(Gilbert, AZ) Park University Gilbert Director of Athletics Jeff Fore has announced Park University Gilbert will be joining the Golden State Athletic Conference starting the 2024-25 school year. Park Gilbert will be accompanied by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Benedictine University at Mesa and the University of Saint Katherine in joining the conference.
The landscape of the GSAC conference will be adjusting in 2024-25 as two of its current Northern California schools leave for NCAA Division II membership. The geographical footprint for the league will shift to become an Arizona and Southern California based conference.
President Paul Alexander of Hope International University, and current Chair of the GSAC Board of Directors said: “It is exciting to see the GSAC develop, grow and mature into a very powerful conference. I’m equally excited about the fact that the center of our focus is the character of our student athletes. In the GSAC, we emphasize the maturation of our athletes as much as winning games and championships. These new institutions joining us are a perfect fit, as they also are keenly interested in developing men and women of integrity. I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.”
“As the first Arizona school invited into the GSAC, we have been thrilled to see the growth of NAIA colleges in Arizona,” said Arizona Christian University President Len Munsil. “It makes sense now – for geographic convenience and for the building of local rivalries — that all five NAIA schools in Arizona join with five southern California schools to create this new conference configuration. We are very excited about the future of the GSAC for our student-athletes, coaches and community, and grateful for our conference’s continued emphasis on producing champions of character.”
“We are excited to welcome four new members to the conference beginning in 2024,” stated Commissioner Mike Daniels. “The future of the league is bright with the addition of these universities. Conference leadership will be reviewing the current structure of bylaws, schedules and brand over the coming months.”
The GSAC was established in 1986 with like-minded institutions in Southern California. The conference expanded its footprint to Arizona in 2012. The 2024-25 season will see ten members in the league. The other schools remaining from the current GSAC membership feature Arizona schools Arizona Christian and Ottawa University Arizona, plus California schools The Master’s University, Life Pacific University, Hope International University and San Diego Christian College.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
