Gonzaga Athletics Annual Report 2025-26

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK

Logan Schwartz was named the WCC Freshman of the Year in his debut season, running the 5th fastest 8k time in program history with 23:34.8 at the WCC Championships.

Paul Talens and Logan Law represented the Zags in the NCAA Outdoor Track Championship Prelims in the steeplechase. GU has sent a runner to the NCAA Championship Prelims in the steeplechase in each of the past 12 seasons.

MEN’S ROWING

Men’s rowing defeated Oregon State for the first time in 13 years. The Zags set the tone in the marquee Varsity 8+ race, where Gonzaga clocked a winning time of 5:54.63, edging Oregon State’s 5:57.70 performance to secure the victory over a nationally-ranked opponent.

WOMEN’S ROWING

The Bulldogs won the Fawley Cup for the second straight year and fifth time in program history. The 1V8 boat edged Washington State with a time of 7:20.88 to the Cougars’ 7:23.04. The win also gave the Zags WCC Crew of the Week honors.

GONZAGA BASEBALL SETS RECORDS IN TITLE-WINNING FINAL WCC SEASON

Gonzaga baseball had another historic year in 2026, capturing the West Coast Conference regular season title in their final year ahead of a move to the Pac-12. The Zags won the WCC by six and a half games, the largest conference winning margin of any team in the league since 1992. They finished with a 35-19 record, highlighted by a nation-leading 14-game winning streak during the month of April. Gonzaga swept the major conference awards, with Mark Machtolf winning his sixth WCC Coach of the Year Award. Machtolf broke the Gonzaga baseball career wins record this season, moving atop the record book with 658 career wins.

Mikey Bell repeated as the WCC Player of the Year, the first Zag ever

MACHTOLF BREAKS WINS RECORD

Mark Machtolf added another milestone to one of the most accomplished coaching careers in Gonzaga athletics history, becoming the winningest head coach in Gonzaga baseball history during a standout 2026 season.

In his 23rd season leading the Bulldogs, Machtolf reached 658 career victories, passing longtime Gonzaga head coach Steve Hertz, the same coach who first brought him back to Spokane as a Division I assistant. The record is more

to repeat the honor and just the third player in the history of the WCC to win the award in back-to-back years. He hit for a .430 average in WCC play this year, with 87 total bases across just 27 conference games. Bell ended the regular season tied for the fourth-most doubles of any Division I baseball player this year with 24. He holds a career batting average of .369 across his two years

at Gonzaga, the second-highest career batting average for a Gonzaga player since 2000 and the eighthhighest ever recorded in program history.

Karsten Sweum won the WCC Pitcher of the Year Award, striking out a conference-leading 110 batters, the 10th-highest punchout total in a single season in Gonzaga history.

than a number. It reflects more than two decades of consistency, development and sustained success for a program that became a West Coast Conference standard under his leadership.

Machtolf’s impact has stretched across eras of Gonzaga baseball. He closed the Bulldogs’ time in the WCC with 342 conference wins, the most among active league coaches at the time of Gonzaga’s move to the Pac-12 and the second-most in conference history. At home, his teams have been especially strong, winning more than 64 percent of their games in Spokane.

His legacy also lives through the players he has mentored. Under Machtolf, Gonzaga has produced 143 All-WCC selections, 15 AllAmericans, 55 MLB Draft picks and 16 players who have reached the major leagues. Along the way, he has helped shape not only winning teams, but generations of Bulldogs who elevated the program on the field, in the classroom and beyond.

For all the accolades, the recordsetting victory stands as a defining moment: a fitting tribute to a coach whose steady leadership has shaped Gonzaga baseball’s past, present and future.

Sweum also threw the sixth no-hitter in program history on May 9 against San Francisco, striking out 15 batters on just 93 pitches. His historic no-hit outing also tied for the second-most strikeouts in a single game by a Gonzaga pitcher. Sweum had the best ERA of any pitcher in conference play, posting a 2.62 ERA in WCC regular season action.

Landon Hood won the WCC Freshman of the Year Award after winning freshman of the week honors six times during the season. Hood was named to the Midseason Freshman All-American Second Team by Perfect Game and honored on the College Baseball Foundation’s midseason shortlist for National Pitcher of the Year. His total season ERA of 2.48 led the Zags, while he averaged 13 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. Hood held opponents to just a .162 batting average, the second-lowest recorded batting average against of any

pitcher in Gonzaga history, behind only current Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Casey Legumina.

Bell and Sweum were named to the WCC All-Conference First Team alongside Maddox Haley, Ryder Young, and Justin Feld. Haley set a new program record with a huge hit streak, while getting a hit in 29 straight games across March and April. Ryder Young had the most home runs of any WCC player in conference games with 10, while Feld closed out a strong senior season on the mound with 62 strikeouts, a league-leading 26 of which were on a called third strike.

The Zags had a tremendous year at the plate, breaking a program record for doubles in a season with 137. Gonzaga finished the season ranked fifth in the nation in doubles per game. GU also had their best batting average and hits per game since 2008, with marks of .312 and

11.1. The Bulldogs had 63 home runs, the most in a season since 2002, and ended the season with 406 total runs scored, the most in a Gonzaga season since 1999.

