Vanguard University of Southern California Athletics

Vanguard competes in the NAIA, offering a middle ground between major college athletics and purely recreational sports. The Lions field 16 varsity teams with 426 total athletes, meaning about 22% of the 1,975 students participate in varsity athletics. The university awards $2.8 million in athletic scholarships across all sports. As members of the Pacific West Conference, Vanguard faces regional rivals primarily from California and Hawaii. The Lions have built solid programs in several sports, with basketball and soccer drawing the most campus attention. Games provide a strong sense of community for this Christian university. The NAIA level allows student-athletes to compete seriously while maintaining focus on academics and faith development. Most contests are well-attended by the tight-knit campus community.