California Collegiate Athletic Association

Last updated
California Collegiate Athletic Association
California Collegiate Athletic Association logo.svg
Association NCAA
Founded1938;87 years ago (1938)
CommissionerAllen Hardison
Sports fielded
  • 13
    • men's: 6
    • women's: 7
Division Division II
No. of teams12 (13 in 2026)
Headquarters Aliso Viejo, California
Region California
Official website goccaa.org
Locations
CCAA map.svg

The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. [1] All of its current members are public universities.

Contents

It was founded in December 1938 and began competition in 1939. The commissioner of the CCAA is Allen Hardison. CCAA offices are located in Aliso Viejo, California. [2] The CCAA is the most successful conference in NCAA Division II, as its former and current members have won 155 National Championships. [3]

History

USA California location map.svg
Blue pog.svg
Cal Poly Humboldt
Blue pog.svg
Cal Poly Pomona
Blue pog.svg
Chico State
Blue pog.svg
Cal State Dominguez Hills
Blue pog.svg
Cal State East Bay
Blue pog.svg
Cal State LA
Blue pog.svg
Cal State Monterey Bay
Blue pog.svg
Cal State San Bernardino
Blue pog.svg
Cal State San Marcos
Blue pog.svg
Stanislaus State
Blue pog.svg
SF State
Blue pog.svg
UC Merced
Green pog.svg
Fresno Pacific
Location of CCAA members:
Blue pog.svg – Full member
Green pog.svg – Future member

Recent events

On November 14, 2023, the University of California, Merced had accepted an invitation to join the CCAA, beginning the 2025–26 academic year. [4]

On January 22, 2025, Sonoma State University announced that it would be ceasing all athletic operations following the conclusion of the 2024–25 athletic year. [5]

On June 13, 2025, Fresno Pacific University received an invitation to join the CCAA, beginning the 2026–27 academic year. [6]

Chronological timeline

Member schools

Current members

As of 2025, the CCAA has 12 full members, all of which are public schools. Reclassifying members listed in yellow.

InstitutionAthletic
brand
Location [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollment
(Fall 2024) [7]
NicknameJoined [b] Colors
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Cal Poly Humboldt Arcata 1913 Public [c] 6,045 Lumberjacks 2006   
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Cal Poly Pomona Pomona 193827,196 Broncos 1967   
California State University, Chico Chico State Chico 188714,581 Wildcats 1998   
California State University, Dominguez Hills Cal State Dominguez Hills Carson 196014,262 Toros 1980   
California State University, East Bay Cal State East Bay Hayward 195710,892 Pioneers 2009     
California State University, Los Angeles Cal State Los Angeles Los Angeles 194722,740 Golden Eagles 1950;
1974 [d]
   
California State University, Monterey Bay Cal State Monterey Bay Seaside 19947,302 Otters 2004   
California State University, San Bernardino Cal State San Bernardino or
CSUSB
San Bernardino 196517,900 Coyotes 1991   
California State University San Marcos Cal State San Marcos San Marcos 198914,655 Cougars 2015   
California State University, Stanislaus Stanislaus State Turlock 19579,295 Warriors 1998     
San Francisco State University San Francisco State San Francisco 189922,357 Gators 1998   
University of California, Merced UC Merced Merced 2005Public [e] 9,110 Golden Bobcats 2025   
Notes
  1. All cities are located within the State of California.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  3. Part of the California State University System.
  4. Cal State LA left the CCAA after the 1968–69 school year to join the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA; now known as the Big West Conference), but rejoined in the 1974–75 school year.
  5. Part of the University of California System.

Future members

InstitutionAthletic
brand
Location [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoining [b] Current
conference
Colors
Fresno Pacific University Fresno Pacific Fresno, California 1944 Mennonite 2,889 Sunbirds 2026 Pacific West (PacWest)    
Notes
  1. All cities are located within the State of California, unless noted in parentheses the state where the institution is located by that city.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

Former members

The CCAA had 17 former full members, all but four were public schools. Institutional names and nicknames reflect those used in the final academic year of CCAA membership:

