PEPPERDINE ATHLETICS
OUR MISSION
Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of PURPOSE , SERVICE , and LEADERSHIP.
WELCOME TO PEPPERDINE ATHLETICS
Since winning our first national championship in 1952, Pepperdine University has established a culture of excellence in athletics that is grounded in our identity as a premier Christian university committed to the highest levels of academic excellence.
At Pepperdine our core values serve as the foundation of our athletic programs and guide our approach to competition, leadership, and service—all pursued with integrity, respect, and compassion. Our commitment to excellence is inseparable from our Christian values and purpose-driven mission, which our athletes demonstrate every day through their performance on the court, their achievements in the classroom, and their leadership within their communities. Excellence is truly in the ethos at Pepperdine.
For decades Waves have achieved success at the highest levels under the guidance of athletic administrators and extraordinary coaches who have poured into our athletes and encouraged them to grow in mind, body, and spirit. We view the athletes we develop at Pepperdine as whole people. We don’t just measure success on the scoreboard; our exceptional athletes are testimonies to the transformative power of a Pepperdine education.
As a former student-athlete myself, I know the value of relationships built with teammates and coaches as well as the intentional development of resources that support their every need. Competing with purpose requires advocating for our studentathletes as they strive for greatness in all aspects of their lives, emphasizing their holistic development and preparing them to make meaningful contributions in their careers and communities. I look forward to building on the winning tradition of Pepperdine Athletics together as we develop leaders who thrive academically, athletically, morally, and spiritually.
TANNER GARDNER Director of Athletics
WE COMPETE WITH PURPOSE
As a Christian university, Pepperdine competes with a higher purpose. While athletic competition serves as a platform for personal growth, character, and leadership development, we compete to bring glory to God.
Through rigorous training, mentorship, and a nurturing environment guided by professors, athletics chaplains, training and performance staff, athletics-focused mental health therapists, and fellow student-athletes, Pepperdine Athletics equips student-athletes to align their athletic pursuits with a sense of purpose and service. By integrating faith and athletics, Pepperdine creates an environment where student-athletes are inspired to achieve their full potential and equipped with the tools and values to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
At Pepperdine, competing with purpose extends beyond the pursuit of championships to the development of lifelong values such as integrity, resilience, and teamwork. Pepperdine Athletics encourages student-athletes to uphold the highest ethical standards both on and off the field, harnessing the transformative power of sports to instill discipline, perseverance, and a strong work ethic. In short, Pepperdine Athletics cultivates student-athletes who excel not only in competition but also as leaders in life.
WE PLAY TO WIN
Pepperdine University boasts a rich legacy of athletic greatness grounded in a commitment to exemplary excellence in sportsmanship.
The Waves have consistently demonstrated excellence in NCAA Division I competition and earned notable national rankings and honors that illustrate Pepperdine’s dedication to developing well-rounded student-athletes. Since the men’s volleyball team clinched Pepperdine’s inaugural NCAA championship title in 1978, the Waves have consistently earned multiple conference championships and gained national recognition across a variety of sports.
More than 300 student-athletes on Pepperdine’s 17 teams compete in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference (WCC) for all sports with the exception of men’s volleyball, women’s swimming and diving, and women’s indoor track, which all compete within the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). The Waves also compete and excel against other non-conference opponents like local rivals University of Southern California and University of California, Los Angeles, while also competing against the best teams across the country.
