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Pepperdine Welcomes Brigham Young University to West Coast Conference

Brigham Young University (BYU) will become a member of the West Coast Conference (WCC) according to a joint announcement by BYU and the WCC issued today. Other WCC schools, all of them private, faith-based institutions, include Pepperdine University, Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, Portland, Saint Mary’s San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara.  

In making the move, BYU football, which is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) will compete against independent schools. The addition of BYU brings forth a strong national athletic brand and presence that will enhance the visibility of the West Coast Conference.

John Watson, Pepperdine’s Athletics Director says BYU’s move to the West Coast Conference is "extremely positive for Pepperdine and the WCC," adding, "Pepperdine and BYU have a long tradition of competition in men’s volleyball, as members of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. This brings another highly competitive, nationally recognized school to the WCC and will especially elevate men’s basketball and make our conference better."

Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton underscored BYU’s solid national academic standing and its faith-based heritage. "Having Brigham Young University in our conference will add more excitement for our students and fans when BYU competes in Firestone Fieldhouse and our other athletic venues," he says. "We look forward to BYU being a part of the WCC and anticipate it will positively impact and intensify our athletics program."

BYU’s move to the WCC will be effective in the fall of 2011.