Fresno Pacific Sunbirds
Logo
UniversityFresno Pacific University
ConferencePacific West Conference (primary)
Western Water Polo Association (water polo)
NCAADivision II
Athletic directorLeslie Schuemann
LocationFresno, California
Varsity teams17
Basketball arenaSpecial Events Center
Baseball stadiumFPU Diamond
MascotSunny the Sunbird
NicknameSunbirds
ColorsNavy blue and orange[1]
   
Websitefpuathletics.com

The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (also FPU Sunbirds) are the athletic teams that represent Fresno Pacific University, located in Fresno, California, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports as a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) for most of its sports since the 2012–13 academic year.[2] while its men's and women's water polo teams compete in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA). The Sunbirds previously competed in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1986–87 to 2011–12.

History

NAIA

During their days in the NAIA, the Sunbirds boasted one of the top programs, finishing in the top five of the NACDA Directors' Cup in each of their last five seasons as a member (2007–2012). FPU has won a total of 58 conference titles and 13 national titles. Within the last five years, FPU has won national titles in Volleyball, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Men’s Tennis and Women’s Tennis. They’ve also taken home conference titles in Men’s Basketball, Men’s Soccer and Men's Track & Field, and garnered national attention in Men’s Water Polo, Women’s Soccer, Baseball and Women’s Track and Field. The university has hosted a number of NAIA special events, including the Track & Field National Championships, Men’s Soccer Nationals and a round of the NAIA World Series.

NCAA

On June 1, 2011, the university announced that it had accepted an invitation to join the Pacific West Conference in NCAA Division II competition, joining fellow Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) members Azusa Pacific University and Point Loma Nazarene University, and California Pacific Conference (CalPac) member Holy Names University as part of the conference's expansion from 10-14 members.[2] While the majority of sports will compete in the PacWest, water polo will join the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA).[3] The Sunbirds will compete in conference play beginning in the 2012–2013 academic year. They will be eligible for conference championships and awards immediately but ineligible for NCAA postseason play for the first two seasons during the transition process.[3]

On July 11, 2011, Fresno Pacific along with fellow conference mates, Azusa Pacific and Point Loma Nazarene, learned that their application for NCAA membership had been approved. The 2011–2012 athletic season marked the final one in GSAC and NAIA competition for the Sunbirds. The 2012–2013 season marked the beginning of Pacific West Conference play for FPU. The Sunbirds experienced immediate success, finishing second in the 14-team league in men's soccer, women's volleyball, men's basketball and men's tennis. The women's volleyball team cracked the NCAA Division II top 10, the only transitioning school to do so in any sport.

On January 13, 2014, Fresno Pacific named Leslie Schuemann its director of athletics.[4] Schuemann was the former director of academic and membership affairs at the NCAA and was instrumental in the formation of the NCAA Division II membership process.

Varsity teams

Fresno Pacific competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field and water polo; while women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball and water polo.

National championships

Team

Sport Association Division Year Runner-up Score
Men's Tennis (2) NAIA Single 2009 Auburn Montgomery 5–3
2011 Embry–Riddle 5–1
Women's volleyball (6) NAIA Single 1989 Hawaii Pacific 2–0
2003 Columbia (MO) 3–1
2007 California Baptist 3–1
2008 Concordia Irvine 3–2
2009 Georgetown (KY) 3–0
2010 Columbia (MO) 3–0

Individual programs

Women's volleyball

The Women’s Volleyball program was dominant at the NAIA level, winning a national title in 1989, and four consecutive national titles from 2007–2010[5] including an undefeated 38–0 season in 2009. FPU won the 2010 title without dropping a single set in the entire national tournament. The Sunbirds have consistently defeated crosstown institution NCAA Division I rival Fresno State of the Mountain West Conference, with a 7–1 all-time record against the Bulldogs.

Men's tennis

The Men's Tennis program dominated their last five seasons as a member of the NAIA's Golden State Athletic Conference, winning the league title in each season (2009–2014). In the same stretch, FPU played for five straight NAIA Men's Tennis Championships with victories in 2009 and 2011 before joining the NCAA prior to the 2012–13 academic year.[6] In 2020, FPU announced the return of men's tennis program as part of the school's NCAA D2 athletics.[7]

Olympic trials & professional athletes

Fresno Pacific has a reputation for turning out an extraordinary number of professional athletes for a school of its size. FPU currently has close to 50 alumni playing professionally in numerous sports, with the highest number coming from women's volleyball, men's soccer, men's basketball and baseball.

FPU had four alumni competing between the 2012 United States Olympic Swimming Trials and the United States Olympic Track & Field Trials. Robert Griswold competed for the men's swimming team. Women's swimmer Cheyenne Coffman finished 10th in the nation in the 100 backstroke, narrowly finishing behind Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin while triple jumper Ethan DeJongh placed 15th in the USA in the triple jump. FPU has a number of hopefuls for the 2016 Olympics from multiple countries, including Fiji national record holders Milika Tuivanuavou (triple jump, shot put) and Eugene Vollmer (triple jump).

Since 2006, FPU has had seven players selected in the Major League Baseball draft. In 2011, Chris Schwinden became the first former Sunbird to reach the major leagues, debuting with the New York Mets.[8] That same year, the FPU baseball program beat out Fresno State and Fresno City College to have the first local college player selected in the MLB draft when pitcher Jesse Darrah went in the 8th round to the Arizona Diamondbacks.[9]

FPU has had four alumni go on to reach Major League Soccer, as well as numerous others who have gone on to play professionally in the United States and around the world. Former Sunbird Pablo Campos went on to win the MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake and is currently a star forward for the Minnesota United FC of the North American Soccer League. In 2013, FPU alum Paul Islas became the first NCAA Division II player selected in the MLS Draft when he was selected in the first round of the supplemental portion by Chivas USA.[10]

The FPU men's basketball program has continuously put out professional athletes both overseas and in the United States. In 2010, alum James Lewis became the first FPU player to be selected in the NBA Development League draft, being selected by the Maine Red Claws. He was selected in 2011 as well by the Austin Toros.[11] In 2013, FPU guard John Taylor led NCAA Division II in scoring at 27.5 points per game and declared for the NBA draft.[12]

FPU has had a number of alumni achieve a professional world tennis ranking in either the WTA or the ATP. Including, the ITA National Small College champion Jelena Pandžić.[13]

Mascot

The athletics mascot is Sunny the Sunbird.

References

  1. ↑ "Fresno Pacific Sunbird Athletics - Quickfacts". March 27, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Staff (June 1, 2011). "Sunbirds accept PacWest invite". The Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "FPU to join Pacific West Conference". Fresno Pacific University. June 1, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Schuemann named Director of Athletics". Fresno Pacific University. January 13, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Three-peat nets national award". Fresno Pacific University. June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Fresno Pacific Announces Return Of Men's Tennis Program". The PacWest. PacWest. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  7. ↑ Press, Release. "FPU Athletics Announces Return of Men's Tennis". FPU Athletics. Fresno Pacific University Athletics. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Schwinden Gets Big League Call".
  9. ↑ "Dbacks select Darrah in MLB Draft".
  10. ↑ "Islas selected in MLS Draft by Chivas USA". FPUathletics.com.
  11. ↑ "FPU's Lewis selected in NBA D-League draft for second straight year". FPUathletics.com.
  12. ↑ "Taylor declares for NBA Draft, will forego senior season". FPUathletics.com.
  13. ↑ "Past Champions". ITA Tennis. Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
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