2021
Men’s golf wins the NCAA Championship 2014
Women’s sand volleyball (now called beach volleyball) wins the AVCA National Championship
2012
Women’s sand volleyball wins the AVCA National Championship in the sport’s inaugural season
2006
Men’s tennis wins the NCAA Championship
2005
Men’s volleyball wins the NCAA Championship
1997
Men’s water polo wins the NCAA Championship
Men’s golf wins the NCAA Championship
1992
Baseball wins the NCAA College World Series
Men’s volleyball wins the NCAA Championship
1988
Robbie Weiss (’97) wins the NCAA men’s tennis singles title 1986
Men’s volleyball wins the NCAA Championship 1985
Carlos DiLaura and Kelly Jones win the NCAA men’s tennis doubles title
Men’s volleyball wins the NCAA Championship
1984
Jerome Jones (’84) and Kelly Jones win the NCAA men’s tennis doubles title
1978
Men’s volleyball wins the NCAA Championship
OLYMPIANS
LYNN WILLIAMS (’15]
GOLD: USA women’s soccer, 2024
2024
SEAN ROONEY (’05)
GOLD: USA men’s volleyball, 2008
GOLD: USA women’s soccer [Lynn Williams (’15)]
2020
GOLD: USA women’s volleyball (Kim Hill)
BRONZE: Brazil women’s tennis doubles (Luisa Stefani)
BRONZE: USA women’s soccer [Lynn Williams (’15)]
2016
BRONZE: USA women’s volleyball [Kim Hill (’12)]
2008
GOLD: USA men’s volleyball [Sean Rooney (’05)]
SILVER: USA men’s water polo [Merrill Moses (’99) and Jesse Smith (’05)]
SILVER: Sweden men’s tennis doubles [Simon Aspelin (’98)]
2000
GOLD: USA beach volleyball [Dain Blanton (’94)]
1992
BRONZE: USA men’s volleyball (Bob Ctvrtlik and Jeff Stork)
SILVER: USA men’s water polo [Terry Schroeder]
1988
GOLD: USA men’s volleyball [Craig Buck, Bob Ctvrtlik (’85), Jeff Stork (’85), and Troy Tanner (’92)]
SILVER: USA men’s water polo (Terry Schroeder (’81))
BRONZE: USA men’s tennis singles (Brad Gilbert)
1984
GOLD: USA men’s volleyball (Craig Buck)
SILVER: USA women’s volleyball [Linda Chisholm (’81)]
1964
SILVER: USA women’s track 4x100 relay (Marilyn White)
SILVER: USA modern pentathlon team [David Kirkwood (’56)]
WAVES IN THE PROS
These pros join hundreds of former Waves who have competed in and coached professional sports throughout Pepperdine’s decorated athletic history.
SAHITH THEEGALA (’20) Professional Golfers’ Association of America
(’92)
• Went pro in 2020
• Earned his PGA TOUR card for the 2021–2022 season
Won the 2023 Fortinet Championship
• Earned a top-10 finish in the 2023 Masters
• Career-high ranking of 11th in the world in 2024
Women’s Tennis Association
• First Brazilian woman ever ranked in the WTA top 10
• Career-high ranking of ninth in the world in 2021
• 2020 Olympics bronze medalist in women’s doubles for Brazil
• 2023 Australian Open mixed doubles champion
Reached the semifinal of the US Open in doubles in 2021 and 2023
Major League Baseball
Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 2001 MLB Draft
• Three-time MLB All-Star
• Twice finished in the top 10 in Cy Young Award voting
Current pitching strategist for the Arizona Diamondbacks
National Basketball Association
• Selected 17th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft first round by the Seattle Supersonics
• Storied career as a player with the Sacramento Kings
Current assistant coach of the Sacramento Kings
DOUG CHRISTIE
DAN HAREN
LUISA STEFANI
THE PEPPERDINE STUDENT-ATHLETE
At Pepperdine, the student is at the heart of the academic enterprise, and the University is dedicated to the academic success of its student-athletes with a variety of support systems and resources to ensure that they are provided the tools to achieve their academic goals while pursuing their athletic dreams.
At the core of this commitment is the belief that academic achievement is as vital as athletic prowess. The Athletics Academic Services office provides academic resources and leadership development for student-athletes to assist them in earning their degrees so they may reach their fullest academic and personal development.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Waves have earned major academic awards over the years and consistently post impressive overall averages in NCAA Academic Progress Rate metrics and NCAA Graduation Success Rates (GSR), often higher than the national average. In 2023 the Waves boasted an overall GSR rate of 95 percent, better than the national average of 91 percent. This data covered student-athletes who enrolled between 2013 and 2017.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
Advisors work closely with athletes to create personalized academic plans that balance rigorous training and competition schedules with coursework requirements. This ensures that athletes can excel both on the field and in the classroom without compromising their academic progress.