This year also saw another Gonzaga baseball alum make it to Major League Baseball, with William Kempner, a Zag from 2020-2022, making his MLB debut on May 5 with the Miami Marlins. Kempner is the 32nd Gonzaga player to make an appearance in the MLB. Gonzaga has had a player drafted in every full MLB draft since 1999, and there are currently 14 Gonzaga baseball alumni playing professionally after being drafted by their respective MLB franchises.

Gonzaga swept the state of Washington, defeating every other Division I baseball program while going a perfect 8-0 against other schools in the state. The Zags outscored other schools in the state by a total of 95 to 44 across eight games against Seattle, Washington and Washington State. GU ended the season with a 22-5 record in conference play, the most wins in WCC play in program history. After 30 years playing baseball in the West Coast Conference, the Zags will take on a new test when they join the Pac-12. The new-look Pac-12 has the fourth-highest average win percentage of any conference over the past five years with a .552 across all seven members.

Women’s Basketball

BULLDOGS BUILD ON TRADITION WITH ANOTHER STANDOUT YEAR

Gonzaga Bulldogs women’s basketball delivered another outstanding season in 2025-26, continuing its tradition of excellence within the West Coast Conference and on the national stage. Under the leadership of head coach Lisa Fortier, the Bulldogs reached the 20win mark for the 10th consecutive season and earned a return trip to the NCAA Tournament, marking their 16th appearance in program history.

Gonzaga’s success was fueled by one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. The Bulldogs ranked second nationally in three-point percentage (39.0%) and led the WCC in overall field goal percentage (45.4%). Their ability to stretch the floor was highlighted by All-WCC First Team selection Allie Turner, who led the conference with 89 made three-

pointers and tied a program singlegame record with nine threes against Saint Mary’s. As a team, Gonzaga consistently produced from beyond the arc, knocking down seven or more threes in 24 games while placing five players above 35% from three-point range.

Freshman standout Lauren Whittaker emerged as one of the top players in the nation, delivering a historic debut season. Whittaker was named both WCC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year—becoming the first player in program history to earn both honors in the same season. She

led the conference in scoring (19.1), rebounding (10.2), and field goal percentage (53.6), while setting Gonzaga freshman records for points (649), rebounds (348), double-doubles (17), and single-game scoring (37). Her dominance helped anchor a team that outrebounded opponents in 31 games and ranked sixth nationally in rebound margin (+11.0).

Gonzaga’s depth was further reflected in its postseason honors, including WCC Sixth Woman of the Year recognition for Jaiden Haile and strong contributions from a talented freshman class. The Bulldogs placed two players on the All-WCC First Team and continued a remarkable streak of producing conference award winners, including four consecutive WCC Players of the Year.

The Zags also reached a significant milestone this season, as Fortier secured her 300th career victory, becoming the fastest coach in program history to achieve the mark. Her sustained success has helped Gonzaga remain a dominant force in the WCC, where the program has captured 11 WCC tournament titles and 20 regular-season titles.

With a balanced roster, record-setting individual performances, and continued postseason presence, Gonzaga once again demonstrated the strength and consistency that define its women’s basketball program.

WHITTAKER TAKEOVER

Freshman phenom Lauren Whittaker delivered one of the most remarkable debut seasons in program history, quickly establishing herself as the centerpiece of the Gonzaga Bulldogs women’s basketball success in 2025-26. From the opening tip, Whittaker showcased a rare combination of scoring efficiency, rebounding dominance, and consistency that set her apart both within the West Coast Conference and nationally.

Whittaker led the WCC in scoring (19.1 points per game), rebounding (10.2), and field goal percentage, while shooting an impressive 53.6% from the floor. Her 649 total points rank second among freshmen nationally and sixth in Gonzaga single-season history. Along the way, she rewrote the program’s freshman record book—setting new marks for total points, rebounds (348), and double-doubles (17), the latter also ranking among the nation’s best.

Her ability to take over games was evident throughout the season. Whittaker recorded 13 games with 20 or more points, including a 37-point performance against Oregon State that set a new freshman single-game scoring record. She also reached double figures in 25 contests, proving to be a steady and reliable force every night.

For her historic efforts, Whittaker was named both WCC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, becoming the first player in Gonzaga history to earn both honors in the same season. Her impact extended beyond individual accolades, as she helped power Gonzaga to another 20-win season and an NCAA Tournament berth.

With a record-breaking foundation already in place, Whittaker’s freshman campaign signals the beginning of what promises to be a standout collegiate career.

Men’s Basketball

THEIR LAST DANCE IN THE WCC

In their final chapter as West Coast Conference members, the Bulldogs put together a 31-win season — claiming conference titles, rewriting the record books, and reminding the country that Gonzaga remains elite

There is a particular weight that comes with a final season. Banners don’t announce it. Schedules don’t acknowledge it. But everyone inside the McCarthey Athletic Center felt it from the first possession in November to the last one in Portland in March. Gonzaga’s 2025-26 men’s basketball season was a farewell worthy of the program it honored.