InstitutionAthletic
brand
Location [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [b] Left [c] Current
conference
California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
or Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo 1901Public [d] 21,306 Mustangs 19451994 Big West (BWC) [e]
California State University, Bakersfield Cal State Bakersfield Bakersfield 19658,720 Roadrunners 19722007 Big West (BWC) [e]
California State University, Fresno Fresno State Fresno 191125,341 Bulldogs 19391969 Mountain West (MW) [e]
(Pac-12 [e] in 2026)
California State University, Fullerton Cal State Fullerton Fullerton 195740,235 Titans 19671974 Big West (BWC) [e]
California State University, Long Beach Cal State Long Beach
or Long Beach State
Long Beach 194937,776 49ers [f] 19561969 Big West (BWC) [e]
California State University, Northridge Cal State Northridge Northridge 195839,916 Matadors 19611990 Big West (BWC) [e]
University of California, Davis UC Davis Davis 1905Public [g] 36,441 Aggies 19982004 Big West (BWC) [e]
(Mountain West [e] in 2026)
University of California, Riverside UC Riverside Riverside 195422,921 Highlanders 19692000 Big West (BWC) [e]
University of California, San Diego UC San Diego
or UCSD
La Jolla 196033,735 Tritons 20002020 Big West (BWC) [e]
University of California, Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara
or UCSB
Santa Barbara [h] 189124,346 Gauchos 19391969 Big West (BWC) [e]
Chapman University Chapman Orange 1861 Disciples of Christ 10,001 Panthers 19781993 Southern California (SCIAC) [i]
Grand Canyon University Grand Canyon Phoenix
(Arizona)
1949 Nondenominational/
For-profit [j]
25,000 Antelopes 19942004 Mountain West (MW) [e]
University of the Pacific Pacific Stockton 1851 United Methodist 6,652 Tigers 19461949 West Coast (WCC) [e]
Pepperdine University Pepperdine Malibu [k] 1937 Churches of Christ 6,000 Waves 19451954 West Coast (WCC) [e]
San Diego State University Cal State San Diego
or San Diego State
San Diego 1897Public [d] 35,578 Aztecs 19391969 Mountain West (MW) [e]
(Pac-12 [e] in 2026)
San Jose State University Cal State San Jose
or San Jose State
San Jose 185733,025 Spartans 19391950 Mountain West (MW) [e]
Sonoma State University Sonoma State Rohnert Park 19606,566 Seawolves 19982025N/A [l]
Notes
  1. All cities are located within the State of California, unless noted in parentheses the state where the institution is located by that city.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  3. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  4. 1 2 Part of the California State University System.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  6. Long Beach State fully rebranded its athletic program as "The Beach" since the 2020–21 school year.
  7. Part of the University of California System.
  8. Mailing address; the campus is in the adjacent community of Isla Vista.
  9. Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
  10. Grand Canyon's for-profit status is disputed. The U.S. Department of Education considers it to be for-profit, but the Internal Revenue Service, the state of Arizona, and the NCAA all consider it a nonprofit.
  11. Mailing address; the campus is in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
  12. Sonoma State dropped its athletics program after the 2024–25 school year.

Membership timeline

Fresno Pacific UniversityUniversity of California, MercedCalifornia State University, San MarcosCalifornia State University, East BayCalifornia State Polytechnic University, HumboldtCalifornia State University, Monterey BayUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of California, DavisSonoma State UniversitySan Francisco State UniversityCalifornia State University, StanislausCalifornia State University, ChicoGrand Canyon UniversityCalifornia State University, San BernardinoCalifornia State University, Dominguez HillsChapman UniversityCalifornia State University, BakersfieldUniversity of California, RiversideCalifornia State Polytechnic University, PomonaCalifornia State University, FullertonCalifornia State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Los AngelesUniversity of the Pacific (United States)California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoPepperdine UniversityUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraSan Jose State UniversitySan Diego State UniversityCalifornia State University, FresnoCalifornia Collegiate Athletic Association

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

Sports sponsored

The CCAA sponsors seven sports for women and six sports for men. Cross country, soccer, and volleyball are fall sports; basketball is a winter sport; golf, outdoor track & field, softball, and baseball are spring sports. Throughout the years, CCAA teams have won 155 NCAA championships in their sports, which is best among all Division II conferences.

The CCAA has a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which is made up of student-athletes from each member institution.

