California Baptist Uni- versity’s transition to NCAA Division I competi- tion has been an exciting time for the university’s athletic. However, the move meant giving up some old and familiar rivalries.
Gone are the days of facing o against rival Azu- sa Pacific University and other PacWest Conference foes in critical matchups across multiple sports. However, former rival Dix- ie State University revealed Jan. 11 that its rivalry with the Lancers will be re- newed shortly.
The Trailblazers, cur- rently competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, accepted an invitation to join the West- ern Athletic Conference and will begin competing as a DI institution beginning in 2020.
This is good news for Lancer fans who likely have fond memories of classic battles between the Lancers and Trailblazers throughout the years.
Dixie State transitioned from the National Junior College Athletic Associa- tion to NCAA Division II 2006, joining the PacWest for 11 years.
During that time, the Trailblazers captured 20 PacWest Conference titles. Lancer teams won 33 conference championships during their seven years in the PacWest.
Lancer basketball teams were a combined 19-12 against Dixie State, with women dominating these series 13-3 over the Trailblazers. CBU’s soccer programs went a combined 14-4-1 against the Trailblazers on the pitch.
CBU softball holds an 18-16 advantage over DSU and the baseball program hasaone-gameadvantage in their series with the Trailblazers, leading 19-18.
The two schools have had their fair share of memorable battles on big stages. Most recently, Dix- ie State men’s basketball edged the Lancers 66-64 in thechampionshipgameof the PacWest Tournament.
That game was the first-ever championship meeting between the top two seeds. Additionally, both universities were in their last season in the PacWest Conference and the game was held in the then-brand-new Events Center.
CBU went on to win their first West Regional championship while the Trailblazers fell in the first round of the NCAA tourna- ment.
Now, with Dixie State set to join the Lancers in the WAC, these high- stakes rivalry contests will become a frequent occur- rence once again.