When the final buzzer sounded on the Bulldogs’ last game as members of the West Coast Conference, the numbers told a story that needed no embellishment. Thirty-one victories. A 15-0 home record. An 18.1-point scoring margin that ranked among the best in Mark Few’s 27-year tenure. A 27th regular-season conference title, a 23rd tournament title, and a 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance — the third-

longest active streak in Division I. And a coach whose name, at long last, belongs in Springfield.

A Masterclass Non-Conference Campaign

The tone was set before a single WCC game was played. Gonzaga completed what may stand as the finest non-conference schedule in program history, finishing 15-2 with a program-record eight wins against power-conference opponents. The Zags hammered Kentucky 94-59, the program’s second-largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent, limiting the Wildcats to a seasonlow 26.7 percent from the field in Nashville. They also topped Alabama, Maryland, UCLA, and Oregon, outscoring non-conference foes by an average of 24.8 points. In one transcendent November evening,

the Zags set a program record with a 122-50 dismantling of Southern Utah, finishing at 68.1 percent from the field.

A Cast Built for a Championship Run

Graham Ike was the engine, but this Gonzaga team ran on several cylinders. Braden Huff was a revelation before his season was cut short, averaging 17.8 points on a staggering 66.2 percent from the field in 18 games, including a historic 37-point, 16-of-18 shooting night against Campbell that may have been the single greatest shooting performance in McCarthey Athletic Center history.

Tyon Grant-Foster contributed 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and a teamleading 38 blocks while surpassing 1,500 career points in the WCC

Tournament. Mario Saint-Supery led the team with 3.8 assists per game and shot 40.3 percent from three. Jalen Warley, arriving from Florida State, proved indispensable at both ends; his 1.5 steals per game led the team and his 56.6 percent field goal percentage from a guard position was remarkable. Davis Fogle and Saint-Supery both earned spots on the WCC All-Freshman Team.

Defending like Champions

A defining signature of this Gonzaga team was its defense, which was one of the nation’s best, by the numbers that matter most. The Bulldogs held seven opponents to their season-low scoring output. Portland was limited to 48 points and 22 turnovers. Kentucky shot 26.7 percent from the field. Arizona State was held

to a regular season-low 21 made field goals. The Zags forced 493 opponent turnovers, averaging 14.1 giveaways per game from their foes, while committing just 9.6 per game themselves, a turnover margin of plus-4.5. Gonzaga made 320 more field goals than its opponents this season, a number that led all of Division I. This was not a team that simply outscored you. It suffocated you.

Going Out on Top in Vegas

The WCC season unfolded like a coronation. Gonzaga went 16-2 in conference play, started 10-0 for the first time since 2021-22, and rode a 15-game win streak into February. The WCC tournament brought wins over Oregon State and Santa Clara, with Grant-Foster and Saint-

Supery combining for 41 points in the championship game, to deliver the program’s 23rd tournament title and 27th WCC regular-season crown overall. It was a goodbye to the league befitting a dynasty.

The NCAA Tournament sent the Zags to Portland, as a No. 3 seed in the West region, and a first-round win over 14th-seeded Kennesaw State. It was Gonzaga’s 17th consecutive opening-round victory, a mark no other program in the country can claim. Warley delivered a doubledouble and three steals. Fogle poured in 17 off the bench. The Zags’ season ended in the second round with a loss to Texas. Ike scored 25 in his final game in a GU uniform.

The 2025-26 Gonzaga Bulldogs won 31 games. They never lost at home. They were one of the best in the country in defensive efficiency. They claimed two conference championships in the program’s final WCC season, extended the most remarkable streak of winning in modern college basketball, 19 straight 25-win seasons, 29 straight 20-win seasons, 29 straight conference tournament championship game appearances, and did it all behind a coach who, on April 4, was confirmed as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

The address changes July 1. The standard, as it always has been in Spokane, does not.

GOLDEN GRAHAM

The Big Man Leaves a Big Legacy

Graham Ike’s impact on Gonzaga basketball can’t be measured by numbers alone, but the numbers are impossible to ignore.

A dominant force in the paint, Ike capped his collegiate career as the nation’s active leading scorer, surpassing 2,500 career points while adding more than 1,000 rebounds, an achievement unmatched in Division I. His senior season elevated him even further into elite territory: nearly 20 points and eight rebounds per game, paired with remarkable efficiency above 56 percent shooting.

Yet what defined Ike’s season, and his legacy, was consistency. Double-doubles became routine. Big performances became expected.

THE STORY STILL

FITS

In March 2026, Gonzaga men’s basketball’s remarkable story reached a national streaming audience with the release of Gonzaga: The Slipper Still Fits, a feature-length Tubi Original documentary chronicling the program’s rise from underdog to perennial national power.

A program-record nine consecutive 20-point games underscored his ability to take over stretches of the season, while standout performances against top competition proved his production translated on the biggest stages.

The West Coast Conference Player of the Year didn’t just lead Gonzaga, he anchored it. In conference play, Ike was virtually unstoppable, combining physicality, footwork, and touch to control games inside. His presence dictated defensive schemes, opened opportunities for teammates, and set the tone on both ends of the floor.

