Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Contents

1. Overview
2. Etymology
3. Cultural Impact

One approaches the topic of collegiate athletics with a certain… weariness. Yet, here we are, delving into the bureaucratic intricacies of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). It’s not exactly the stuff of epic sagas, but for those who find solace in structured competition, or perhaps just a distraction from the crushing weight of existence, it serves its purpose.

This particular conference operates within the rather quaint confines of the NCAA’s Division III , a realm where the pursuit of athletic glory is theoretically secondary to academics. A noble aspiration, one might say, if one were prone to such idealism.

Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Association

Governing Body: NCAA
Established: 1915
Commissioner: Jennifer Dubow
Sports Sponsored: 21 total
- Men’s: 10
- Women’s: 11
Division: Division III
Member Institutions: 9 (expanding to 10 in 2026, because progress, apparently)
Headquarters: Laguna Niguel, California
Geographic Scope: Primarily Southern California
Official Web Presence: thesciac.org

Locations

The map below illustrates the geographical distribution of the conference’s members, both current and those with future aspirations. A compact little ecosystem, as these things go, confined to the sun-drenched, perpetually optimistic landscape of Southern California .

Location of SCIAC members: current, future

The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference , or SCIAC, is an intercollegiate athletic conference that maintains its operations firmly within the parameters set by the NCAA Division III . This means, for the uninitiated, that scholarships based purely on athletic prowess are not a factor, theoretically fostering a more “pure” amateur spirit. The conference itself was forged in the fires of 1915—a time when the world was teetering on the brink of global conflict, yet somehow, collegiate sports still seemed like a pressing concern. It presently comprises twelve distinct, small private institutions, though they are cunningly organized into nine athletic programs. This numerical discrepancy is due to the rather efficient, or perhaps pragmatic, arrangement where certain colleges pool their resources for athletic competition. Specifically, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer function as combined teams, which, I suppose, saves on uniforms and emotional investment.

Currently, the SCIAC is a rather comprehensive purveyor of athletic opportunities, sponsoring a diverse array of sports. For the gentlemen, one finds baseball , basketball , cross country , football , golf , soccer , swimming and diving , tennis , track and field , and water polo . The ladies, not to be outdone, compete in basketball , cross country , golf , lacrosse , soccer , softball , swimming and diving , tennis , track and field , volleyball , and water polo . A truly exhaustive list, ensuring that nearly every inclination for competitive exertion is catered to. One can only hope the academic rigor is equally comprehensive.

History

The current SCIAC logo, a rather sleek and modern design, replaced an older iteration sometime before 2010. One assumes the previous logo was, like many things from the past, less aesthetically evolved.

Before the SCIAC solidified into its current form, there was a precursor, a shadowy organization known as the Intercollegiate Football Association of Southern California, which flickered into existence in the 1890s. Its roster included institutions that would later become SCIAC mainstays, such as Occidental College and Caltech (then known as Throop Polytechnic), alongside more transient members like USC , Chaffey College , and even Los Angeles High School . A rather motley crew, suggesting that the concept of “intercollegiate” was somewhat fluid in those nascent days.

The SCIAC itself was formally established in 1915, born from a collective desire among five foundational institutions to champion the then-novel concept of amateurism in athletics. A quaint notion, perhaps, in an era increasingly dominated by professional aspirations. These five charter members, all of whom have maintained some form of affiliation with the conference, were Throop College of Technology (which would, through the relentless march of progress, evolve into the California Institute of Technology ), Occidental College , Pomona College , the University of Redlands , and Whittier College . It’s worth noting, however, that while these institutions remain connected to the SCIAC, only Occidental and Redlands have managed to maintain an unbroken, uninterrupted membership—a testament, perhaps, to either unwavering loyalty or simply a lack of better options. Interestingly, the acronym SCIAC itself predates the conference as we know it, having been utilized between 1913 and 1914 by the Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Council, an organization that ultimately transformed into the CIF Southern Section . A confusing lineage, but then, most things of historical significance tend to be. [1]

A significant moment of expansion arrived on May 12, 2011, when the SCIAC formally announced that Chapman University would be welcomed into its fold as the ninth member, with its full participation commencing in the 2011–12 academic year. This marked the first instance of conference growth since California Lutheran University joined the ranks in 1991. It seems that even venerable institutions occasionally feel the need for new blood, or at least new competition. Historically, a considerable number of these colleges maintained affiliations with various Christian denominations, such as the Quakers and the Presbyterians . Today, however, only California Lutheran University retains an official ecclesiastical tie, reflecting a broader societal shift towards secularization, or perhaps merely a prudent distancing from potentially restrictive doctrines.

