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Portland Pilots

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For the baseball team, see Portland Pilots (baseball team).
Portland Pilots
Logo
UniversityUniversity of Portland
ConferenceWest Coast Conference
NCAADivision I
Athletic directorScott Leykam
LocationPortland, OR
Varsity teams14
Basketball arenaChiles Center
Baseball stadiumJoe Etzel Field
Soccer stadiumMerlo Field
MascotWally the Pilot
NicknamePilots
Fight song"University of Portland Victory March 1984"
ColorsPurple and white[1]
   
Websitewww.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 Division I level.

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 his death in 2003. He was replaced by Bill Irwin. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005 and were led by numerous 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, won their 34th overall West Coast Conference championship in October, 2014. The men's team has finished among the top 10 at the NCAA championships five times in its history. In 2001 and 2008, the Pilots finished 7th. In 2014, the PIlots finished 3rd, their highest ever finish.[2] 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 has not fielded a football team since 1950.

Teams

The Pilots men's basketball team warming up in the Chiles Center.

The University of Portland sponsors teams in seven men's and nine women's NCAA sanctioned sports:[3]

  • ^ = The men's and women's track and field teams compete as independents.
  • * = Beach volleyball is a fully sanctioned NCAA sport which will have its first national championship in the spring of 2016.[4] Portland is currently an independent.

Former Teams

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

National championships

  • NAIA Women's Cross Country (1): 1985
  • NCAA Women's Soccer (2): 2002, 2005

Conference championships

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 (34): 2014, 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 (3): 1997, 1996, 1992
  • 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 (13): 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992

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.[5] 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.

Notable alumni athletes

See also

References

  1. ^ "University of Portland Launches Secondary Logo as Part of NIKE Brand Refresh". PortlandPilots.com. October 17, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  2. ^ http://portlandpilots.com/news/2014/11/22/MXC_1122142946.aspx
  3. ^ http://www.portlandpilots.com/
  4. ^ "NCAA DII, DIII membership approves Sand Volleyball as 90th championship". NCAA. January 17, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  5. ^ NCAA Website "A very gracious man" Sep 29, 2003 by Beth Rosenburg
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