Big Sky Conference adds Utah Tech, Southern Utah, beginning in 2026-27 academic year

After losing one of its members earlier in June, the Big Sky Conference hedged against any future departures by adding Southern Utah and Utah Tech to its ranks officially on Wednesday.

The move, effective in the 2026-27 season, comes after Sacramento State announced its departure for the Big West Conference – and its intention to play in the FBS as an independent if need be – starting that same season, which would have dropped the conference’s regular membership to nine and its football membership to 11.

But by adding the Thunderbirds and the Trailblazers, the Big Sky stabilized itself.

In a statement, league commissioner Tom Wistrcill focused on just how well the additions fit into the league’s footprint.

“Amid a rapidly evolving national landscape that each day seemingly pulls college sports farther from its true mission, this move underscores our commitment to a strong and sustainable future at the top of the FCS and across several key sports,” Wistrcill said. “Both of these programs bring institutional alignment that will enhance the Big Sky’s tradition as a national leader.”

A return to the Big Sky became practical – even advantageous – for Southern Utah as the Western Athletic Conference’s most recent iteration collapsed over the past few years, with some programs leaving for the FBS and the remaining WAC members merging with the Atlantic Sun Conference to form the United Athletic Conference in 2023.

Rejoining the Big Sky allows the Thunderbirds to associate themselves with teams from the West as opposed to the Southwest and South.

For Utah Tech, membership in the Big Sky is the culmination of a decade’s worth of movement through the levels of college athletics, from a junior college program as recently as 2005 to its current status as a Division I FCS program….

Source link : http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jun/25/big-sky-conference-adds-utah-tech-southern-utah-be/

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Publish date : 2025-06-26 02:07:00

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