College Sports Established
1960
Location
San Diego, California
College Name
University of California San Diego
Collegiate History
2020 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2020 - Present / Big West Conference
Nickname
Tritons - The UC San Diego Tritons are an NCAA Division II powerhouse with impressive accomplishments that have earned them national recognition. But what's the story behind their nickname? It turns out that it has its roots in Greek mythology.
In Greek mythology, Triton was the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite - the god and goddess of the sea, respectively - who lived in a palace beneath the ocean waves. He is often depicted as having a half-human form, with one arm holding a conch shell trumpet used to calm or raise storms at his father's command. As such, he became known as "Lord of The Waves" and was seen as a powerful protector of overall marine life within his realm, making him an apt symbol for UCSD's athletic teams!
UCSD adopted this moniker in 1970 when they were still part of California Western University (now Alliant International University). After merging with San Diego State College two years later to become “The University Of California At San Diego” (UCSD), they decided to keep using “Tritons” as their mascot name due to its strong ties to both maritime culture and local history – fitting perfectly into UCSDs mission statement: "To educate students through excellence In teaching And research."
Today you can see this symbolism proudly displayed on campus buildings like Price Center East, featuring giant bronze statues depicting various aspects from ancient mythologies, including tritons blowing horns! So next time you're cheering on your favorite team, don't forget where their name comes from – Lord Of The Waves himself!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1970
- 1977
- 1981
- 1984
- 2014
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The first UC San Diego Tritons men’s soccer team is established.
In 1970, the first UC San Diego Tritons men’s soccer team was established. They began playing as a Division III team and eventually moved up to Division II in 2000. The team has had several successful seasons, including a run to the NCAA Division II championship game in 2014, where they lost to Lynn University. -
Lusia Harris-Stewart: Basketball Hall of Famer
Lusia Harris-Stewart: Basketball Hall of Famer and 3-time All-American in women’s basketball at Delta State University, where she won three national championships. After transferring to UCSD, she played for the Tritons and was named an All-American in 1977. -
UC San Diego Tritons men’s basketball team wins the NCAA Division III championship.
In 1981, the UC San Diego Tritons men’s basketball team won the NCAA Division III championship, becoming the first UCSD team to win a national championship. The Tritons, led by head coach Bill Mulligan, defeated Widener University 80-78 in the championship game, with senior guard Dennis Kane hitting the game-winning shot with just two seconds remaining. The team finished the ... -
UC San Diego Tritons baseball team wins the NCAA Division III championship
In 1984, the UC San Diego Tritons baseball team won their first NCAA Division III championship. The Tritons defeated Otterbein University in the championship game by a score of 6-3. The team was led by head coach Mike Morrow and standout players including pitcher Tim Layden and outfielder Steve Motske. The championship marked the first for the Tritons baseball program, ... -
UC San Diego Tritons women’s basketball team wins the CCAA championship
In 2014: UC San Diego Tritons women’s basketball team wins the CCAA championship and participates in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Tritons
The UC San Diego Tritons are one of the most successful and storied college sports teams in recent history. From their beginnings as a Division III team to their current status as an NCAA Division II powerhouse, the Tritons have had a long and impressive success, making them one of the most respected programs in all collegiate athletics.
Since joining NCAA Division II in 2000, UCSD's athletic program has been among the nation’s best. The men’s soccer team won four consecutive national championships from 2001-2004, while both basketball teams have earned multiple regional titles since then. In addition to these successes on the court and field, they boast impressive individual accomplishments; alumni include several Olympic medalists and professional athletes across various sports leagues worldwide, including Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Basketball Association (NBA).
In terms of academics, UCSD is widely regarded as having some very competitive programs, with many students earning prestigious degrees from universities such as Harvard or Stanford after graduating from there. This commitment towards excellence extends into its athletics department, where student-athletes must maintain high academic standards if they want to remain eligible for competition at any level within this university system – something which speaks volumes about how seriously it takes its role in providing quality education through sport participation opportunities for young people today!
Overall there can be no doubt that UC San Diego's Triton Sports Program truly deserves recognition amongst other great collegiate athletic institutions throughout the United States; not only does it provide exceptional training facilities, but it also provides top-notch coaching staff who help nurture student-athletes to become well-rounded individuals capable making positive contributions society post-graduation day! So whether you're looking to cheer your favorite team during the next big game or just curious to learn more about what makes up this unique institution - check everything available online related to UCSD Athletics Department today!