The GSAC has a new meaning, and a new look, as the next great chapter of college athletics in the West begins today. The Great Southwest Athletic Conference unveiled its new name and look today, as well as officially welcoming three new schools to the fold.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Benedictine University Mesa, and Park University Gilbert are the three new schools joining five existing members to make up the new Great Southwest Athletic Conference. The league will sponsor 17 sports and participate in the NAIA beginning this upcoming 2024-2025 season.

OUAZ will feature leadership in very important roles at the conference level starting in 24-25. OUAZ President Dr. Dennis Tyner will serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the next two years. OUAZ Director of Athletics Kevin Steele Chair of the Administrative Committee, which is comprised of the league's athletic directors.

"These are exciting times as the GSAC has re-branded and now consists of new members," Steele said. "After seven years of work we now have all Arizona NAIA institutions in the same conference along with excellent institutions in Southern California. Dr. Tyner and I are blessed to be the Chair of the Board of Directors and the Chair of Administrators, respectively, in these inaugural days of the freshly re-branded Great Southwest Athletic Conference. We are anticipating exceptional days ahead for the GSAC.

Established as the Golden State Athletic Conference in 1986, today's change reflects the geography of the current membership. The league has moved to included all NAIA schools in Arizona while keeping its Southern California roots. With the name change comes a new logo, retiring the previous logo that has been used since 2008.