By: Alex Kline, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
POMONA, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to celebrate the fourth annual DII Day on February 22, 2025.
The Broncos have been a member of NCAA Division II since its inception in 1973, and have since claimed 35 DII national titles - including team titles in women's basketball (5), baseball (3), women's tennis (2), men's cross country (1), women's soccer (1), and men's basketball (1), as well as individual titles in women's track & field (11), men's track & field (6) women's tennis (3), men's tennis (1), and women's gymnastics (1).
The Broncos became full-time members of Division II for the 1973-74 academic year. Cal Poly Pomona has been a proud member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) for the entirety of it's DII existence, being the longest tenured university in the conference at 58 consecutive years. CPP is the only remaining school in the conference from when Division II was established, as the other five schools have now transitioned to NCAA Division I – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Fullerton, UC Riverside, and Cal State Bakersfield.
What is DII Day?
DII Day is an opportunity for all individuals associated with Division II to celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on their campus and community. Every DII school and conference is encouraged to share the benefits of being a part of Division II and showcase student-athlete success stories on their athletics website and social media channels. DII Day will be celebrated annually on February 22nd.
The Distinguishing Dozen
12 Characteristics That Set Division II Apart
1. Graduation rates. The Division II student-athlete graduation rate is consistently higher than that of the total student body. Division II also features a high number of first-generation college students, thus increasing the access to education.
2. Academic emphasis. Division II's regionalization philosophy in scheduling limits missed class time for student-athletes.
3. Athletics scholarships. The partial athletics scholarship model rewards athletics ability while allowing student-athletes to earn other sources of financial aid. Scholarship student-athletes are known to benefit the institution's overall academic profile, and the partial aid model generates revenue for the school.
4. Balanced bottom line. The median expenses for Division II athletics departments are far less than their counterparts in any of the Division I subdivisions.
5. Favorable admission rates. Division II membership is split almost evenly between public and private institutions. On average, Division II schools have the highest admission rate (70 percent, versus 62-63 percent in the other two divisions).
6. Community engagement. Through student-athlete leadership, Division II has enjoyed long-term and successful partnerships with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Team IMPACT and military groups. In addition, Division II conducts community engagement activities at all championships final sites.
7. Positive game environment. Division II members pledge to conduct athletics contests in a family-friendly environment that is civil and entertaining.
8. Unique geographical footprint. Division II is the only NCAA division with schools in Alaska (Anchorage and Fairbanks) and Puerto Rico (Bayamon, Mayaguez and Rio Piedras). In addition, Division II is the only division to have taken advantage of an NCAA policy to accept members from Canada (Simon Fraser).
9. National championship opportunities. Division II features unparalleled opportunity for student-athletes to advance to national championship competition as a result of the division's generous championship access ratios (the highest among the three NCAA divisions).
10. National Championships Festivals. Division II is the only NCAA division that conducts "National Championships Festivals," Olympic-style events in which a number of national championships are held at a single site over a period of several days.
11. Make It Yours. This student-athlete-driven brand enhancement strengthens awareness among external audiences by clearly communicating the experience Division II schools create for student-athletes.
12. Diversity and inclusion. Matching grants encourage access, recruitment, selection and the long-term success of ethnic minorities and women in administration and coaching.
#MakeItYours #D2Day
Latest All Athletics News
- Broncos Slam Their Way Into the CCAA TournamentThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos clinched a spot in the CCAA tournament for the 18th time in program history and the first time since the 2022-2023 season with a 69-62 victory over Cal State East Bay.
- Esquival Spins Complete Game Shutout in Doubleheader SplitDylan Esquival threw a complete game shutout in game two of the doubleheader on Saturday, helping the Broncos improve to 5-7 on the season and 2-1 in CCAA play. By winning at least one of the two games on Saturday, the team has secured at least a series split against CCAA preseason favorites Cal State Monterey Bay.
- Senior Day Win, No. 20 Broncos Score 87 Against PioneersCal Poly Pomona women's basketball delivered a dominant performance in their final home game of the regular season on Saturday afternoon, overwhelming Cal State East Bay with an 87-51 victory in Kellogg Arena. The win improved the Broncos' record to 22-4 overall and 17-3 in CCAA play, as they remain two games ahead of Chico State and two behind Cal State Dominguez Hills in the conference standings.
- Cal Poly Pomona Celebrates DII DayThe Cal Poly Pomona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to celebrate the third annual DII Day on February 22, 2025.
- Cal Poly Pomona Celebrates DII DayThe Cal Poly Pomona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to celebrate the third annual DII Day on February 22, 2025.
- Cal Poly Pomona Celebrates DII DayThe Cal Poly Pomona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to celebrate the third annual DII Day on February 22, 2025.
