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Portland Pilots (NCAA)
Encyclopedia
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's Division I level.
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 2003, when he died. He was then replaced by the current coach Bill Irwin
. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005, and were led by a slew of national-level players (see Notable Alumni Athletes section).
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, has won 32 straight West Coast Conference
championships. The men's team has finished amongst the top 10 at the NCAA championships four times in its history. In 2008, the Pilots finished 7th, which is the highest they have ever placed. They also finished 7th in 2001. Also in 2008, David Kinsella finished 4th overall, the highest any Pilot has ever placed individually at the national championships.
The Pilots have had success in other sports as well. The men's basketball team has gone to the NCAA tournament
twice (1959 and 1996). Their baseball team has also gone to the NCAA tournament
five times (1957, 1958, 1979, 1989, and 1991).
UP used to have a football team as well, but it was dropped in 1950 due to a lack of funding.
, which they joined in 1976. Below are a few of their conference titles:
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.
Preliminary campus expansion plans include moving the baseball field and tennis facilities from their current locations down to the waterfront in the Triangle Park property.
University of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and is the sister school of the University of Notre Dame. Founded in 1901, UP has a student body of about 3,600 students...
. The Pilots compete in the West Coast Conference
West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference is an NCAA collegiate athletics conference consisting of nine member schools across the states of California, Oregon, Utah and Washington....
(WCC) at the NCAA's Division I level.
History
The Pilots started to gain attention when Clive CharlesClive Charles
Clive Charles was a football player, coach and television announcer. Charles began his career with West Ham United and finished it in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He later coached at the high school, collegiate and international levels in the United States.-Player:Charles was born in London,...
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 2003, when he died. He was then replaced by the current coach Bill Irwin
Bill Irwin (footballer)
William "Bill" Irwin is a Northern Irish former professional footballer, currently working as director of soccer at the University of Portland and head coach of the United States women's under-23 side.-Personal life:...
. The women's soccer team won national championships in 2002 and 2005, and were led by a slew of national-level players (see Notable Alumni Athletes section).
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, has won 32 straight West Coast Conference
West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference is an NCAA collegiate athletics conference consisting of nine member schools across the states of California, Oregon, Utah and Washington....
championships. The men's team has finished amongst the top 10 at the NCAA championships four times in its history. In 2008, the Pilots finished 7th, which is the highest they have ever placed. They also finished 7th in 2001. Also in 2008, David Kinsella finished 4th overall, the highest any Pilot has ever placed individually at the national championships.
The Pilots have had success in other sports as well. The men's basketball team has gone to the NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
twice (1959 and 1996). Their baseball team has also gone to the NCAA tournament
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
five times (1957, 1958, 1979, 1989, and 1991).
UP used to have a football team as well, but it was dropped in 1950 due to a lack of funding.
Teams
Men's
|
Women's
|
Former Teams
- Football (discontinued after 1950)
- Men's and Women's Golf (discontinued after 2011)
Conference championships
The Pilots compete in the West Coast ConferenceWest Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference is an NCAA collegiate athletics conference consisting of nine member schools across the states of California, Oregon, Utah and Washington....
, which they joined in 1976. Below are a few of their conference titles:
- Men's Basketball WCC Tournament Champions (1): 1996
- Men's Cross Country (32): 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): 2002, 1995, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988
- Women's Basketball WCC Tournament ChampionsWest Coast Conference Women's Basketball TournamentThe West Coast Conference Women's Basketball Tournament is the annual concluding tournament for the NCAA college basketball in the West Coast Conference. The winner receives an automatic berth into the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship...
(1): 1994; Regular Season Champions (2): 1996, 1997 - Women's Cross County (19): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987
- Women's Soccer (12): 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992
Venues
Merlo Field
Harry A. Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex is a 4,892-capacity soccer-specific stadium in Portland, Oregon on the campus of the University of Portland where it serves as home to the school's soccer teams.-History:...
, part of the Clive Charles Soccer Complex. All volleyball and basketball games are held in the Chiles Center
Chiles Center
The Earle A. & Virginia H. Chiles Center is a 4,852-seat multi-purpose arena in Portland, Oregon, USA. The arena opened in 1984. It is home to the University of Portland Pilots men's and women's basketball teams as well as the women's volleyball team...
