EUGENE, Ore. — Aug. 4, 2023 — The University of Oregon will join the Big Ten Conference in 2024.
“I’m thrilled that the University of Oregon has the opportunity to join the nation's preeminent academic-athletic conference,” said UO President Karl Scholz. “Our student-athletes will participate at the highest level of collegiate athletic competition, and our alumni, friends, and fans will be able to carry the spirit of Oregon across the country.”
The Big Ten Conference voted Friday to accept Oregon effective August 2, 2024. The UO will remain in the Pac-12 Conference for the duration of the Pac-12's existing media rights agreements.
The move will benefit UO students and faculty, said Scholz, who, while dean and provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, helped shape and observed the benefits of the Big Ten Academic Alliance over the last decade.
“The connections we will make with some of the leading research institutions in the world will provide new opportunities for our students, staff, faculty, and university stakeholders,” said Scholz. “The agreement we’ve reached with the Big Ten Conference will help ensure a bright future for the University of Oregon. We are grateful and look forward to a long, robust partnership.
In coming years, the UO will prioritize the long-held traditions, including competition across all sports with Oregon State University. The alliance puts UO student-athletes on a national stage, said UO Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Rob Mullens.
“Accepting membership into the Big Ten Conference is a transformational opportunity for the University of Oregon to change the short and long-term trajectory of our university and athletics department,” said Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens. “The stability and exposure of joining the Big Ten is of great benefit to the University of Oregon, and we are grateful to the Big Ten presidents and chancellors for accepting our application to join the conference. We look forward to the opportunity for our student-athletes to compete in this conference, which includes many of the best programs in the nation in every sport.”
With less than two months on the job as the UO’s 19th president, Scholz has already demonstrated leadership through the evolving landscape of changing college athletics.
“President Scholz’s calm and insightful style have been invaluable during the conference realignment process and leading to the final deal,” said Steve Holwerda, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are fortunate to have him at our helm.”
About the University of Oregon
The UO is a Carnegie R1 research university and a member of the Association of American Universities. The UO faculty includes a Nobel Prize winner, a MacArthur fellow, a pair of National Medal of Science winners and a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. The UO has more than 500 student-athletes who compete in 20 sports. UO teams have taken home 38 national championships.
Message to University of Oregon Community
Information for the media about joining the live-stream news conference:
Media Only Access: Press Conference Zoom Link
When: Aug. 4, 2023 at 4 p.m. at Pacific Time
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/93537502880
Passcode: 1876
Members of the media will be made a panelist in the webinar. When they have a question, they may raise their hand virtually and will be unmuted when it is their turn to ask a question. We may not have time to answer all questions. Additional questions should go to UONews@Uoregon.edu.
YouTube Live Stream of Press Conference: (for media to share with the public)
https://youtube.com/live/dRs-VcWJe5Q?feature=share
Media Contact:
Molly Blancett
University Communications
blancett@uoregon.edu
541-515-5155