Conference Realignment: Utah Valley University To Join Big West
Jun 4, 2025, 11:06 AM | Updated: Jun 5, 2025, 10:33 am
Utah Valley University mascot Willy the Wolverine, left, President Astrid Tuminez and others celebrate the opening of the new pedestrian bridge connecting UVU with the Utah Transit Authority's FrontRunner Orem Central Station on Thursday, Jan.14, 2021. Crews will continue putting the finishing touches on the bridge over the next few weeks, with an expected opening in early February. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Valley University will join the Big West in 2026.
The Wolverines will fill a void left by Hawaii and UC Davis, both of which are set to join the Mountain West Conference.
Utah Valley University will leave behind the WAC.
𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Utah Valley University Joins The Big West – welcome, Wolverines! @GoUVU#𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱 x #GoUVU
Read more ⤵️ https://t.co/6RBjYWopPY
— The Big West (@BigWestSports) June 4, 2025
“We are thrilled to welcome Utah Valley University to The Big West,” Big West commissioner Dan Butterly said in a statement. “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.”
@kslsportscom We 💚 @uvuofficial president! #marchmadness #cheerleader #basketball #collegebasketball #hoops ♬ original sound – kslsports
About UVU
Utah Valley University, UVU, is located in Orem, Utah and sponsors 14 Division I sports. In the Big West, the Wolverines will compete in 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 & field, and women’s volleyball.
“Utah Valley University is proud to be part of The Big West. This marks an important milestone for the university, our 47,000 students, 125,000 alumni, and nearly 400 student-athletes,” UVU President Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez said. “We look forward to competing and growing in a new and dynamic environment, and learning from our peers in The Big West.”
