LA JOLLA, Calif. – A new era is here! UC San Diego has begun its transition to NCAA Division I and the Big West Conference. As part of the move to Division I, UCSDtritons.com introduces our fans to the Big West and the other 10 members - our new conference foes.
Today on our new rival series, we highlight CSU Bakersfield. Get to know all about the Roadrunners below.
School: California State University, Bakersfield
Nickname(s): CSU Bakersfield, Roadrunners
Location: Bakersfield, Calif.
Founded: 1965
Undergrad Enrollment: 11,206
Joined Big West: July 1, 2020
Mascot: Rowdy the Roadrunner was named the CSU Bakersfield mascot in 1970, after a student vote gave Rowdy a 368-15 victory over the runner-up El Cid.
Website: University |
Athletics
Social: Facebook |
Instagram |
Twitter
Tickets: https://gorunners.universitytickets.com/w/
Last NCAA Title:
Division II: 2004 (men's swimming and diving)
Did You Know?
- Like UC San Diego, CSU Bakersfield is new to the Big West. The Roadrunners previously competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) from 2013-19.
- CSU Bakersfield became the 20th school in the California State University system in 1968.
Notable Alumni:
- Gyasi Zardes (MLS, Columbus Crew SC)
- Stephen Neal (NFL, New England Patriots)
- Austin Davis (MLB, Philadelphia Phillies)
Triton Connection: The UC San Diego women's soccer team has historically had success against the Roadrunners, with a 9-0-1 all time record.
Distance from UC San Diego: 219 miles
Be sure to check UCSDtritons.com on Monday to learn more about Cal State Fullerton.
Stay tuned for the rest of the series on the respective dates listed here:
Meet Our New Rivals Series
Big West
Cal Poly
Cal State Bakersfield
Cal State Fullerton
CSUN
Long Beach State
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
UC Santa Barbara
Hawai'i
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions III and II and helped guide more than 1,300 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 82 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
