# Great Northwest Athletic Conference

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. It has historically operated in the northwestern United States, but also includes schools in Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia.
The GNAC is the only NCAA conference in any division with a Canadian university as a member.

## History

The conference formed in 2001 when its original ten members split from the Pacific West Conference.

### Chronological timeline

* 2001 - The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) was founded. Charter members included the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, the University of Alaska at Anchorage, Central Washington University, Humboldt State University (now California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt), Northwest Nazarene University, Saint Martin's, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Western Oregon University and Western Washington University, effective beginning the 2001-02 academic year.
* 2006 - Humboldt State left the GNAC to join the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), effective after the 2005-06 academic year. This would result in the GNAC dropping football, with Western Washington and Central Washington becoming football affiliates of the now defunct North Central Conference and Western Oregon competing as a D-II independent.
* 2007 - Montana State University at Billings joined the GNAC, effective in the 2007-08 academic year.
* 2008 - Seattle left the GNAC to join the Division I ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as an NCAA D-I Independent (who would later join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), effective beginning the 2012-13 academic year), effective after the 2007-08 academic year.
* 2008 - Dixie State University joined the GNAC as an affiliate member for football (with Humboldt State returning for that sport), effective with the 2008 fall season (2008-09 academic year), leading to the GNAC to begin sponsoring football once again.
* 2010 - Simon Fraser University joined the GNAC, effective in the 2010-11 academic year.
* 2012 - Three institutions joined the GNAC as affiliate members: Azusa Pacific University for football, and the University of Mary and the University of Sioux Falls for men's soccer, all effective with the 2012-13 academic year.
* 2013 - South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (South Dakota Mines) joined the GNAC as an affiliate member for men's soccer, effective in the 2013 fall season (2013-14 academic year).
* 2014 - South Dakota Mines added football to its GNAC affiliate membership, effective in the 2014 fall season (2014-15 academic year).
* 2015 - South Dakota Mines left the GNAC as an affiliate member for men's soccer, effective after the 2014 fall season (2014-15 academic year).
* 2015 - Concordia University–Portland joined the GNAC, effective in the 2015-16 academic year.
* 2016 - Dixie State and South Dakota Mines left the GNAC as affiliate members for football, effective after the 2015 fall season (2015-16 academic year).
* 2019 - Humboldt State left the GNAC as an affiliate member for football as the school announced it was dropping the sport after the 2018 fall season (2018-19 academic year).
* 2019 - The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) and the University of Central Oklahoma (along with Humboldt State returning for that sport), joined the GNAC as affiliate members for women's rowing, effective in the 2020 spring season (2019-20 academic year).
* 2020 - Concordia–Portland left the GNAC as the school announced that it would close, effective after the 2019-20 academic year.
* 2020 - Azusa Pacific left the GNAC as an affiliate member for football as the school announced it was dropping the sport after the 2020 fall season (2020-21 academic year).
* 2020 - UC San Diego left the GNAC as an affiliate member for women's rowing, effective after the 2020 spring season (2019-20 academic year), coinciding with the start of its transition to NCAA Division I.
* 2022 - Central Washington, Western Oregon and Simon Fraser, the only 3 football-sponsoring schools remaining in the GNAC, announce that they will be joining the Lone Star Conference as football affiliates, bringing an end to the GNAC as a football conference for a second time, effective after the 2021 fall season (2021-22 academic year).

## Member schools
### Current members

The GNAC currently has ten full members, all but three are public schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, Alaska | 1954 | Public | 10,530 | Seawolves | 2001 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks, Alaska | 1917 | Public | 6,826 | Nanooks | 2001 |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, Washington | 1891 | Public | 9,355 | Wildcats | 2001 |
| Montana State University Billings | Billings, Montana | 1927 | Public | 4,057 | Yellowjackets | 2007 |
| Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa, Idaho | 1913 | Nazarene | 1,778 | Nighthawks | 2001 |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey, Washington | 1895 | Catholic | 1,614 | Saints | 2001 |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, Washington | 1891 | Free Methodist | 3,114 | Falcons | 2001 |
| Simon Fraser University | Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada | 1965 | Public | 26,981 | Red Leafs | 2010 |
| Western Oregon University | Monmouth, Oregon | 1856 | Public | 3,752 | Wolves | 2001 |
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, Washington | 1893 | Public | 14,747 | Vikings | 2001 |

