Gonzaga University announced last month that its athletics program will leave the West Coast Conference (WCC) and join the Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12) on July 1, 2026. However, before parting ways with the WCC, Gonzaga will still compete against the conference’s newest additions.
Grand Canyon University and Seattle University are slated to join the WCC, effective July 1, 2025. This transition means Gonzaga will face the new teams for at least a year, while Grand Canyon, Seattle, and all other WCC Division I teams will compete for the top spot.
“While the evolving collegiate athletics landscape continues to drive significant changes, including conference realignment, we remain focused on the future,” said West Coast Conference Commissioner Stu Jackson. “The WCC’s collective strength lies in our ability to compete for NCAA championships, our unwavering commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience, and our strategic approach to membership growth.”
Conference realignment, where collegiate athletic programs switch conference affiliations, aims to increase program visibility and resources. But what do these changes mean for LMU athletics and its future?
For the WCC, Gonzaga’s departure is significant, as they lead in many sports, particularly basketball. They have competed in 26 March Madness tournaments since 1995, drawing considerable attention to the WCC.
“Gonzaga is a tremendous loss for the conference because the people there are amazing and they’ve done a tremendous job of building their athletic program, they have competed extremely well in essentially every sport,” said LMU athletics director Craig Pintens.
Fan interest is essential for a conference’s success beyond athletics. The popularity and hype around a team bolster a conference’s status and revenue. Although the WCC is losing Gonzaga, GCU and Seattle University may bring similar excitement to the conference.
“To add Grand Canyon, who across the board in almost every sport is extremely competitive and it’s very meaningful to add Seattle, another Jesuit institution in a major city, just increases the footprint of the WCC,” said Pintens.
The WCC views the addition of GCU and Seattle as beneficial for the conference and its member schools. LMU will have the chance to face new competition as the conference expands to 11 teams in the 2025-26 academic year: Grand Canyon University, Gonzaga University, LMU, Pepperdine University, University of San Francisco, University of Portland, University of San Diego, University of the Pacific, Saint Mary’s College, Santa Clara University, and Seattle University.
“While each university has a unique and distinctive character, both are deeply invested in the welfare of their students and surrounding communities, are making significant investments in their athletics programs and facilities, and will enhance the competitive profile of the West Coast Conference,” said Gonzaga University President and Chair of the WCC Presidents’ Council Dr. Thayne McCulloh in a WCC press release.
Conference realignment remains ongoing, often driven by TV contracts with various conferences. For LMU, success has historically been in the WCC, and they intend to stay. LMU now has the chance to demonstrate its potential as a standout team in the WCC and beyond.
“I think every school wants to put themselves in the best position and wherever they are, you want to succeed in the conference you’re in,” said Pintens. “Our goal is to succeed in the West Coast Conference.”
