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Women's soccer team players celebrate on the field post game.

UP Athletes Achieve 95 Percent Graduation Success Rate

Athletics

University of Portland athletics posted a 95 percent student-athlete Graduation Success Rate (GSR) according to the latest data released by the NCAA on Wednesday up from the 93 percent the previous two years.

Rapinoe World Cup 2019

UP Alum Megan Rapinoe announces her retirement

Athletics

Alumni

After a storied career spanning two decades, Rapinoe leaves a venerable legacy as an icon of women’s soccer.

Chiles Center

Portland Trail Blazers Launch NBA G League Team to Play at Chiles Center on the University of Portland Campus

Athletics

The Portland Trail Blazers and the NBA G League today announced that the Trail Blazers have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team that will launch in the Chiles Center on the University of Portland's campus.

Champions

Pilots dance to NCAA Women’s Tournament with 64-60 WCC Championship win over Gonzaga

Athletics

For the third time in program history and the second time in four seasons, the Portland Pilots won the 2023 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Tournament Championship 64-60 over the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Moda Center

University of Portland to Serve as Institutional Host for NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four in 2030

Athletics

The University of Portland has been announced as the host institution for the 2030 Division I NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, as announced by the NCAA this morning. The University of Portland will host the event in partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers/Rose Quarter, Sport Oregon and Travel Portland.

Kevin White Athletics Field Manager

Where the Grass Is Always Greener

Portland Magazine

Athletics

How has UP's Merlo Field twice been named the best soccer field in the country? Through the meticulous care and devotion of Kevin White.

Filip Zivkovic

Advantage UP

Athletics

Portland Magazine

Filip Zivkovic ’10 transferred to UP as an undergraduate tennis player sixteen years ago and never left. As the new head coach of the women’s tennis team, he hopes to create the same sense of community and hospitality for his players that he has found here, first as a player, then as an assistant coach, and now at the helm of a team.

Scott Leykam

Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam will serve as the NCAA Women's Soccer Committee Chair for the 2022-23 Academic Year

Athletics

University of Portland Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam will serve as the NCAA Women's Soccer Committee Chair for the 2022-23 Academic Year.

Megan Rapinoe

UP Alumnus Megan Rapinoe To Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Athletics

University of Portland alumnus Megan Rapinoe will be presented with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by Joe Biden in a ceremony on July 7.

Luis Robles sitting on a sofa outside.

Humble Keeper

Athletics

Portland Magazine

WHEN LUIS ROBLES ’06 decided to retire from professional soccer after 14 seasons, he didn’t plan to tell anyone. He knew he was done the moment he’d broken his arm while playing for Inter Miami; why make a big deal out of it? He figured he’d just step back.   

Coach Clive Charles

The Clive Effect

Portland Magazine

Athletics

UP’s legendary coach Clive Charles had a gift for offering small gestures that mattered to people, that still matter, even years after his passing. A former English football player, a defender for the Portland Timbers, the coach who led the Pilots to their first NCAA Championship during his 1986 to 2002 tenure, Charles mentored his athletes to achieve their maximum potential. Several made it to the highest levels of the sport. They became pro athletes, Olympians, World Cup winners. But even more than his successes on the field, his true legacy seems to come from how he treated people.

Scott Leykam

Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam Recipient of the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association Builders' Award

Athletics

University of Portland Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam has been named the 2021 Builders' Award honoree, the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA) announced on Tuesday. The Builders' Award is presented to an individual who, for a minimum of five (5) years as an active I-AAA Director of Athletics, has contributed to the enhancement of the Association, their institution(s), and the profession as a whole.

campus aerial view

Go Pilots! How to Stay Safe and Engaged with Pilots Athletics

Pilots Prevent

Athletics

In person fans aren't allowed at athletics venues in the State of Oregon, but you can still cheer on your favorite Pilot teams by watching livestreams and engaging with social media.

UP women's basketball team

No Game for Granted

Portland Magazine

Athletics

For weeks, University of Portland’s men’s and women’s basketball teams navigated online classes and roamed a lifeless campus, as they fought off fears their season would never happen. On Oct. 14, the NCAA permitted its Division I basketball programs to begin preseason practices with regular coronavirus testing and other safeguards, and gyms across the United States opened doors for full-contact, five-on-five workouts and scrimmages. But of the 350 Division I programs, two—UP and crosstown rival Portland State—were forced to keep their doors closed, thanks to a perplexing decision by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to deny exemption requests by the schools to play through the Oregon Health Authority’s sports guidance.

Etzel field on University of Portland campus

If You Build It…

Portland Magazine

Athletics

Alumni

The University’s new baseball stadium will need to wait until next season for its premiere, so we’re taking this opportunity to look back on the blood, sweat, and puddle suckers that got us here.

Michael Meek and Megan Engesser

The Road To Meek

Portland Magazine

Athletics

How UP hired women's basketball coach Michael Meek and turned a program around in one year.

Michael Meek in timeout circle with players

Meet Michael Meek: New women's basketball coach has big plans for the team

Athletics

Portland Magazine

Michael Meek took over the Pilot women's basketball program in April 2019. His goal: create a positive experience for his players. And win games along the way.

Donald Wilson

Basketball alum Donald Wilson returns to the The Bluff as a broadcaster

Alumni

Athletics

Portland Magazine

A wide support network helped Donald Wilson thrive at University of Portland. He's returned to The Bluff as a broadcaster for men's basketball and "pays it forward" by working with several non-profits in the Vancouver, WA, area.