#### Notes
### Affiliate members

The GNAC currently has two affiliate members, both are public schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Colors | GNAC sport | Primary conference |
| University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond, Oklahoma | 1890 | Public | 13,250 | Bronchos | 2019–20 | | women's rowing | Mid-America (MIAA) |
| California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt | Arcata, California | 1913 | Public | 5,858 | Lumberjacks | 2019–20 | | women's rowing | California (CCAA) |

#### Notes

* ↑ Cal Poly Humboldt was a full member of the GNAC from 2001–02 to 2005–06, and was as an affiliate member of the GNAC for football from the 2008 to 2018 fall seasons (2008–09 to 2018–19 school years).
* ↑ Formerly known as Humboldt State University until January 26, 2022.

### Former members

The GNAC had three former full members, all but one were private schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | Current conference |
| Concordia University–Portland | Portland, Oregon | 1905 | Lutheran LCMS | N/A | Cavaliers | 2015 | 2020 | Closed in 2020 |
| California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt | Arcata, California | 1913 | Public | 5,858 | Lumberjacks | 2001 | 2006 | California (CCAA) |
| Seattle University | Seattle, Washington | 1891 | Catholic | 7,107 | Redhawks | 2001 | 2008 | Western (WAC) |

#### Notes

* ↑ Cal Poly Humboldt remains in the GNAC as an affiliate member for women's rowing.
* ↑ Formerly known as Humboldt State University until January 26, 2022.
* ↑ Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
* ↑ Seattle University will join the West Coast Conference effective July 1, 2025.

### Former affiliate members

The GNAC had seven former affiliate members, all but three were public schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | GNAC sport | Primary conference |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, California | 1899 | Evangelical Christian | 7,133 | Cougars | 2012–13 | 2019–20 | football | Pacific West (PacWest) |
| Dixie State University | St. George, Utah | 1911 | Public | 12,556 | Red Storm | 2008–09 | 2015–16 | football | Western (WAC) |
| California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt | Arcata, California | 1913 | Public | 5,858 | Lumberjacks | 2006–07 | 2017–18 | football | California (CCAA) |
| University of Mary | Bismarck, North Dakota | 1959 | Catholic | 3,794 | Marauders | 2012–13 | 2015–16 | men's soccer | Northern Sun (NSIC) |
| University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 1883 | Baptist | 1,594 | Cougars | 2012–13 | 2012–13 | men's soccer | Northern Sun (NSIC) |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Rapid City, South Dakota | 1885 | Public | 2,493 | Hardrockers | 2014–15$^{fb.}$; 2013–14$^{m.soc.}$ | 2015–16$^{fb.}$; 2014–15$^{m.soc.}$ | football; men's soccer | Rocky Mountain (RMAC) |
| University of California, San Diego | San Diego, California | 1960 | Public | 41,482 | Tritons | 2019–20 | 2019–20 | women's rowing | Big West |

#### Notes

* ↑ Currently known as Utah Tech University.
* ↑ Currently known as the Utah Tech Trailblazers.
* 1 2 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
* ↑ Cal Poly Humboldt was a full member of the GNAC from 2001–02 to 2005–06. However it remains in the GNAC as an affiliate member for women's rowing.
* ↑ Formerly known as Humboldt State University until January 2022.

### Membership timeline

Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football)   Associate member (football-only)   Associate member (other sports)
* The GNAC did not sponsor football in the 2006–07 and 2007-08 seasons. Therefore, Central Washington and Western Washington competed in the North Central Conference (NCC); while Dixie State, Humboldt State and Western Oregon were Independents.

## Sports sponsored

Conference sports :
| Sport | Men's | Women's |
| Baseball | Y | |
| Basketball | Y | Y |
| Cross Country | Y | Y |
| Golf | Y | Y |
| Rowing | | Y |
| Soccer | Y | Y |
| Softball | | Y |
| Track & Field Indoor | Y | Y |
| Track & Field Outdoor | Y | Y |
| Volleyball | | Y |

