Portland Pilots

Intercollegiate sports teams of University of Portland

For the minor league baseball team from Maine, see Portland Pilots (minor league).

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Athletic teams representing University of Portland

Portland Pilots

University| University of Portland
Conference| WCC (primary)
MPSF (indoor track & field)
NCAA| Division I
Athletic director| Scott Leykam
Location| Portland, Oregon
Varsity teams| 14
Basketball arena| Chiles Center
Baseball stadium| Joe Etzel Field
Soccer stadium| Merlo Field
Other venues| Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center
Mascot| Wally the Pilot
Nickname| Pilots
Fight song| "University of Portland Victory March 1984"
Colors| Purple and white[1]

Website| portlandpilots.com

The Portland Pilots is the nickname for athletics at the University of Portland. The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC) at the NCAA Division I level.

## History

[edit]

The Pilots started to gain attention when Clive Charles began coaching the women's soccer team in 1989. He already had been the men's soccer coach since 1986, and he continued to coach both teams until his death in 2003. He was replaced by Bill Irwin. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005 and was led by numerous national-level players (see "notable alumni athletes" section). Additionally, the men's soccer team has been to the College Cup twice in its history: 1988 and 1995.

In addition to soccer, UP consistently has one of the top cross country programs in the nation. Their men's team, coached by Rob Conner, won their 34th overall West Coast Conference championship in October 2014. The men's team has qualified for the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship a total of eighteen times, making their first appearance in 1993. The team has finished among the top 10 eight times in its history. The Pilots placed 7th in 2001, 2008, and 2013. The Pilots finished 3rd in 2014 and 2018 as well as 2nd in 2017, which was their highest ever finish.[2] In 2008, David Kinsella finished 4th overall, the highest any Pilot has ever placed individually at the national championships. The men's team has won the NCAA West Regional four times in their history: in 1993, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Through 2017, a total of eighteen Pilots have earned All-American honors in cross country, including Scott Fauble, Alfred Kipchumba, Trevor Dunbar, Pete Julian, Uli Steidl, Joe Driscoll, Reid Buchanan, and John Moore.[3][2] Rob Conner also heads the Pilots' Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field teams, and has coached 25 All-Americans in distance events ranging from the mile to the 10,000m run.[4] Several Pilots have competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials under coach Conner, including William "Woody" Kincaid in the 5,000m in 2016, and John Moore and Michael Kilburg in the 10,000m in 2008.

The Pilots have had success in other sports. The men's basketball team has participated in the NCAA tournament twice (1959 and 1996). Their women's basketball team has participated in the NCAA Tournament six times (1994-1997, 2023, and 2024), qualified for the cancelled 2020 NCAA Tournament, and participated in the WNIT three times (1998, 2009, and 2022). Their baseball team has also participated in the NCAA tournament five times (1957, 1958, 1979, 1989, and 1991). Their volleyball team also participated in the postseason for the first time in 2018 after qualifying for the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.[5]

UP has not fielded a football team since 1950.

## Sports sponsored

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Portland men's basketball v Cal Golden Bears, 2008 A Portland baseball game in 2009 Men's sports  | Women's sports

|

Baseball | Basketball
Basketball | Beach volleyball
Cross country | Cross country
Soccer | Rowing
Tennis | Soccer
Track and field† | Tennis
| Track and field†
| Volleyball
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor

### Former teams

[edit]

* Football (discontinued after 1950)
* Men's and women's golf (discontinued after 2011)

## National championships

[edit]

NCAA team championships

* Women's soccer (2): 2002, 2005

Other team championships

* NAIA Women's Cross Country (1): 1985

## Conference championships

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The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference, which they joined in 1976. Below are a few of their conference titles:

* Men's Basketball WCC Tournament Champions (1): 1996
* Men's Baseball Pacific-10 Conference Northern Division Tournament (2): 1989, 1991
* Men's Cross Country (35): 2024, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979
* Men's Golf (2): 1993, 1985
* Men's Soccer (6): 2016, 2002, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988
* Men's Tennis Regular Season (1): 2017
* Women's Basketball WCC Tournament Champions (4): 2024, 2023, 2020, 1994; Regular Season Champions (4): 2025, 1997, 1996, 1992
* Women's Cross County (21): 2023, 2016, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987
* Women's Soccer (13): 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992

## Venues

[edit]

The Chiles Center, which is now painted white

The Portland Pilots play home soccer matches at Merlo Field, part of the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.[6] All volleyball and basketball games are held in the Chiles Center. The baseball team plays in Joe Etzel Field. The Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center is home to the tennis teams.

