Gonzaga to exit WCC, join Pac-12 in 2026

By October 1, 2024 at 10:50 PM

Gonzaga will become the eighth school to join the current Pac-12 Conference.

The conference’s board of directors and its five new member presidents voted unanimously to approve the Bulldogs. Gonzaga announced the decision on Tuesday, effective at the start of first semester and fall sports seasons in 2026.

The Pac-12 added Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State from the Mountain West Conference last month. Those five schools as well as Gonzaga officially will become members on July 1, 2026.

“We are delighted to welcome Gonzaga into the Pac-12 as they embark with us on this incredible path ahead,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said. “President Thayne McCulloh and athletics director Chris Standiford not only bring strategic expertise and forward thinking to the conference, but they are two incredible leaders who care deeply about student success and fortifying student-athlete academic and athletic experiences.

“Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league.”

Gonzaga and the other five additions join Oregon State and Washington State, the last two remaining schools after an offseason exodus of 10 member institutions for other power conferences. Oregon, Washington, UCLA and Southern California moved to the Big Ten; Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State shifted to the Big 12; Cal and Stanford joined the Atlantic Coast Conference.

A basketball powerhouse, Gonzaga has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in every season in which it was held since the 1998-99 campaign. The Bulldogs, who have advanced to the last nine Sweet 16s, fell to Baylor in the 2021 national championship game.

“This is a great day for Gonzaga University,” Standiford said. “We are excited to join a conference with great tradition and a commitment to innovating during this evolving time in collegiate athletics. I’d like to thank Commissioner Teresa Gould for her leadership as these talks progressed earnestly over the weekend, our alignment became evident and our vision shared.”

Gonzaga has been a member of the West Coast Conference since 1989-90 season.

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Aaron Moody is a sports and general reporter for the News & Observer. Here is a second sentence for the bio because it will probably be longer than this. Maybe even longer I don't know. Support my work with a digital subscription

This story was originally published October 1, 2024 at 11:27 AM