Formed in 1982, the NorPac Conference has evolved over the past 28 years from an initial California membership to the current east and west blend. In 1998, the growth and development of the NorPac as an NCAA single-sport conference was assisted by a three-year grant from the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the NCAA, as well as by a partnership with and support from the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA). Through the grant opportunity, the restructuring of the conference included previous members Davis and Elkins College, Missouri State, Saint Louis University and current original members California, Pacific and Stanford. Both Appalachian State and Davidson accepted invitations to join in 2000, followed by Radford in 2001.

Longwood was added to the conference in 2005 as a provisional member while reclassifying to a Division I membership. After fulfilling NCAA reclassification requirements, Longwood became eligible for its first conference tournament in 2007 and hosted the 2008 championship.

UC Davis is the newest member to the league. After the Aggies' program was elevated from club to intercollegiate status, the NorPac Conference welcomed the reestablished program in July 2008. The Aggies, in 2009, went on to compete in a full conference schedule and participated in their first league tournament.

With the addition of UC Davis as the eighth member, the conference resumed Eastern and Western divisional play in 2009. The Aggies joined California, Pacific and Stanford to make up the West Division. Appalachian State, Davidson, Longwood and Radford formed the East Division. The round-robin divisional play continues to culminate with the conference championship tournament for all eight members.

In 2011, the tournament returns to Stanford for the fifth time, joining Davidson (three) and Saint Louis (three) as multiple-year hosts. Appalachian State (2001), California (2005) and Longwood (2008) have served as a host institution once.

Since 1999, the NorPac Field Hockey Conference has received an NCAA play-in opportunity or a conference automatic qualification (2005). In over a decade, NorPac representatives are 9-2 in NCAA play-in games. This year's league champion will host the winner of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament on November 8, 2011.