Portland Pilots

For the baseball team, see Portland Pilots (baseball team).

Portland Pilots

University	University of Portland
Conference	West Coast Conference
NCAA	Division I
Athletic director	Scott Leykam
Location	Portland, OR
Varsity teams	14
Basketball arena	Chiles Center
Baseball stadium	Joe Etzel Field
Soccer stadium	Merlo Field
Mascot	Wally the Pilot
Nickname	Pilots
Fight song	"University of Portland Victory March 1984"
Colors	Purple White
Website	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.

History

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 the current coach Bill Irwin. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005 and were led by numerous 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, won their 34th overall West Coast Conference championship in October, 2014. The men's team has finished among the top 10 at the NCAA championships five times in its history. In 2001 and 2008, the Pilots finished 7th. In 2014, the PIlots finished 3rd, their highest ever finish.^[1] 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 women's basketball team has gone to the NCAA Tournament 4 times (1994-1997) and the WNIT twice (1998 and 2009). Their baseball team has also gone to the NCAA tournament five times (1957, 1958, 1979, 1989, and 1991).

UP has not fielded a football team since 1950.

Teams

The Pilots men's basketball team warming up in the Chiles Center.

The University of Portland sponsors teams in seven men's and nine women's NCAA sanctioned sports:^[2]

Men's Intercollegiate Sports

Women's Intercollegiate Sports

^{^} = The men's and women's track and field teams compete as independents.
* = Beach volleyball is a fully sanctioned NCAA sport which will have its first national championship in the spring of 2016.^[3] Portland is currently an independent.

Former Teams

Football (discontinued after 1950)
Men's and Women's Golf (discontinued after 2011)

National championships

NAIA Women's Cross Country (1): 1985
NCAA Women's Soccer (2): 2002, 2005

Conference championships

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 Cross Country (34): 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): 2002, 1995, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988
Women's Basketball WCC Tournament Champions (1): 1994; Regular Season Champions (3): 1992, 1996, 1997
Women's Cross County (19): 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

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.^[4] 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.

Notable alumni athletes

Emmett Barrett, American football player
Larry Beil, American football player
Conor Casey, soccer player for the Philadelphia Union
Pat Casey, head coach of the Oregon State baseball team
Steve Cherundolo, soccer player for Hannover 96
Rocky Gale, catcher in the San Diego Padres organization
Pooh Jeter, basketball player for the Sacramento Kings
Nate Jaqua, soccer player for Seattle Sounders FC
Kasey Keller, soccer player for Seattle Sounders FC
Bill Krueger, former MLB player and TV analyst
Stephanie Lopez, US women's international soccer player
Shannon MacMillan, US women's international soccer player

Tiffeny Milbrett, US women's international soccer player
Heath Pearce, soccer player for the Orlando City SC
Megan Rapinoe, US women's international soccer player
Elli Reed, soccer player for Seattle Reign FC
Sophie Schmidt, Canadian international soccer player
Ray Scott, former 1st round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons
Christine Sinclair, Canadian international soccer player
Garrett Smith, head coach of the women's soccer team
Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Miami Heat
Zach Varce, pitcher in the New York Yankees organization
Keelin Winters, soccer player for Seattle Reign FC

Gallery

References

↑ http://portlandpilots.com/news/2014/11/22/MXC_1122142946.aspx
↑ http://www.portlandpilots.com/
↑ "NCAA DII, DIII membership approves Sand Volleyball as 90th championship". NCAA. January 17, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
↑ NCAA Website "A very gracious man" Sep 29, 2003 by Beth Rosenburg

External links

Official website

West Coast Conference

Full members	BYU Cougars Gonzaga Bulldogs Loyola Marymount Lions Pacific Tigers Pepperdine Waves Portland Pilots Saint Mary's Gaels San Diego Toreros San Francisco Dons Santa Clara Broncos

Associate members	Creighton Bluejays (women's rowing) CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (women's golf, softball) Seattle Redhawks (women's golf)

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–present: Portland Thunder

Baseball teams based in Portland, Oregon

1890–92: Portland Webfeet 1893: Portland 1901–02: Portland Webfoots 1903–2010: Portland Beavers 1903: Portland Greengages 1909–14: Portland Colts 1918: Portland Buckaroos 1946–present: Portland Pilots 1946: Portland Rosebuds 1973–77: Portland Mavericks 1995–2000: Portland Rockies

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

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