Portland Pilots

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For the baseball team, see Portland Pilots (baseball team).
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Portland Pilots
PortlandPilots.png
University University of Portland
Conference(s) West Coast Conference
NCAA Division I
Athletics director Scott Leykam
Location Portland, OR
Varsity teams 14
Basketball arena Chiles Center
Baseball stadium Joe Etzel Field
Soccer stadium Merlo Field
Mascot Wally Pilot
Nickname Pilots
Fight song "University of Portland Victory March 1984"
Colors Purple and White

         
Homepage 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.

Contents

[edit] 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 2003, when he died. He was then replaced by the current coach Bill Irwin. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005, and were led by a slew of 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, has won 32 straight West Coast Conference championships. The men's team has finished amongst the top 10 at the NCAA championships four times in its history. In 2008, the Pilots finished 7th, which is the highest they have ever placed. They also finished 7th in 2001. Also 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 used to have a football team as well, but it was dropped in 1950 due to a lack of funding.

[edit] Teams

The Pilots men's basketball team warming up in the Chiles Center.
Men's Women's
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Rowing
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

[edit] Former Teams

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

[edit] National championships

  • NAIA Women's Cross Country (1985)
  • NCAA Women's Soccer (2002, 2005)

[edit] Conference championships

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

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 (33): 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 (2): 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 (12): 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992

[edit] 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.[1] 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.

Preliminary campus expansion plans include moving the baseball field and tennis facilities from their current locations down to the waterfront in the Triangle Park property.[2]

[edit] Notable alumni athletes

[edit] Gallery

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ NCAA Website "A very gracious man" Sep 29, 2003 by Beth Rosenburg
  2. ^ Facilities Planning and Construction: Master Plan

[edit] External links
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