SAN DIEGO – San Diego State has officially accepted an invitation to join the Big West Conference to compete in women’s water polo as an affiliate member starting in the 2027-28 school year, the league announced Monday.
“We are incredibly excited to take San Diego State women's water polo into the Big West,” said Head Coach Dana Ochsner. “Becoming a part of such a prestigious water polo community is a phenomenal opportunity for our student-athletes, and we are eager for the elite level of competition ahead. It’s been a great experience being a part of the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) and are proud of our history in the league. While we are looking forward to this new opportunity in the Big West, we are focused on completing our tenure in the GCC with a title in 2027. We look forward to building new traditions and rivalries in the Big West and this move marks a thrilling new chapter for Aztec water polo, and we will be ready to compete.”
After adding the Aztecs, as well as Fresno State and San Jose State for the 2027-28 season, the Big West will have 10 water polo programs, including Hawai’i, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, CSUN, Cal State Fullerton, and California Baptist.
Nine of the 10 teams that will make up the Big West in 2028 finished the past season ranked in the top 25, including SDSU which was No. 16 in the final Collegiate Water Polo Association poll. When it coalesces in 2027-28, the Big West, based on the rankings of its member programs, will be the second strongest water polo league in the nation.
Against the make-up of the Big West, as it will be starting in 2028, the Aztecs are 187-123 (.603) overall, including a 3-2 record in the regular season in 2026. In addition, SDSU owns a winning mark against all but two of their future conference foes.
“The Big West is proud to expand meaningful championship pathways for student-athletes while strengthening several sports in which our conference has established a strong national presence,” said Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly. “These institutions bring outstanding programs, competitive excellence and a shared commitment to the student athlete experience. These additions enhance the depth and visibility of The Big West, support long-term sport sustainability, and position the conference for continued success on the national stage”
San Diego State, which posted a 19-10 record and finished in third place in the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) in 2026, has competed in the league since the 2014 season. In SDSU’s 12 GCC campaigns, it has never finished outside the top four in the standings and has been third or better eight times.