SAN BRUNO, Calif. – For the first time since 2006-07, Santa Clara Athletics has won the West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Cup – an all-sports award presented at the end of each academic year to the league’s top performing school in conference play.

Dating back to the 2001-02 school year, the Commissioner’s Cup has become an annual tradition celebrating WCC athletic excellence. The award is based on a point system, reflecting the finish of each team in conference play. The institution with the highest point total after combining the men’s and women’s point totals is honored with the prestigious award.

“What an incredible honor it is to win the 2024-25 WCC Commissioner’s Cup,” said Director of Athletics, Heather M. Owen. “This is a testament to our University and its unwavering support of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, to our athletics department, and to those who have worn the Bronco uniform. Earning this season’s Commissioner’s Cup acknowledges our relentless pursuit of excellence both on and off the field. I am thrilled for our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters, and I am thankful for our Santa Clara community and all that it does to support our department.”

This is just the third time in program history that Santa Clara has been awarded the Commissioner’s Cup. In addition to 2006-07, the Broncos also won the cup for the 2004-05 school year.

Santa Clara’s men’s and women’s programs had an outstanding 2024-25 campaign across the board. The year began with the women’s soccer program capturing their 14^th WCC Championship and was book ended with the Bronco softball team winning the WCC Championship for the first time in program history.  Men’s tennis tied for second in the regular season WCC standings while the beach volleyball program won three consecutive matches in the WCC Tournament to advance to the championship match for the first time in program history. Both the men’s and women’s golf programs finished third at the WCC Championships.

Santa Clara accumulated 85.98 points to edge out Pepperdine (84.43) for the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup. The Broncos finished second for the Women’s All-Sport Award and was third for the Men’s All-Sport Award. The full final standings are below.

 

2024-25 WCC Commissioner’s Cup Standings

1. Santa Clara     85.98
2. Pepperdine     84.43
3. LMU                81.10
4. Gonzaga          80.90
5. Saint Mary’s    77.30
6. San Diego        71.60
7. Portland          68.00
8. San Francisco  63.60
9. Pacific              54.03

 
2024-25 Women’s All-Sport Award

1. Pepperdine     51.10
2. Santa Clara     49.80
3. LMU                47.80
4. Gonzaga          47.70
5. Saint Mary’s    41.30
6. Portland          37.40
7. San Diego        34.40
8. San Francisco  31.80
9. Pacific              18.15

 
2024-25 Men’s All-Sport Award

1. San Diego        37.20
2. Saint Mary’s    36.00
3. Santa Clara     35.88
4. Pacific              33.38
5. Pepperdine     33.33
6. LMU                33.30
7. Gonzaga          33.20
8. San Francisco  31.80
9. Portland          30.60

After one year at Penn State, graduate David Locke is off to a new home.

Locke announced his commitment to Bradley on Monday via Instagram, after one year at Penn State and four years at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.

In the 2024-25 season, Locke competed solely in the 800-meters, where he ran a season-best 1:47.47 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in February.

Before competing at Penn State, the Caerphilly, Wales, native set one of the ten fastest 800m times in Welsh history, running 1:46.41.

MORE TRACK AND FIELD COVERAGE

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – At the conclusion of each academic year, the West Coast Conference announces its major individual year-end honors as a celebration of the best and brightest to represent the Conference and its member institutions.
 
Today, the West Coast Conference is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Commissioner’s Cup winner, All-Sports Award winners, Mike Gilleran WCC Scholar-Athletes of the Year, Postgraduate Scholarship recipients and the WCC Champion of Change Award winners.
 
2024-2025 West Coast Conference Awards
Commissioner’s Cup
Santa Clara

Men’s All-Sports Award

San Diego

Women’s All-Sports Award

Pepperdine

West Coast Conference Male Mike Gilleran Scholar-Athlete of the Year 

Massimo Oedekoven Pomponi, LMU Men’s Soccer

West Coast Conference Female Mike Gilleran Scholar-Athlete of the Year 

Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga Women’s Basketball

West Coast Conference Male Postgraduate Scholarship 

Chris Swider, Gonzaga Men’s Soccer

West Coast Conference Female Postgraduate Scholarship 

Katie Newton, Portland Women’s Cross Country

West Coast Conference Champion of Change Award 

Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga Women’s Basketball

The West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Cup is an all-sports award presented at the end of each academic year to the league’s top performing school in conference play and is based on a point system, reflecting the finish of each team in conference play. The institution with the highest point total after combining the men’s and women’s point totals is honored with the Commissioner’s Cup. Stretching back to the 2001-02 school year, the Commissioner’s Cup has become an annual tradition celebrating West Coast Conference athletic excellence. 