. The baseball team plays in Joe Etzel Field
Joe Etzel Field
Joe Etzel Field is a 1,000 seat baseball stadium in Portland, Oregon that is home to the University of Portland Pilots baseball team.Completed in 2005, the Andy Pienovi Hitting Facility is the baseball team's practice facility...
. The Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center is home to the tennis teams.
Preliminary campus expansion plans include moving the baseball field and tennis facilities from their current locations down to the waterfront in the Triangle Park property.
Notable alumni athletes
- Conor CaseyConor CaseyConor Casey is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
, soccer player for the Colorado RapidsColorado RapidsThe Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league... - Pat CaseyPat CaseyPat Casey is the head coach for the Oregon State Beavers baseball team. He is best known for winning the 2006 College World Series for the Beavers' first-ever baseball National Championship...
, head coach of the Oregon State baseballOregon State Beavers baseballThe Oregon State Beavers baseball team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team participates in the Pacific-10 Conference. They are currently coached by Pat Casey and assistant coaches Marty Lees, David Wong, and Pat Bailey. They play home games in Goss...
team - Steve CherundoloSteve CherundoloSteven Emil "Steve" Cherundolo is an American soccer defender who is the captain of Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga, where he has spent his entire club career. He played for the United States men's national soccer team at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.-Early life:Cherundolo grew up in...
, soccer player for Hannover 96Hannover 96Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:... - Pooh JeterPooh JeterEugene "Pooh" Jeter III is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a point guard for Joventut Badalona. He is the younger brother of sprinter Carmelita Jeter, a two-time World Athletics Final gold medalist.-Clubs:...
, basketball player for the Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... - Nate JaquaNate JaquaJonathan "Nate" Jaqua is an American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-High School:...
, soccer player for Seattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in... - Kasey KellerKasey KellerKasey Keller is a retired American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer....
, soccer player for Seattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in... - Bill KruegerBill KruegerWilliam Culp Krueger , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from -. Krueger would play for the Oakland A's, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres.-Early career:After graduating from McMinnville...
, former MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player and TV analyst - Stephanie LopezStephanie LopezStephanie Renee Cox is an American soccer defender currently playing for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team....
, US women's internationalUnited States women's national soccer teamThe United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
soccer player - Shannon MacMillanShannon MacMillan-References:...
, US women's internationalUnited States women's national soccer teamThe United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
soccer player
- Tiffeny Milbrett, US women's internationalUnited States women's national soccer teamThe United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
soccer player - Heath PearceHeath PearceHeath Gregory Pearce is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer and for the United States men's national soccer team.-College and Amateur:...
, soccer player for Chivas USA - Megan RapinoeMegan RapinoeMegan Anna Rapinoe is an American soccer midfielder who is currently a free agent in the Women's Professional Soccer League and a member of the United States women's national soccer team...
, US women's internationalUnited States women's national soccer teamThe United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
soccer player - Elli ReedElli ReedElli Reed is an American soccer player from Park City, Utah. She is a midfielder for the University of Portland women's soccer team and the United States U-23 women's national soccer team.-High school:...
- Ray ScottRay Scott (basketball)John Raymond Scott is a retired American professional basketball player and former head coach of the Detroit Pistons...
, former 1st round draft pick of the Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where... - Christine SinclairChristine SinclairChristine Margaret Sinclair is a Canadian soccer forward who plays professional soccer for the Western New York Flash and is the captain of the Canadian national team. Sinclair has spent ten years with the Canadian national team participating in two World Cups in 2007 and 2003 and the 2008 Summer...
, Canadian internationalCanada women's national soccer teamThe Canada women's national soccer team is overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association. The team reached its all-time high of 6th in the March 2011 rankings. The team reached international prominence finishing in 4th place at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003, losing to their archrival American team...
soccer player - Garrett SmithGarrett SmithGarrett Smith is a former U.S. soccer defender who played professionally in the Western Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and Continental Indoor Soccer League. Since 1992, he has served as an assistant coach with the University of Portland’s men’s and...
, head coach of the women's soccer team - Erik SpoelstraErik SpoelstraErik Spoelstra is an American professional basketball coach and the current head coach of the National Basketball Association's Miami Heat...
, head coach of the Miami HeatMiami HeatThe Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami... - Zach Varce
- Keelin WintersKeelin WintersKeelin Winters is an American soccer player from Englewood, Colorado. She is a former midfielder for the University of Portland women's soccer team, and now plays for the Boston Breakers .-National Team career:...