Athletics

USD fields 18 men’s and women’s athletic teams that compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as members of the eight-team West Coast Conference. (The football team competes in the Division 1-AA Pioneer Football League; the swimming and diving team competes in the Western Athletic Conference; the women’s softball team is in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference.) Other WCC teams are Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, Santa Clara, University of San Francisco, University of Portland, Gonzaga and St. Mary’s. The Toreros nickname was chosen in 1961 by university founder Bishop Buddy to reflect USD’s close affiliation with Spain. The traditional team colors are Columbia blue, navy blue and white.

USD boasts some of the best athletic facilities in the nation, including the Jenny Craig Pavilion, home of the basketball and volleyball teams, and a fitness center open to all students, along with an expanded and upgraded Torero Stadium, home of USD football and soccer. Significant renovations to Cunningham Baseball Stadium, the USD West Tennis Courts, the Manchester Canyon Field and the USD Softball Complex make USD’s athletic infrastructure an asset for players and fans.

NCAA Sports

Men’s: baseball, basketball, rowing, cross country, football, golf, soccer and tennis. Women’s: basketball, rowing, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and volleyball.

Club Sports

More than 400 students participate each year in USD club sports. Club sports teams include equestrian, jujitsu, lacrosse, rugby, surfing, tae kwon do, triathlon, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo and water-skiing.

Campus Recreation

About two-thirds of the university community participate in one of the many intramural activities offered, including flag football, softball, tennis, volleyball, basketball, golf and inner-tube water polo. In addition, there are recreation and fitness classes, and the Recreation Activities Center hosts social basketball and other sports, game tables and other activities. Outdoor Adventures offers skiing, rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking outings.