On the move: Utah Valley joins Big West Conference
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- UVU fans celebrate after the WAC semifinal game against Seattle at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, March 14, 2025.
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- UVU’s Carter Welling (22) and Jackson Holcombe celebrate a basket during a men’s college basketball game at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
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- UVU senior Faith Webber (2) celebrates scoring the game-winning goal in the non-conference game against Michigan in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2024.
Utah Valley University announce on Wednesday that it will join The Big West as a full member beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.
The move marks a significant milestone for the university and its athletics program, aligning UVU with one of the nation’s top mid-major conferences and opening a new era of stability, opportunity, and growth.
“We are honored to join The Big West and begin an exciting new chapter in UVU Athletics,” said UVU President Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez. “This move reflects the progress we’ve made across our programs and the growing reputation of our university. One of the most enjoyable parts of my presidency has been watching our student-athletes compete, learn, and grow, often punching above their weight. I am confident that we will continue to thrive in The Big West. The future looks bright.”
With the transition, UVU will compete in 13 Big West-sponsored sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s track and field, and women’s volleyball. UVU also sponsors wrestling, which will continue to compete in the Big 12 Conference.
The Wolverines will officially join The Big West on July 1, 2026, introducing themselves to a lineup that includes Cal Poly, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, CSUN, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and California Baptist.
“This is a transformative opportunity for our department,” said UVU Director of Athletics Dr. Jared Sumsion. “The invitation to join The Big West is a culmination of UVU’s expansive growth and athletic success. As a young NCAA Division I program, we are proud to partner with well-established institutions with significant histories of success. The Big West is an elite conference that reflects the academic, athletic, and geographic profile we’ve worked hard to build. We are thrilled to align with its membership and to bring the Big West to the Utah mountains.”
Utah Valley’s athletic journey began at the junior college level in the 1972-73 season. In 1986, UVU joined the Scenic West Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region 18, where it competed until making NCAA history in 2003-04 by becoming the only institution to transition directly from junior college status to NCAA Division I. This unprecedented move laid the foundation for UVU’s rapid growth and sustained success at the Division I level.
The move also marks the return of Big West competition to the state of Utah for the first time since Utah State concluded its membership in 2005. Upon entry, UVU — with more than 46,800 students — will become the largest university in The Big West, reinforcing the league’s competitive and institutional strength.
“We are thrilled to welcome Utah Valley University to The Big West,” Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly said. “UVU brings a tradition of competitive excellence and a rapidly growing athletic program that aligns perfectly with our membership and vision for the future. Their addition expands our geographic footprint into a vibrant and strategically significant region, while elevating the level of competition across the board. We look forward to the energy and excitement the Wolverines will bring to The Big West.”
UVU joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2013 and has since won 33 regular season and tournament championships. The Wolverines claimed the WAC Commissioner’s Cup in 2020, recognizing the league’s top all-around athletics department, and have earned four consecutive WAC Academic Excellence Awards (2021-2024).
The Wolverines have made NCAA Tournament appearances in seven different sports during their time in the WAC, including softball (2014), baseball (2016, 2025), men’s soccer (2015), women’s soccer (2015, 2017, 2021, 2022), women’s basketball (2021), and volleyball (2020, 2021). Notably, the women’s soccer team earned UVU’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win in 2021. In addition to team success, UVU has seen numerous student-athletes advance to NCAA regionals and national championship rounds in cross country and track and field, while several Wolverine golfers have qualified for NCAA Regionals as individuals.
Additional postseason highlights include UVU men’s basketball’s appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 2014, 2023, and 2025, highlighted by the program’s remarkable run to the NIT Final Four in 2023. Wolverine student-athletes have also earned numerous All-America honors, Academic All-America recognition, and WAC Player of the Year accolades.
“This move is about vision, opportunity, and long-term sustainability,” said UVU Vice President of Administration and Strategic Relations Val Peterson. “Joining The Big West strengthens our reach in the West, enhances travel efficiency, supports competitive excellence, and places our student-athletes in one of the most respected mid-major conferences in the country.”
In addition to its competitive success, UVU brings premier athletic facilities to The Big West. That includes a brand-new $30 million soccer stadium, recent upgrades to the softball complex, a state-of-the-art basketball practice facility, UCCU Ballpark, and the UCCU Center — the largest arena in The Big West. These facilities are expected to host future Big West Championships, expanding the league’s presence in the Intermountain West.
“This is more than a conference affiliation — it’s a launch point for a new era,” added Sumsion. “We are excited to represent our community and state as members of the Big West, and we look forward to building rivalries, winning championships, and growing the UVU brand throughout the region.”
Utah Valley Athletics: A long journey
- 1972 — Started playing junior college sports
- 1986 — Joined Scenic West Conference (JC)
- 2003 — Transitioned to Division I
- 2003-13 — Competed as an independent
- 2013-26 — Competed in the Western Athletic Conference
- 2026 — Will compete in the Big West Conference