National recognition followed. Ike earned All-American honors, landed on major award watch lists, and

The film offered fans, alumni and college basketball audiences an inside look at the people, moments and values that have shaped one of the sport’s most compelling success stories. Centered on Head Coach Mark Few’s leadership and the program’s foundation of hard work, loyalty and humility, the documentary traced Gonzaga’s evolution from a small Jesuit

was named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, solidifying his place among the country’s premier frontcourt players.

But beyond accolades, Ike’s influence ran deeper. His work ethic, preparation, and resilience, particularly through earlier injury setbacks, set a standard within the program. Teammates followed his example. Coaches trusted his reliability. Opponents felt his presence every possession.

In a program built on sustained excellence, Ike’s career stands out for its completeness. Scorer, rebounder, leader—he delivered in every facet.

For Gonzaga, Graham Ike wasn’t just a star. He was the foundation of one of its most formidable teams.

university in Spokane to a brand recognized across the country each March.

Directed by Emmy winner David Check and produced in partnership with Teton Ridge Entertainment and Words + Pictures, the documentary featured interviews with some of the most recognizable names connected to the program, including Few, John

A FEW IN THE HALL

On April 4, 2026, the basketball world honored a legacy of sustained excellence that has defined Gonzaga University for over a quarter-century. During the Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, Bulldogs’ head coach Mark Few was officially announced as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

For Few, the honor is the crowning achievement of a career built on a foundation of consistency, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to his players. “This is the greatest news ever,” Few said upon learning of his selection. “It’s a thrill to be elected to the Hall of Fame, something I never would have imagined happening in my life.”

Few’s journey from a graduate assistant in 1989 to a Hall of Fame

Stockton, Adam Morrison, Steve Kerr, Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard, Jalen Suggs and Domantas Sabonis.

The release generated significant attention across local, regional and national media, amplifying Gonzaga’s brand well beyond the court. Since its debut, the documentary has been a major success, drawing thousands

Mark Few Named to Naismith Hall of Fame 2026 Class

inductee is the stuff of collegiate legend. Since taking the helm in 1999, he has transformed Gonzaga from a regional “Cinderella” into a perennial national powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Tournament in 27 consecutive seasons, a streak that stands as a testament to his program’s relentless standards.

His resume is unparalleled: two National Championship appearances (2017, 2021), 23 West Coast Conference regular-season titles, and 21 conference tournament championships. Few also recently became the second-fastest coach in NCAA history to reach 750 career wins, maintaining the highest active winning percentage in Division I.

Beyond the numbers, Few’s impact is felt in the 23 All-Americans he

of views and providing another platform to showcase the tradition, culture and sustained excellence of Gonzaga basketball.

More than a retrospective, The Slipper Still Fits is a celebration of a program built through belief, consistency and community, and a reminder that Gonzaga’s story continues to resonate with fans

has mentored and his contributions to USA Basketball, including a gold medal as an assistant coach in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As he prepares for enshrinement this August in Springfield, Few remains characteristically humble, crediting the “incredible people” who have walked the halls of the McCarthey Athletic Center alongside him. For the Gonzaga community, this induction isn’t just an individual award; it is a celebration of the culture he built.

everywhere. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it anytime on Tubi. And if you have seen it, it’s worth watching again.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 TEAM BASE CAMP

Team Egypt Base Camp Selection Highlights Transformational Year for Gonzaga

Gonzaga University’s selection as a Team Base Camp Training Site for FIFA World Cup 2026™ marked a milestone moment for the University, Gonzaga Athletics, the Spokane community and the Inland Northwest. In partnership with the City of Spokane, Gonzaga was chosen to host Egypt’s national team as it prepares for the world’s largest sporting event, placing the University and city on a global stage in advance of the 2026 tournament.

The honor carried significant distinction. Gonzaga was one of only 48 Team Base Camp locations selected for participating nations across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and one of only eight universities chosen to serve as a host site. For an athletic department rooted in national excellence, community connection and global engagement, the selection recognized Gonzaga’s facilities while creating a powerful opportunity to showcase Spokane to an international audience.

Each FIFA World Cup team selects a Team Base Camp Training Site to serve as its “home away from home”

during the tournament. Egypt, a seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champion and one of Africa’s most storied footballing nations, will train at Gonzaga while competing in group-stage matches in Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The selection followed more than a year of collaboration between Gonzaga University and other community partners with all entities working closely with FIFA to position Spokane as a potential base camp location. That effort culminated in a historic announcement for the region, strengthening Gonzaga’s profile as a place capable of supporting elite international competition while reinforcing Spokane’s growing reputation as a destination for major sporting events.

At the heart of the selection was Luger Field, Gonzaga’s premier soccer facility. Opened in 2008, Luger Field features two pitches, lights, a videoboard, a press box, a plaza, a ticket booth, seating for 1,500 fans and nearby meeting space and team amenities. Its location in the heart of campus, near

downtown Spokane, hotels, outdoor recreation and transportation access, made it an ideal training environment for a World Cup delegation.

The opportunity also produced a lasting facility benefit for Gonzaga Athletics. As part of the preparation to host Egypt, new natural turf was installed at Luger Field, enhancing the FIFA World Cup experience while providing a long-term upgrade for Gonzaga student-athletes. The improved surface will continue to benefit the University’s soccer programs through daily training, competition, student-athlete development and future event hosting opportunities.

