Pacific Coast Athletic Association

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA), a major college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I, was founded in 1969.

[edit] Background

Originally, all PCAA members were located in California, but in later years the conference included members from interior western states. For example, Utah State was admitted to the conference in 1978. As a result of this geographical shift, and a promotion for ESPN broadcasts of "Big Monday" basketball games on Monday night, the PCAA was renamed the Big West Conference in 1988.

Charter members (and years of membership) included California State-Los Angeles (1969-1974), Fresno State (1969-1988), Long Beach State (1969-1988), Pacific (1969-1988), San Diego State (1969-1976), San Jose State (1969-1988), and California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) (1969-1972).

Other former members (and years of membership) include California State-Fullerton (1974-1988), Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) (1982-1988), New Mexico State (1983-1988), and Utah State (1978-1988).

PCAA members who became part of the renamed Big West Conference in 1988 included Cal State-Fullerton, Fresno State, Long Beach State, UNLV, New Mexico State, Pacific, San Jose State and Utah State.

[edit] Current conference affiliations (for football) of former members

  • Mountain West Conference (2) - UNLV and San Diego State
  • Western Athletic Conference (4) - Fresno State, San Jose State, New Mexico State, and Utah State
  • None (no active intercollegiate football program) (5) - UCSB, Cal State-Fullerton, Cal State-Los Angeles, Long Beach State, and Pacific