Pac-12 Officially Adds Gonzaga Bulldogs To New-Look Conference
Oct 1, 2024, 9:36 AM | Updated: Oct 2, 2024, 2:39 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Pac-12 continues adding to its ranks, formally accepting an application from the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Bulldogs will begin playing under the Pac-12 banner on July 1, 2026.
The Pac-12 and Gonzaga announced their newly formed partnership on Tuesday, October 1.
“We are delighted to welcome Gonzaga into the Pac-12 as they embark with us on this incredible path ahead,” remarked Commissioner Teresa Gould. “President 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.”
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The Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University are proud to announce their partnership, as the Bulldogs will join the conference effective July 1, 2026.
📰Press Release: https://t.co/N1MISXXxcE pic.twitter.com/NKmyyweKqH— Gonzaga Athletics (@GonzagaBulldogs) October 1, 2024
“Following discussions with Pac-12 member presidents, I believe membership will represent an opportunity to participate in building a conference that imagines new, forward-thinking ways to support student-athletes in a rapidly changing collegiate sports landscape,” said Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh.
“Partnerships with a new group of universities can also assist in our student recruitment and enrollment efforts, create opportunities for academic collaboration with new faculty colleagues, and attract more students who value an excellent education distinctively rooted in our Jesuit identity and tradition,” McCulloh continued. “I am particularly excited about the opportunities partnering with this group of institutions can offer our students, faculty, and staff for multi-institutional collaboration.”
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“This is a great day for Gonzaga University,” said Gonzaga Athletics Director Chris Standiford. “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.”
Could Pac-12 become a hoops haven?
After adding Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State from the Mountain West Conference, the once-great Pac-12 takes another step toward survival with the addition of Gonzaga from the West Coast Conference.
The Zags bring a rich history of basketball tradition to an already top-heavy hoops conference. Since 2019, the Gonzaga men’s and women’s basketball programs have combined to win 86.7 percent of their games. Led by Mark Few, the Bulldogs men’s program is a national best 148-21 since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.
Seven of the conference’s eight teams have appeared in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament since 2021, combining for 18 tournament berths. San Diego State (2023) and Gonzaga (2021) have advanced to the national title game since 2021.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