For Gonzaga, the achievement aligned with the University’s mission and Jesuit values. Hosting a national team from across the globe reflects Gonzaga’s commitment to global engagement, cultural exchange and educating students for lives of leadership and service. For Spokane, the selection represented a major civic achievement and a moment of pride for local soccer fans, families and businesses.

LAYING FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Donor Support Delivers Major Facility Improvements in Two Growing Women’s Programs

WOMEN’S SOCCER LOCKER ROOM RENOVATION

New state-of-the-art lockers for each student-athlete

Updated team lounge and supplemental nutrition station

Relocation of showers and bathrooms

New branding

Our team has poured years of hard work into building this program, and as we continue to grow, so does the standard we set for our student-athletes. The locker room is a space our players spend meaningful time in—preparing for training, recovering, and connecting with each other. It’s an extension of the culture we’ve built, and our team deserves a space that reflects their commitment—a space that’s comfortable, functional, and supports their ability to compete at the highest level.

KATIE BENZ Head Coach

NEW TARAFLEX FLOORING FOR VOLLEYBALL

Installation of a Taraflex sport performance floor designed specifically for volleyball

Shock-absorbing surface that supports joint health and injury prevention

Enhanced traction and ball response for elite-level competition and training

A visible upgrade that strengthens recruiting, program reputation, and alumni pride

Long-term investment in student-athlete safety, performance, and longevity

Consistent, reliable surface used by NCAA Championships, Olympic Games, and international competitions

Investing in a Taraflex floor is an investment in the health, safety, and future success of our student-athletes. This proven, championship-level surface will help us recruit top talent, prevent injuries, and provide our Zags with the elite environment they deserve to succeed both in competition and practice.

JT WENGER Head Coach

Zags360, Gonzaga’s student-athlete wellness initiative, communicates the deep and mission-aligned commitment to provide Gonzaga’s teams and student-athletes the resources they need to realize their potential and excel in and out of competition, in the classroom and in the community. Through Zags360, Gonzaga Athletics continues to ACTIVATE student-athletes’ learning and growth, ACCOMPANY them in and out of competition, and empower them to ACHIEVE lifelong wellness. This holistic approach to caring for and forming studentathletes has long distinguished Gonzaga, and the Zags360 initiative continues to explore how to best have a lasting impact on Zags.

Fr. Tim Breen, SJ, has completed his first year overseeing Zags360 as its program director. This year has included a deeper integration of Zags360 into the everyday experience of the student-athletes. Zags360’s dimensions were woven into many Life Skills resources, including the EDPE 195 orientation course and the Student-Athlete Leadership Institute. In the spring semester, student-athletes also were encouraged to use the Zags360 wheel as a reflective tool, recognize an area in which they want to grow, and set wellness goals.

While Zags360’s primary focus is the support and formation of studentathletes, it also serves as a way to tell the story of this approach to people who are not on Gonzaga’s campus every day. In addition to Zags360 being featured in Gonzaga

Athletics’ social media, Fr. Breen also had two articles published in March about Zags360’s approach of exercising cura personalis (holistic care of the person) in caring for its student-athletes.

The shift toward a data-informed approach to wellness continues to be central to Zags360. This year, several groups across Gonzaga’s campus have collaborated to develop an early version of a data dashboard for student-athletes to be able to track their holistic growth and be guided toward next steps. This dashboard will begin to roll out this fall, but not only for student-athletes.

Gonzaga University also aims to expand the Zags360 approach to the rest of campus. Gonzaga Athletics has spent the year collaborating with colleagues across campus to prepare a pilot cohort of Zags360 among the wider student body, beginning this coming fall. Stay tuned to hear how Zags360 will continue to expand across campus.

The landscape of college athletics is constantly shifting. However, Zags360 shows what does not change: Gonzaga’s commitment to the holistic care and development of its student-athletes, illustrated in these pages. As the university looks forward to the transition to the Pac-12 Conference, we are excited to continue to distinguish ourselves as its only private institution, where the Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic mission of Gonzaga continues to be a key part of the student-athlete experience.

Life After Sport

A program that embodies Zags360’s approach to lasting holistic wellness is the Life After Sport workshops.

In 2025-26 Gonzaga Athletics continued this series within its Life Skills curriculum. The development of these workshops was driven by student-athlete input with the aim of providing current and graduating Zags with resources and insight to serve them in their post-collegiate lives.

Fall programming was held in collaboration with Gonzaga’s Career and Professional Development Office and focused primarily on job search strategies and tactics uniquely well-suited to student-athletes entering the workforce. Studentathletes learned how to connect with resources by leveraging technology during the job search and highlighting their student-athlete experience through the interview process. Over 40 students attended the Life After Sport workshop in the fall.

In the spring semester programming shifted to the mental, physical and personal well-being of studentathletes transitioning out of sport. In February, 110 student-athletes heard from a panel of Gonzaga Athletics alumni – Liz Slamkowski (WXC), David Pendergraft (MBB), Sarah Dix (WTEN), Shaniqua Nilles (WBB), Nick Ulowetz (MSOC) and Wyatt Mills (BASE). The final Life After Sport workshop consisted of a panel of Gonzaga-affiliated health professionals. This panel covered lifelong strategies and tips related to nutrition, women’s health, general health practices, mental health, and strength & conditioning.

