News Summary
UC San Diego will transition to the West Coast Conference, starting in the 2027-28 school year, after leaving the Big West. This move allows Tritons access to postseason competition and a new competitive environment. As they prepare for the transition, UCSD anticipates increased travel demands and operational challenges, but it also marks a significant milestone in their athletic growth. Chancellor Khosla’s decision, made after a review process, will enhance UCSD’s visibility in collegiate athletics, as they compete against established WCC schools.
La Jolla, California – UC San Diego (UCSD) will officially join the West Coast Conference (WCC) starting with the 2027-28 school year after recently concluding its tenure with the Big West conference. The Tritons have competed in NCAA Division I athletics for four years and now gain full access to postseason competition as part of their new affiliation.
The WCC, known for its focus on smaller, private, faith-based educational institutions, will provide UCSD with a distinctive environment different from its previous conference, where it faced a mix of schools. UCSD will be sending 14 teams to compete in the WCC upon its transition.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, following a review initiated by Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. This review, conducted by a committee set up specifically for considering an offer from the WCC, took place about six weeks before the decision was publicly shared. The move comes at a cost for UCSD, which is expected to pay an exit fee reaching into the millions to leave the Big West.
As the WCC intends to expand further, there are talks about possibly welcoming another University of California institution, likely UC Santa Barbara. Currently, the WCC consists of ten members but is set to drop to nine when Gonzaga departs to join the restructured Pac-12 in 2026. Grand Canyon University, once poised to join the WCC, has chosen to affiliate with the Mountain West instead.
WCC Commissioner Stu Jackson expressed excitement about UCSD’s entry into the conference, indicating that their participation aligns with the WCC’s goals of targeting major media markets across the West Coast. Chancellor Khosla has downplayed any concerns regarding the differences between public and private institutions, focusing instead on competition quality.
With the scheduled competitions between UCSD and the University of San Diego (USD), a growing rivalry has emerged. The men’s basketball teams from both schools have faced off annually, with a match planned for December 19. Once UCSD officially joins the WCC, these teams will face each other in two conference games each season, enhancing this burgeoning rivalry.
Transitioning to the WCC is not without challenges for UCSD, which will confront increased travel demands. The Tritons will shift from van rides within Southern California to air travel for competitions in the Bay Area and Northwest. This logistical change will likely lead to higher operational expenses, putting additional pressure on the athletic budget.
Competing against the WCC presents potential obstacles for UCSD’s aspirations to reach the NCAA Tournament. Several schools in the WCC possess larger budgets, which enable them to offer charter flights and housing for coaches, giving them a significant advantage over UCSD. Notably, the Tritons do not have a football program, which restricts their conference options and aligns them better with the WCC’s non-football structure.
While some UCSD teams, such as women’s water polo and men’s volleyball, will need to seek new conference affiliations due to the specific circumstances of the WCC, the overall transition marks a significant milestone. This recent shift builds on UCSD’s growth trajectory, enhancing its visibility and competitiveness in collegiate athletics.
As the Tritons prepare for this transition, the university is also in the midst of a search for a new athletic director to succeed Earl Edwards, who has served as the athletic director emeritus. The search process, currently ongoing, has narrowed down to five finalists, with former UCLA swimmer Keiko Price-Carter from Division III Emory University emerging as a leading candidate. This new athletic director will play a vital role in guiding UCSD’s athletic program as it navigates this pivotal period of change.
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Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
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