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 Basketball
- 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.
- Broncos Hold Off Gators in Final Moments for 64-62 VictoryThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos came out on top against the San Francisco State Gators in a hard-fought 64-62 victory.
- Broncos Celebrate 2,000th Win Under Brian SwansonThough he may not be the one holding a clipboard or writing the starting lineup, Cal Poly Pomona Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Brian Swanson, has had a massive impact on the success of Bronco Athletics since taking the helm on May 31, 2005. Thursday night marked yet another milestone in Swanson's decorated 20 years as CPP Athletics Director, as the Broncos celebrated their 2,000th win under his leadership.
- Broncos Dominate Cougars 80-50 in CCAA ShowdownThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos put on a dominant performance, defeating the Cal State San Marcos Cougars 80-50 in a thrilling CCAA matchup.
- Winfield’s Double-Double Propels Broncos to 78-73 Overtime ThrillerThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos secured a thrilling 78-73 victory over the Sonoma State Seawolves in an intense battle that went into overtime.
- Broncos Fall Short in Road Loss to TorosThe Broncos struggled to find their rhythm in a tough matchup against the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros, falling 49-72 in a game that saw them trailing early and never fully able to recover.