The SCIAC, like any organization with a lengthy history, has seen its share of departures. Three former members, once part of its collegiate fabric, now compete at the loftier, and arguably more mercenary, level of NCAA Division I athletics. These ambitious institutions include the University of California, Los Angeles , San Diego State University , and the University of California, Santa Barbara . One imagines their departure was met with a mixture of polite regret and perhaps a quiet sigh of relief from those left behind, who could then continue their pursuit of amateurism undisturbed by such grand aspirations.

Chronological timeline

The history of the SCIAC is a rather intricate tapestry woven with memberships, departures, and strategic re-affiliations. It’s a testament to the dynamic, and at times fickle, nature of collegiate alliances.

1915 – The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) was formally established. Its charter members, laying the groundwork for future athletic endeavors, included Occidental College , Pomona College , the University of Redlands , Throop College of Technology (the precursor to California Institute of Technology ), and Whittier College . Their inaugural academic year of competition began in 1915–16.
1920 – The Southern Branch of the University of California , which would eventually become the venerable University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), joined the SCIAC for the 1920–21 academic year. A brief dalliance with the future titans of collegiate sports.
1926 – La Verne College (now known as the University of La Verne ) and San Diego State Teachers College (which would evolve into San Diego State University ) augmented the conference roster, beginning their participation in the 1926–27 academic year.
1927 – UCLA , having apparently outgrown its initial ambitions, departed the SCIAC after the 1926–27 academic year. A swift exit, foreshadowing its future trajectory.
1931 – Santa Barbara State College (now the University of California at Santa Barbara ) became a member, joining for the 1931–32 academic year.
1934 – Both Caltech and Pomona College took their leave from the SCIAC after the 1933–34 academic year. One can only speculate about the reasons for such a synchronized departure.
1938:
- La Verne and UC Santa Barbara followed suit, departing the SCIAC after the 1937–38 academic year.
- In a display of rather efficient organizational maneuvering, Caltech and Pomona decided to rejoin the SCIAC, their hiatus ending with the commencement of the 1938–39 academic year. A curious reversal of fortunes.
1939 – San Diego State concluded its membership with the SCIAC after the 1938–39 academic year, seeking greener, or perhaps just larger, pastures.
1943 – Whittier College temporarily withdrew from the SCIAC after the 1942–43 academic year.
1946 – Whittier College , demonstrating its enduring connection to the conference, rejoined the SCIAC for the 1946–47 academic year.
1947 – Claremont Men’s College (which would later be known as Claremont McKenna College ) was inducted into the SCIAC, beginning its participation in the 1947–48 academic year.
1950 – Chapman College (today recognized as Chapman University ) joined the SCIAC for the 1950–51 academic year.
1952 – Chapman ’s initial tenure with the SCIAC was brief, as it departed after the 1951–52 academic year.
1958 – Claremont initiated a combined athletic program with Harvey Mudd College , forming the ‘Claremont–Mudd’ athletic entity, effective for the 1958–59 academic year. A practical solution to enhance competitiveness.
1971 – This year saw two significant shifts: Pomona merged its athletic efforts with Pitzer College to create the ‘Pomona–Pitzer’ athletic program, and La Verne made its return to the SCIAC. Both changes became effective with the 1971–72 academic year.
1976 – The ‘Claremont–Mudd’ athletic program further expanded its collaborative efforts by integrating Scripps College , thereby becoming the more encompassing ‘Claremont–Mudd–Scripps’ athletic powerhouse, beginning in the 1976–77 academic year.
1991 – California Lutheran University was welcomed into the SCIAC, commencing its membership in the 1991–92 academic year.
2011 – Chapman , after a considerable absence, rejoined the SCIAC, with its renewed participation beginning in the 2011–12 academic year.
2020 – Occidental College made the difficult decision to discontinue its football program prior to the start of the 2020 fall season, effectively for the 2020–21 academic year. A sign of changing priorities, perhaps.
2023 – Whittier College followed suit, dropping its football program after the conclusion of the 2022 fall season, affecting the 2022–23 academic year. One wonders if the gridiron is slowly fading from the Division III landscape.
2024 – Azusa Pacific University announced a rather significant transition, moving from NCAA Division II and the Pacific West Conference to the SCIAC. This move is strategically aligned with the re-establishment of its football program for the 2026 fall season, marking the 2026–27 academic year. An interesting shift, suggesting that even institutions with higher aspirations sometimes find their way back to the comfortable confines of Division III .