The following divisional format is used for baseball, men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball.
North
  • Cal Poly Humboldt
  • Chico State
  • Cal State East Bay
  • Stanislaus State
  • San Francisco State
  • Sonoma State
South
  • Cal Poly Ponoma
  • Cal State Dominguez Hills
  • Cal State Los Angeles
  • Cal State Monterey Bay
  • Cal State San Bernardino
  • Cal State San Marcos
Teams in California Collegiate Athletic Association competition
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball
9
Basketball
12
12
Cross country
9
11
Golf
8
5
Soccer
11
12
Softball
9
Track & Field Outdoor
8
12
Volleyball
12

Men's sponsored sports by school

School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country
Golf Soccer Track
& Field
Outdoor
Total
CCAA
Sports
Cal Poly HumboldtNoYesYesNoYesYes4
Cal Poly PomonaYesYesYesNoYesYes5
Cal State Dominguez HillsYesYesNoYesYesNo4
Cal State East BayYesYesYesYesYesYes6
Cal State Los AngelesYesYesYesNoYesYes5
Cal State Monterey BayYesYesYesYesYesNo5
Cal State San BernardinoYesYesNoYesYesNo4
Cal State San MarcosYesYesYesYesYesYes6
Chico StateYesYesYesYesYesYes6
San Francisco StateNoYesYesNoNoYes3
Stanislaus StateYesYesYesYesYesYes6
UC MercedNoYesNoYesYesYes4
Totals9129811857
Future members
Fresno PacificYesYesYesNoYesYes5

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the California Collegiate Athletic Association which are played by CCAA schools:

SchoolSwimming
& Diving
Track
& Field
Indoor
Volleyball [a] Water
Polo [b]
Wrestling
Cal Poly Humboldt MPSF
Cal State Los AngelesIND
Fresno Pacific PCSC WWPA
San Francisco State MPSF
UC Merced MPSF WWPA
  1. Effective Division I sport; the NCAA's top-level championship is open to members of Divisions I and II.
  2. Effective Division I sport; the NCAA men's championships are open to members of all three NCAA divisions.

Women's sponsored sports by school

A CSUEB soccer player marking a University of California, San Diego attacker Sara Yamasaki, Alexa Enlow fighting over ball.jpg
A CSUEB soccer player marking a University of California, San Diego attacker
School Basketball Cross
Country
Golf Soccer Softball Track
& Field
Outdoor
Volleyball Total
CCAA
Sports
Cal Poly HumboldtYesYesNoYesYesYesYes6
Cal Poly PomonaYesYesNoYesNoYesYes5
Cal State Dominguez HillsYesNoNoYesYesYesYes5
Cal State East BayYesYesYesYesYesYesYes7
Cal State Los AngelesYesYesYesYesNoYesYes6
Cal State Monterey BayYesYesYesYesYesYesYes7
Cal State San BernardinoYesYesNoYesYesYesYes6
Cal State San MarcosYesYesYesYesYesYesYes7
Chico StateYesYesYesYesYesYesYes7
San Francisco StateYesYesNoYesYesYesYes6
Stanislaus StateYesYesNoYesYesYesYes6
UC MercedYesYesNoYesNoYesYes5
Totals12115129121273
Future members
Fresno PacificYesYesNoYesNoYesYes5

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the California Collegiate Athletic Association which are played by CCAA schools:

SchoolBeach
Volleyball [a]
RowingSwimming
& Diving
TennisTrack
& Field
Indoor
Water
Polo [b]
Cal Poly Humboldt GNAC
Cal State Dominguez HillsIND
Cal State East Bay PCSC WWPA
Cal State Los Angeles IND PacWest IND
Cal State Monterey Bay WWPA
Fresno Pacific PCSC WWPA
Stanislaus State PacWest IND
UC MercedTBA WWPA
  1. Effective Division I sport; the NCAA championship is open to members of all three NCAA divisions.
  2. Effective Division I sport; the NCAA women's championships are open to members of all three NCAA divisions.