Michael Dowse

Racquet man: Michael Dowse '89 named CEO and executive director of the United States Tennis Association

Alumni

Athletics

Portland Magazine

From recreation tennis to the US Open, former Pilots tennis player Michael Dowse '89 now leads the US's national governing body for tennis.

Rey Ortiz

Rey Ortiz '19 takes the next step with FC Cincinnati

Portland Magazine

Alumni

Athletics

Rey Ortiz '19 was a Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick for FC Cincinnati. He's proud to be making his dreams come true, and equally proud to be a first-generation college student at University of Portland.

University of Portland cross country coach Rob Conner

30 years and running: Track and cross country coach Rob Conner continues to rack up the wins

Alumni

Athletics

Portland Magazine

Rob Conner has been coaching track and cross country at University of Portland for 30 years. Along the way he's trained numerous All-Americans, tallied 34 conference titles, and led the men's team to three podium finishes in the national championships.

University of Portland rower Brianne Zbylicki

Woman in the boat: UP rower Brianne Zbylicki

Biology

Athletics

College of Arts and Sciences

Portland Magazine

Brianne Zbylicki '20 was making a name for herself on UP's rowing team and in the biology research labs. When cancer struck, she took a year off from sports and studies. Upon her return to campus, she found help and unwavering support in teammates, professors, and coaches.

Travis Vetters

More Ties that Bind: Gus Little and Travis Vetters

Portland Magazine

Alumni

Business

Athletics

After Travis Vetters successfully donated a kidney to his friend and baseball teammate Gus Little, the connection between them remains strong.

Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse and his father, Pierre

Like father, like son: Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse follows in his father's footsteps to win French cross country championship

Portland Magazine

Athletics

A last-minute entry into the French Cross Country Championships earns Emmuanel Roudolff-Levisse his first national title--a feat also accomplished by his father more than three decades ago.

Megan Rapinoe

Pilot soccer alums Megan Rapinoe, Christine Sinclair, and Sophie Schmidt set to shine on the Women's World Cup stage

Athletics

Portland Magazine

Alumni

University of Portland alumni and former Pilot soccer stars Megan Rapinoe '08 (USA), Christine Sinclair '06 (Canada), and Sophie Schmidt '10 (Canada) are set to lead their countries on the world stage at the Women's World Cup, June 7-July 7 in France.

Jim Etzel '85

Jim Etzel ’85 named Executive Director of Oregon Sports Authority

Athletics

Business

Alumni

University of Portland alumni Jim Etzel '85 (Marketing, Management & Communications) was recently announced as the new Executive Director of Oregon Sports Authority.

Photo of Christine Sinclair '06 holding up her Olympic bronze medal.

Former UP soccer star Christine Sinclair '06 appointed to Order of Canada

Awards and Rankings

Athletics

Alumni

Christine Sinclair '06, former UP soccer powerhouse was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of Canada's highest honors, second only to membership in the Order of Merit which is a personal gift of Queen Elizabeth II.

pilots team

University of Portland Tops 2016 WCC Commissioner’s Cup Standings

Athletics

The University of Portland sits atop the West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings after a historic fall season on The Bluff.

Rhodes Scholar finalist Parkes Kendrick '17

Scholar-athlete Parkes Kendrick '17 selected as finalist for Rhodes Scholarship

College of Arts and Sciences

Mathematics

Awards and Rankings

Athletics

Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement

University of Portland senior Parkes Kendrick has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. If successful, Kendrick will become the first University of Portland student to be named a Rhodes Scholar.

Portland women win the team and individual WCC Championship titles, while men take second

Athletics

The eighth-ranked Portland women's team won the 2016 West Coast Conference Cross Country Championship on Friday, while junior Lauren LaRocco ran away from the field to win the individual title at Mission Bay Park. The No. 12 Portland men also had a solid showing at the WCC's, finishing second only to No. 4 BYU.

Circle of four women cross country runners

Women’s cross country ranked no. 5 nationally

Athletics

The Pilot women's cross country team notches its highest national ranking in program history.

Illustration of University of Portland athletic P logo.

Pilot Student Athletes Excel in the Classroom

Athletics

Pilot student athletes demonstrate academic excellence, with 39% of all Pilot athletes earning Dean's List recognition in the fall of 2016, with representatives from every UP athletic team.

Earle M. Chiles

Businessman and philanthropist Earle M. Chiles, member of the University of Portland Board of Regents, passes away at age 83

Development

Athletics

Portland businessman and philanthropist Earle M. Chiles passed away on Thursday, June 23 after a long illness. He was 83. Chiles was a longtime supporter of the University of Portland and had been a member of the University’s Board of Regents since 1975.

University of Portland alumnus Riley Clark wins Northwest Emmy Award

Alumni

Athletics

Riley Clark ’16 won a Northwest Emmy Award for his video, “University of Portland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Raises Money for St. Baldrick's Foundation.”

Portland Pilots receive All-American honors at track & field national championship

Athletics

Reid Buchanan, Woody Kincaid and Lauren LaRocco win All-American honors at NCAA track & field championships.

Gus Little and Travis Vetters

Gus and Travis

Business

Alumni

Portland Magazine

Athletics

Nursing

Gus Little was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. His former baseball teammate Travis Vetters gave him one. Is this the ultimate University of Portland "story"? Editor Brian Doyle says yes.

University of Portland alumnus John Becic '52 gives $100,000 to establish professorship in accounting and help with upgrades of Joe Etzel Field

Development

Business

Athletics

University of Portland has received a $100,000 gift from alumnus John N. Becic, who graduated in 1952 with a degree in accounting.