Hawai’i to join Mtn

Kyle Bonagura, ESPN

• Staff WriterOct 15, 2024, 03:52 PM ET Close Covers college football.Joined ESPN in 2014. Gone To Washington State University.Hawai’i will end up being the 8th full-time member of the Mountain West

Conference on July 1, 2026, it was announced Tuesday.It’s a noteworthy change for the Mountain West, which needed a 8th full-time member to meet the NCAA minimum to remain a conference. Hawai’i became a football-only member of the conference in 2012, with most of its other sports competing in the Big West.”We are enjoyed welcome the University of Hawaiʻi to the Mountain West as a full-time member,”commissioner Gloria Nevarez stated in a declaration.” … We’re thrilled to add their unbelievable national brand name across all MW sports. As the flagship organization on the islands, with amazing academics and a well known sports custom, we look forward to supplying their student-athletes with extraordinary instructional and athletic experiences. “Editor’s Picks 1 Associated Last month, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State announced they were delegating sign up with the rebuilding Pac-12. Prior to this change with Hawai’i, the Mountain West added UTEP from Conference USA.The conference also protected long-term dedications from Air Force, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV, San Jose State and Wyoming. “The University of Hawaiʻi is honored to accept full membership in the Mountain West

Conference, marking a turning point in our athletic program’s history, “UH president David Lassner said in a declaration.

“This broadened partnership will build upon our strong football relationship and firmly place us to love our Mountain West associates in the exceptionally vibrant landscape of intercollegiate sports.”Regardless of pleasing the minimum requirement for 2026, it’s still most likely the Mountain West will pursue growth. It previously participated in talks with Texas State, and showed some interest in including Northern Illinois as a football-only member.