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Wikipedia / Portland Pilots

The Portland Pilots is the nickname for athletics at the University of Portland. The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC) at the NCAA Division I level.

History

The Pilots started to gain attention when Clive Charles began coaching the women's soccer team in 1989. He already had been the men's soccer coach since 1986, and he continued to coach both teams until his death in 2003. He was replaced by Bill Irwin. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005 and was led by numerous national-level players (see "notable alumni athletes" section). Additionally, the men's soccer team has been to the College Cup twice in its history: 1988 and 1995.

In addition to soccer, UP consistently has one of the top cross country programs in the nation. Their men's team, coached by Rob Conner, won their 34th overall West Coast Conference championship in October 2014. The men's team has qualified for the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship a total of eighteen times, making their first appearance in 1993. The team has finished among the top 10 eight times in its history. The Pilots placed 7th in 2001, 2008, and 2013. The Pilots finished 3rd in 2014 and 2018 as well as 2nd in 2017, which was their highest ever finish. In 2008, David Kinsella finished 4th overall, the highest any Pilot has ever placed individually at the national championships. The men's team has won the NCAA West Regional four times in their history: in 1993, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Through 2017, a total of eighteen Pilots have earned All-American honors in cross country, including Scott Fauble, Alfred Kipchumba, Trevor Dunbar, Pete Julian, Uli Steidl, Joe Driscoll, Reid Buchanan, and John Moore. Rob Conner also heads the Pilots' Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field teams, and has coached 25 All-Americans in distance events ranging from the mile to the 10,000m run. Several Pilots have competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials under coach Conner, including William "Woody" Kincaid in the 5,000m in 2016, and John Moore and Michael Kilburg in the 10,000m in 2008.

The Pilots have had success in other sports. The men's basketball team has participated in the NCAA tournament twice (1959 and 1996). Their women's basketball team has participated in the NCAA Tournament six times (1994-1997, 2023, and 2024), qualified for the cancelled 2020 NCAA Tournament, and participated in the WNIT three times (1998, 2009, and 2022). Their baseball team has also participated in the NCAA tournament five times (1957, 1958, 1979, 1989, and 1991). Their volleyball team also participated in the postseason for the first time in 2018 after qualifying for the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.

UP has not fielded a football team since 1950.

Sports sponsored

Former teams

  • Football (discontinued after 1950)

  • Men's and women's golf (discontinued after 2011)

National championships

NCAA team championships

Other team championships

Conference championships

The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference, which they joined in 1976. Below are a few of their conference titles:

  • Men's Basketball WCC Tournament Champions (1): 1996

  • Men's Baseball Pacific-10 Conference Northern Division Tournament (2): 1989, 1991

  • Men's Cross Country (35): 2024, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979

  • Men's Golf (2): 1993, 1985

  • Men's Soccer (6): 2016, 2002, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988

  • Men's Tennis Regular Season (1): 2017

  • Women's Basketball WCC Tournament Champions (4): 2024, 2023, 2020, 1994; Regular Season Champions (4): 2025, 1997, 1996, 1992

  • Women's Cross County (21): 2023, 2016, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987

  • Women's Soccer (13): 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992

Venues

The Portland Pilots play home soccer matches at Merlo Field, part of the Clive Charles Soccer Complex. All volleyball and basketball games are held in the Chiles Center. The baseball team plays in Joe Etzel Field. The Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center is home to the tennis teams.

Olympians

Notable alumni athletes

References