ELLENSBURG, WA – Fellow GNAC and NCAA Division II Football member Azusa Pacific University announced Tuesday that they will be discontinuing their football program effective immediately after 55 years of competition in the NCAA and NAIA.
 
"It's a disappointing day for Division II football on the west coast," said CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk.  "We will miss our rivalry with APU and all of the great games. Our heart goes out to the University, their student-athletes and coaches."
 
Azusa Pacific joined the GNAC in 2012 providing the Cougars with a stable and competitive schedule.  During its eight seasons in the GNAC, APU won conference championships in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and shared the 2018 title with CWU.  The Wildcats won the title outright in 2017 and shared the title with Azusa Pacific and Western Oregon in 2018 and 2019, respectively.  Like the Wildcats in 2017, the Cougars qualified for the Division II playoffs in 2016 and 2018.
 
"The decision to discontinue any program in higher education, whether it is an athletic team or an academic major, is extremely difficult because it impacts people's lives.  Azusa Pacific, like Central Washington, has a proud history and tradition when it comes to its football program and our rivalry will be greatly missed," said CWU Director of Athletics Dennis Francois.  "It is a challenging situation with respect to scheduling, but I am confident that we will find solutions that will strengthen our program and position within NCAA Division II football."
 
With the decision of Azusa Pacific to drop football, this leaves the GNAC with three football playing institutions including Western Oregon, Simon Fraser and Central Washington.  However, the recently formed scheduling alliance with the Lone Star Conference has proven to be invaluable for the GNAC as the Wildcats have been able to schedule up to four games with Lone Star opponents through the 2023 season.
 
Central Washington University will continue to work the GNAC office in addressing future football scheduling. 
 
To read the Azusa pacific release CLICK HERE