Here are 7 random thoughts, observations and speculations following last Friday’s announcement that Denver is moving to the West Coast conference (WCC) for the 2026-27 season.
The biggest winner in this move is academics and admissions according to our contacts in both. DU can leverage the new conference to establish new academic networks and administrative relationships that will elevate DU’s academic profile. Denver will have increased visibility to key, fast-growing Western markets for both students and student-athletes.
DU coaches have publicly stated that they often compete against WCC schools for the same student-athletes in the West. Ironically, the move may also attract Midwest athletes to DU who will play home games near family and travel to more desireable locations for roadtrips.
Don’t be surprised if St Marys College of California bolts the WCC for the newly configured PAC-12 Conference, joining Gonzaga as the only non-football members of the conference. There are plenty of other high-level academic institutions to fill the gap. This is not another WAC situation where the conference melts down after DU moved to the conference.
In our view, the 12th team to join the WCC will be UC Santa Barbara (#40 US News Ranking), a high-profile, non-football, public university. They will be joining a similarly profiled UC San Diego (#29 US News Ranking) that previously announced their move from the Big West Conference.
DU annually wins the 1-AAA LEARFIELD Director’s Cup. About a third of Denver’s cup points come from the sports DU will compete against in the WCC. Many of the so-called ‘country club sports’ (to include tennis, golf as well as soccer and volleyball) are going to be more challenging to dominate in the WCC versus the former Summit League. Denver may no longer be a lock for the LEARFIELD Director’s Cup. This is a fair trade-off to compete against more high-profile teams.
We are hearing that DU Swim & Dive is not going away. While the WCC does not offer that sport (they play polo in their pools out West), Denver’s historically strong programs will continue operation. Expect an announcement on their future relatively soon.
While DU may have blinked first in the realignment saga, it has exposed just how shaky membership is in the Summit League Conference. The membership will stand at a fragile eight members in hoops for an autobid while five members have publicly and privately explored new conference options. It is possible that the Summit League may not exist in the near future.
Excellent observations.
I think everyone at DU should be quite excited about the possibilities.
As you said, for DU alumni and admissions, this conference move is a godsend, and if I were those two departments, I would immediately start working together in a coordinated way to bring groups of alumni, parents and prospective students to DU games at WCC schools to create a larger DU fan presence on the road – pre game receptions, swag and meet-the-team/coaches, etc.
I also think given the attractiveness of WCC league destinations, DU should also look into putting fan travel from Denver to LA and SF for some games.
Also, DU should look at upgrading the banners of the visiting WCC schools at Hamilton Gym and on DU’s soccer field, it offers a better visual association/company you keep and fan education on WCC opponents.
Great move for DU. Looking forward to the WCC! Just wondering who our true rival will be?
~ Seattle vs. Portland
~ Pacific vs. San Francisco
~ Santa Clara vs. Saint Mary’s (or UC Santa Barbara)
~ Pepperdine vs. Loyola Marymount
~ San Diego vs. UC San Diego
~ Denver vs. ??????????
I wonder if it would be feasible for Colorado College to jump from D-III (like Saint Thomas)?
Colorado College joining us as our rival in the WCC? It might be more “feasible” for Regis to upgrade from D-II (or Westminster over in Utah if they want another new state and market).
But the WCC has not been keen in the past on taking schools straight out of D-II, much less D-III, although I suppose there is a tiny chance this could change with Gonzaga gone.