Santa Clara won the West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Cup for the third time in school history and the first time since 2006-07. The Broncos first won the award in 2004-05. The Broncos shared the conference titles in women’s soccer and softball. The Broncos also came in second in beach volleyball, finished in a three-way tie for second in men’s tennis, took third at the women’s golf championships and advanced to match play at the men’s golf championships. 

This marks the second straight year in which Pepperdine has won the Women’s All-Sports Award and the seventh time in school history the Waves have won this award. During the 2024-25 season, the Waves shared the conference championships in women’s soccer and women’s tennis. Pepperdine also claimed second place in women’s golf, tied for second in volleyball and finished third in beach volleyball. 

San Diego won the Men’s All-Sports Award for the second straight year and the third time since 2014-15. This also marks the fifth time in program history the Toreros won this award. USD won the Conference championships in baseball, men’s soccer and men’s tennis. 

2024-25 West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Cup Standings

Men’s All-Sports Award Standings      

Women’s All-Sports Award Standings

MIKE GILLERAN SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

The Mike Gilleran Scholar-Athlete of the Year is selected by a vote of the West Coast Conference’s Executive Council to recognize the finest accomplishments in athletics, academics and community service by individuals who have completed their collegiate eligibility. The award is named in honor of the conference’s first full-time commissioner, Mike Gilleran.

 

Massimo Oedekoven Pomponi, LMU Men’s Soccer

Massimo Oedekoven Pomponi played in 28 matches with 27 starts as the Lions’ goalkeeper the past two seasons. During that span, he recorded a 1.27 goals-against average and collected 115 saves and a save percentage of 76.7.

Pomponi was key contributor during LMU’s first NCAA Elite Eight appearance in program history during the 2023 season, posting shutouts against UCLA and James Madison in the NCAA Tournament. He finished the 2023 season with a 7-1-1 record against top-40 programs, earning West Coast Conference and National Goalkeeper of the Week honors during the campaign. Pomponi was named LMU’s breakthrough athlete of the year in 2023. He was also part of the squad that captured the 2021 West Coast Conference championship.

Pomponi was a member of LMU’s Dean’s list and a student-athlete scholar every semester. He also earned recognition as member of the Chi Alpha Omega honor society and the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He graduated summa cum laude, boasting a 3.9 cumulative grade point average with a degree in finance.

As part of his work in finance, Pomponi interned at Wells Fargo, FT Partners and Deloitte. He was the Deloitte Audit Innovation Campus Challenge national champion and participated in the LMU student-investment fund. He was a two-year leader of the Lion Club Fund. Pomponi also volunteered his time at the LA Food Bank the past four years. He served as a student-athlete mentor and was part of the LMU Societies Membership Group.

Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga Women’s Basketball

Yvonne Ejim is one of the greatest women’s basketball players in Gonzaga and West Coast Conference history.

This past year, she was one of five active players to record at least 2,000 points and at least 1,000 rebounds. Ejim finished her career as the program leader with 2,385 career points, 1,140 career rebounds, 970 career field goals and a 55.1 field goal percentage. Ejim also broke Gonzaga’s single-season scoring and rebounding record with 726 points and 325 rebounds in 2024-25. She finished second in West Coast Conference history in career scoring overall. Prior to her record-shattering senior season, the Calgary, Alberta, Canada native earned a spot on Canada’s Olympic Team and competed in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Ejim graduated as a three-time West Coast Conference all-academic honoree and a two-time academic All-American. She was a member of the Dean’s list four times and was a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete honor society, graduating with a degree in human physiology and a minor in psychology.

 

WEST COAST CONFERENCE POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

To be eligible for a WCC Postgraduate Scholarship, a student-athlete must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, demonstrate significant athletic contributions to his or her sport for a minimum of two years, and have a record of participation in campus or community activities. He or she also must submit a personal statement of intention to attend graduate or professional school for which this scholarship would be awarded.

 

Chris Swider, Gonzaga Men’s Soccer

A standout on the pitch for Gonzaga men’s soccer, Chris Swider finished his career with nine goals and three assists during his career as a Bulldog in over 45 appearances. He graduated last month with a degree in human physiology to go along with numerous academic honors. Swider plans to attend the University of Washington School of Medicine beginning in the fall of 2026 with the intention of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. His career aspiration stems from the rigorous efforts by a student-athlete to compete at a high level and the musculoskeletal function and injury rehabilitation involved. Swider founded a non-profit organization called Dream On 3, which specializes in providing children with life-altering conditions support towards a sport-related dream. Swider’s goal as an orthopedic surgeon is to restore the health and mobility of patients of all ages and contribute to a field that combines his passions of medicine, sports and meaningful patient care. 

