IRVINE, Calif. — The Big West Board of Directors has approved a series of strategic actions that collectively reflect the league's confidence in its future and the unified commitment of its ten continuing member institutions to building a strong, stable, and competitive conference. 

At the center of the Board's action was a clear and unambiguous reaffirmation of shared direction — ten fully aligned institutions committed to one another and to the long-term future of The Big West at a time of significant transformation across the national collegiate athletics landscape. 

"This Board acted with clarity and conviction," said Erika D. Beck, President of California State University, Northridge, and Chair of The Big West Board of Directors. "Ten institutions, fully aligned, moving forward together — that is a position of genuine strength. The actions we took reflect our shared belief in what The Big West is building, and our commitment to ensuring this conference remains a destination of choice for student-athletes and programs for years to come." 

As an expression of that commitment, the Board unanimously approved, effective immediately, an increase in The Big West withdrawal fee to $5 million, reinforcing the depth of institutional commitment to the league’s future and strengthening long-term membership stability. In a national landscape where conference realignment has created significant uncertainty, the league's ten continuing members have chosen clarity — and formalized that choice. 

These actions reflect the continuing evolution of college athletics nationally, including western conference realignment, which has required leagues across the country to carefully evaluate long-term membership composition, sport sponsorship, and championship access. The Big West has approached that evaluation proactively and with a focus on the long-term interests of its student-athletes and member institutions. 

As part of its broader review of sport sponsorship and future membership composition, the Board also approved the discontinuation of Big West sponsorship of men's and women's swimming and diving, effective July 1, 2026, following the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. This decision followed careful evaluation of NCAA Championship participation requirements and anticipated membership composition, which indicated The Big West would no longer meet the minimum institutional threshold required to maintain conference eligibility tied to NCAA Championship automatic qualification opportunities in the sport. 

The Big West has actively supported impacted institutions in identifying new conference homes that provide continued access to conference-based NCAA Championship qualification opportunities, including coordination with partner leagues such as the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and the Pac-12 Conference. 

"While this was a difficult decision, it was also a responsible one," said Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly. "Our priority is ensuring that student-athletes and programs have clear, stable pathways to meaningful competitive opportunities. Acting now allows institutions to transition to leagues where they can maintain NCAA Championship automatic qualification access and continue to thrive." 

The Board also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening sport sponsorship across The Big West and authorized continued pursuit of affiliate memberships in targeted sports to maintain competitive depth and long-term NCAA Championship automatic qualification opportunities. 

With ten fully aligned institutions, The Big West moves forward with clarity, stability, and shared purpose, and with a unified conviction that the best of this conference is still ahead.