A new era for Pac-12, Gonzaga brings basketball success

Byline photo of Casey Lavin
Byline photo of Maggie Akins (she/her)
Casey Lavin and Maggie Akins (she/her)
October 1, 2024
Graphic courtesy of Pac-12 Conference.
Graphic courtesy of Pac-12 Conference.

The Beavers now welcome Gonzaga University to the Pac-12. 

The Pac-12 announced on Tuesday morning the addition of the Gonzaga University Bulldogs starting in 2026, effective July 1.

This brings a non-football school to the conference, but an institution with heaps of basketball wins and history. The Bulldogs have reached the round of 16 of the men’s NCAA tournament nine consecutive times, and have 24 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament – the second longest streak next to Michigan State.

“We are delighted to welcome Gonzaga into the Pac-12 as they embark with us on this incredible path ahead,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. “Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league.”

The Bulldogs joining the Pac-12 now concretes them as a conference that can qualify for NCAA Tournaments, along with the addition of Utah State a week prior. 

“This is a great day for Gonzaga University,” said Gonzaga Athletics Director Chris Standiford. “We are excited to join a conference with great tradition and a commitment to innovating during this evolving time in collegiate athletics. I’d like to thank Commissioner Teresa Gould for her leadership as these talks progressed earnestly over the weekend, our alignment became evident and our vision shared.”

Gonzaga has been a member of the West Coast Conference since 1989 and is the first school to depart from the WCC. 

“Following discussions with Pac-12 member presidents, I believe membership will represent an opportunity to participate in building a conference that imagines new, forward-thinking ways to support student-athletes in a rapidly changing collegiate sports landscape,” said Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh. 

The Beavers and the Bulldogs will encounter each other twice in the 2024-25 men’s basketball season, with a singular matchup scheduled for women’s basketball. The previous matchup for both schools came in 2019 when Beavers women’s basketball won 76-70.

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