## Olympians

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* Yari Allnutt, men's soccer, United States: 1996 Summer Olympics
* Conor Casey, men's soccer, United States: 2000 Summer Olympics
* Kasey Keller, men's soccer, United States: 1996 Summer Olympics
* Stephanie Lopez, women's soccer, United States: gold medalist in 2008 Summer Olympics
* Michelle French, women's soccer, United States: silver medalist in 2000 Summer Olympics
* Woody Kincaid, men's track and field, United States: 2020 Summer Olympics
* Shannon MacMillan, women's soccer, United States: gold medalist in 1996 Summer Olympics, silver medalist in 2000 Summer Olympics
* Derek Mandell, men's track and field, Guam: 2008 Summer Olympics, 2012 Summer Olympics
* Tiffeny Milbrett, women's soccer, United States: gold medalist in 1996 Summer Olympics, silver medalist in 2000 Summer Olympics
* Megan Rapinoe, women's soccer, United States: gold medalist in 2012 Summer Olympics, 2016 Summer Olympics, bronze medalist in 2020 Summer Olympics
* Sophie Schmidt, women's soccer, Canada: 2008 Summer Olympics, bronze medalist in 2012 Summer Olympics, bronze medalist in 2016 Summer Olympics, gold medalist in 2020 Summer Olympics
* Christine Sinclair, women's soccer, Canada: 2008 Summer Olympics, bronze medalist in 2012 Summer Olympics, bronze medalist in 2016 Summer Olympics, gold medalist in 2020 Summer Olympics
* Joshua Illustre, men’s track and field Guam: 2016 Summer Olympics

## Notable alumni athletes

[edit]

* Yari Allnutt, US men's international soccer player
* Emmett Barrett, American football player
* Larry Beil, American football player
* Conor Casey, US men's international soccer player
* Pat Casey, head coach of the Oregon State baseball team
* Steve Cherundolo, soccer player and assistant manager for Hannover 96
* Christina Francisco, runner who represents Guam internationally (current student)
* Rocky Gale, catcher in the San Diego Padres organization
* Nate Jaqua, soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC
* Pooh Jeter, basketball player for the Sacramento Kings in 2010–11
* Kasey Keller, US men's international soccer player and TV analyst
* Woody Kincaid, US men's Olympic long distance runner
* Bill Krueger, former MLB player and TV analyst
* Stephanie Lopez, US women's international soccer player
* Shannon MacMillan, US women's international soccer player
* Benji Michel, soccer player for F.C. Arouca of the Portuguese Primera Liga and formerly of Orlando City SC
* Tiffeny Milbrett, US women's international soccer player
* Heath Pearce, US men's international soccer player
* Megan Rapinoe, US women's international soccer player
* Elli Reed, soccer player for Seattle Reign FC
* Luis Robles, US men's international soccer player and goalkeeper for New York Red Bulls
* Sophie Schmidt, Canadian international soccer player
* Ray Scott, former 1st round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons
* Christine Sinclair, Canadian international soccer player and all-time leader in international goals for either sex
* Garrett Smith, head coach of the women's soccer team
* Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Miami Heat
* Keelin Winters, soccer player for Seattle Reign FC of the NWSL

## References

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1. ^ "University of Portland Launches Secondary Logo as Part of NIKE Brand Refresh". PortlandPilots.com. October 17, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
2. ^ a b "Pilots Hit Podium with Runner-Up Finish at NCAA Championships". University of Portland. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
3. ^ "University of Portland - Men's NCAA XC Championship History" (PDF). www.portlandpilots.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
4. ^ "University of Portland - All-Time Records and Awards 1.27.17". www.portlandpilots.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
5. ^ "Pilots enter Postseason for First Time, Play Northern Colorado on Thursday".
6. ^ NCAA Website[permanent dead link] "A very gracious man" September 29, 2003 by Beth Rosenburg

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Portland athletics.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

University of Portland

Located in: Portland, Oregon

Athletics|

* Portland Pilots
* Men's basketball
* Women's basketball
* Men's soccer
* Women's soccer

Campus|

* List of buildings
* Bauccio Commons
* Bell Tower
* Broken Wall Memorial
* Captain William Clark Monument
* Chapel of Christ the Teacher
* Chiles Center
* Franz Hall
* Joe Etzel Field
* Merlo Field
* O Cruceiro
* Oddo Memorial
* Portland Ice Arena
* Shiley Hall
* Swindells Hall
* Tree of Life
* Waldschmidt Hall

Life|

* The Beacon
* Victory Bell

People|

* Alumni

Related|

* Portland University
* University Park
* West Coast Conference

* Founded: 1901

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

West Coast Conference

Full members|

* Gonzaga Bulldogs1
* Loyola Marymount Lions
* Pacific Tigers
* Pepperdine Waves
* Portland Pilots
* Saint Mary's Gaels
* San Diego Toreros
* San Francisco Dons
* Santa Clara Broncos
* Seattle Redhawks

