WWU Athletics
Students who excel both academically and athletically are not only game changers in their sport, but go on to change the world after graduation. By supporting WWU Athletics, you give Western a competitive advantage in and out of the classroom and help build on our student-athletes' proven success. According to the NCAA, 85 percent of Viking student-athletes receive their degrees in six years or less, the highest rate in the 11 years of reporting data for the Federal Graduation Rate formula. (The average is 56 percent for all NCAA Division II schools.)
2021-22 Success
The last three years have been a challenge with the global pandemic, but through it all WWU has achieved great success in competition, combining to win 11 Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles and made 15 trips to the NCAA Division II Championships.
The volleyball team advanced to the Final Four
Women’s soccer played in their sixth consecutive West Regional Final
The men’s and women’s cross country teams both place 2nd at conference championships.
Following the 2021 fall sports season, WWU was ranked No. 18 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup NCAA Division II standings, earning points from national championship appearances by volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s cross country. The 175 points earned was also the top mark by a GNAC member school.
Prior to the shutdown of the seasons in 2019-20, WWU was ranked No. 2 in the standings. Western has also placed in the top 20 in eight of the last 12 years, including 26th in 2015-16, 36th in 2014-15 and 20th in 2013-14, and has been among the top 100 every season as an NCAA II member (no awards in 2019-20 or 2020-21).
Viking teams are always a fixture in the national rankings and in the hunt for a place in the NCAA Division II Championships across all 15 sports.
Western student-athletes are also community-minded, raising thousands of dollars for the PeaceHealth Cancer Center in Bellingham, with each program holding special cancer awareness games. WWU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has also raised money for the Washington Make-a-Wish chapter, created care packages for Lydia Place helping homeless families and the Track & Field program has held a food drive for the Bellingham Food Bank to help supply food to families for the Thanksgiving holiday and also conducted a sweatpants drive for the Lighthouse Mission.
Scholarships
Scholarships reward students for both their academic and athletic excellence and provide the resources for these young people to excel in both venues. Scholarships reward hard work, serve as a motivation tool to continue to excel and provide the financial relief needed to be both a student and an athlete.
Program Needs
Support of your team of choice provides the coaches the tools they need to do what they do best: mentor, train and motivate young people to excel in every way possible. Gifts also provide the student-athletes access to the equipment, gear and training tools they need to help bring home championships.
Viking athletics donors who give $100 or more will be entered into the Viking Athletic Club.