MPSF Swimming and Diving Field Expands to 24 Teams
The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation announced an expanded league slate for the 2027 MPSF Championships, with 16 women’s teams and eight men’s team competing.
That is an increase from 10 women’s teams and six men’s from last season, and it’s the largest ever fielded by the league.
This season sees the addition of CSU Bakerfield, Seattle University, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and the University of Denver on both the men’s and women’s sides as well as the University of San Diego women’s team. All have competed in the conference as affiliate members at some point.
St. Mary’s is joining the conference for its inaugural season. Idaho, Incarnate Word, Pacific, Pepperdine, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Texas Rio Grande Valley and Utah Tech are returning members.
Northern Arizona won the women’s title last year, while Air Force won the men’s crown. The top three in the men’s meet last year – Air Force, UNLV and Wyoming – will apparently be swimming in other conferences next year, having been added on a year-by-year basis last summer.
That brings the participation in the 2027 MPSF Championships to a record that exceeds the 2012 meet, which had 19 teams.
“We are proud to welcome these exceptional programs back to the MPSF,” league commissioner Foti Mellis said in a press release. “Their rich history in our conference and commitment to excellence will elevate an already outstanding championship experience. We look forward to seeing them compete as part of a record-setting field in 2027.”
Bakersfield was in the league from 2011-13 and 2022-24, its men’s team winning the first conference title in 2011. UC San Diego called the league home from 2019-24, claiming a women’s title in 2022.
“I want to express my gratitude to MPSF and Commissioner Foti Mellis for opening the door and providing our team with the opportunity to compete in the conference championship, which is eligible for NCAA qualification,” UC San Diego’s swimming head coach Marko Djordjevic said. “We have cherished memories from MPSF, particularly since our women’s team achieved its first-ever UCSD D-I championship in 2022. We are thrilled about the upcoming championship.”
The UC Santa Barbara women were a founding member in 2011 and stayed in the conference from 2011-24, while the men’s team was there from 2015-24. The participation of Denver (2013) and Seattle (2011-13) was more distant. San Diego returns after a one-year absence.
“We’re excited to rejoin the MPSF ahead of the 2026-2027 season,” San Diego Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey said. “Our Torero swimming and diving program has a long history in the MPSF, and returning was a natural fit for us. We’re especially appreciative of Commissioner Mellis and his staff for providing us with the opportunity to continue competing in the MPSF and beyond.”