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

involves the maintenance of a healthy body, good physical health habits, good nutrition, exercise, and sleep, and obtaining appropriate health care.

Gonzaga continues to provide comprehensive support for student-athletes’ physical wellness. Particularly key are the Strength & Conditioning and Athletic Training staffs who consistently accompany the student-athletes and care for this key and very visible aspect of their overall wellbeing. Under the leadership of Bill Drake, Associate Athletic Director for StudentAthlete Health and Wellness, and Josh Therrien, Assistant Athletic Director for Health and Performance, Gonzaga looks to continue to activate student-athletes’ learning and growth through education that helps them develop good and lasting physical health habits, including nutrition, sleep, and seeking appropriate health care.

MENTAL WELLNESS

involves the ability to communicate and express both positive and difficult emotions, as well as to cope with emotions in a productive way, with a goal of achieving all-around well-being.

Health & Wellness

During the 2025-26 school year, Dr. Trish Nash, Director of Student Athlete Mental Health Services, connected with EMI to formalize a training program for master’s level trainees. This program allows us to bring in new providers with an interest in therapy and sport psychology to both learn and provide support for the student-athlete populations. Thus far we have had two trainees, Paul Swanson (through May 2026) and Aaron Howe (through May 2027) and hope to bring on a new trainee in Spring of 2027.

In addition, Dr. Nash is continuing to work on fine-tuning the Girl Talk/ We Talk program in order to increase attendance and access. This year, both once-a-month and twiceper-semester formats were tried, with sessions focusing on creating confidence and success, fueling, stress reduction, understanding mindfulness and creating team cohesion. In the coming year, we hope to work with the S.A.A.C. mental health committee to create a more discussion-based, studentathlete-led space for these groups, but enjoyed the success and learning from the sessions this year.

S.A.A.C. Mental Health Movie Nights

S.A.A.C. provided two Mental Health Movie Nights, one in fall semester and one in spring semester. For the fall movie night, student-athletes selected The Grinch to have a fun and lighthearted movie before finals week. For the spring movie night, student-athletes selected a documentary titled Untold: Breaking Point which is about Mardy Fish facing his mental health challenges on and off the court. Studentathletes had an opportunity to share their viewpoint and how it related to their sport.

SOCIAL WELLNESS

involves having a network of healthy relationships that provide connection, belonging, and meaningful mutual support.

COMMUNITY WELLNESS

involves connection to all that surrounds us. It includes being able to exist in spaces that are safe, healthy, and supportive and having a commitment to serving, maintaining, and bettering our microenvironment (where we live, learn, work, etc.) and our macroenvironment (the communities we belong to and the planet/ environment/creation).

Community Outreach Highlights

Student-athletes volunteered 2,904 hours in the community. This year 98% of student-athletes participated in community outreach events, with all 18 teams participating. S.A.A.C. put on four Gonzaga community drives at the women’s basketball games to help the local community. Student-athletes collected 1,137 items at the clothing drive and collected 5,148 items at the toiletries drives. At the final drive S.A.A.C. collected 2,606 items of healthy snacks.

Some of the other events that student-athletes were involved in this year included Civic Engagement Day volunteering. Zags went to Garfield Elementary on Election Day to read “I Voted” and talk about their college experience.

At our annual Trick or Treating with the Zags event in the fall, 160 student-athletes volunteered and provided candy to participating children. Over 60 student-athletes volunteered at the S.A.A.C. Easter Egg Hunt on campus offering over 2,300 eggs to the local Spokane community.

Student-athletes also continued their efforts in supporting Gonzaga Family Haven. The Zags have been able to create a lasting partnership with the families that live there, consistently serving meals every Wednesday evening and doing arts and crafts. S.A.A.C., alongside staff, were also able to craft 72 Christmas stockings

filled with gas, grocery, and gift cards for each family.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.)

S.A.A.C. is comprised of representatives from each Gonzaga athletic team whose main purpose is to serve as a student-athlete voice regarding student-athlete welfare within Gonzaga’s Athletic Department, the WCC and soon to the Pac-12, and the NCAA. As role models, S.A.A.C. also strives to develop leaders through Gonzaga’s long-standing Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic traditions by being firmly committed to service, opportunity, and social justice.

S.A.A.C. Officers 2025-26

(Back) Lucy Coyle (WROW) - Secretary, Chema Preciado (MSOC) - Media & Promotions Co-Chair, Oscar Rashed (MTEN) - Vice President, Cooper Loney (MROW) - Volunteer Co-Chair, Lauren Whittaker (WBB) - Media & Promotions Co-Chair, (Front) Hannah Gray (WSOC) - President, Lula Macey (WROW) - Diversity & Inclusion Chair, Taylor Mularski (WGOLF) - Student-Athlete Wellness Co-Chair, Samantha Sabin (WROW) - Volunteer Co-Chair, Guillermo Polo Bodart (MGOLF) - Student-Athlete Wellness Co-Chair.