Member schools

The SCIAC currently boasts nine full members, each a private institution, contributing to the conference’s distinct academic and athletic culture. [3]

| Institution California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Pasadena | 1891 | Nonsectarian | 2,086 [c] | Beavers | 1915; 1938 [d] | No | | California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks | 1959 | Lutheran ELCA | 3,298 | Kingsmen & Regals | 1991 | Yes | | Chapman University | Orange | 1861 | DoC & UCC | 10,001 | Panthers | 1950; 2011 [e] | Yes | | Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
—Claremont McKenna College
—Harvey Mudd College
—Scripps College | Claremont | 1946
1955
1926 | Nonsectarian | 1,328
746
878 | Stags & Athenas | 1976
1947
1958
1976 | Yes | | University of La Verne | La Verne | 1891 | Nonsectarian [f] | 1,685 | Leopards | 1926; 1971 [g] | Yes | | Occidental College | Los Angeles | 1887 | Nonsectarian [h] | 1,839 | Tigers | 1915 | No | | Pomona-Pitzer
—Pomona College
—Pitzer College | Claremont | 1887
1963 | Nonsectarian | 1,690 [4]
950 | Sagehens | 1971
1915; 1938 [i]
1971 | Yes | | University of Redlands | Redlands | 1907 | Nonsectarian [j] | 4,400 | Bulldogs | 1915 | Yes | | Whittier College | Whittier | 1887 | Secular [k] | 1,540 | Poets | 1915; 1946 [l] | No [m] |

Notes

^ a: All specified cities are situated within the golden State of California.
^ b: This column indicates the calendar year in which competitive activities for fall sports officially commence.
^ c: This enrollment figure encompasses both undergraduate and graduate student populations.
^ d: Caltech temporarily withdrew from the SCIAC after the 1933–34 academic year, only to rejoin the conference for the 1938–39 academic year. A brief sabbatical, perhaps.
^ e: Chapman initially departed the SCIAC following the 1951–52 academic year, eventually returning for the 2011–12 academic year. Some relationships, it seems, are worth revisiting.
^ f: Historically, the University of La Verne maintained an affiliation with the Church of the Brethren , though it is now nonsectarian.
^ g: La Verne ceased its SCIAC membership after the 1937–38 academic year, but ultimately rejoined for the 1971–72 academic year.
^ h: Occidental College historically held ties with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (distinct from the modern Presbyterian Church (USA)), though it is currently nonsectarian.
^ i: Pomona College took a brief departure from the SCIAC after the 1933–34 academic year, before rejoining for the 1938–39 academic year.
^ j: The University of Redlands was historically affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA , though it is now nonsectarian.
^ k: Whittier College was historically associated with the Quakers , but now operates as a secular institution.
^ l: Whittier withdrew from the SCIAC after the 1942–43 academic year, eventually rejoining for the 1946–47 academic year.
^ m: Whittier has plans to reinstate its football program in 2026.

Future member

The SCIAC is poised to welcome one new member in 2026, adding another private institution to its ranks. [5]

| Institution Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that operates in NCAA Division III . The conference was founded in 1915 and it consists of twelve small private schools that are located in Southern California and organized into nine athletic programs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer are combined teams for sports purposes.

The SCIAC currently sponsors men’s baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s water polo.

History

SCIAC logo before 2010.

A forerunner conference to the SCIAC was the Intercollegiate Football Association of Southern California, which existed in the 1890s. It included Occidental, Caltech (then called Throop Polytechnic), USC , Chaffey College and Los Angeles High School .

The SCIAC was founded in 1915 with five member schools with the goals to promote amateurism in athletics. The five founding members, all of whom are still members, are Throop College of Technology (now California Institute of Technology), Occidental College , Pomona College , the University of Redlands , and Whittier College . Although all five original charter members are still affiliated with the SCIAC, only two, Occidental and Redlands, have had uninterrupted membership. The acronym SCIAC (standing for Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Council) was in use during 1913 and 1914 until that organization became the CIF Southern Section . [1]

On May 12, 2011, the SCIAC announced that Chapman University would become the ninth member, beginning with the 2011–12 academic year. The addition of Chapman marks the first expansion of the conference since California Lutheran University joined in 1991. [2] At one time, most of the colleges were the southern California affiliates of various Christian denominations such as the Quakers and the Presbyterians . Today, only California Lutheran University maintains an affiliation with a church.

