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 Men's Track and Field
- Men’s Track & Field Ranked First in CCAA Preseason PollThe Cal Poly Pomona Men's Track & Field team has been ranked first in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Preseason Poll, setting the stage for an exciting upcoming season.
- Kevin Gomez Named Assistant Athletics Director for DevelopmentKevin Gomez has joined Cal Poly Pomona Athletics as the new Assistant Athletics Director for Development, it was announced by Director of Athletics Brian Swanson and Executive Director of Development Pam Jones-Tintle on Friday. Gomez, who most recently served as the Assistant Director of Athletics Advancement at Claremont McKenna College, began his role on Wednesday, January 15th.
- Bronco Launchpad Live Until October 25thJoin us in the spirit of giving as we ramp up our annual Bronco Launchpad! From October 14th - 25th, 2024, seize the chance to be a part of something extraordinary—powering the launch of our most anticipated fundraising needs and transforming CPP student dreams into reality.
- Cal Poly Pomona to Host 2027 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field ChampionshipsCal Poly Pomona has been selected to host the 2027 Division II Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College, located just around the corner from campus in Walnut.
- Cal Poly Clash Announced: New Annual Rivalry Between Humboldt and PomonaA new tradition is set to ignite the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) sports scene as the inaugural Cal Poly Clash: Battle of the Green & Gold kicks off this October, pitting Cal Poly Humboldt against Cal Poly Pomona in an annual rivalry series. The two California Polytechnic universities, located at opposite ends of the state, will face off in a wide array of athletic competitions under the banner of this new rivalry.
- A Decade of Winning, CPP Athletics Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Iconic RebrandOn September 24, 2014, the Cal Poly Pomona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics revealed its new visual identity, including a new primary logo, secondary logo, font, and website to refresh the department's brand image. In the decade since CPP donned its new spirit mark, the athletics department has done one thing – win.
