PORTLAND -- The Pacific Coast Softball Conference announced today that is will extend invitations for conference membership to six new schools, including Northern Colorado.

California State Bakersfield, Idaho State, Seattle, Utah Valley and Weber State have also been extended invitations.

All six schools have accepted their bids and all will begin competing in the PCSC in 2010, joining charter members Loyola Marymount, Portland State, Sacramento State, Saint Mary's, San Diego and Santa Clara.

"We are delighted to welcome California State University, Bakersfield, Idaho State University, University of Northern Colorado, Seattle University, Utah Valley University, and Weber State University as members of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference," PCSC Commissioner Wendy Guthrie said.

Starting with the 2010 season, the PCSC will split into two divisions, Coastal and Mountain. The division winners will meet in a best-of-three championship series to determine the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament berth.

The Coastal Division will consist of the six California-based schools: Cal State Bakersfield, Loyola Marymount, Sacramento State, Saint Mary's, San Diego and Santa Clara.

Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Seattle, Utah Valley and Weber State will form the Mountain Division.

"At the forefront of this decision, is the desire to increase opportunities for student-athletes and contribute to the development of NCAA Division I softball," Guthrie said. "The addition of a conference championship series will enhance the student-athlete experience and heighten the visibility of the league. This is an intentional and strategic step toward positioning the conference for sustainability and growth."

Cal State Bakersfield is in its third year of a five-year transition period from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I membership. The Roadrunners will become a full NCAA Division I member in the 2010-11 academic year. The Roadrunners were 22-25 this past season playing as a NCAA Division I Independent. In its final season at the NCAA Division II level in 2006, Cal State Bakersfield finished fourth in the nation.

Idaho State resurrected softball for the 2007 season, after sponsoring the sport from 1976-1983.

Northern Colorado is currently competing as a NCAA Division I Independent. The Bears are members of the Big Sky Conference in other sports, along with current PCSC members Portland State and Sacramento State, and future members Idaho State and Weber State.

Seattle went 38-14 last spring in its final year at the NCAA Division II level, reaching the NCAA Division II West Regional for the third straight season. The Redhawks will play as a NCAA Division I provisional member in 2009 and reach full-time Division I membership commencing with the 2013 season.

Utah Valley also competes as a NCAA Division I softball independent and is in its sixth and final year of NCAA Division I provisional membership status. Weber State reinstated its softball program in December 2007 and will begin play in 2010. The Wildcats sponsored softball from 1974-1983. Weber State hired Tina Johnson, who was the head coach at Colorado College, on July 30 to lead the program's rebirth.

The PCSC completed its sixth year of competition in 2008 and has had an automatic NCAA Tournament bid for its conference champion since 2006. Loyola Marymount has won three PCSC titles (2003, 2005 and 2007) and Santa Clara (2004), Portland State (2006) and Sacramento State (2008) have all one one conference crown.

FUTURE MEMBER SCHOOL PROFILES

CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD
Location: Bakersfield, Calif.
Founded: 1970
Enrollment: 8,000
Nickname: Roadrunners
Colors: Blue (PMS 286) and Gold (PMS 116)
President: Dr. Horace Mitchell
Athletic Director: Rudy Carvajal
Head Coach: Kathy Welter
Record at Cal State Bakersfield: 923-392-3 (23 years)
Career Record: 1,062-481-7 (29 years)

IDAHO STATE
Location: Pocatello, Idaho
Founded: 1901
Enrollment: 13,929
Nickname: Bengals
Colors: Orange and Black
President: Dr. Arthur Vailas
Athletic Director (Interim): Jeff Tingley
Head Coach (Interim): Andrea Wilson
Record at Idaho State: First year
Career Record: First year

NORTHERN COLORADO
Location: Greeley, Colo.
Founded: 1889
Enrollment: 10,831
Nickname: Bears
Colors: Blue and Gold
President: Kay Norton
Director of Athletics: Jay Hinrichs
Head Coach: Jennifer Schunke
Record at Northern Colorado: 26-75 (2 years)
Career Record: 26-75 (2 years)

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Founded: 1891
Enrollment: 7,529
Nickname: Redhawks
Colors: Red and White
President: Fr. Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
Athletic Director: Bill Hogan
Head Coach: Dan Powers
Record at Seattle University: 167-91 (5 years)
Career Record: 167-91 (5 years)

WEBER STATE
Location: Ogden, Utah
Founded: 1889 (Four-year 1962)
Enrollment: 18,303
Nickname: Wildcats
Colors: Purple and White
President: Dr. F. Ann Millner
Athletic Director: Jerry Graybeal
Head Coach: Tina Johnson
Record at Weber State: First year in 2010
Career Record: 85-168-3 (7 years)

UTAH VALLEY
Location: Orem, Utah
Founded: 1941
Enrollment: 26,696
Nickname: Wolverines
Colors: Green and White, Trimmed in Gold
President: Dr. Elizabeth J. Hitch
Athletic Director: Mike Jacobsen
Head Coach: Todd Fairbourne
Record at Utah Valley: 310-229-1 (10 years)
Career Record: 310-229-1 (10 years)