| Portland Pilots | |
| University | University of Portland |
|---|---|
| Conference(s) | West Coast Conference |
| NCAA | Division I |
| Athletics director | Larry Williams |
| Location | Portland, OR |
| Varsity teams | 14 |
| Basketball arena | Chiles Center |
| Baseball stadium | Joe Etzel Field |
| Soccer stadium | Merlo Field |
| Mascot | Wally Pilot |
| Nickname | Pilots |
| Fight song | "University of Portland Victory March 1984" |
| Colors | Purple and White
|
| Homepage | www.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's Division I level.
Contents |
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 2003, when he died. He was then replaced by the current coach Bill Irwin. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005, and were led by a slew of national-level players (see Notable Alumni Athletes section).
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, has won 32 straight West Coast Conference championships. The men's team has finished amongst the top 10 at the NCAA championships four times in its history. In 2008, the Pilots finished 7th, which is the highest they have ever placed. They also finished 7th in 2001. Also in 2008, David Kinsella finished 4th overall, the highest any Pilot has ever placed individually at the national championships.
The Pilots have had success in other sports as well. The men's basketball team has gone to the NCAA tournament twice (1959 and 1996). Their baseball team has also gone to the NCAA tournament five times (1957, 1958, 1979, 1989, and 1991).
UP used to have a football team as well, but it was dropped in 1950 due to a lack of funding.
Men's
|
Women's
|
The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference, which they joined in 1976. Below are a few of their conference titles:
The Portland Pilots play home soccer matches at Merlo Field, part of the Clive Charles Soccer Complex.[1] 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.
Preliminary campus expansion plans include moving the baseball field and tennis facilities from their current locations down to the waterfront in the Triangle Park property.[2]
|
|
|
|
|||||