### Men's sponsored sports by school

| School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross Country | Golf | Soccer | Track & Field Indoor | Track & Field Outdoor | Total GNAC Sports |
| Alaska | | Y | Y | | | | | 2 |
| Alaska-Anchorage | | Y | Y | | | Y | Y | 4 |
| Central Washington | Y | Y | Y | | | Y | Y | 5 |
| Montana State-Billings | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7 |
| Northwest Nazarene | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7 |
| Saint Martin's | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7 |
| Seattle Pacific | | Y | Y | | Y | Y | Y | 5 |
| Simon Fraser | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 6 |
| Western Oregon | Y | Y | Y | | Y | Y | Y | 6 |
| Western Washington | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 6 |
| Totals | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 57 |

### Women's sponsored sports by school

| School | Basketball | Cross Country | Golf | Rowing | Soccer | Softball | Track & Field Indoor | Track & Field Outdoor | Volleyball | Total GNAC Sports |
| Alaska | Y | Y | | | | | | | Y | 3 |
| Alaska-Anchorage | Y | Y | | | | | Y | Y | Y | 5 |
| Central Washington | Y | Y | | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7 |
| Montana State-Billings | Y | Y | Y | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8 |
| Northwest Nazarene | Y | Y | Y | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8 |
| Saint Martin's | Y | Y | Y | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8 |
| Seattle Pacific | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | | Y | Y | Y | 8 |
| Simon Fraser | Y | Y | Y | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8 |
| Western Oregon | Y | Y | | | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7 |
| Western Washington | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 9 |
| Affiliate Members |||||||||||
| Cal Poly Humboldt | | | | Y | | | | | | 1 |
| Central Oklahoma | | | | Y | | | | | | 1 |
| Totals | 10 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 81 |

### Other sponsored sports by school

| School | Men | Men | Men | Men | Men | Women | Women | Women | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| School | Football | Ice Hockey | Lacrosse | Swimming & Diving | Wrestling | Gymnastics | Swimming & Diving | Wrestling | Rifle | Skiing |
| Alaska | | IND | | | | | PCSC | | PRC | RMISA |
| Alaska Anchorage | | IND | | | | MPSF | | | | RMISA |
| Central Washington | LSC | | | | | | | | | |
| Northwest Nazarene | | | RMAC | | | | | | | |
| Simon Fraser | | | | RMAC | RMAC | | RMAC | RMAC | | |
| Western Oregon | LSC | | | | | | | | | |
* 1 2 3 4 De facto Division I sport. The NCAA holds a combined national championship event in men's ice hockey open to both Division I and Division II members, and single championship events open to members of all three divisions in women's gymnastics and the coeducational sports of rifle and skiing.
* ↑ Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.

## Football champions

| Year | Champion | Conf. Record |
| 2001 | Western Washington | 3-0 |
| 2002 | Central Washington | 3-0 |
| 2003 | Western Washington | 3-0 |
| 2004 | Central Washington | 5-1 |
| 2005 | Central Washington | 6-0 |
| 2006 | Not Sponsored | N/A |
| 2007 | Not Sponsored | N/A |
| 2008 | Central Washington | 8-0 |
| 2009 | Central Washington | 6-0 |
| Year | Champion | Conf. Record |
| 2010 | Central Washington | 7-1 |
| 2011 | Humboldt State | 7-1 |
| 2012 | Central Washington | 7-3 |
| 2013 | Azusa Pacific | 9-1 |
| 2014 | Azusa Pacific | 6-0 |
| 2015 | Humboldt State | 6-0 |
| 2016 | Azusa Pacific | 8-0 |
| 2017 | Central Washington | 8-0 |
| 2018 | Azusa Pacific & Central Washington | 7-1 |
| 2019 | Central Washington & Western Oregon | 5-1 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | N/A |
| 2021 | Central Washington | 4-0 |

## Conference facilities

| School | Basketball arena | Capacity |
| Alaska Fairbanks | Alaska Airlines Court | 1,648 |
| Alaska Anchorage | Alaska Airlines Center | 5,000 |
| Central Washington | Nicholson Pavilion | 2,519 |
| Montana State - Billings | Alterowitz Gymnasium | 2,330 |
| Northwest Nazarene | Johnson Sports Center | |
| Saint Martin's | Marcus Pavilion | |
| Seattle Pacific | Royal Brougham Pavilion | 2,650 |
| Simon Fraser | West Gym | 1,500 |
| Western Oregon | PE Gym | 2,473 |
| Western Washington | Sam Carver Gym | 2,534 |