University of Portland Athletics

The Pilots compete in NCAA Division I, meaning serious athletics with full scholarships and high-level competition. With 295 total athletes across 12 varsity sports, about 9.5% of the 3,104 students participate in varsity athletics. The school awards $7.4 million in athletic scholarships annually. Portland competes in the West Coast Conference alongside programs like Gonzaga, their primary rival. The university has produced legendary distance runner Steve Prefontaine, who put the Pilots on the national track and field map in the 1970s. The soccer programs have historically been strong, with both men's and women's teams earning NCAA tournament berths. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio extends to athletic academic support, helping maintain the 96.4% employment rate among graduates. Despite Division I status, the intimate campus creates a close community feel around athletics.