Associate members|

* Air Force Falcons3
* California Baptist Lancers1
* Creighton Bluejays2
* Oregon State Beavers1
* Sacramento Hornets2
* San Jose State Spartans3
* Washington State Cougars1

* 1leaving in 2026
* 2women's rowing
* 3men's water polo

* v
* t
* e

Mountain Pacific Sports Federation

Beach volleyball members|

* California Golden Bears
* Florida State Seminoles (joining in 2025)
* Grand Canyon Antelopes
* LSU Tigers (joining in 2025)
* Oregon Ducks
* South Carolina Gamecocks (joining in 2025)
* Stanford Cardinal
* Texas Longhorns (joining in 2025)
* UCLA Bruins
* USC Trojans
* Washington Huskies

Fencing members|

* Air Force Falcons
* Incarnate Word Cardinals
* UC San Diego Tritons

Gymnastics members|

| Men|

* Air Force Falcons
* California Golden Bears
* Oklahoma Sooners
* Stanford Cardinal

|

Women|

* Alaska Anchorage Seawolves
* Sacramento State Hornets
* Southern Utah Thunderbirds
* UC Davis Aggies

Men's rowing members|

* California Golden Bears
* Gonzaga Bulldogs
* Oregon State Beavers
* San Diego Toreros
* Santa Clara Broncos
* Stanford Cardinal
* UC San Diego Tritons
* Washington Huskies

Swimming & diving members|

| Men|

* California Baptist Lancers (joining in 2025, leaving in 2026)
* Incarnate Word Cardinals
* Pacific Tigers

|

Women|

* California Baptist Lancers (joining in 2025, leaving in 2026)
* Incarnate Word Cardinals
* New Mexico State Aggies (joining in 2025)
* Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (joining in 2025)
* Northern Colorado Bears (rejoining in 2025)
* Pacific Tigers
* Pepperdine Waves
* San Diego Toreros (leaving in 2025)
* Utah Tech Trailblazers (joining in 2025)
* UTRGV Vaqueros (joining in 2025)

Artistic|

* Incarnate Word Cardinals
* Stanford Cardinal
* Texas Woman's Pioneers
* Wheaton Lyons

Indoor track & field members|

| Men|

* Cal State Fullerton Titans
* Cal State Northridge Matadors
* Long Beach State Beach
* Portland Pilots
* UC Riverside Highlanders
* Washington State Cougars

|

Women|

* Cal State Fullerton Titans
* Cal State Northridge Matadors
* Hawaii Rainbow Wahine
* Long Beach State Beach
* Oregon State Beavers
* Pepperdine Waves
* Portland Pilots
* Saint Mary's Gaels
* San Francisco Dons
* UC Davis Aggies
* UC Irvine Anteaters
* UC Riverside Highlanders
* Washington State Cougars

Men's volleyball members|

* BYU Cougars
* Concordia Golden Eagles
* Menlo Oaks
* Pepperdine Waves
* Stanford Cardinal
* UCLA Bruins
* USC Trojans
* Vanguard Lions

Water polo members|

| Men|

* Augustana Vikings
* Austin Kangaroos
* California Golden Bears
* Penn State Behrend Lions
* Stanford Cardinal
* UCLA Bruins
* USC Trojans

|

Women|

* Arizona State Sun Devils
* California Golden Bears
* Indiana Hoosiers
* San Jose State Spartans
* Stanford Cardinal
* UCLA Bruins
* USC Trojans

Wrestling members|

| Men|

* Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks
* Menlo Oaks
* San Francisco State Gators
* Vanguard Lions

|

Women|

* Menlo Oaks
* Vanguard Lions

* v
* t
* e

American football teams based in Portland, Oregon

* 1944: Portland Rockets
* 1946–present: Lewis & Clark Pioneers
* 1946–50: Portland Pilots
* 1947–present: Portland State Vikings
* 1961–66: Portland Thunderbirds
* 1969: Portland Loggers
* 1973–75: Portland Storm
* 1985: Portland Breakers
* 1992: Oregon Lightning Bolts
* 1997–99: Portland Forest Dragons
* 2000: Portland Prowlers
* 2010: Rose City Wildcats
* 2010–present: Portland Fighting Fillies
* 2014–16: Portland Thunder/Steel

* v
* t
* e

Baseball teams based in Portland, Oregon

* 1890–1892: Portland Webfeet
* 1893: Portland
* 1900: Portland Browns
* 1901–1902: Portland Webfoots
* 1903–2010: Portland Beavers
* 1903: Portland Greengages
* 1909–1914: Portland Colts
* 1918: Portland Buckaroos
* 1946–present: Portland Pilots
* 1946: Portland Rosebuds
* 1973–1977: Portland Mavericks
* 1995–2000: Portland Rockies
* 2013–present: Hillsboro Hops

See also: Proposed Major League Baseball franchises in Portland, Oregon
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