Rocklin, Calif. – The Golden State Athletic Conference Board of Directors announced today that William Jessup University will become the league’s ninth member beginning with the 2014-15 season.
Adding William Jessup, which is located in Rocklin, 25 miles east of Sacramento, extends the conference footprint into Northern California for the first time. The Warriors will remain a member of the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) for the 2013-14 season.
The GSAC membership includes Arizona Christian University, Biola University, Concordia University Irvine, Hope International University, San Diego Christian College, The Master’s College, Vanguard University, and Westmont College.
“We are excited and challenged with the opportunity to join the GSAC, arguably the strongest conference in the NAIA,” said Dr. John Jackson, President of William Jessup University. “This represents another step in our growth as a University.”
The Warriors’ athletic program features 11 sports, five for the men and six for the women. Men’s and women’s sports include cross country, soccer, basketball, track and field, as well as golf for the men and softball and volleyball for the women.
“On behalf of the current eight members of the GSAC, I welcome William Jessup University into the conference. The university fits within our conference mission and strategic plan,” said Chair of the GSAC Board of Directors, Dr. Paul Ague.
The GSAC is one of the most unique and successful conferences in the country. The GSAC is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the nation’s first collegiate athletic association to offer national championships.
Established in 1986 by like-minded institutions, the GSAC members are all Christian colleges. They are purposely aligned to be similar in enrollment, academics, athletics and student life.
The GSAC uniquely links sport sponsorship to enrollment and adjusts athletic scholarships and financial aid to the cost of education at each institution, thereby maintaining a constant ratio for all members.
Mitch Pleis, who was named William Jessup’s new athletic director last week, sees this as an exciting time for the university’s athletic program.
“The Golden State Athletic Conference has many high-level programs
We regard this as a step-up in competition, but all our coaches and athletes are looking forward to the challenge,” Pleis said. “William Jessup has established a winning tradition and is accustomed to being at or near the top of the standings in the Cal Pac Conference. Our goal is to continue that same level of success in the GSAC.”Â
