California

The University of California, Berkeley, stands as a paragon of athletic excellence and academic prestige. Established in 1895, the Golden Bears boast 43 NCAA team national championships and 115 total national titles. The men’s water polo program leads with 17 NCAA crowns, complemented by men’s swimming and diving with eight NCAA championships. Berkeley’s crew program has captured 19 national titles and produced Olympic gold medalists. Baseball boasts two College World Series championships, and the men’s basketball team won the 1959 NCAA title. The Golden Bears also excel in rugby, winning 33 national titles. With 159 Olympic medals—including 91 golds—Berkeley is college athletics’ premier Olympic powerhouse. Memorial Stadium and Haas Pavilion provide storied venues amid fierce rivalries like the Big Game against Stanford. Oski the Bear and “Fight for California” inspire generations, symbolizing a tradition that merges competitive excellence with academic brilliance in the hills of Berkeley.