As a new season of University of the Pacific athletics begins, student-athletes are ready to chase milestones, championships and continued success as the 2026-27 campaign gets underway.

Nine of Pacific’s 21 NCAA Division I athletics programs will begin their season this fall, highlighted by three new head coaches and a host of new players looking to make an immediate impact.

Coming off back-to-back regular season West Coast Conference championships, men’s water polo seeks to continue its success in the pool, led by Head Coach James Graham, now in his 18th year at the helm. The Tigers are set to compete with the nation’s best and vie for a third straight regular season conference title.

“We are extremely excited about the team we built for this season, and the schedule is going to be a fantastic opportunity for us to prove the quality of our program every weekend,” Graham said.

The Tigers will host its home opener against defending national champion UCLA Sept. 4 as part of its non-conference schedule this year. This season’s conference schedule will feature league newcomers UC Davis and Saint Mary’s. Pacific will begin its season at the Brown Invitational in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Pacific men’s and women’s soccer program look to make their mark at Knoles Field this year. Women’s soccer Head Coach Jeff Freeman enters his second season leading the Tigers, while first-year men’s soccer Head Coach Andres Ochoa begins a new chapter for a program where he remains the all-time leader in assists. Ochoa is eager to build on the foundation established during the spring and elevate the program’s culture and performance.

"This upcoming fall will be exciting, challenging and filled with learning opportunities for our team and our staff," Ochoa said. "These three things are everything you want in soccer. We feel confident in the recruiting we have done and the progress we made this spring as we lay out the foundation for our program in this moment and going forward."

Ochoa and the men’s soccer team will start on the road at Utah Valley Aug. 20 and will kick off its home slate Aug.27 against UC Davis.

Jeff Hendershot will also make his debut as head coach for the women’s volleyball program. Hendershot, a former men’s volleyball player and assistant coach, is excited for the work his team has put in at preseason practices the last few weeks.

“This group has worked really hard this preseason, and you are going to see a team that plays with intention and fights for every point,” Hendershot said. “It’s great to be back and I can’t wait to see this team put it together on the floor this season.”

Women’s volleyball will begin its season at the Gael Bear Classic against University of California Aug. 28. The Tigers will play their first home match at the Alex G. Spanos Center Oct. 8 against Portland.

Men’s golf and cross country will also be in action throughout the fall. Both programs will host their home events during the month of October with cross country welcoming competitors to the Pacific Invitational Oct. 2 at Micke Grove Golf Course. Men’s golf will host the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational from Oct. 12-14.

“I’m not only excited to lead the program but build upon the program’s elite vision that we started last year,” said new Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Cherise Roberts. “I’m excited to host our meet and see how that builds for the future years.”

Men’s and women’s swimming and diving round out the Pacific’s competitions this fall. Head coach Katelyne Herrington enters her eighth season leading the program, which will host the second annual PAC Invite from Oct. 2-3.

The first home athletic event of the season will feature women’s soccer, which hosts Nevada at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at Knoles Field.

See the full athletics calendar here.