They used to, until around 2013 -- when GCU became the first for-profit university to go Division I. Wochit

GCU will become eligible for NCAA Tournament play next season after a four-year probationary period in Division I.


Grand Canyon University has played some major teams in men's basketball since the university became the first for-profit school to play Division I basketball four years ago: Kentucky, Indiana, Duke.

The GCU Antelopes faced off in December against the University of Arizona Wildcats in men's basketball for the first time in 36 years.

But one university just across town has remained off Grand Canyon's schedule: Arizona State.

Could that change now that Grand Canyon will be eligible to compete in NCAA Tournament appearances next season after a four-year probationary period in Division I?

More on where that stands in a minute. But first, here's the backstory of why ASU doesn't schedule games with GCU:

Why they don't play

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ASU used to play Grand Canyon until around 2013.

That year, Grand Canyon became the first for-profit university to move from Division II to Division I NCAA athletics, the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.

The presidents and chancellors of Pac-12 schools wrote to the NCAA board of directors after the decision was announced, questioning whether for-profit schools should be allowed to compete in Division I athletics. They cited a report by a Senate committee that was critical of for-profit education.

ASU's Crow and University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart were among those who signed the letter.

Crow told The Arizona Republic at the time, "It's challenging enough to balance academics and athletics. We are against using athletics as a mechanism to make profits. It's contrary to what we're trying to do."

Crow told The Republic in 2013 that he instructed his athletic department-personnel not to schedule games in any sports against GCU.

The letter, and its fallout, made national news. GCU President and CEO Brian Mueller accused Crow of orchestrating an effort to block the school's move into Division I.

Mueller released his own statement, touting Grand Canyon's accomplishments, including a growing traditional student body and millions of dollars spent refurbishing the Phoenix campus.

As to criticisms that for-profit schools put shareholders before students, university officials have countered that GCU has not raised tuition in several years, has never paid a dividend to its shareholders since becoming a publicly traded company in 2008, and its athletic programs operate at a loss.

Topic still touchy

The topic is still a sensitive one at both schools four years later.

Newly hired coaches at ASU quickly learn the backstory about why they're not supposed to schedule games against the school. ASU is in the Pac-12 Conference while GCU is in the smaller Western Athletic Conference. Both are affiliated with NCAA's Division I.

Several other Pac-12 schools schedule non-conference games against GCU, including Stanford in softball, UCLA in men's tennis and beach volleyball and University of Washington in women's basketball and softball.

Two of the three state universities in Arizona schedule non-conference games against GCU in certain sports: Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

GCU competed against Arizona this year in tennis, beach volleyball, track and field, cross country and golf.

Arizona played men's basketball against GCU for the first time since 1980 in December. The Wildcats scored a 64-54 victory despite having 19 turnovers.

Wildcats head coach Sean Miller said he didn't play GCU to help build their program.

"We played their team because we respect them," he said at post-game press conference. "They had 27 wins last year. They have a couple of guys injured, and on a given night, they can beat anybody. They’re going to be really good in their conference. So we did that to help us."

Non-conference games in the backyard

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NAU plays Grand Canyon in a variety of sports for non-conference games, NAU Athletic Director Lisa Campos said.

Phoenix games draw NAU alumni, she said, and scheduling a non-conference game against Grand Canyon saves on expenses because coaches and athletes don't have to travel out of state for those games.

"Any time we can play in our backyard, that’s great," she said.

ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson was asked by The Republic earlier this month whether ASU would be scheduling games with GCU.

The decision whether to play Grand Canyon wouldn't be made at his level, he said.

"That would be a discussion for Mr. President and others," he said, referring to ASU President Crow. "That was a discussion had a long time before I’m here. Until that is settled at a different level, I’m not going to be scheduling (games against Grand Canyon)."

So has Crow changed his mind or do things remain status quo?

"We don't have any plans to change our scheduling approach," said a statement issued by ASU.

As for Grand Canyon's president, he said he would welcome playing ASU.

Mueller said that he has the greatest respect for ASU. Two of his sons graduated from ASU, and the oldest played on the university's golf team.

“We remain open to the possibility of the two institutions competing in not only athletics but debate and other areas. It would create a lot of interest in the Valley and state and also save on travel costs," he said in a statement.

Republic reporter Richard Obert contributed to this story.

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