CBU is joining The Big West

California Baptist University is set to join The Big West Conference as a full member starting July 1, 2026 — a milestone that reflects the university’s continued commitment to excellence in academics, athletics and community impact.

Nearly 200 Big West teams have competed against the Lancers since the 2022-23 academic year, when CBU became a full member of Division I, Dan Butterly, commissioner for the Big West, said during a virtual press conference in March.

“The Big West board of directors realized many benefits to a potential CBU membership, including their location in the Big West geographic footprint, excellent academic and athletic facilities, their financial commitments to athletics, and CBU’s track record of success and growth at the Division I level,” Butterly said. “California Baptist University’s sports profile also aligned exceptionally well with the Big West roster of championship sports.”

The addition of CBU brings the total number of Big West schools to 10 beginning in the 2026-27 season and all are in California. Upon arrival, CBU will have The Big West’s second smallest enrollment and will give Riverside two NCAA Division I programs competing in the same conference (CBU and University of California, Riverside).

“When I arrived at CBU in 1994 as president, I understood that we could use athletics to enhance our campus culture and reach out to the community, and we began to do that,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president. “Along the way we played a number of Big West opponents. This is really going to enhance competition and rivalries.”

Being closer to the other conference schools will mean less travel to competitions for both teams and fans.

“We’re really excited about what we can do with the rivalry in the Inland Empire with UCR, and it should be a lot of fun,” said Dr. Micah Parker, vice president for Athletics. “We’ve been very excited, too, about the positive reaction that we’ve had from our fans and people who care about CBU. They think it’s a great fit, and they’re excited to be a part of it.”

CBU sponsors 19 NCAA Division I sports. Transitioning from the Western Athletic Conference, the Lancers will compete in The Big West in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s water polo, and women’s volleyball.

GARY ADCOCK | HEAD BASEBALL COACH

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL IMPACT THE TEAM’S LEVEL OF COMPETITION?

The Big West has a deep and strong tradition of excellence, particularly in baseball — nationally known for having well-respected coaches, College World Series national titles, national players of the year, countless major leaguers, with a tradition of excellence in the west that is unmatched.

JULIE SNODGRASS | HEAD WOMEN’S WATER POLO COACH

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE ATHLETES AND FANS?

This will be a great opportunity for CBU to compete on a highly competitive stage with local and well-known universities. It is our chance to push the level of excellence and competition and rise to new levels. I’m excited to see how CBU athletics will live our purpose in the Big West.

COE MICHAELSON | HEAD MEN’S SOCCER COACH

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE ATHLETES AND FANS?

We are enthusiastic about helping make the Big West one of the top soccer conferences in the country. CBU soccer fans can look forward to seeing some of the best and most exciting college soccer games in the country, with nearly every game right here in our own backyard in Southern California. Our ambition at CBU to become a fixture on the national scene remains, and I believe that the Big West can help us in this pursuit.

CECE LEGASPI | WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

Hearing CBU is moving to the Big West is extremely exciting. The teams in the Big West are high caliber competitors, and it’s an honor to be able to showcase what we can do on that new stage.

JARED ABERCROMBIE | MEN’S GOLF

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL IMPACT THE TEAM’S LEVEL OF COMPETITION?

This allows us to enter much better tournaments and play against much higher competition, allowing us to improve our national rank much easier and give us more opportunity to make a deep run in playoffs.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL FANS?

The best is yet to come. #LanceUp

AVERY EASTERLING | SWIMMING

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL IMPACT THE TEAM’S LEVEL OF COMPETITION?

I think that this move will draw in faster athletes, creating a faster and more competitive environment for the team in a positive way.