The Big West Board of Directors has been notified by UC San Diego of its intention to join the West Coast Conference, effective July 1, 2027.
“While we are disappointed in UCSD’s decision, the future of The Big West is filled with promise and opportunity,” said CSUN President and Chair of The Big West Board of Directors Erika Beck. "We have outstanding member institutions whose student-athletes excel in competition and in the classroom, and we will continue to prioritize what matters most: providing our student-athletes with exceptional competitive opportunities while maintaining our commitment to academic excellence and institutional alignment among our members. With the upcoming additions of California Baptist, Utah Valley, and Sacramento State in 2026, our conference will only grow stronger.”
UCSD joined The Big West as a full-time member in 2020 having completed a four-year reclassification from Division II to Division I as part of The Big West. That NCAA transition process was completed on July 1, 2024, and the Tritons gained full conference and national postseason eligibility at that time.
“The history of our conference shows that change has always been part of our story, and each transition has only strengthened our membership,” said Commissioner Dan Butterly. “We are excited about what lies ahead for The Big West and we will continue to be a proud leader in the future of intercollegiate athletics. During the transition, we will continue to support UCSD student-athletes as they strive for success in their endeavors.”
Guided by The Big West mission to empower student-athletes and unite communities through championship experiences, league members have won 22 team and 30 individual national titles in the conference’s five decades of sport sponsorship.
In this past academic year alone, Long Beach State won The Big West’s fifth men’s volleyball national championship in the last seven years, UC Irvine finished the season in the championship game of the men’s basketball NIT, Cal Poly beach volleyball and Hawai’i women’s water polo both made back-to-back runs to the national championship semifinals, Cal State Fullerton represented The Big West in the women’s golf national championship, UC Santa Barbara men’s soccer, women’s tennis, and softball teams and UC Irvine and Cal Poly’s baseball teams earned exciting postseason victories, and individual competitors made waves in national competition in track & field and swimming & diving. Additionally, UCSB captured the 2024-25 DI-AAA ADA All-Sports Trophy with the Gauchos joined by CSUN, UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton and incoming member California Baptist with individual sport trophies.
“As an original member of The Big West, UC Irvine reaffirms our commitment to the Division I student-athlete experience, academic success, competitive excellence, and community engagement,” said UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman. “While college athletics continues to evolve, the values of our conference remain constant and guide us forward.”