Amanda Knapp
The University of California, Merced, has 12 varsity teams that compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in the NCAA Division II level. The university's basketball team, the Bobcats, is part of the intercollegiate athletics teams representing the university in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Aside from basketball, the university also offers intramural sports such as soccer, archery, ultimate frisbee, flag football, and dodgeball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | UC Merced Bobcats |
| School colors | Royal blue and gold |
| University location | Merced, California |
| Athletic association | California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) |
| Division | NCAA Division II |
| Number of varsity teams | 12 |
| Intramural sports | Basketball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, dodgeball, grass volleyball, indoor volleyball, table tennis, soccer, e-sports, archery, etc. |
| Intercollegiate athletics teams | Men's and women's basketball, cross country, soccer, track, volleyball, and water polo |
| Club sports | Archery, Bobcat Dance Team, cheer, tennis, golf, and softball |
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What You'll Learn
UC Merced Bobcats
The University of California, Merced (UCM) is home to the UC Merced Bobcats—the intercollegiate athletics teams representing the university in sports competitions. The Bobcats compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and are a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They primarily compete in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac).
The Bobcats were invited to join the CCAA in November 2023 and were approved by the NCAA to join the NCAA Division II level, beginning play and reclassification in the fall of 2025. This development marked a significant milestone for UCM, as it transitioned from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II, offering enhanced opportunities for athletic excellence and intercollegiate competition.
UC Merced Athletics boasts 12 NCAA Division II varsity teams, including men's and women's basketball, cross country, soccer, track, volleyball, and water polo. The university also offers a range of intramural and club sports, such as basketball, soccer, archery, ultimate frisbee, and more, providing a well-rounded athletic experience for students of all skill levels.
The Bobcats' official school colours are royal blue and gold, and their presence across intercollegiate athletics and campus recreational sports fosters a vibrant and energetic atmosphere for student-athletes and fans alike. The university's commitment to athletics is evident through its sponsorship of various varsity and club sports, as well as its modern athletic and recreational facilities, such as the Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center.
The UC Merced Bobcats continue to proudly represent their university in intercollegiate competitions, building a strong athletic tradition and offering a dynamic experience for the UCM community.
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California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)
The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level. The CCAA was founded in December 1938 and began competition in 1939. The CCAA sponsors seven sports for women and six sports for men. These include basketball, soccer, and volleyball in the fall; golf, outdoor track and field, softball, and baseball in the spring; and cross country, which is a winter sport.
The CCAA is the most successful Division II conference in the NCAA, with its members having won 155 National Championships. The CCAA's commissioner is Allen Hardison, and its offices are located in Aliso Viejo, California.
In November 2023, the University of California, Merced, accepted an invitation to join the CCAA, beginning with the 2025-26 academic year. UC Merced's basketball team, the Golden Bobcats, represents the University of California, Merced (UCM), in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They primarily compete in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) and joined the CCAA as part of their move to the NCAA Division II level.
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NCAA Division II
The University of California, Merced (UCM), located in Merced, California, has 12 NCAA Division II varsity teams. The teams compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The CCAA approved UCM's application to join the NCAA Division II in November 2023, and they began play and reclassification in the fall of 2025.
Division II has a diverse membership, with institutions in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. It is also the only division that has expanded its membership to include an international member institution—Simon Fraser University in Canada. In April 2017, the NCAA made permanent the pilot program under which Simon Fraser was admitted, allowing each division to determine whether to allow Canadian or Mexican schools to join. As a result, Division II became the first to officially allow Mexican schools to apply for membership, provided they meet the same standards as US-based D-II members.
Another unique feature of Division II is the "National Championships Festival," an annual event modelled after the Olympics. A single city hosts national championship finals in multiple sports over several days, with formal opening and closing ceremonies.
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Intercollegiate athletics
The University of California, Merced (UCM) Bobcats are the intercollegiate athletics teams representing the university in sports competitions. The Bobcats joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 2011 and primarily compete in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac). In 2023, UC Merced was invited to join the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and was approved by the NCAA to compete in Division II.
UC Merced's intercollegiate athletics teams compete in the CCAA, offering 12 varsity sports, including basketball, cross country, soccer, track, volleyball, and water polo for both men and women. The university's athletics department also sponsors club sports such as archery, dance, cheer, tennis, golf, and softball, with plans to expand the list of intercollegiate club teams.
The university's basketball team, a part of the Bobcat Nation, competes in the CCAA and represents the university in intercollegiate competitions. The team provides an energetic experience for both athletes and fans, with the campus featuring various fitness and recreational facilities. These include the Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center and the Student Activities and Athletics Center, which offer fitness programs, cardiovascular machines, and strength-training equipment.
In addition to intercollegiate athletics, UC Merced offers a range of intramural sports, providing structured recreational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. Basketball is one of the many intramural sports offered on campus, along with soccer, archery, ultimate frisbee, flag football, dodgeball, and volleyball. The campus also has a recreation field and a pool, and the Outdoor Experience Program organises trips to nearby locations like Yosemite National Park.
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Intramural basketball
UC Merced's intramural sports and sport club programmes provide structured recreational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff members. The basketball team is one of twelve varsity sports teams at UC Merced, alongside men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track, men's and women's volleyball, and men's and women's water polo.
The university's athletics teams are known as the UC Merced Bobcats, with royal blue and gold as the school colours. The Bobcats compete in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily within the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac).
In April 2011, the NAIA welcomed UC Merced as one of four new members, and the following month, the Bobcats officially joined the CalPac. UC Merced's basketball team has since been approved by the NCAA to join the NCAA Division II level, beginning play and reclassification in the fall of 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
UC Merced Bobcats basketball is in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Division I and Division III are the other two divisions in the NCAA.
UC Merced has varsity teams in soccer, cross country, track, volleyball, and water polo. The university also sponsors club sports including archery, tennis, golf, softball, and intramural sports such as ultimate frisbee, flag football, and dodgeball.