There are three former members of the SCIAC: University of California, Los Angeles , San Diego State University and University of California, Santa Barbara . All former members now compete in NCAA Division I athletics.

Chronological timeline

1915 – The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) was founded. Charter members included Occidental College , Pomona College , the University of Redlands , Throop College of Technology (now California Institute of Technology) and Whittier College , beginning the 1915–16 academic year.
1920 – The Southern Branch of the University of California (now the University of California at Los Angeles, or UCLA) joined the SCIAC in the 1920–21 academic year.
1926 – La Verne College (now the University of La Verne) and San Diego State Teachers College (now San Diego State University) joined the SCIAC in the 1926–27 academic year.
1927 – UCLA left the SCIAC after the 1926–27 academic year.
1931 – Santa Barbara State College (now the University of California at Santa Barbara) joined the SCIAC in the 1931–32 academic year.
1934 – Caltech and Pomona left the SCIAC after the 1933–34 academic year.
1938:
- La Verne and UC Santa Barbara left the SCIAC after the 1937–38 academic year
- Caltech and Pomona rejoined the SCIAC in the 1938–39 academic year.
1939 – San Diego State left the SCIAC after the 1938–39 academic year.
1943 – Whittier left the SCIAC after the 1942–43 academic year.
1946 – Whittier rejoined the SCIAC in the 1946–47 academic year.
1947 – Claremont Men’s College (now Claremont McKenna College) joined the SCIAC in the 1947–48 academic year.
1950 – Chapman College (now Chapman University) joined the SCIAC in the 1950–51 academic year.
1952 – Chapman left the SCIAC after the 1951–52 academic year.
1958 – Claremont combined with Harvey Mudd College for athletics to become Claremont–Mudd, beginning the 1958–59 academic year.
1971 – Pomona combined with Pitzer College for athletics to become Pomona–Pitzer, while La Verne rejoined the SCIAC, both effective in the 1971–72 academic year.
1976 – Claremont–Mudd combined with Scripps College for athletics to become Claremont–Mudd–Scripps, beginning the 1976–77 academic year.
1991 – California Lutheran University joined the SCIAC, effective in the 1991–92 academic year.
2011 – Chapman rejoined the SCIAC in the 2011–12 academic year.
2020 – Occidental dropped its football program before the start of the 2020 fall season (2020–21 academic year).
2023 – Whittier dropped its football program after the 2022 fall season (2022–23 academic year).
2024 – Azusa Pacific announced that it would transition from NCAA Division II and the Pacific West Conference to the SCIAC in conjunction with the restart of its football program for the 2026 fall season (2026–27 academic year).

Member schools

Current member schools

The SCIAC currently has nine full members, all are private schools: [3]

| Institution Current member schools

The SCIAC currently has nine full members, all are private schools: [3]

Institution	Location [a]	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined [b]	Football
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	Pasadena	1891	Nonsectarian	2,086 [c]	Beavers	1915; 1938 [d]	No
California Lutheran University	Thousand Oaks	1959	Lutheran ELCA	3,298	Kingsmen & Regals	1991	Yes
Chapman University	Orange	1861	DoC & UCC	10,001	Panthers	1950; 2011 [e]	Yes
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps —Claremont McKenna College —Harvey Mudd College —Scripps College	Claremont	1946 1955 1926	Nonsectarian	1,328 746 878	Stags & Athenas	1976 1947 1958 1976	Yes
University of La Verne	La Verne	1891	Nonsectarian [f]	1,685	Leopards	1926; 1971 [g]	Yes
Occidental College	Los Angeles	1887	Nonsectarian [h]	1,839	Tigers	1915	No
Pomona-Pitzer —Pomona College —Pitzer College	Claremont	1887 1963	Nonsectarian	1,690 [4] 950	Sagehens	1971 1915; 1938 [i] 1971	Yes
University of Redlands	Redlands	1907	Nonsectarian [j]	4,400	Bulldogs	1915	Yes
Whittier College	Whittier	1887	Secular [k]	1,540	Poets	1915; 1946 [l]	No [m]