Katie Newton, Portland Women’s Cross Country

Katie Newton has consistently been named to Portland’s Dean’s list. A two-time West Coast Conference all-academic honoree in cross country, Newton received Portland’s William and Lavina Wilson Award, presented to the outstanding student in chemistry. She graduated last month with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and minored in mathematics with a 3.97 cumulative grade point average. Newton served as the president of Portland’s student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) and the chair of the West Coast Conference SAAC. She also represented Portland and the conference on the national student-athlete advisory committee. Newton was a four-year member of Portland’s student-advisory board honors program and was part of the student-athlete mentorship program on campus. Newton was admitted to the ultra-competitive PhD program at Brown University and will pursue a PhD in therapeutic sciences starting this fall. She aspires to use her background in chemistry and math to solve problems related to human health, specifically neurological disorders.

West Coast Conference Champion Of Change Award

The West Coast Conference Champion of Change Award recognizes an individual student-athlete or group of student-athletes that have made strides to advance the West Coast Conference’s We are Committed to Change platform by making a consistent and positive impact to their institution’s student-athlete experience.

 

Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga Women’s Basketball

Not only a standout on the basketball court, Yvonne Ejim made a tremendous impact in her community during her time at Gonzaga. As a member of Gonzaga’s student-athlete advisory committee, Ejim was elected as the chair of Gonzaga’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion group the past three years, leading members of the student-athlete advisory committee in activities that engage the community and provide educational experiences on campus about underrepresented groups. She collaborated with the athletic department and cultural clubs to amplify voices on issues of representation. Ejim also represented Gonzaga in the community, visiting local transitional living facilities for families experiencing financial hardship, lifting the spirits of many. Ejim was a standout in the classroom, as well, making the Dean’s list and being named a West Coast Conference all-academic honoree, also becoming the first Academic All-American in Gonzaga women’s basketball history. She earned her degree in human physiology and intends to pursue medical school when her basketball career is over.

Whether it was pushing himself to excel in a wide variety of events, adjusting to the collegiate system or making his dream of competing in the U.S. a reality, Campre has always pushed for more.

He came to Miami looking to challenge himself and earn a degree while getting stronger and competing at a high level.

He’s followed a path similar to that of his good friend, former Hurricanes record-breaking thrower Decio Andrade.

Andrade, who also hails from Portugal, encouraged Campre to consider not just competing and studying in the United States, but doing so at Miami, telling his friend about the opportunities and support he’d get as part of the Hurricanes program.

Campre, who initially considered beginning his professional career once he got out of high school in Portugal, opted to give college in the States a try.

He’s had no regrets since.

“The ability to train and at the same time go to school, it’s really good. That was one of the things that motivated me because in Portugal, if you do track and at the same time try to study, it’s hard,” said Campre, who is pursuing a degree in finance. “Professors don’t always collaborate with you when you have a track meet. Here in the United States, it’s something that is more normal and professors understand and help you. That’s one of the things that made me want to come to Miami and to the United States.”

Now, Campre wants to continue making the most of the opportunities in front of him.

He’d like to qualify to represent Portugal at this year’s world championships in September. And before that, he’d like to finally bring home the NCAA title that he’s already come so close to winning.

There are a few more simple goals, too.

“I want to keep raising the school record,” Campre said. “And make all my coaches proud.”

It’s safe to say he’s already done the latter.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 4, 2025) — Following official approval from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), LA28 has unveiled its updated Paralympic Venue Plan—marking a major milestone for adaptive sport and reinforcing Southern California’s legacy as a global hub for inclusive, athlete-centered competition.

Sitting volleyball will be hosted at the Arena in Long Beach, a decision that aligns with LA28’s commitment to elevating visibility, fostering community, and providing elite athletes with a world-class stage.

Both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sitting Volleyball National Teams have qualified for the LA28 Paralympic Games. The women’s team will return as three-time defending gold medalists, while the men’s team will make its first Paralympic appearance since Rio 2016.

“The Arena in Long Beach is a world-class venue that will help elevate the sport of sitting volleyball and create a stage worthy of our athletes’ dedication and excellence,” said Bill Hamiter, head coach of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team and director of sitting volleyball at USA Volleyball. “We’re grateful to LA28 for its commitment to accessibility and representation.”

With iconic venues, a passionate fan base, and a city ready to welcome the world, LA28 promises not only an unforgettable Paralympic Games—but also a sitting volleyball experience that will inspire, unite and leave a lasting legacy.

“Having both Olympic beach volleyball and Paralympic volleyball disciplines showcased in Long Beach is a tremendous moment for the sport,” said John Speraw, president and CEO of USA Volleyball. “I know this environment will energize athletes and fans alike.”

As sitting volleyball returns to the global stage in 2028, the sport is poised to spark new fandom, empower future generations of adaptive athletes, and redefine excellence—both on and off the court.

For more information on the LA28 Paralympic Venue Plan, visit paralympic.org.