The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (also known as CSUB Roadrunners, and sometimes as the Bakersfield Roadrunners) are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing the California State University, Bakersfield, located in Bakersfield, California. The Roadrunners compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as a member of the Big West Conference. Nickname The CSU Bakersfield official team nickname is the "Roadrunners." In November 1970, thirty-three nicknames were put to a student vote. The final vote was between Roadrunners and El Cid with "Roadrunners" winning. History The university is currently an NCAA Division I school, after previously competing at the Division II level and in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Roadrunners began the transition process in 2006 and became a full Division I member in July 2010. Following a period as one of a tiny number of Division I independents, CSU Bakersfield joined the Western Athletic Conference in July 2013 for most sports. On November 27, 2017, CSUB announced that it would leave the WAC and join the Big West Conference on July 1, 2020. Sports sponsored Most varsity teams representing California State University, Bakersfield compete in the Big West Conference. The wrestling team is in the Pac-12 Conference, the swimming and diving teams are in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, and the women's indoor track and field team competes as an independent. Baseball On May 17, 2007, CSUB announced that Bill Kernen would be the school's first baseball coach, with the school's first official season beginning in Spring of 2009. The Roadrunners played their first baseball game on February 20, 2009 against Saint Louis University in an 8-7 loss, and recorded the first win in program history on February 21 with a 4-2 win against the Billikens. On September 20, 2011, the Roadrunners were invited to join the Western Athletic Conference as an affiliate member in baseball. On October 5, 2012 the Western Athletic Conference extended an invitation to the Roadrunners to join on July 1, 2013 as full members. The Roadrunners won the 2015 WAC Baseball Tournament Championship in Mesa, Arizona and earned their first bid to the NCAA Regionals. The Roadrunners were placed in the Los Angeles Regional hosted by UCLA. CSUB lost twice to the host Bruins but managed to win the program's first postseason game when they defeated 2014 College World Series participant Ole Miss 2-1. Bill Kernen retired following the 2015 season.