Notes

^ a: All cities are located in the State of California.
^ b: Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
^ c: Including graduate students.
^ d: Caltech left the SCIAC after the 1933–34 school year, before rejoining in the 1938–39 school year.
^ e: Chapman left the SCIAC after the 1951–52 school year, before rejoining in the 2011–12 school year.
^ f: Historically affiliated with the Brethren .
^ g: La Verne left the SCIAC after the 1937–38 school year, before rejoining in the 1971–72 school year.
^ h: Historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (not to be confused with the current Presbyterian Church (USA)).
^ i: Pomona left the SCIAC after the 1933–34 school year, before rejoining in the 1938–39 school year.
^ j: Historically affiliated with the American Baptist Churches .
^ k: Historically affiliated with the Quakers .
^ l: Whittier left the SCIAC after the 1942–43 school year, before rejoining in the 1946–47 school year.
^ m: Will reinstate football in 2026.

Future member

The SCIAC will have one new member in 2026, also a private school. [5]

| Institution Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC)

The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) is a prominent collegiate athletic league that functions within the framework of the NCAA’s Division III . Established in 1915, the conference serves as a competitive home for twelve distinct, predominantly smaller private academic institutions, all strategically situated across the vibrant expanse of Southern California . These institutions, while individually unique, consolidate their athletic efforts into nine distinct programs. This organizational structure is particularly notable in the instances of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer , which operate as combined teams for the purposes of intercollegiate sports.

The SCIAC, under the leadership of Commissioner Jennifer Dubow, boasts an impressive and comprehensive athletic offering, sponsoring a total of 21 sports. This includes 10 distinct men’s sports and 11 distinct women’s sports, ensuring a broad spectrum of athletic engagement for its student-athletes.

Sports Currently Sponsored by the SCIAC:

Men’s Sports: Baseball , Basketball , Cross Country , Football , Golf , Soccer , Swimming and Diving , Tennis , Track and Field , and Water Polo .
Women’s Sports: Basketball , Cross Country , Golf , Lacrosse , Soccer , Softball , Swimming and Diving , Tennis , Track and Field , Volleyball , and Water Polo .

The conference headquarters are located in Laguna Niguel, California , anchoring its administrative operations within the very region its member institutions call home. As of the current academic year, the SCIAC consists of 9 teams, a number set to expand to 10 in 2026, signaling a continued evolution and commitment to growth in the collegiate athletic landscape. For those seeking further information, the official website, thesciac.org, serves as the primary digital portal.

Locations

The geographical footprint of the SCIAC is, predictably, centered within Southern California . The map below provides a visual representation of the locations of both the current member institutions and those slated to join in the near future. It’s a relatively compact geographical cluster, facilitating easier travel and fostering regional rivalries that are, for better or worse, the lifeblood of collegiate athletics.

Location of SCIAC members: current, future

History

Before the sleek, updated logo of the post-2010 era, the SCIAC, like all things, bore the marks of its past. The previous emblem, undoubtedly a product of its time, has since been relegated to the archives of historical design.

The genesis of the SCIAC was not an instantaneous creation but rather an evolution from earlier, more rudimentary athletic organizations. A direct forerunner, the Intercollegiate Football Association of Southern California, operated during the 1890s, a period when the very concept of organized collegiate sports was still finding its footing. This early association included institutions that would later become integral to the SCIAC, such as Occidental College and Caltech (then known as Throop Polytechnic Institute). Its membership also featured institutions that would diverge onto different paths, like USC , Chaffey College , and even Los Angeles High School , highlighting the fluid and less formally structured nature of interscholastic and intercollegiate competition in that nascent era.

The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference formally came into existence in 1915, founded by five visionary institutions with the explicit aim of promoting and upholding the ideals of amateurism in collegiate athletics. This commitment to amateur status, particularly within NCAA Division III , remains a defining characteristic, ostensibly prioritizing educational development over purely athletic pursuits. The five founding members, all of whom maintain ties to the conference today, were Throop College of Technology (the precursor to the renowned California Institute of Technology ), Occidental College , Pomona College , the University of Redlands , and Whittier College . While all five are still affiliated, only Occidental and Redlands have enjoyed an unbroken, continuous membership since the conference’s inception—a testament to their enduring commitment, or perhaps simply a lack of compelling reasons to depart. It’s an amusing historical footnote that the acronym “SCIAC” itself was in circulation prior to the conference’s founding, used between 1913 and 1914 by the Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Council, an organization that ultimately transitioned into the CIF Southern Section . This earlier usage indicates a regional tradition of athletic councils, laying groundwork for what was to come. [1]

