The Kennedy Index, a study released in 2005 by Penn State University-York professor Charles Kennedy, rated Nevada as "best in the nation" overall for providing opportunities for women in sports. In 2006, Nevada was ranked in the "top 10" of NCAA Division 1-A athletic departments in overall diversity excellence.
The Wolf Pack is also a winner on the fields of competition as a member of the nine-team Western Athletic Conference. The Nevada football team won a share of the WAC title and the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl in 2005, and the men's basketball team has captured back-to-back conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances, including a spot in the "Sweet 16" in 2004. The women's volleyball team qualified for the NCAA tournament for the second straight season in 2005. The Wolf Pack has also had 11 athletes compete in the Olympics and two Olympic medalists, both in swimming (Limin Liu, silver for China, 2000; and Lise Mackie, bronze for Australia, 1996).