The Big West Conference is a collegiate athletic conference in the United States, primarily composed of schools from California and Hawaii. Founded in 1968, it features a range of sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The conference is part of the NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. Member institutions of the Big West include notable universities such as California State University, Long Beach and University of California, Santa Barbara. The conference aims to promote athletic excellence while fostering academic achievement among its student-athletes.