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ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) is expanding its membership once again as the Board of Presidents proudly voted Menlo College to join the conference in 2026-27 as its 14th institution.
 
"As Chair of the CCAA Board of Presidents, I am proud to welcome Menlo College into the California Collegiate Athletic Association," said CCAA Board Chair and California State University Monterey Bay President Vanya Quiñones. "The addition of new institutions, especially at the quality of Menlo, strengthens our conference and brings new energy and competition for all the teams in the league. We are excited for Menlo to join the CCAA and look forward to many exciting matchups ahead.”
 
Menlo College was founded in 1927 and is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. It has an enrollment of 800 and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Specializing in business and psychology, Menlo is also one of the most diverse institutions in California, reflecting a community that values global perspectives and inclusive excellence.
 
Throughout nearly a century of growth, Menlo has remained defined by a distinctive learning environment built on close faculty engagement, small classes, and a culture that prepares students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy. The College’s curriculum blends business, psychology, and the liberal arts, supported by a nationally recognized tradition of hands-on learning and internships that connect students directly to Silicon Valley industries. Menlo will be the second private university to join the CCAA in the last six months. It will begin competing in the CCAA in Fall 2026.
 
Menlo President Steven Weiner noted the significance of the moment, stating: "Becoming part of the CCAA is more than an athletic decision for Menlo College — it is a statement about who we are and who we intend to become. This move strengthens the balance we expect for our student-athletes, elevates our competitive opportunities, and places Menlo in a conference that reflects our deepest academic and institutional values."
 
The Oaks will join the NCAA's Most Successful Division II conference, which boasts 157 national championships, including the most recent 2024 women's soccer title. Established in 1938, the CCAA is home to a proud tradition of academic and athletic excellence, currently featuring 12 institutions across California. This includes current members Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State East Bay, Cal State LA, Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State San Marcos, Chico State, San Francisco State, Stanislaus State, UC Merced, and soon to be Fresno Pacific (July 1, 2026). These members comprise the largest enrollment of any conference in NCAA Division II.
 
"We are delighted to welcome Menlo into the conference," said CCAA Commissioner Allen Hardison. "The Oaks have an impressive history of academic and athletic success that will continue to elevate the CCAA. Menlo is also located in the heart of Silicon Valley, which is a critically important market to us as we look at the constantly changing landscape in college athletics. I know our student-athletes and fans will enjoy visiting their beautiful campus, and I look forward to watching Menlo add to the collective accomplishments of the CCAA."
 
The Oaks field 14 intercollegiate athletic teams, nine of which will compete in the CCAA starting in 2026-27. These sports include men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. Menlo will leave the PacWest Conference in 2026 after two years of membership. For more information, visit menloathletics.com.
 
"Our student-athletes earned this opportunity," shared Menlo’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Keith Spataro. "Their work, their progress, and the way they represent Menlo every day created the foundation that made this move possible. The CCAA will push us and elevate us, and that is exactly what we want. This conference reflects who we are becoming."
 
The addition of Menlo brings the CCAA's membership to 14 institutions, the most it has ever had at one time. All are located within California (five south, nine north).
 
Menlo College made the leap to NCAA Division II less than two years ago. It joined the PacWest in July 2024 after previously competing in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) since 2015-16.
 
About the CCAA
The California Collegiate Athletic Association has been the nation's most successful Division II intercollegiate athletics conference since its establishment in December 1938. CCAA members have won 157 NCAA Championships (103 men, 54 women), far and away the most of any Division II conference. The 12-member league is home to some of the nation's finest NCAA Division II athletic programs in Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State East Bay, Cal State LA, Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State San Marcos, Chico State, San Francisco State, Stanislaus State, UC Merced and soon to be Fresno Pacific. With a strong emphasis on leadership, integrity, and sportsmanship, the CCAA continues to shape the future of college athletics in the Golden State. For more information, visit goccaa.org. 
 
About Menlo Athletics 
The Menlo Oaks have competed in NCAA Division II athletics since 2024, following a rich history of success in the NAIA. Based in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, Menlo fields 14 varsity programs with more than 370 All-Americans, over 1,260 All-Conference honorees, and over 900 Scholar-Athletes. Dedicated to integrity and sportsmanship, assuming leadership roles on their teams, and competing at the highest level, Menlo student-athletes are guided by the university's core values and strive to make an impact in the classroom, on campus, and in their communities. For schedules, scores, and the latest news, visit menloathletics.com and follow @menloathletics on Instagram, Facebook, and X. 
 
Media Contacts:
Danny Barnts, CCAA, (949) 430-0040, dbarnts@goccaa.org
Rob Garcia, Menlo, (650) 543-4122, rob.garcia@menlo.edu