Westmont College and NCAA Division II: A New Era for Warrior Athletics
Westmont College, traditionally a powerhouse in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), has embarked on a significant transition, marking a new chapter in its athletic history by joining the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. This move represents a strategic decision to elevate the college's athletic profile, renew rivalries, and provide student-athletes with enhanced opportunities.
The Decision to Transition to NCAA Division II
Westmont's journey toward NCAA Division II membership began with a period of careful consideration. According to Dave Odell, executive director of athletics, Westmont has periodically reviewed its associations with the NAIA and Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) to ensure they align with the best interests of its student-athletes and the college. After extensive research, the college applied for NCAA Division II membership in February.
Robert Ruiz, director of athletics, emphasized the significance of this transition, stating, "It is an honor to be accepted into the membership process, and we believe that we have prepared appropriately to lead our athletic programs successfully into the NCAA."
The Transition Process and Timeline
The NCAA accepted Westmont into the multi-year membership process for Division II. Westmont will continue competing in the NAIA and GSAC through the 2022-23 athletic year. During the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, Westmont played a full regular-season schedule in the PacWest conference. As full members, Westmont is granted voting rights and has access to resources that the NCAA provides to its members.
The fall sports teams, which report for training camp in the middle of August, will be the first Westmont teams to compete as full members in NCAA Division II, beginning with the 2024-25 season in both the PacWest and NCAA Division II championships.
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During the three-year transition process, however, the Warriors were not eligible to participate in Division II postseason national competition.
The Pacific West Conference (PacWest)
With the move to Division II, the Warriors compete in the Pacific West Conference, or PacWest. The Pacific West Conference previously voted to extend membership to Westmont contingent on its acceptance into NCAA Division II membership. The PacWest consists of 11 teams, including former GSAC members Azusa Pacific, Biola, Concordia, Fresno Pacific and Point Loma Nazarene. This move will reunite Westmont with former opponents, renewing old rivalries.
Implications of the Move to NCAA Division II
The transition to NCAA Division II has several important implications for Westmont College:
Enhanced Athletic Profile
As Robert Ruiz said, “Right, wrong or indifferent, being in the NCAA elevates your status in the eyes of people." The move to the NCAA is expected to elevate Westmont's athletic profile, attracting elite athletes and increasing the college's visibility on a national level.
Scholarship Opportunities
Like the NAIA, Division II allows scholarships. Each of Westmont’s 15 sports has athletic scholarships available. The athletic scholarship program is administered in conjunction with other academic and financial aid to put together a complete package.
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Renewed Rivalries
The move to Division II will reunite Westmont with former opponents, renewing old rivalries and creating exciting competition within the PacWest Conference.
Access to NCAA Resources
As full members, Westmont is granted voting rights and has access to resources that the NCAA provides to its members.
Westmont's Legacy in the NAIA
Westmont athletic programs have enjoyed a rich history with the NAIA. This partnership produced profound memories, experiences and opportunities for our student-athletes for many years. The Warriors closed out their time in both the GSAC and the NAIA in grand fashion, making history by winning the GSAC All Sports Award for the 10th consecutive season.
During the 2022-23 school year, Westmont captured regular season championships in women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, women’s basketball and baseball. The Westmont baseball team played the college’s final NAIA game on June 2 in Lewiston, Idaho. Baseball’s championship came 51 years after Westmont first hoisted an NAIA National Championship trophy, when the men’s soccer team captured the title in 1972.
Women’s soccer, Westmont’s most dominant program at the NAIA level, won the first of their multiple championships in 1985. They went on to repeat as national champions in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2013, Kirsten Moore’s women’s basketball team won its first NAIA National Championship.
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In addition, 33 Westmont teams in 11 programs finished in the top four. Overall, Westmont’s women’s track and field team collected 178 NAIA All-American honors, with the men’s track and field team earning 174.
Westmont's Inaugural NCAA Division II Season
The Warriors’ first official NCAA Division II game took place on August 31, when men’s soccer hosted Saint Martin’s. The team’s first win occurred a day later, with the women’s volleyball team defeating MSU Mankato in four sets.
Westmont’s men’s basketball team will play a 20-game conference season in its first year in NCAA Division II. Westmont’s volleyball team began its PacWest schedule on Sept. 14 against Fresno Pacific.
Preparing for the Transition
Westmont has been diligently preparing for the transition to NCAA Division II. As Robert Ruiz said, “We’ve done our homework and we are steadily preparing ourselves."
Jeff Raymond, Westmont’s compliance coordinator, reflected on the transition to the NCAA. Fortunately, anyone associated with Westmont Athletics can look back at the last 80 years and see the history of success.
Advice for Prospective Student-Athletes
The most critical step in the recruiting process is to make direct contact with the head coach of the sport you are interested in pursuing. This establishes a direct link of communication that can be maintained throughout the recruiting process. In addition to your personal contact information, other helpful information might include jersey number, directions to club or high school contests, GPA and test scores, names and contact information for coaches who can function as good references.
All incoming student-athletes are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and submit certain information. The Eligibility Center evaluates both the academic and amateur status of all incoming student-athletes. Any prospective student-athlete planning an Official Visit is required to be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to the visit.
The Future of Westmont Athletics in NCAA Division II
Reflecting on the future, Ruiz said, "Our goal is to be a model Division II program in the way that we operate. By no means do I feel like we've arrived."
Westmont challenges student-athletes to strive for excellence in every area of life. Westmont’s beautifully designed athletic fields offer spectacular mountain and ocean views and attract elite athletes, including Olympians, who come to train.
The move to the NCAA marks a monumental moment for our athletic programs and the Westmont community.
NCAA Division II: A Broader Perspective
Understanding Westmont's move also requires understanding the landscape of NCAA Division II and how it differs from other divisions.
NCAA Division I vs. Division II
NCAA Division 1 (D1) colleges are the premier schools for college sports. They typically feature larger athletic budgets and more student-athletes. NCAA Division 2 (D2) colleges are typically small- to medium-sized schools that offer student-athletes the chance to compete at a high level and earn partial sports scholarships.
The Appeal of Division II
Some student-athletes have the talent to compete at the D1 level, yet they choose to play a sport like D2 football, D2 basketball, or D2 baseball because it’s a better fit athletically, academically, or socially.
Scholarships and Financial Aid in Division II
Most D2 schools offer sports scholarships, but it’s important to note that your student-athlete might be less likely to get a full-ride sports scholarship at a D2 school. However, D2 schools provide reduced tuition costs and financial aid options. While investing in a quality education costs more, Westmont offers a generous financial aid program that can bring the cost of this quality Christian liberal arts education within reach of most students.
NCAA Eligibility Center
All D2 student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. This is where the NCAA determines eligibility based on your student-athlete’s grades and amateurism status. In addition to NCAA eligibility rules, D2 school coaches must follow specific rules when reaching out to new recruits. For example, coaches can reach out at anytime.
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