 2006 and 2007 fall seasons (2006–07 and 2007–08 school years). Therefore, Central Washington and Western Washington competed in the North Central Conference (NCC); while Dixie State, Humboldt State and Western Oregon competed as Independents.

## Sports sponsored

[edit]

Conference sports Sport | Men's | Women's

|
|

Baseball | Y |
Basketball | Y | Y
Cross Country | Y | Y
Golf | Y | Y
Rowing |  | Y
Soccer | Y | Y
Softball |  | Y
Track & Field Indoor | Y | Y
Track & Field Outdoor | Y | Y
Volleyball |  | Y

### Men's sponsored sports by school

[edit]

School  | Baseball  | Basketball  | Cross
Country  | Golf  | Soccer  | Track
& Field
Indoor  | Track
& Field
Outdoor  | Total
GNAC
Sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Alaska  |  | Y | Y |  |  |  |  | 2
Alaska-Anchorage  |  | Y | Y |  |  | Y | Y | 4
Central Washington  | Y | Y | Y |  |  | Y | Y | 5
Montana State-Billings  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7
Northwest Nazarene  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7
Saint Martin's  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7
Seattle Pacific  |  | Y | Y |  | Y | Y | Y | 5
Simon Fraser  |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 6
Western Oregon  | Y | Y | Y |  | Y | Y | Y | 6
Western Washington  |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 6
Totals  | 5  | 10  | 10  | 5  | 7  | 9  | 9  | 57

### Women's sponsored sports by school

[edit]

School  | Basketball  | Cross
Country  | Golf  | Rowing  | Soccer  | Softball  | Track
& Field
Indoor  | Track
& Field
Outdoor  | Volleyball  | Total
GNAC
Sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Alaska  | Y | Y |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y | 3
Alaska-Anchorage  | Y | Y |  |  |  |  | Y | Y | Y | 5
Central Washington  | Y | Y |  |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7
Montana State-Billings  | Y | Y | Y |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8
Northwest Nazarene  | Y | Y | Y |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8
Saint Martin's  | Y | Y | Y |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8
Seattle Pacific  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |  | Y | Y | Y | 8
Simon Fraser  | Y | Y | Y |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8
Western Oregon  | Y | Y |  |  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7
Western Washington  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 9
Affiliate Members
Cal Poly Humboldt  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Central Oklahoma  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Totals  | 10  | 10  | 6  | 4  | 8  | 7  | 9  | 9  | 10  | 81

### Other sponsored sports by school

[edit]

School  |  | Men  |  | Women  |  | Co-ed

|
|
|
|
|
|

Football  | Ice
Hockey[a] | Lacrosse  | Swimming
& Diving  | Wrestling  | Gymnastics[a] | Swimming
& Diving  | Wrestling  | Rifle[a] | Skiing[a]
Alaska  |  | IND |  |  |  |  | PCSC |  | PRC | RMISA
Alaska Anchorage  |  | IND |  |  |  | MPSF |  |  |  | RMISA
Central Washington  | LSC |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Northwest Nazarene  |  |  | RMAC |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Simon Fraser  |  |  |  | RMAC | RMAC |  | RMAC | RMAC |  |
Western Oregon  | LSC |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

1. ^ a b c d De facto Division I sport. The NCAA holds a combined national championship event in men's ice hockey open to both Division I and Division II members, and single championship events open to members of all three divisions in women's gymnastics and the coeducational sports of rifle and skiing.

## Football champions

[edit]

| Year | Champion | Conf.
Record

|
|

2001 | Western Washington |

3-0

2002 | Central Washington |

3-0

2003 | Western Washington |

3-0

2004 | Central Washington |

5-1

2005 | Central Washington |

6-0

2006 | Not Sponsored |

N/A

2007 | Not Sponsored |

N/A

2008 | Central Washington |

8-0

2009 | Central Washington |

6-0

| Year | Champion | Conf.
Record

|
|

2010 | Central Washington |

7-1

2011 | Humboldt State |

7-1

2012 | Central Washington |

7-3

2013 | Azusa Pacific |

9-1

2014 | Azusa Pacific |

6-0

2015 | Humboldt State |

6-0

2016 | Azusa Pacific |

8-0

2017 | Central Washington |

8-0

2018 | Azusa Pacific & Central Washington |

7-1

2019 | Central Washington & Western Oregon |

5-1

2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |

N/A

2021 | Central Washington |

4-0

## Basketball champions

[edit]

Main article: Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament

Main article: Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament

## Conference facilities

[edit]

School  | Basketball arena  | Capacity

|
|

Alaska Fairbanks | Alaska Airlines Court | 1,648
Alaska Anchorage | Alaska Airlines Center | 5,000
Central Washington | Nicholson Pavilion | 2,519
Montana State - Billings | Alterowitz Gymnasium | 2,330
Northwest Nazarene | Johnson Sports Center |
Saint Martin's | Marcus Pavilion | 4,960
Seattle Pacific | Royal Brougham Pavilion | 2,650
Simon Fraser | West Gym | 1,500
Western Oregon | PE Gym | 2,473
Western Washington | Sam Carver Gym | 2,534

## References

[edit]

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Great Northwest Athletic Conference

Members|

* Alaska Nanooks
* Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
* Central Washington Wildcats
* Montana State Billings Yellowjackets
* Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks
* Saint Martin's Saints
* Seattle Pacific Falcons
* Simon Fraser Red Leafs
* Western Oregon Wolves
* Western Washington Vikings

Rowing affiliates|

* Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks
* Central Oklahoma Bronchos

* v
* t
* e

NCAA Division II all-sports conferences

Atlantic|

* Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
* Mountain East Conference
* Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference

* Independent — Salem University

Central|

* Great American Conference
* Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
* Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

East|

* Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
* East Coast Conference
* Northeast-10 Conference

Midwest|

* Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* Great Lakes Valley Conference
* Great Midwest Athletic Conference

South|

* Gulf South Conference
* Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* Sunshine State Conference

South Central|

* Lone Star Conference
* Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Southeast|

* Conference Carolinas
* Peach Belt Conference
* South Atlantic Conference

West|

* California Collegiate Athletic Association
* Great Northwest Athletic Conference
* Pacific West Conference

Division II|

* Independents

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template