Cascade Collegiate Conference

Originally formed in 1978 as a scheduling alliance for volleyball, the Cascade Collegiate Conference has evolved into on of the NAIA's most formidable leagues.  Due to the abolition of the district format as a means of qualification for national championships in 1993, the CCC now sanctions competition for men and women in cross country, golf, soccer, wrestling and track and field; baseball for men, softball and volleyball for women - along with men's and women's basketball. Charter members included The College of Idaho, Concordia University, Corban University, Eastern Oregon University, George Fox University, Northwest Nazarene University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Southern Oregon University, and Western Oregon University.  Four original members have since left - George Fox in 1995 (now NCAA Division III), Western Oregon in 1998 (now NCAA Division II), Northwest Nazarene in 2000 (now NCAA Division II), and Concordia University in 2015 (formerly of NCAA Division II), while eight new members have since joined the ranks of the conference in the past decade - Cascade College (since left the league) and Northwest University in 1997, The Evergreen State College and Warner Pacific College in 1999, Bushnell University in 2007, Multnomah University and Walla Walla University in 2015 and Lewis-Clark State College in 2020.  The league also added four affiliate members in 2015 - the University of Providence and Carroll College in soccer and softball; Rocky Mountain College in soccer; and the University of British Columbia in baseball, golf, track and softball. (seven other schools - Arizona Christian University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Life Pacific College, Menlo College, Montana State-Northern, Simpson University, Vanguard University - are affiliate members in men's/women's wrestling)  The CCC has won numerous team national titles in the last 25 years, including in women's cross country (Northwest U., Northwest Christian, Oregon Tech), men's cross country (Southern Oregon), men's basketball (College of Idaho, Oregon Tech), women's basketball (Northwest Nazarene, Western Oregon), baseball (College of Idaho), softball (Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon), women's golf (University of British Columbia) and women's track & field (University of British Columbia).
  Frontier Conference

The Frontier Conference was organized in 1935 with four of the eight existing teams as charter members (Montana Tech, Montana Western, MSU-Northern and Rocky Mountain College).  Carroll College joined in 1938. For a 10-year period, from 1974-1984, the University of Providence competed in the conference and rejoined in 1999.  The conference added Arizona Christian in the winter of 2022, Lewis-Clark State College and Westminster College (both since left the league) in 1998. Eastern Oregon University joined in 2008 as an associate member for football only. In 2012 the league will welcome Dickinson State University (since left the league) as a full member and Southern Oregon University as an associate member for football only, while welcoming the College of Idaho as an associate member for football only in 2014.  The purpose of the Frontier Conference is to encourage, promote, sponsor and control athletic competition among participating colleges as an integral part of the total educational process. With their motto, "The best in academics and athletics," members compete for conference championships in football, golf, men's basketball, volleyball, women's basketball and women's soccer.

Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) – Tennis and Swimming

The Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) is a prominent intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), featuring a variety of competitive programs throughout California, Arizona, and surrounding states. The tennis programs within the GSAC have produced nationally ranked athletes and All-American honorees, contributing to the conference’s growing reputation on the national stage. In recent years, swimming has emerged as a growing sport within GSAC institutions, especially as colleges increasingly invest in aquatic programs. GSAC swimming teams often compete not only in conference meets but also in NAIA-sanctioned events, offering student-athletes the opportunity to qualify for national. With a commitment to sportsmanship, academic excellence, and athlete well-being, the GSAC provides a holistic athletic environment that supports success in and out of the water and off the court. Whether through competitive tennis rallies or disciplined swim lanes, GSAC student-athletes are empowered to reach their full potential.

  National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an autonomous association administering programs leading to 27 national championships in 17 sports.  The NAIA represents over 250 accredited four-year colleges and universities spread out over the United States and Canada.  Established in 1940 as the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball, the NAIB evolved from the institution of a "National Small College Basketball Tournament" that was inaugurated in 1937.  In 1952, the NAIB expanded to include tennis, outdoor track and field, and golf, and was renamed the NAIA.  Since then, the NAIA has grown to encompass football, cross country, baseball, and swimming (all in 1956), wrestling in 1958, soccer in 1959, indoor track and field in 1966, bowling in 2016, lacrosse in 2017 and volleyball in 2018.  In 1991, the NAIA also instituted two divisions for football and basketball competition - with football returning to one division in 1998 and basketball in 2021.  After a two-year study, the NAIA initiated championships for women in 1980.  A total of 14 championships for women are offered - bowling, basketball, competitive cheer, competitive dance, cross country, golf, lacrosse, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball.  The NAIA headquarters are located in downtown Kansas City.

Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) 

The Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) is the premier national organization governing non-affiliated men's collegiate lacrosse programs across the United States and Canada. Established in 2006 as a successor to the US Lacrosse Men's Division of Intercollegiate Associates (USL MDIA), the MCLA was created to provide a structured, competitive environment for student-athletes at institutions where lacrosse is not an NCAA-sanctioned sport. Today, the MCLA encompasses over 180 teams divided into two divisions across nine conferences, offering a "virtual varsity" experience that mirrors NCAA standards, including eligibility rules, All-American honors, and national championships.

The MCLA's mission is to provide a quality national intercollegiate lacrosse experience, emphasizing the balance between academic pursuits and athletic competition . This structure allows student-athletes to compete at a high level while attending institutions that may not offer NCAA or NAIA lacrosse, thereby expanding the sport's reach and accessibility. The association's commitment to fostering leadership, sportsmanship, and personal development has contributed to the growth of lacrosse in regions traditionally underserved by the NCAA, making the MCLA a vital component in the sport's national expansion.

Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PNCLL) 

The Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PNCLL) is one of the nine conferences within the MCLA, representing a diverse array of institutions from the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia . Established in 1997, the PNCLL has grown to include six Division I teams and nine Division II teams, fostering competitive lacrosse in the Pacific Northwest region . Division I programs include prominent universities such as the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Simon Fraser University, the only Canadian team in the MCLA, while Division II features institutions like the College of Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University.

The PNCLL operates under the MCLA's framework, providing a structured season that culminates in conference championships. These championships determine automatic qualifiers for the MCLA National Tournament, offering teams the opportunity to compete on a national stage . The league's commitment to excellence is evident in its recognition of outstanding players through All-Conference honors, highlighting the talent and dedication present within its teams . By promoting high-level competition and fostering a strong lacrosse community, the PNCLL plays a crucial role in the development and popularity of collegiate lacrosse in the Pacific Northwest.