By: Pac-12 Conference
San Ramon, CA (September 24, 2024) – The Pac-12 Conference and Utah State University are proud to announce their new partnership, which marks an exciting chapter in the conference's expansion history. This collaboration comes on the heels of welcoming Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University, who will collectively form a new era of the Pac-12 Conference.
After receiving formal applications, the Pac-12 Conference Board of Directors voted unanimously to admit Utah State University, a prestigious institution recognized for excellence in both academics and athletics, into the conference effective July 1, 2026. Competition for all conference sports will begin in the 2026–27 academic year.
“We are thrilled to welcome Utah State University to the Pac-12 as they join us on this exciting journey,” said Commissioner Teresa Gould. “Under the leadership of President Elizabeth Cantwell and Athletics Director Diana Sabau, Utah State brings invaluable strategic insight and leadership that will greatly benefit our conference and its members, as well as its history of competitive excellence and success. Today marks another exciting step for the Pac-12 – and it's the beginning of Phase Two.”
Utah State University, a premier land- and space-grant institution, continues to excel in academics and athletics. For more than a decade it has been competing for consecutive Mountain West Conference championships, finishing the historic 2023-24 academic year by winning a school-record four conference championships, tied for the second-most in the conference and securing regular season titles in women's volleyball, men's basketball and men's tennis, as well as a Mountain West Tournament championship in women's soccer. Additionally, their combined winning percentage with soccer and men's basketball over the past 10 seasons is 59.1 percent, ranking third among current Mountain West schools behind only Boise State and San Diego State.
Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell said: “The Pac-12 Conference's vision aligns perfectly with USU's mission and our commitments to the future. This move opens new possibilities by directly enhancing the student-athlete experience and will significantly strengthen our reputation for competitive success, academic achievement and research excellence.”
Utah State continues to achieve academic distinction, topping the Mountain West Conference with 440 academic honors in the 2023-24 academic year. Of these, 249 student-athletes earned Academic All-Mountain West recognition, while an impressive 191 were named Mountain West Scholar-Athletes.
Demonstrating its commitment to athletic excellence, Utah State University Athletics launched its first comprehensive capital campaign, Reach and Rise, earlier this year. With a goal of raising $125 million over the next five years, the campaign is dedicated to advancing the success of Aggie Athletics, which supports more than 400 student-athletes across 16 varsity programs across the spectrum of modern college athletics. The university is off to a promising start, having already raised nearly $21 million.
Vice President and Athletics Director Diana Sabau said: “Joining the Pac-12 Conference exemplifies our commitment to elevating USU academics and athletics. It will position all of our teams in a multi-bid league for the NCAA postseason and championship. This is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes, as well as our alumni, investors, HURD and our Logan and Cache Valley communities, and all of Aggie Nation.”
The Pac-12 Conference has a proud tradition of excellence in both academics and athletics. That tradition is growing even stronger with the addition of Utah State University, as well as Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University.
Oregon State University and Washington State University are currently serving as members of the Pac-12 Conference under the NCAA's two-year grace period and will continue to do so for the 2025-26 academic season before the five new members officially join. The collective seven universities will work together to craft additional membership and other future conference considerations.