A significant moment in the conference’s modern history occurred on May 12, 2011, when the SCIAC officially welcomed Chapman University as its ninth full member. This expansion, which saw Chapman begin competition in the 2011–12 academic year, marked the first growth in conference membership since California Lutheran University joined in 1991. Such expansions are often driven by a desire for increased competition, geographical balance, or simply the pragmatic need to maintain a viable number of participating institutions. Interestingly, a historical thread running through many of the SCIAC’s member colleges is their past affiliation with various Christian denominations, including the Quakers and the Presbyterians . Today, however, only California Lutheran University maintains an active, official affiliation with a church, reflecting a broader trend of secularization among academic institutions, or perhaps a strategic decision to appeal to a wider demographic.

The narrative of the SCIAC also includes the stories of institutions that have moved on to different, often larger, stages. Three former members, once integral to the conference, now compete in the more competitive and high-profile realm of NCAA Division I athletics. These include the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), San Diego State University , and the University of California, Santa Barbara . Their departures highlight the common trajectory for institutions with burgeoning athletic ambitions, often leaving behind the smaller, academically focused Division III environment for the perceived prestige and resources of Division I .

Chronological timeline

The history of the SCIAC is a dynamic chronicle of evolving alliances, temporary departures, and strategic re-engagements, reflecting the ever-shifting landscape of collegiate sports.

1915 – The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) was officially inaugurated. Its foundational members, committing to the spirit of amateur athletics, included Occidental College , Pomona College , the University of Redlands , Throop College of Technology (the institution that would eventually become California Institute of Technology ), and Whittier College . Their inaugural academic year of competition commenced in 1915–16.
1920 – The Southern Branch of the University of California , which would later be globally recognized as the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), joined the SCIAC for the 1920–21 academic year, marking a brief affiliation with a future collegiate powerhouse.
1926 – Expansion continued with the addition of La Verne College (now known as the University of La Verne ) and San Diego State Teachers College (which would evolve into San Diego State University ). Both institutions began their participation in the 1926–27 academic year.
1927 – UCLA , having quickly ascended beyond the conference’s scope, departed the SCIAC following the 1926–27 academic year.
1931 – Santa Barbara State College (the future University of California at Santa Barbara ) was welcomed into the SCIAC, commencing its membership in the 1931–32 academic year.
1934 – A double departure saw both Caltech and Pomona College withdraw from the SCIAC after the 1933–34 academic year. Reasons for this synchronized exit remain a matter of historical record.
1938: This year was marked by a flurry of membership changes.
- La Verne and UC Santa Barbara concluded their respective tenures with the SCIAC after the 1937–38 academic year.
- In a seemingly contradictory move, both Caltech and Pomona rejoined the SCIAC, their return effective for the 1938–39 academic year. It seems some bonds, however briefly severed, are destined to reform.
1939 – San Diego State definitively left the SCIAC after the 1938–39 academic year, charting its course towards larger athletic divisions.
1943 – Whittier College experienced a temporary cessation of membership, departing the SCIAC after the 1942–43 academic year.
1946 – Whittier College swiftly returned to the fold, rejoining the SCIAC for the 1946–47 academic year.
1947 – Claremont Men’s College (which would later be known as Claremont McKenna College ) was added to the conference, beginning its participation in the 1947–48 academic year.
1950 – Chapman College (now Chapman University ) joined the SCIAC for the 1950–51 academic year.
1952 – Chapman ’s initial stint in the SCIAC was brief, as it departed after the 1951–52 academic year.
1958 – A new model of athletic collaboration emerged as Claremont combined its athletic programs with Harvey Mudd College to form the ‘Claremont–Mudd’ athletic entity, effective for the 1958–59 academic year.
1971 – This year marked a significant restructuring: Pomona and Pitzer College joined forces for athletics, creating ‘Pomona–Pitzer’, while La Verne made its return to the SCIAC. Both changes were implemented for the 1971–72 academic year.
1976 – The combined ‘Claremont–Mudd’ athletic program further expanded its scope by integrating Scripps College , thereby becoming the comprehensive ‘Claremont–Mudd–Scripps’ athletic collective, effective from the 1976–77 academic year.
1991 – California Lutheran University was welcomed as the newest member of the SCIAC, beginning its participation in the 1991–92 academic year.
2011 – After a considerable absence, Chapman rejoined the SCIAC, with its renewed membership commencing in the 2011–12 academic year.
2020 – Occidental College made the difficult decision to discontinue its football program, a change implemented before the start of the 2020 fall season (2020–21 academic year).
2023 – Whittier College also ceased its football program, doing so after the conclusion of the 2022 fall season (2022–23 academic year), reflecting a trend among some Division III institutions.
2024 – Azusa Pacific University announced a noteworthy transition, moving from NCAA Division II and the Pacific West Conference to join the SCIAC. This strategic shift is timed to coincide with the re-establishment of its football program for the 2026 fall season, effective for the 2026–27 academic year.

