Cal State San Marcos has finally arrived at the level of California Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA).

This season, Cougars are beginning to experience NCAA Division II competition for the first time as they work toward full NCAA status.

In its second year of candidacy, CSUSM will compete against a variety of teams, with CSU San Bernardino, UC San Diego and CSU Los Angeles as some of its closest rivals. Moving further north, the Cougars will be in contention against some fellow CSU campuses: East Bay, Stanislaus, Monterey Bay and Dominguez Hills. Rounding out the CCAA competition is Humbolt State, Chico State, Sonoma State, Cal Poly Pomona and San Francisco State.

Other than the cross country team’s postseason CCAA Conference Championship, CSUSM will be ineligible for postseason competition this year.

Despite this gap in postseason experience, the Cougars’ familiarity in NCAA DII competition is highly important for the athletics program. The Cougars will likely use these next two years to prepare themselves for full admission into NCAA DII without the pressure of postseason.

CSUSM has struggled in its opening games against CCAA teams, recording just one win when the women’s soccer team defeated Cal Poly Pomona. Despite what the records reflect, the Cougars have been pushing forward to not only act as contenders in the CCAA, but to to leave the season with winning records.

With the anticipated completion of the Field House Expansion’s multipurpose arena set for August 2016,
CSUSM can expect a dramatic increase in the level of intensity surrounding Cougar athletics.

It’s been a long time since CSUSM sought to transition into the NCAA in 2002, but we have finally arrived into NCAA contention, and the Cougars are looking to fight for their position in their new conference home.