Utah Valley is the largest public university in the state of Utah, and one of a few in the nation offering a dual-mission model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. The unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs, and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds.

Founded in 1941 as the Central Utah Vocational School, growth brought numerous names to the school over the following decades to reflect its changing role. The institution began moving from Provo to Orem in 1977 and officially donned the name Utah Valley University on July 1, 2008. UVU surpassed the University of Utah as the largest university in the state in 2018 where it remains.

Transitioning from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the Wolverines will compete in The Big West in 13 of its 16 NCAA Division I sports beginning in the 2026-27 school year: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field, and women’s volleyball. 

SCHOOL FACTS

BUILDING TOWARD BOLD MOMENTS

Since becoming a member of the WAC before the 2013-14 season, Utah Valley  has finished in the top three of the Commissioner's Cup standings eight times, capturing the crown in 2019-20. As of the 2025-26 winter update, the Wolverines were leading the way with 56.1 points, earning the regular season men's basketball championship, men's indoor track and field title and women's runner-up status, to go along with a double-trophy season in women's volleyball, regular-season title in women's soccer and second-place showings at both the WAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships in the fall. This spring, Utah Valley also landed atop the podium in women's outdoor track and field as the final Commissioner's Cup standings are still being tabulated with potential bonus points awarded for national postseason finishes.

In the classroom, UVU has shined in claiming at least a share of five consecutive WAC Academic Excellence Awards, from the 2020-21 to 2024-25 academic years. The award is given to the WAC institution that performs the best when taking academic success of undergraduate student-athletes and the undergraduate student-body into account, determined by a points system.

2025-26 WAC Champions

NOTABLE ALUMS IN THE PROS/OLYMPICS

ACADEMICS

FAMOUS NON-ATHLETE ALUMNI