Great Northwest Athletic Conference
The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) is a collegiate athletic conference that historically operates in the northwestern United States, but also currently includes four schools in areas not usually considered part of that region—two in Alaska (neither of which resides in Southeast Alaska, an area often considered part of the Northwest), one in eastern Montana (almost never considered part of the region), and one in the Canadian province of British Columbia (an area included with the Northwest U.S. in the larger Pacific Northwest region). It participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)'s Division  II level, and 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. Member schools. Current members. The GNAC currently has ten full members, all but three are public schools: Affiliate members. The GNAC currently has two affiliate members, both are public schools: Former members. The GNAC had three former full members, all but one were private schools: Former affiliate members. The GNAC had seven former affiliate members, all but three were public schools: Great Northwest Athletic Conference