AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific University is preparing for a historic shift. After years of competing at the NCAA Division II level in the PacWest Conference, the Cougars are officially beginning their transition to
NCAA Division III and the
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
While the division may be changing, the program's vision remains steadfast: a commitment to excellence, character, and elite competition.
A Leader with Division III Roots
The transition is particularly meaningful for Head Coach Dave Blomquist, whose own soccer journey is deeply rooted in the Division III landscape. Before leading the Cougars, Blomquist was a standout player at Wheaton College from 1992–95.
His DIII pedigree is distinguished, marked by several high-level achievements:
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NCAA Division III All-American honors as a senior in 1995.
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CCIW Player of the Year (1995) after posting 13 goals and two assists.
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Two-time All-CCIW first-team selection.
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Wheaton College Athletic Hall of Honor inductee (2011).
Following his collegiate success, where he finished with 17 goals and 5 assists, Blomquist played professionally for one year as a teammate of former coach Phil Wolf on the Chicago Stingers. His heart, however, has always remained close to the unique environment of DIII athletics.
"As a former D3 player, I know the quality that a team can reach and I am excited to strive for excellence on the field," says Blomquist. "I forged my deepest friendships with my college soccer teammates and I love when the players at APU do the same."
The SCIAC Challenge: Navigating a Local Powerhouse
The move to the SCIAC places Azusa Pacific among some of the most prestigious liberal arts institutions in the country. Known for its rigorous academics and high-level athletic programs, the SCIAC offers a competitive environment that Blomquist and his squad are eager to embrace.
The transition will spark intense local rivalries as the Cougars join a dense pocket of elite Southern California competition. They will soon find themselves making the short trip to Pasadena to face Caltech, heading into Los Angeles for matchups with Occidental College, or traveling south to Orange to take on Chapman University.
The new schedule also ignites fierce battles with the University of La Verne, Whittier College, and the University of Redlands. Some of the most anticipated matches will take place in Claremont, where the Cougars will face off against the powerful combined programs of CMS (Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Scripps) and Pomona-Pitzer. A trip to Thousand Oaks to meet California Lutheran University rounds out a conference slate defined by high-caliber soccer and a localized footprint.
"The SCIAC conference provides a high level of soccer and we are excited for the challenge of competition that it will bring," says Blomquist.
Maintaining a Culture of Excellence
While the conference and division may be new, Coach Blomquist is adamant that the core values of APU soccer will remain untouched. The program will continue to prioritize a "team-first" mentality and a culture that extends far beyond the final score.
"As we move to NCAA Division 3 and the SCIAC Conference there are so many great things about APU soccer that will carry on," Blomquist noted. "We will continue to have a positive team culture as we build lifelong friendships. We will pursue conference championships and NCAA tournament births. We will strive to play great soccer with a team first mentality."
As the Cougars prepare to take the pitch in this new era, they do so with a head coach who has seen the heights of DIII success firsthand and a roster ready to prove that its winning culture translates to any division.
