Azusa Pacific

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Founded: 1899 Enrollment: 10,100 (2023) Played baseball since: 1966 Team name: Cougars School colors: Brick and black Home ballpark: Cougar Baseball Complex Conference: PacWest (NCAA Div. II)

Azusa Pacific University traces its earliest roots to 1899 in Whittier, when the Training School for Christian Workers was founded. By 1907, it was holding classes in Huntington Park. In 1919, it merged with two other Christian colleges (Los Angeles Pacific College in Highland Park and California College in Hollywood) to form the University of Los Angeles. In 1939 the school begin offering four-year degrees, and adopted the name Pacific Bible College. When the school outgrew its campus, the board of trustees purchased a 12-acre plot on nearby Azusa in 1946. Eleven years later, it changed its name again, to Azusa College. After merging with Los Angeles Pacific College in 1965, the school becomes Azusa Pacific College, and joins the NAIA and NCCAA to begin participating in intercollegiate sports. And in 1981, it gains university status and adopts its current name.

The first baseball team was fielded in 1966, and apparently competed as an independent for many years. In 1987, the joined the NAIA-sanctioned Golden State Athletic Association – where the played through 2012. After gaining acceptance to the NCAA Div. II, they joined the Pacific West Conference for the 2013 season.

The APU Cougars made it to the finals of the 1984 NAIA College World Series, finishing as runner-up.

Baseball Almanac lists nine former Azusa Pacific players who have made it to the Major Leagues.

The Cougars play their home games on-campus at the Cougar Baseball Complex, which seats 500.