The Cal State Northridge Matadors (branded as the CSUN Matadors) are the athletic teams that represent California State University, Northridge in Northridge, Los Angeles, California. The Matadors field 17 teams in nineteen sports. The Matadors compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Big West Conference.[2] CSUN has been a member of the Big West Conference since the summer of 2001 for most sports. The men's and women's indoor track and field teams compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation instead. Men's volleyball also competed in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, but began to compete in the Big West beginning in 2018.[3]
Nickname
The Matador nickname was suggested in 1958 by student submissions, and was chosen over four other finalists. These included the Apollos, Falcons, Rancheros and Titans. The Matador is said to reflect the region's Spanish heritage.
History
CSUN had previously been a member of the Big Sky Conference from 1996 to 2000. The Matadors won 34 NCAA Division II National Titles before moving up to Division I in 1990. That still ranks third all time in Division II.
The Matadors baseball team celebrating a victory in 2010
The CSUN Matadors baseball team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of California State University, Northridge in Northridge, California, United States.[4] The team is a member of the Big West Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Cal State Northridge's first baseball team was fielded in 1959. The team plays its home games at 1,200-seat Matador Field. During its time in Division II, the Matadors baseball team won two national championships (1970, 1984).
The CSUN Matadors men's basketball team represents California State University, Northridge in Northridge, California, United States.[5] The school's team currently competes in the Big West Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Cal State Northridge's first men's basketball team was fielded in 1958–1959. The team plays its home games at the 2,400-seat Premier America Credit Union Arena.
The CSUN Matadors women's basketball team represents California State University, Northridge in Northridge, California, United States.[6] The school's team currently competes in the Big West Conference, which is part of the NCAA Division I. Cal State Northridge's first women's basketball team was fielded in 1958–1959. The team plays its home games at the 2,400-seat Premier America Credit Union Arena.
Soccer
Men's soccer
The CSUN Matadors men's soccer team have an NCAA Division I Tournament record of 1–7 through seven appearances.[7]
The Matadors softball team has appeared in two Women's College World Series in 1993 and 1994, advancing to the title game in 1994 before falling to Arizona.[9] During its time in Division II, Matadors softball won four national championships.
Women's volleyball
The CSUN Matadors women's volleyball team have an NCAA Division I Tournament record of 1–5 through five appearances.[10]
Swimming (men's and women's) (discontinued 2010)[11]
Non-varsity sports
Rugby
CSUN women's rugby began as a university recognized club team in 2011, after a 17-year hiatus. CSUN women's rugby played in the Collegiate SoCal Division 2 in 2012, and finished ranked first in Southern California and 14th in the Nation in Division 2.[12] In 2013, the team finished first in California and sixth in the Nation in Division 2.[13]
Championships
Appearances
The CSUN Matadors competed in the NCAA Tournament across 13 active sports (6 men's and 7 women's) 58 times at the Division I level.[14]
^Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN978-0-9893007-0-4.
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