The Great Southwest Athletic Conference Board of Directors announced today that La Sierra University and Soka University of America will become the league's ninth and tenth members beginning with the 2025-26 season.
 
"On behalf of the members of the GSAC, I welcome La Sierra University and Soka University into the conference," said Chair of the GSAC Board of Directors, OUAZ President Dennis Tyner.  "In the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, these two universities are tremendous for an evolving conference that continues to provide positive opportunities for students."
 
La Sierra University, located in Riverside, will field 13 teams in the GSAC next season.  Along with Women's and Men's Basketball, Women's and Men's Cross Country, Baseball, Softball, Women's Volleyball, and Women's and Men's Soccer, they are adding Women's Flag Football, Women's Beach Volleyball, Men's Volleyball and Men's Golf.
 
"La Sierra University is thrilled to become a member of the GSAC. We look forward to contributing to the excellence of the conference," said Dr. Christon Arthur, President of La Sierra University. "Athletics contributes to the transformative development of student athletes. The philosophy of Adventist education espouses the belief that education is more than the pursual of a course of study. It is the harmonious development of the intellectual, spiritual, social, relational, and physical attributes of learners. Athletics is one opportunity for our students to experience wholistic development. And GSAC is an excellent partner in our educational pursuit."
 
Soka University is located in Aliso Viejo and will field 11 teams next year.  The Lions sponsor Women's and Men's Soccer, Men's Volleyball, Women's and Men's Golf, Women's and Men's Track and Field, Women's and Men's Swimming and Diving and Women's and Men's Cross Country.
 
"Joining the Great Southwest Athletic Conference in 2025 is a perfect fit for Soka University of America," said Dr. Edward Feasel, President of Soka University. "We share GSAC's commitment to athletic and academic excellence. This partnership will enhance our mission to develop well-rounded student-athletes who excel both on the field, in the classroom, and in life. We're excited to contribute to and grow within the GSAC community in the coming years."
 
"La Sierra and Soka are great additions for our conference," said Mike Daniels, Commissioner of the Great Southwest Athletic Conference.  "Balancing our geographic footprints has been important for our conference which has experienced some transition of late.  Both institutions have strong academics and bring stability to the GSAC."
 
The GSAC membership for 2025-26 also includes Arizona Christian University, Benedictine University Mesa, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Hope International University, Life Pacific University, OUAZ, Park University Gilbert, and The Master's University.