News Summary
Grand Canyon University (GCU) will accelerate its transition to the Mountain West Conference (MWC), officially starting fall 2025, a year earlier than planned. Initially expected to go independent, GCU reversed its decision after recognizing the advantages of joining the MWC. The university has enjoyed recent success in men’s basketball and aims to enhance its competitive profile. As GCU joins, the MWC looks to bolster its membership amid institutional changes, fostering a strategic vision for future athletic excellence.
Phoenix, Arizona – Grand Canyon University (GCU) will join the Mountain West Conference (MWC) one year earlier than planned, officially starting in the fall of 2025 for the 2025-26 athletic season. The university’s decision to expedite their joining follows a prior agreement to transition from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) to the MWC no later than July 1, 2026. This move comes as GCU seeks to enhance its athletic competitiveness while navigating important conference transitions in collegiate sports.
Initially, GCU intended to go independent in 2025 due to a lack of a football program. However, the administration reversed course after acknowledging the benefits of joining the MWC. GCU had been contemplating a switch to the West Coast Conference but opted for the MWC in November 2024. This strategic shift aims to provide GCU a platform to sustain its momentum in sports, particularly as it has recently enjoyed success in men’s basketball.
The Antelopes, under the leadership of coach Bryce Drew, have won three consecutive WAC Tournament titles and made three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a bid during the 2020-21 season. GCU has built a robust reputation in its sponsored sports, winning multiple WAC Commissioner’s Cups and numerous conference titles in recent years, which adds value to its future in the MWC.
In light of GCU’s addition, the MWC intends to strengthen its membership following the recent announcements of departures of five institutions to the Pac-12 in 2026. Alongside GCU, new members such as Cal-Davis, UTEP, and Hawaii are also set to join the Mountain West by July 2026. The current MWC lineup includes returning teams like Air Force, New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State, UNLV, and Wyoming.
As GCU transitions into the MWC, it is expected that the university will enhance the overall competitiveness and profile of the conference, particularly in men’s basketball and various non-football sports. The addition of GCU is seen as a part of a long-term strategic vision for the MWC, despite the challenges posed by the departure of several established institutions.
However, the transition will necessitate reworking previously set conference schedules, particularly for volleyball and women’s soccer, raising concerns among certain MWC members, including Boise State and San Diego State. These members have voiced apprehensions about potential impacts on their schedules and budgets, though these claims have been termed as exaggerated by other stakeholders.
The MWC and GCU’s management have expressed optimism about the transition, with university president Brian Mueller highlighting the recognition of GCU’s value and contribution to the league. This positive outlook underscores the belief that GCU’s membership will be beneficial both in the short and long term for the Mountain West Conference.
With GCU’s addition, the MWC aims to not only maintain but also expand its competitive edge during an era of significant changes in college athletics, ensuring that member institutions remain relevant in their pursuit of postseason excellence.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Sports: Grand Canyon to Join Mountain West Conference
- GCU Lopes: Women’s Basketball Staff Announcement
- WAC Sports: Grand Canyon Wins Third Straight WAC Title
- Sports Illustrated: Sierra Canyon Basketball Adds 4-Star Forward
- Cache Valley Daily: Grand Canyon’s Contention in Mountain West
- Wikipedia: Grand Canyon University
- Google Search: Grand Canyon University Mountain West
- Google Scholar: Grand Canyon University Basketball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Canyon University
- Google News: Grand Canyon University
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