San Diego State water polo set for deeper waters with move to Big West in 2028
SDSU
For more than a decade, San Diego State women’s water polo has been one of the Golden Coast Conference’s most consistent programs.
Now the Aztecs are taking the next step.
San Diego State officially accepted an invitation to join the Big West as an affiliate member in women’s water polo beginning with the 2027-28 academic year, the conference announced Monday. The move places the Aztecs in what will become one of the nation’s strongest conferences and aligns the program with a league long synonymous with elite collegiate water polo.
“We are incredibly excited to take San Diego State women’s water polo into the Big West,” head coach Dana Ochsner said in a university release. “Becoming a part of such a prestigious water polo community is a phenomenal opportunity for our student-athletes, and we are eager for the elite level of competition ahead.”
The transition comes as the Big West expands its membership in Olympic sports, beginning in the 2027-28 school year. Along with San Diego State, the conference is adding Fresno State and San José State to women’s water polo, bringing the league to 10 programs.
The expanded conference will include Hawaii, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, CSUN, Cal State Fullerton, California Baptist, Fresno State, San José State, and SDSU.
Nine of the 10 future Big West members finished the 2026 season ranked in the Collegiate Water Polo Association’s final Top 25, including No. 16 San Diego State. Based on those rankings, the Big West will become the nation’s second-strongest women’s water polo conference in 2028.
“We look forward to building new traditions and rivalries in the Big West,” Ochsner said. “This move marks a thrilling new chapter for Aztec water polo, and we will be ready to compete.”
The move also reflects the continued reshaping of San Diego State athletics.
While most of SDSU’s sports programs officially enter the Pac-12 this week, women’s water polo will soon have a conference that better reflects the sport’s competitive landscape.
“The Big West is proud to expand meaningful championship pathways for student-athletes while strengthening several sports in which our conference has established a strong national presence,” Big West commissioner Dan Butterly said. “These institutions bring outstanding programs, competitive excellence, and a shared commitment to the student-athlete experience.”
The Aztecs have competed in the Golden Coast Conference since 2014 and have never finished lower than fourth in the standings. They have placed third or better eight times across 12 seasons and are coming off a 19-10 campaign in 2026 that ended with another third-place conference finish.
“It’s been a great experience being a part of the Golden Coast Conference, and we’re proud of our history in the league,” Ochsner said. “While we are looking forward to this new opportunity in the Big West, we are focused on completing our tenure in the GCC with a title in 2027.”
Against the programs that will comprise the Big West beginning in 2028, the Aztecs own a 187-123 all-time record, including a 3-2 mark during the 2026 regular season. They hold an overall winning record against all but two of their future conference opponents.
The numbers don’t guarantee success in the Big West, but they suggest SDSU won’t be entering unfamiliar waters. The Aztecs will arrive with a history of winning against many of their future conference opponents.
Beginning this season, East Village Times will expand its San Diego State coverage to include women’s water polo. Stay tuned throughout the 2027 campaign for game recaps, features, and coverage leading into the program’s move to the Big West.