STUDY SUPPORT
Tutoring sessions, study halls, and academic workshops are designed to enhance student-athletes’ understanding of course materials and help them manage the demands of their athletic commitments.
HOW WE THRIVE
CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Building Waves, Pepperdine Athletics’ professional development program, prepares student-athletes for life after Pepperdine by clarifying their career interests, establishing connections with alumni and industry experts, and increasing their confidence in their transferable professional skills. Student-athletes can participate in resume and career skills trainings, networking events, one-on-one mentoring, and “life beyond sports” events and workshops.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
As a Christian university, Pepperdine guides spiritual exploration, expression, and growth among its student-athletes. Student-athletes are invited to attend Athlete Chapel led by the athletics chaplain every Wednesday evening during the academic year (open to all) and participate in student-led weekly small groups. Student-athletes also connect with the athletics chaplain for one-on-one discipleship. Pepperdine coaches, who embody the values and character of the University’s mission, regularly integrate Bible studies, faith-based books, and prayer throughout their interactions with student-athletes both individually and in team settings.
Through Step Forward Days, Pepperdine’s campus-wide service campaign, and other community-outreach initiatives, student-athletes are involved in establishing a legacy of service. A recent tradition brings a select group of student-athletes on mission trips in partnership with local missionaries to assist with church maintenance projects and share their testimonies with local youth and church members.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Recognizing the importance of mental health throughout the student-athlete experience, Pepperdine offers counseling services, wellness programs, and resources dedicated to stress management and resilience, as well as a sport psychology staff devoted to working specifically with student-athletes.
COMMUNITY AND BELONGING
The Waves Leadership Council collaborates closely with coaches, administrators, and staff to address key issues affecting student-athletes, promote community engagement, and advocate for the interests of athletes at the University. Through various activities, workshops, and service projects, the council empowers student-athletes to develop essential leadership skills and fosters a culture of service to help student-athletes grow personally, excel academically, and make meaningful contributions to their communities on and off the field.
The Athletics Diversity Council builds a diverse community of fellowship anchored by a set of core values—education, empathy, and engagement—that celebrates individual differences and fosters a sense of belonging. Through our faith and commitment to each other, we continue to maintain an environment where we are better and stronger together.
WHERE WE PLAY
Malibu’s mild Mediterranean climate offers an unparalleled training environment for student-athletes. With an average of 281 sunny days per year, mild temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low 80s, and low humidity, our student-athletes have the advantage of training year-round.
FIRESTONE FIELDHOUSE
Firestone Fieldhouse, the University’s multipurpose athletic facility, serves as the heart of Pepperdine Athletics where champions are made and legacies are created. Home to Pepperdine’s men’s and women’s basketball games and men’s and women’s volleyball matches, student-athletes experience unforgettable moments on the polished hardwood floors of the court that welcomes more than 3,000 attendees for sporting events and concerts, graduation ceremonies, and speaker events.
EDDY D. FIELD STADIUM
Pepperdine’s baseball games are played at Eddy D. Field Stadium, one of the nation’s most picturesque collegiate facilities. With its meticulously maintained diamond and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Eddy D. Field Stadium is where the Waves have won approximately 70 percent of their home games over the years.
TARI FRAHM ROKUS FIELD
Located among the scenic beauty of Malibu, this premier facility, the home of the Pepperdine women’s soccer team since the program came into existence in the fall of 1993, features immaculate turf and a stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The Waves hosted NCAA Tournament first-round matches in Malibu in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
STOTSENBERG TRACK
The Stotsenberg Track, a quarter-mile track with four lanes and an all-weather surface, is home to Pepperdine’s men’s and women’s track and cross country teams. In addition to Stotsenberg Track, the picturesque Alumni Park on the Malibu campus has hosted the WCC Cross Country Championships and the Waves Invitational.