S.A.A.C. Social Justice Series

S.A.A.C. Social Justice Series continued in its fourth year as a subcommittee for S.A.A.C. Student-athletes continued active conversations on intersectionality, belonging versus inclusion, and current events. Even more, S.A.A.C. Social Justice Series actively participated in community events. In celebration of Black History Month, student-athletes joined the Spokesman Review-Black Voices Symposium where high school students share their poetry, prose, and art to showcase their personal experiences based on the theme of Art as Activism. Student-athletes engaged in candid conversations about current topics through “Zags in the kNOW”. The S.A.A.C. Social Justice Series has been able to continue to expand not only through campus partners but also in the Spokane community.

Student-Athlete Leadership Institute

The Student-Athlete Leadership Institute is designed to further develop student-athletes’ leadership skills as students, athletes, and leaders on campus and in the community. Participants included:

Avery Day - Women’s Rowing

Kana Barlag - Women’s Rowing

Jenna Kleckler - Women’s Rowing

Rory Taylor - Women’s Rowing

Raechelle Dykstra - Volleyball

Sydney Head - Women’s Soccer

Amelia Severn - Women’s Soccer

Allie Turner - Women’s Basketball

Ella Nielsen - Women’s Tennis

Emily Robertson - Women’s Tennis

Brooke Miles - Women’s XC/Track

Marco Alfieri - Men’s Rowing

Bradley Williams - Men’s Rowing

Brendan Kelly - Men’s Rowing

Hayden Roberts - Men’s XC/Track

Logan Schwartz - Men’s XC/Track

Caden Swanson - Men’s XC/Track

Zag Community Building

S.A.A.C. prides itself in bringing together all Zags, making them feel

part of the family by providing community building events. They put together three events including a Welcome Back Kickball tournament, a Winter Formal, and a Spring Tailgater bean-bag-toss tournament.

SPIRITUAL WELLNESS

involves connection to and grounding in a source of ultimate meaning that brings perspective, balance, purpose, inner freedom, and peace.

Bulldog Athlete Ministry (BAM)

BAM aims to create a space for student-athletes to accompany one another in their journey toward discovering their best selves by providing opportunities for prayer, self-reflection, and meaningful connection with friends and teammates both inside and outside of sports. BAM has opportunities to grow in faith, leadership and service, and is a unique ecumenical experience, bringing together Zags from many different faith backgrounds.

This year, Fr. Tim Breen, SJ, and campus minister Davin ThomsenTang collaborated with the studentathlete leadership group to discern some key themes for student-athlete reflection. This year’s leaders were Alexi Fogo (WXC/T), Lucy Coyle (WROW), Lola Clark (WROW), Savannah Johnson (WTEN), Tommy O’Neil (MXC/T), and Charlie Olson (MGOLF). The group chose to focus on faith-grounded leadership and a revisiting of conflict and reconciliation. A key emerging theme was how to surrender and let go in challenging moments of life.

BAM also wrapped up the academic year with a service opportunity. Student-athletes collaborated to assemble food and toiletry kits for members of Spokane’s unhoused community and spent time delivering and being present with them. BAM was very grateful to welcome several wonderful guest speakers from the Gonzaga Athletics community who shared about their own faith background and experiences. The annual BAM Valentine’s Day panel on faith and relationships included guest couples Lisa and Craig Fortier (WBB) and Sophia Sedlar (Strength & Conditioning) and her husband, DJ. Jillian Hall, Director of Life Skills Development, also came to share her perspective on leadership grounded in faith.

Sport Chaplaincy

Fr. Bryan Pham, SJ, continues to crisscross the country for his various roles, including accompanying men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball as their chaplain. He connects with both current and former student-athletes, as well as their families, providing various types of pastoral care, including one-onone pastoral counseling and spiritual direction.

FINANCIAL WELLNESS

involves a sense of knowledge about how to manage personal finances.

Zags360 always looks to prepare student-athletes to succeed in whatever comes next after Gonzaga. Financial literacy is an integral part of helping empower student-athletes to make informed financial decisions. Workshops and other resources give student-athletes the opportunity to take control of their current and future financial situation.

Financial Literacy

In the spring semester, Gonzaga Athletics partnered with AGP Financial Literacy to provide educational sessions uniquely tailored to the needs of today’s student-athlete. Student-athletes learned strategies for sound financial decision-making, and discussed important financial considerations for those participating in Name, Image, and Likeness activities.

BUSN 270

Dr. Peggy Sue Loroz, Gonzaga University’s Faculty Athletics Representative and professor of marketing, again offered the course “Personal Branding & Business for Athletes” in Fall 2025. Colloquially known as the “NIL class,” this academic course, based in Gonzaga’s School of Business Administration, offered studentathletes the opportunity to explore and practice skills like branding and marketing. This innovation included other students from outside the athletic department, who were each paired up with a student-athlete to collaborate on creating content.

CAREER WELLNESS

involves having the knowledge and skills to search for and cultivate a fulfilling and meaningful career.

Career Development

The Life Skills Program prepares student-athletes for their futures following graduation and life after sport through a variety of career development programs. Close relationships and collaboration with GU’s Career and Professional Development department further support student-athletes with their career planning.

