Utah Valley Joins Big West Conference, Expanding Athletic Presence in Utah
OREM, Utah (AP) — Utah Valley University is set to join the Big West Conference for the 2026-27 athletic year, marking the first presence of the league in Utah since Utah State’s departure in 2005. Announced on Wednesday, the Big West is expected to welcome both Utah Valley and California Baptist University on July 1, 2026, though it remains open to the possibility of adding a 12th member, maintaining a projected membership of 11 schools.
The Big West, which does not sponsor a football program, will see Hawaiian and UC Davis teams transitioning to the Mountain West Conference by the 2026-27 season. Hawaii has participated as a football-only member since 2012, while UC Davis has been affiliated with the Big Sky Conference for football.
Utah Valley’s transition from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to the Big West will see the Wolverines competing in 13 sports, including basketball, baseball, and softball. Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating, “Their addition expands our geographic footprint into a vibrant and strategically significant region, while elevating the level of competition across the board.”
With an enrollment of 47,000, Utah Valley will become the largest institution in the Big West, taking over the unique status previously held by Hawaii, making it the only member outside California in the conference.
This significant shift in conference alignment not only enhances the competitive landscape of the Big West but also reinforces the importance of Utah in the broader collegiate athletic community.
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