Shortly after my last post, it was official.
ESPN - UTEP 'honored' to join retooled Mountain West Conference
Also confirmed that the PAC had talks with Saint Mary's and Grand Canyon, though neither are expected to be added as the PAC focuses on football.
ESPN - UTEP 'honored' to join retooled Mountain West Conference
UTEP has officially joined the Mountain West Conference, the league announced Tuesday. The Miners will begin competition for all conference sports in the 2026-27 academic year.
UTEP, which had been in deep discussions with the Mountain West in recent days, alerted Conference USA officials of its intent to leave the league prior to Tuesday's announcement, sources told ESPN.
UTEP was an obvious target for the Mountain West based on its location and the school's athletic tradition across a variety of sports. The school gives the Mountain West a highly coveted addition in Texas as the league rebuilds after five schools announced they were leaving for the Pac-12.
"We are excited to welcome The University of Texas at El Paso to the Mountain West as the next step in our strategic membership initiatives," Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement Tuesday. "The addition of UTEP restores historic rivalries with several of our member institutions within the geographic footprint and provides valuable exposure in the great State of Texas. We welcome and look forward to competing against the student-athletes of UTEP."
The addition of UTEP gives the league seven full-time members -- joining UNLV, San Jose State, Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico and Air Force. The Mountain West needs to build to eight members to become a formal conference. (Hawaii remains a football-only member.) Recently, Utah State, Boise State, San Jose State, San Diego State and Fresno State announced their departures.
"I know the Miners will feel right at home with the other quality athletic programs in this great conference," said UTEP vice president and director of athletics Jim Senter.
UTEP, which had been in deep discussions with the Mountain West in recent days, alerted Conference USA officials of its intent to leave the league prior to Tuesday's announcement, sources told ESPN.
UTEP was an obvious target for the Mountain West based on its location and the school's athletic tradition across a variety of sports. The school gives the Mountain West a highly coveted addition in Texas as the league rebuilds after five schools announced they were leaving for the Pac-12.
"We are excited to welcome The University of Texas at El Paso to the Mountain West as the next step in our strategic membership initiatives," Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement Tuesday. "The addition of UTEP restores historic rivalries with several of our member institutions within the geographic footprint and provides valuable exposure in the great State of Texas. We welcome and look forward to competing against the student-athletes of UTEP."
The addition of UTEP gives the league seven full-time members -- joining UNLV, San Jose State, Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico and Air Force. The Mountain West needs to build to eight members to become a formal conference. (Hawaii remains a football-only member.) Recently, Utah State, Boise State, San Jose State, San Diego State and Fresno State announced their departures.
"I know the Miners will feel right at home with the other quality athletic programs in this great conference," said UTEP vice president and director of athletics Jim Senter.
Also confirmed that the PAC had talks with Saint Mary's and Grand Canyon, though neither are expected to be added as the PAC focuses on football.
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