The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped sponsoring college football after the 2000 season. It is the nation's only Division I conference with its entire membership located in one state, though this will change in 2012 when the University of Hawai?i at M?noa will be added as a member . read more