Azusa Pacific is now the three-time defending winner of the PacWest Commissioner's Cup, as the Cougars scored 163 points this year, averaging 12.54 points across the 13 sports that compete in the PacWest conference. The Commissioner's Cup is awarded to the best all-around athletics program in the conference. Azusa Pacific won the Commissioner's Cup in 2018-19 and 2021-22.
Four different Cougar teams claimed PacWest Championships in the 2022-23 school year, as women's basketball, women's track & field, men's track and field, and men's tennis each claimed the regular season title in their respective sport. In addition to winning the regular season title, the women's basketball and baseball teams also won PacWest Tournament titles, which raised Azusa Pacific's championship total to six this year. Azusa Pacific has won a total of 45 conference titles since joining the conference as a full member in 2015, which leads all active schools. Across the entirety of Azusa Pacific's athletic history, the Cougars have won a total of 147 conference championships.
"It was another great year for Cougar Athletics," said Director of Athletics Gary Pine, "Our coaches and student-athletes continue to show determination and commitment on a yearly basis and I could not be more proud. Since transitioning to the NCAA level, we have continued the rich history of athletic excellence here at Azusa Pacific, and I am excited to see us reach even greater heights in the future."
Previously, Azusa Pacific was a member of the NAIA's Golden State Athletic Conference, where the Cougars won the GSAC's equivalent award, the All Sports Award, for 18 consecutive years (1994-2012). The Cougars also won the NAIA's Directors Cup for eight consecutive years, as Azusa Pacific was the top sports program among all NAIA athletic programs from 2005 through 2012.
The PacWest Commissioner's Cup was established in 2007-08 to honor the athletic program with the best overall performance in that academic year. The competition is based upon average finish in PacWest sports. For a more detailed look at the scoring system of the Commissioner's Cup, please click HERE.
