Amanda Knapp
Pepperdine University is an affiliate of the Churches of Christ and is part of the West Coast Conference (WCC). The WCC is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division I and consists of nine member schools across California, Oregon, and Washington. Pepperdine's men's basketball team, the Pepperdine Waves, has amassed 12 regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament championships. The university's women's beach volleyball team has also won 20 WCC championships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the conference | West Coast Conference (WCC) |
| Former names | California Basketball Association, West Coast Athletic Conference (WCAC) |
| Type of schools | All private, faith-based institutions |
| Faith | Christian |
| Denomination | Seven members are Catholic Church affiliates, with four of these schools being Jesuit institutions; Pepperdine is affiliated with the Churches of Christ |
| Members | Full members: Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Pepperdine, and Santa Clara; Affiliates: Air Force, California Baptist, and San Jose State |
| Former members | Seattle University (left in 1980), Gonzaga (left in 2024) |
| New members | Oregon State University, Washington State University, Grand Canyon University, and Seattle University (rejoined in 2025) |
| Sports | Basketball, football, beach volleyball, golf, soccer, softball, baseball, volleyball, women's cross country, and women's rowing |
| Teams | Pepperdine Waves |
| Mascot | Willy the Wave |
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What You'll Learn
Pepperdine University is part of the West Coast Conference (WCC)
Pepperdine University's athletic teams are known as the Pepperdine Waves. The Waves men's basketball team began play in the 1938-1939 season and has since amassed 12 regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament championships. The team has made 13 appearances in the NCAA tournament and 3 in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), winning the CBI championship in 2021.
The Waves women's basketball team began play in the 1975-1976 season and has won four conference regular-season titles and three conference tournament championships. The team has made four appearances in the NCAA tournament and six in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2019.
In addition to basketball, Pepperdine University has notable teams in women's beach volleyball, men's golf, and women's soccer. The men's golf team has won 20 WCC championships and the NCAA Division I Championship in 1997 and 2021. The women's soccer team has earned invitations to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship tournament 12 times.
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WCC is an NCAA Division I conference
Pepperdine University is part of the West Coast Conference (WCC), a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division I. The WCC consists of nine member schools across California, Oregon, and Washington, and all of its current full members are private, faith-based institutions.
The WCC was first established in 1952 as the California Basketball Association, before becoming the West Coast Athletic Conference in 1956. The name was shortened to its current form in 1989. The WCC has remained stable during periods of upheaval in conference affiliations, with the last change of membership before 2010 occurring in 1980.
Pepperdine University has a strong athletics program, with its men's basketball team amassing 12 regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament championships. The team has made 13 appearances in the NCAA tournament and its players have gone on to successful NBA careers. The women's basketball team has also found success, with four appearances in the NCAA tournament and six in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2019.
In addition to basketball, Pepperdine University has excelled in other sports within the WCC. The men's golf team has won 20 WCC championships and claimed the NCAA Division I Championship in 1997 and 2021. The women's beach volleyball team, launched in 2011, and the women's soccer team, established in 1993, have also represented the university in their respective NCAA tournaments.
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WCC members are private, faith-based institutions
Pepperdine University is a member of the West Coast Conference (WCC), previously known as the California Basketball Association and the West Coast Athletic Conference. The WCC is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division I, consisting of nine member schools across California, Oregon, and Washington.
All of the WCC's full members are private, faith-based institutions. While the conference decided that it would only seek out private schools, it did not want to limit its search to faith-based institutions. However, the two additions, Brigham Young University and the University of the Pacific, are both faith-based. The University of the Pacific rejoined the WCC in 2013 after a 42-year absence and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, although it has been financially independent of the church since 1969.
Seven members are Catholic Church affiliates, with four of these schools being Jesuit institutions. Pepperdine, on the other hand, is an affiliate of the Churches of Christ. Other full members include Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara, and San Jose State.
The WCC is the first Division I conference to adopt a conference-wide diversity hiring commitment, announcing the "Russell Rule" in 2020, which requires each member institution to include a member of a traditionally underrepresented community in the pool of final candidates for specific positions in the athletic department.
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Pepperdine's men's basketball team has won 12 regular-season conference titles
Pepperdine University's men's basketball team, nicknamed the Pepperdine Waves, has a rich history in intercollegiate athletics. The team competes in the West Coast Conference (WCC) of NCAA Division I, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Since joining the WCC for the 1955-56 season, the Pepperdine Waves have established themselves as a formidable force in the conference. They have won 12 regular-season conference titles, showcasing their consistent success within the WCC. The Waves have also qualified for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 13 times, a testament to their performance in the WCC.
The Waves' success extends beyond their conference achievements. They hold the distinction of being 3rd all-time in WCC Tournament wins and championships, further emphasizing their competitiveness within the WCC. Additionally, the Waves have a well-known rivalry with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, referred to as "The Surf and Turf Showdown." This rivalry, played since 1979, adds excitement and intensity to the WCC competitions.
The Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team has produced numerous notable players over the years. Thirty-eight former Waves have been drafted or played in the NBA, including Doug Christie and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Dennis Johnson. More recently, players like Kessler Edwards and Maxwell Lewis have been drafted into the NBA, showcasing the program's continued ability to develop top talent.
The Waves' home arena, the Firestone Fieldhouse, is located on the Pepperdine University campus near Malibu, California. This multi-purpose facility hosts not only basketball but also volleyball and other athletic events, serving as a hub for the university's athletic programs.
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Pepperdine's men's golf team has won 20 WCC championships
Pepperdine University is a member of the West Coast Conference (WCC), a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division I. The WCC was known as the California Basketball Association from 1952 to 1956 and then as the West Coast Athletic Conference until 1989.
The Pepperdine Waves men's golf team has been incredibly successful over the years, winning 20 WCC championships. They have dominated the WCC, claiming the title in 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2018, and 2019. The team's consistent excellence has brought pride and recognition to Pepperdine University.
The Waves' golf program has a rich history of success, with notable alumni going on to achieve professional victories on major tours. Some of these successful golfers include Sahith Theegala, Brent Geiberger, Jason Gore, Andrew Putnam, and Jeff Gove.
The men's golf team at Pepperdine has not only excelled in the WCC but has also made its mark on the national stage. In 1997 and 2021, the team claimed the NCAA Division I Championship, showcasing their talent and skill against the best collegiate golfers in the nation.
The Waves' 20 WCC championships are a testament to the program's consistent success, strong coaching, and talented golfers. With a combination of dedicated athletes, a supportive community, and a tradition of excellence, the Pepperdine Waves men's golf team has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate golf.
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Frequently asked questions
Pepperdine University is part of the West Coast Conference (WCC).
Other colleges that are part of the WCC include Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Santa Clara, Gonzaga, and Brigham Young.
Pepperdine University offers a variety of sports including men's and women's basketball, men's golf, and women's beach volleyball.
Pepperdine University has been a part of the WCC since 1955, when the conference was known as the California Basketball Association.