The fourteenth Senior StudentAthlete Resume Book was published, featuring portfolios of the graduating class of 2026. Each of their resumes displays the unique achievements and accolades they earned as a Zag. The goal of the Resume Book is to assist student-athletes in networking with GU alumni, supporters, and constituents, as they pursue their future careers.

The annual Senior Networking Social was held in the fall, an event that helps prepare our senior studentathletes for life after graduation. They had the opportunity to practice networking and self-promotion skills with athletic department constituents and invited guests.

ACADEMIC WELLNESS

involves the lifelong pursuit of learning and actively engaging in current and future academic pursuits,

knowledge, and skills, both inside and outside the classroom.

Departmental GPA & Honors Gonzaga student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, boasting a departmental GPA of 3.50 in Fall 2025 and 3.54 (No. 2 all-time) in Spring 2026. Spring 2026 marks 7 out of the last 8 semesters with a departmental GPA of 3.50 or higher. Women’s golf earned their highest GPA ever in fall 2025 with a 3.78 and, in spring 2026, Women’s cross country/track also broke their team record, achieving a 3.76 team GPA.

WCC All-Academic and Honorable Mention

Our student-athletes closed out our time in the West Coast Conference by earning the most WCC AllAcademic First Team honorees, as well as the most Honorable Mention honorees, for WCCsponsored sports. Gonzaga totaled 98 honorees, besting University of Portland by 13 and Santa Clara University by 25—the next two closest schools.

Chi Alpha Sigma

The department inducted 50 student-athletes into our chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national student-athlete honor society, recognizing those senior studentathletes who earn a 3.50 cumulative GPA or above while earning their varsity letter. These students were honored during a men’s basketball game in January, as well as at our annual Evening of Excellence event, for their hard work and academic achievement.

Scholar Athletes of the Year

Tommy Eisenstat (baseball) was recognized as our Male ScholarAthlete of the Year for 2026. Eisenstat earned his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies degree, with a minor in Music, in 2025 and completed a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in 2026.

Taylor Mularski (women’s golf) and Alexi Fogo (women’s cross country/track) were both named Female Scholar-Athletes of the

Year in 2026. Mularski graduated in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Education in Kinesiology and a minor in Leadership Studies, earning a 4.0 cumulative GPA throughout her undergraduate career. She was also recognized at Undergraduate Commencement this year with the Senior Class Award.

Fogo earned dual undergraduate degrees in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, including a minor in Spanish. Starting in Fall 2025, Alexi is pursuing her graduate degree in Sport and Athletic Administration. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her graduate and undergraduate time at Gonzaga.

GONZAGA’S MOMENT

On July 1, 2026, Gonzaga University officially turned the page.

After 47 years in the West Coast Conference, the Bulldogs step into the revamped Pac-12 Conference at a moment built by decades of belief, ambition and performance. This move was earned through national excellence in competition, distinction in the classroom, a passionate fan base, and a Spokane community that helped carry Gonzaga from regional pride to a national brand.

The Pac-12 is more than a new conference logo. It is a bigger stage for Gonzaga’s student-athletes, a broader platform for the University’s Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic mission, and a powerful invitation to imagine

what comes next. It connects Gonzaga with new academic partners, new markets, new alumni energy and new opportunities for students, faculty, staff, donors and fans to rally around one shared future.

For Athletics, it means elevated competition, expanded visibility and the chance to help shape a forwardthinking conference in a rapidly changing collegiate landscape. For the University, it means telling the Gonzaga story in more places, to more people, with more momentum than ever before. And for Spokane, it means this city enters the Pac-12

era with a front-row seat to one of the most compelling new chapters in college sports.

It is a celebration of where Gonzaga has been and a confident declaration of where this community is ready to go next.

Gonzaga is not arriving as a newcomer. Gonzaga is arriving as a standard-bearer.

A bold future begins now. One Gonzaga. One community. One next chapter, in the Pac-12.

BOISE STATE

Boise, Idaho | 18 Sports | Previous Conference: Mountain West

COLORADO STATE

Fort Collins, Colorado | 16 Sports | Previous Conference: Mountain West

FRESNO STATE

Fresno, California | 18 Sports | Previous Conference: Mountain West

OREGON STATE

Corvallis, Oregon | 16 Sports | Previous Conference: Pac-12

SAN DIEGO STATE

San Diego, California | 18 Sports | Previous Conference: Mountain West

TEXAS STATE

San Marcos, Texas | 16 Sports | Previous Conference: Sun Belt

UTAH STATE

Logan, Utah | 16 Sports | Previous Conference: Mountain West

WASHINGTON STATE

Pullman, WA | 17 Sports | Previous Conference: Pac-12

KEY DATES

JULY 1, 2026

Gonzaga officially joins Pac-12 Conference

AUG. 12, 2026

First Regular-Season Event as Pac-12 Member, GU Women’s Soccer vs. South Florida

SEPT. 24, 2026

First Pac-12 Event, GU Volleyball at Boise State

SEPT. 30, 2026

First Pac-12 Home Event, GU Men’s Soccer vs. Cal Baptist