CCAA championships

Locations of CCAA members, 2009-2015 CCAA map - Current members.svg
Locations of CCAA members, 2009–2015
SchoolCCAA
Championships
(thru 6/2014) [8]
Cal Poly Pomona58
Chico State52
Cal State Los Angeles34
Cal State Dominguez Hills31
Cal State San Bernardino24
Sonoma State14
Cal Poly Humboldt11
Stanislaus State9
Cal State Monterey Bay9
San Francisco State1
Cal State East Bay0
Cal State San Marcos0

Basketball

Football

NCAA championships

SchoolTeamIndividualAppearances
MenWomenTotalMenWomenTotalMenWomenCo–edTotal
Cal Poly Pomona 57 12 1015 25 87750 162
Cal State Dominguez Hills 12 3 01 1 26460 72
Cal State East Bay 11 2 166 22 41280 69
Cal State Los Angeles 40 4 3437 71 77790 156
Cal State Monterey Bay 10 1 00 0 9110 20
Cal State San Bernardino 01 1 10 1 25290 54
Cal State San Marcos 00 0 00 0 020 2
Chico State 60 6 527 59 131850 216
Humboldt State 14 5 108 18 55580 113
San Francisco State 10 1 154 19 70390 109
Sonoma State 21 3 00 0 42630 105
Stanislaus State 00 0 47 11 51470 98

Conference facilities

SchoolBaseball
Stadium
CapacityBasketball
Arena
CapacitySoccer/
Track & Field
Stadium
Capacity
Cal Poly Humboldt
non-baseball school
Lumberjack Arena2,000 Redwood Bowl
& College Creek Field
7,000
N/A
Cal Poly PomonaScolinos Field1,000Kellogg Arena3,000Kellogg Field2,000
Chico State Nettleton Stadium 4,200Acker Gymnasium1,997University Soccer Stadium
& Chico State Stadium
3,800
6,000
Cal State Dominguez HillsToro Field500Torodome / Dave Yanai Court3,602Toro Stadium3,000
Cal State East BayPioneer FieldCSUEB Physical Education Complex3,500 Pioneer Stadium 5,000
Cal State LAReeder Field500 Eagle's Nest Arena 3,400Jesse Owens Track5,000
Cal State Monterey BayCSUMB Baseball/Softball ComplexThe Kelp Bed1,000CSUMB Soccer Complex660
Cal State San Bernardino Fiscalini Field
& San Manuel Stadium
2,000 Coussoulis Arena 4,140Coyote Premier Field300
Cal State San MarcosCSUSM Baseball Field1,000The Sports Center1,400Mangrum Track & Soccer Field
Stanislaus StateWarrior Baseball Field1,500Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena2,000Warrior Stadium & Al Brenda Track2,000
San Francisco StateMaloney Field100Main Gym at Don Nasser Family Plaza2,000 Cox Stadium 5,000
UC Merced
non-baseball school
Hostetler Court600Bobcat Field [a]
  1. Bobcat Field is used for soccer only. UC Merced has no on-campus track and field venue.

See also

References

  1. "NCAA Division II WebPages". Southern Illinois University Edwardsville . Archived from the original on 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  2. "Commissioner's Office". CCAA. Archived from the original on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  3. "NCAA Champions from the CCAA". CCAA. Archived from the original on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  4. "California Collegiate Athletic Association Set to Add University of California, Merced" (Press release). UC Merced Golden Bobcats. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  5. "'It's just sad': Former coaches, athletes react to Sonoma State University decision to cut all athletic programs" (Press release). The Press Democrat. January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  6. "Fresno Pacific Joins the CCAA". Fresno Pacific Sunbirds. June 12, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  7. "Enrollment | CSU". www.calstate.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  8. "All-Time CCAA Champions" (PDF). CCAA. Retrieved 2014-11-25.
  9. "Guachos Plan Sports Competition Despite League's Suspension". Santa Barbara News-Press . Santa Barbara, California. September 27, 1942. p. 8. Retrieved January 25, 2025 via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  10. "Fresno State's Bulldogs Bite On Mustangs; Sweep CCAA Conference Crown With 34-6 Victory". Santa Maria Times . Santa Maria, California. November 12, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved January 24, 2025 via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  11. "Grid Standings". The Fresno Bee . Fresno, California. November 21, 1955. p. 21A. Retrieved January 24, 2025 via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  12. "College Standings". Santa Barbara News-Press . Santa Barbara, California. November 25, 1957. p. B5. Retrieved January 24, 2025 via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  13. "Mustangs Rate Best Small College Team In West". The Tribune . San Luis Obispo, California. November 28, 1957. p. 7. Retrieved January 24, 2025 via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  14. "College Grid Standings". Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California. November 25, 1958. p. 5, part IV. Retrieved January 24, 2025 via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  15. 2019 San Diego State Football Media Guide (PDF), 2019