Member schools

Current member schools

The SCIAC currently comprises nine full members, all of which are distinguished private academic institutions. [3] Their diverse histories, affiliations, and athletic profiles contribute to the rich tapestry of the conference.

| Institution California Institute of Technology
(Caltech) | Pasadena | 1891 | Nonsectarian | 2,086 [c] | Beavers | 1915;
1938 [d] | No | | California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks | 1959 | Lutheran ELCA | 3,298 | Kingsmen & Regals | 1991 | Yes | | Chapman University | Orange | 1861 | DoC & UCC | 10,001 | Panthers | 1950;
2011 [e] | Yes | | Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
—Claremont McKenna College
—Harvey Mudd College
—Scripps College | Claremont | 1946
1955
1926 | Nonsectarian | 1,328
746
878 | Stags & Athenas | 1976
1947
1958
1976 | Yes | | University of La Verne | La Verne | 1891 | Nonsectarian [f] | 1,685 | Leopards | 1926;
1971 [g] | Yes | | Occidental College | Los Angeles | 1887 | Nonsectarian [h] | 1,839 | Tigers | 1915 | No | | Pomona-Pitzer
—Pomona College
—Pitzer College | Claremont | 1887
1963 | Nonsectarian | 1,690 [4]
950 | Sagehens | 1971
1915;
1938 [i]
1971 | Yes | | University of Redlands | Redlands | 1907 | Nonsectarian [j] | 4,400 | Bulldogs | 1915 | Yes | | Whittier College | Whittier | 1887 | Secular [k] | 1,540 | Poets | 1915;
1946 [l] | No [m] |

Notes

^ a: All cities are located in the State of California, a detail one presumes is already obvious given the conference’s name.
^ b: This column denotes the calendar year in which the fall sports season commences, marking the official start of competitive play.
^ c: The reported enrollment figure includes both undergraduate and graduate students, offering a complete picture of the student body size.
^ d: Caltech briefly departed the SCIAC after the 1933–34 academic year, only to rejoin for the 1938–39 academic year. A short-lived rebellion, it seems.
^ e: Chapman initially left the SCIAC after the 1951–52 academic year, but eventually found its way back, rejoining for the 2011–12 academic year. Some things are simply meant to be.
^ f: While now operating as a nonsectarian institution, the University of La Verne historically maintained a connection with the Church of the Brethren .
^ g: La Verne withdrew from the SCIAC after the 1937–38 academic year, but ultimately rejoined for the 1971–72 academic year. A classic case of “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” or perhaps just a pragmatic reassessment.
^ h: Occidental College , currently nonsectarian, previously held affiliations with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (an entity distinct from the current Presbyterian Church (USA)).
^ i: Pomona College took a temporary leave from the SCIAC after the 1933–34 academic year, before making its return for the 1938–39 academic year. The siren song of collegiate competition, perhaps.
^ j: The University of Redlands , now nonsectarian, was historically affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA .
^ k: Whittier College , currently a secular institution, previously maintained ties with the Quakers .
^ l: Whittier left the SCIAC after the 1942–43 academic year, only to rejoin for the 1946–47 academic year. A brief hiatus, perhaps forced by external circumstances.
^ m: Whittier College has announced its intention to reinstate its football program in 2026, a move that will undoubtedly be met with enthusiasm by… some.

Future member

The SCIAC is set to expand its roster with the addition of one new member in 2026, another private institution preparing to join the conference. [5] This forward-looking move indicates a strategic direction for the conference, embracing new competitive dynamics.