30 OregonStater.org ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN S. DYKES S P OR T S Boise State University BOISE, IDAHO Enrollment: 28,500 Mascot: Buster Bronco Worth knowing: Its famous blue football field, installed in 1986, sported college athletics’ first nontraditional turf color. Notable Broncos: Sergio Gutierrez, Anna Kijanowska, Ashton Jeanty, Kellen Moore Sports: Men’s: basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, track & field. Women’s: basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball. California State University, Fresno FRESNO, CALIFORNIA Enrollment: 24,300 Mascot: TimeOut (costumed) Victor E. Bulldog IV (live) Worth knowing: Fresno State fans are known as the “Red Wave,” a nickname that’s even inspired a locally brewed game day lager. Notable Bulldogs: Davante Adams, Laura Berg, Derek Carr, Rae Dunn, Aaron Judge, Daniel Silva Sports: Men’s: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, track & field. Women’s: basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo. San Diego State University SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Enrollment: 41,200 Mascot: No mascot Worth knowing: The Aztecs’ student section, “The Show,” is credited with introducing big head cutouts to college basketball. Notable Aztecs: Marshall Faulk, Kawhi Leonard, Kathy Najimy, Jim Sinegal, Carl Weathers, Raquel Welch Sports: Men’s: baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis. Women’s: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo. As the Pac-12 returns to full-scale competition this fall, Oregon State finds itself as the conference’s only remaining charter member and settling into an entirely new “State” of affairs. Oregon State and Washington State, the only holdovers from the Pac-12’s previous era, are now joined by a slew of additional “states” — Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State and Texas State — plus Gonzaga, the conference’s sole private university. Thirteen affiliate members will also compete for Pac-12 championships in select sports. From blue turf and river jumps to live mascots and basketball campouts, Oregon State’s new conference colleagues bring plenty of personality to the Pac-12’s next chapter. Here’s a guide to who’s who: WELCOME TO THE NEW PAC-12 MEET THE SCHOOLS JOINING OREGON STATE IN A NEW ERA OF ATHLETICS. By Kip Carlson and Cora Lassen, MFA ’26 Gonzaga University SPOKANE, WASHINGTON Enrollment: 7,400 Mascot: Spike the Bulldog Worth knowing: The “Kennel Club” is one of college basketball’s best-known student sections, with students camping out for prime seats at big games. Game day note: Gonzaga men’s basketball has sold out every home game since the 200102 season. Notable Zags: Bing Crosby, Tom Foley, Marco Gonzales Sports: Men’s: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, tennis, track & field. Women’s: basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball. Washington State University PULLMAN, WASHINGTON Enrollment: 25,500 Mascot: Butch T. Cougar Worth knowing: Washington State is home to one of the few dedicated research nuclear reactors in the United States. (OSU has one, too!) Notable Cougs: Mel Hein, Gary Larson, Timothy Leary, Edward R. Murrow, Klay Thompson Most famous dropout: Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft Sports: Men’s: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, track. Women’s: basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball.
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