By Brandon Petersen
It was another year of success for the Westcliff athletic department, as the Warriors added 12 more championships, bringing the program total to 26 (four national championships).
Not bad for just three years of NAIA and California Pacific Conference play.
But success athletically is not the first priority of Dean of Athletics Shawn Harris, nor should it be.
Westcliff is first and foremost an institution that values the development of young people, and placing them in a position to succeed at life — and that starts in the classroom.
When Harris took over the Westcliff AD a little over five years ago, the department's collective GPA among its student-athletes was 0.98.
Today, that cumulative GPA stands at 3.05, and Westcliff has received over 70 combined NAIA and conference awards for individual academic excellence.
This past year, while they were racking up another 12 titles on the field, the Warriors garnered 25 NAIA or Cal Pac All Academic performances.
"Westcliff Athletics excels in the classroom due to the university's focus on personalized attention, academic excellence, and a supportive learning environment," Harris said. "Students benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and real-world skills."
Because Westcliff lacks a traditional college campus with dormitory living space, Westcliff student-athletes learn to live in the real world while they attend college. Harris says that gives the Warriors certain advantages, particularly when it comes to life skills including time management, teamwork and resilience.
When Westcliff student-athletes graduate, they're uniquely prepared to succeed in the real world, because they've already proven to be successful at navigating the struggles of the real world.
"Westcliff's holistic approach to education equips students, including athletes, with the tools they need to thrive academically and professionally," Harris said. "By embodying the university's core values of collaboration, integrity, social responsibility and community engagement, our athletic leadership and coaches play a pivotal role in creating a positive and enriching environment for our student-athletes."
And although the year was another resounding success for the program as a whole, 2023-24 also brought the reality of small college athletics to the fore.
The news of Saint Katherine shuddering its athletics program, combined with UAV's closure at the start of the year and Marymount's closure two years ago, has served as a stark reminder of how difficult it can be to operate without big gate ticket sales.
"To avoid the fate of institutions like Marymount, UAV, and Saint Katherine, Westcliff must prioritize financial stability through prudent budgeting and revenue diversification, focus on effective enrollment management to attract and retain students, including athletes, cultivate strong institutional support for athletics, align athletic goals with the institution's mission through strategic planning, engage the community for support and partnerships, and regularly evaluate and adapt athletic programs for efficiency and effectiveness," Harris said. "By addressing these key areas proactively and staying attuned to the evolving landscape of college athletics and higher education, Westcliff can position itself for long-term success and sustainability."
Harris says Westcliff is uniquely positioned to navigate the now ever-evolving landscape of college athletics.
In the past year, the Warriors moved into the Klava sports facility in Lake Forest to provide permanent gym space, weight room, and athletic training offices for student-athletes.
About five minutes away in Foothill Ranch, Westcliff administration moved into its own new facility that features office and conference space as well as studio space for Westcliff SID and athletic marketing operations.
The Warriors continued to call the Great Park home in 2023-24, and basketball and volleyball played nearby at the Jordan Lawley facility in Irvine.
Although Westcliff loves partnering with each venue, particularly at JLAW, the Warriors may be outgrowing the space in which they play. Especially on big game nights, the gym was at standing-room only capacity.
The idea of Westcliff building a multipurpose facility at the Great Park has been around for a while, but as the program grows, it becomes an ever more prevalent question.
"While I cannot comment on specific rumors, the idea of Westcliff University building a multi-purpose athletic facility at the Great Park for basketball and volleyball holds potential benefits for the university's athletic programs and student-athletes," Harris said. "The decision to pursue such a project would depend on factors like long-term athletic goals, financial considerations, community partnerships, and institutional strategy.
"While maintaining the status quo is an option, investing in athletic infrastructure could enhance training, recruitment, and community engagement. Building out athletic facilities could be a strategic move to elevate Westcliff's athletic programs and profile in the evolving collegiate sports landscape."
A facility the Warriors could call home would open the door to more opportunities to host conference and national postseason events.
This year marked the Warriors' first effort at hosting an NAIA tournament, and it was a resounding success.
Led by Associate Athletic Director Katie Rouse, Westcliff SID and administration hosted the NAIA Women's Beach West Regional Qualifier at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in mid-April.
Tournament operations and the tournament livestream, video and photography were all handled with expertise by Rouse's team, and both the Cal Pac and NAIA should now consider Westcliff a viable postseason option moving forward.
"The success of Westcliff's NAIA West Regional Qualifier beach tournament was due to meticulous planning, effective organization, community support, and the quality of the event," Harris said. "I want to take a moment to praise the outstanding work of the SID (Sports Information Department) staff. Their commitment to excellence and their ability to effectively communicate the stories and successes of our athletes have greatly contributed to the positive reputation of Westcliff University in the sports community."
Five years have passed since change came to Westcliff Athletics.
For Harris, those first five years were about creating a dynamic, innovative athletic program that excelled on the field but prioritized the personal development of the student-athletes.
The results surpassed even the Dean's expectations, and showed the potential of a true partnership between the academic and athletic hemispheres of Westcliff University.
"Through improved facilities, enhanced coaching staff, and a focus on holistic development, we have cultivated a strong sense of community and pride around our athletic programs," Harris said. "I am proud of the strides we have made and the partnerships we have forged with both academia and the sports industry. I am excited about the continued growth and collaboration that lies ahead as we strive to create a model program that inspires excellence in all facets of student-athlete development.
"I also want to acknowledge the importance of our 5CS culture (Character, Culture, Community, Commitment, and Championships). This culture, which emphasizes holistic development and values-driven leadership, has created a strong foundation for our athletic programs to thrive. The focus on developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel both on and off the field is a testament to the values we uphold at Westcliff."
2023-24 Championships
Men's Soccer - 2023 Cal Pac Regular Season Champions
Men's Soccer - 2023 Cal Pac Tournament Champions
Men's Water Polo - 2023 Cal Pac Champions
Men's Beach Volleyball - 2023 AVCA Men's Beach Collegiate National Champions
Cheer - 2024 USA Cheer Collegiate Champions
Women's Beach Volleyball- 2024 Cal Pac Champions
Men's Volleyball- 2024 Cal Pac Tournament Champions
Men's Tennis- 2024 GSAC Regular Season Champions
Men's Tennis- 2024 GSAC Tournament Champions
Women's Tennis- 2024 GSAC Regular Season Champions
Women's Tennis- 2024 GSAC Tournament Champions
Men's Track & Field- Abelardo Rendon Cal Pac Triple Jump Champion
Dean's Mission: The Next Five Years of Westcliff Athletics
"As the Dean of Athletics at Westcliff University, I am dedicated to fostering innovation within our athletic programs, ensuring they are enriched with the latest technology and analytics. My goal is to uphold the highest standards of excellence across all facets of the department. I champion social responsibility and sustainability among our student-athletes, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. Embracing diversity is a priority for me, as it strengthens our team and enriches our university culture. Through my efforts, I aim to transform Westcliff University into a leader in creating well-rounded, technologically savvy, and socially conscious individuals, both on and off the field." — Shawn Harris, Dean of Athletics