RALPHS-STRAUS TENNIS CENTER
The Pepperdine men’s and women’s tennis teams play all home dual matches at the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center. The nine-court, fully lighted facility served as the host site for the 1995 NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Championships, the first time an NCAA championship event was held at Pepperdine. The complex includes seating for nearly 2,000 people. During the summer of 1998, the 800-seat Harilela International Grandstand was added to the facility.
RALEIGH RUNNELS MEMORIAL POOL
The site of the 1984 Olympic water polo competition and a frequent training facility for the US national water polo team, Pepperdine’s Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool has come to be known as one of the premier aquatic centers located on one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool served as the host facility for the 1983 FINA Cup, the 2000 NCAA Championships, the 2008 MPSF Championships, the 2019 Golden Coast Conference Tournament, and the inaugural WCC Championships in 2023. In addition to men’s water polo, Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool is the home of the women’s swimming and diving team and has been the site of several distinguished swimming competitions, including the Nick Rodionoff Invitational named for the longtime women’s swim/dive head coach.
281
SUNNY DAYS PER YEAR
60-80°
YEAR ROUND TEMPERATURES
BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURTS
Home of the Pepperdine women’s beach volleyball team, the Pepperdine Beach Volleyball Courts contain three sand courts that serve as the site for all home beach contests.
SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTER
Pepperdine’s Sports Performance Center is a strength and conditioning facility that is used specifically for the University’s varsity athletic teams. The facility features state-of-the-art strength and conditioning equipment.
ATHLETIC TRAINING CENTER
The Athletic Training Center is an athlete-only recovery and rehabilitative services center that provides sports medicine services to more than 300 student-athletes at Pepperdine through certified athletic trainers. The center prioritizes injury prevention, management of athletic injuries, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Services offered at the Athletic Training Center allow easy access to sports medicine services for Pepperdine student-athletes; encourage a philosophy among coaching staff that places a high value on health, wellness, and proper care of injured athletes; and enable injured student-athletes to return to their sports as soon as medically safe.
THE FUTURE OF PEPPERDINE ATHLETICS THE MOUNTAIN AT MULLIN PARK
The Mountain at Mullin Park, Pepperdine’s highly anticipated student recreation and event center, celebrated its groundbreaking in September 2023.
Elevating the student experience and actively advancing the University’s commitment to growing an authentic community of belonging, the Mountain will transform Pepperdine’s campus life and raise the standard of excellence for our Waves athletics teams. The 161,000-square-foot event, fitness, and wellness complex will serve as the focal point for Pepperdine Athletics while raising the expectations of our already high-achieving athletic programs.
This state-of-the-art complex will be home to leading fitness and wellness resources for the entire Pepperdine community, and the estimated 3,600-seat arena will give our basketball and indoor volleyball teams an extraordinary home-court facility commensurate with top competitors throughout the West Coast Conference. The arena will feature a 360-degree, high-definition scoreboard and video system that will display on-court action as well as an amenity-filled clubhouse and two exclusive viewing suites to ensure Pepperdine VIPs get a clear full-court view of our Waves teams in action.
Custom-designed locker rooms for our men’s and women’s basketball and indoor volleyball teams will ensure ample personal storage space for each athlete, support the daily grind of long hours of practice, bolster team confidence, and help to sustain a high-performance culture. Adjacent to the arena, the multi-activity court will serve as the main practice facility for our teams as well as a recreation space for students.
Opening in the fall of 2026, the Mountain will provide student-athletes with state-of-the-art athletic facilities and open up new opportunities for signature University-wide events. Students will enjoy concerts, distinguished lectures and discussion panels on prevailing issues, worship services, career fairs, TED Talks, dinner programs, and much more.
MULTI-ACTIVITY COURT (MAC)
Concept renderings. Subject to change.
