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Schedule/Results | Roster | News | Archives Bengal Softball Accepted into Pacific Coast Softball Conference for 2010 Season
Oct. 28, 2008
Portland, OR -- Idaho State University's softball team has found themselves a conference home. The Pacific Coast Softball Conference has extended invitations for conference membership to six schools, including Idaho State University, announced PCSC Commissioner Wendy Guthrie. ISU and the other five schools; California State University Bakersfield, University of Northern Colorado, Seattle University, Utah Valley University and Weber State University all accepted their bids and will begin competing in the PCSC in 2010, joining charter members Loyola Marymount, Portland State, Sacramento State, Saint Mary's, San Diego and Santa Clara to raise the conference's membership to 12 schools. Starting with the 2010 season, the PCSC will split into two divisions, the Coastal and Mountain. The division winners will meet in a best-of-three championship series to determine the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament berth. Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Seattle, Utah Valley and Weber State will form the Mountain Division. The Coastal Division will consist of the six California-based schools, Cal State Bakersfield, Loyola Marymount, Sacramento State, Saint Mary's, San Diego and Santa Clara.
"We are delighted to welcome California State University, Bakersfield, Idaho State University, University of Northern Colorado, Seattle University, Utah Valley University, and Weber State University as members of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference," Guthrie said. "At the forefront of this decision, is the desire to increase opportunities for student-athletes and contribute to the development of NCAA Division I softball. The addition of a conference championship series will enhance the student-athlete experience and heighten the visibility of the league. This is an intentional and strategic step toward positioning the conference for sustainability and growth." "This is a very momentous change for the PCSC," said Sacramento State Director of the Athletics Terry Wanless, who served as President of the PCSC for the past two seasons. "We have worked hard to respect the sport and support its growth by adding these six schools into the league. It strengthens our league and provides a great opportunity for those programs that are just beginning. This is truly a win-win for everyone." "Providing additional student-athletes with the opportunity to compete for conference championships and NCAA postseason berths, makes the expansion of the PCSC worthwhile," said Saint Mary's Director of Athletics and PCSC President Mark Orr. "Today is a great day for all 12 member institutions of the conference and for the growing sport of softball." Cal State Bakersfield is in its third year of a five-year transition period from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I membership. The Roadrunners will become a full NCAA Division I member in the 2010-11 academic year. The Roadrunners were 22-25 this past season playing as a NCAA Division I Independent. In its final season at the NCAA Division II level in 2006, Cal State Bakersfield finished fourth in the nation. Idaho State resurrected softball for the 2007 season, after sponsoring the sport from 1976-1983. The Bengals were 7-27 last season, and had a pair of players named Second Team All-Independent. The team will play in their 11th season starting in February. Interim head coach Andrea Wilson says the move is a huge step for the team. "I'm excited to be a member of the PCSC," said Wilson. "It's really important for the program, just from a recruiting standpoint, and giving the team some different things to play for." Junior pitcher Kandis Clesson, who threw the first pitch of the program's rebirth in 2006, echoed that sentiment. "Just knowing we will have conference opponents will make games more meaningful, and being able to compete for a championship will be great." Northern Colorado is currently competing as a NCAA Division I Independent. The Bears are members of the Big Sky Conference in other sports, along with current PCSC members Portland State and Sacramento State, and future members Idaho State and Weber State. Seattle went 38-14 last spring in its final year at the NCAA Division II level, reaching the NCAA Division II West Regional for the third straight season. The Redhawks will play as a NCAA Division I provisional member in 2009 and reach full-time Division I membership commencing with the 2013 season. Utah Valley also competes as a NCAA Division I softball independent and is in its sixth and final year of NCAA Division I provisional membership status. Weber State reinstated its softball program in December 2007 and will begin play in 2010. The Wildcats sponsored softball from 1974-1983. Weber State hired Tina Johnson, who was the head coach at Colorado College, on July 30 to lead the program's rebirth. The PCSC completed its sixth year of competition in 2008 and has had an automatic NCAA Tournament bid for its conference champion since 2006. Loyola Marymount has won three PCSC titles, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Santa Clara in 2004, Portland State in 2006, and Sacramento State last season have also won conference championships. FUTURE MEMBER SCHOOL PROFILES CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD PROFILE
IDAHO STATE PROFILE
NORTHERN COLORADO PROFILE
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY PROFILE
WEBER STATE PROFILE
UTAH VALLEY PROFILE
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Idaho State Softball
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