Conference realignment has entirely shifted the dynamics in college sports, which, honestly, can be a little confusing at times.
Some programs that have long been mainstays in their respective conferences, perhaps even embodying the regional spirit of those conferences, have chased money, power and television exposure, restructuring the economics of college athletics.
All of this has not been without casualties, as some conferences – such as the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference – have consolidated power, incorporating schools that are often on the geographic opposite of the country. One such victim has been the Pac-12, which is clinging to life.
Originally founded as the Pacific Coast Conference in December 1915, the conference started out with four teams. Eventually, the conference would expand to 12 teams when Colorado and Utah joined in 2010, but all that has changed.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Pac-12 Conference ahead of the 2024-25 college athletic season:
Does the Pac-12 still exist?
Yes, but it perhaps should be called the Pac-2, given that there are only two programs still remaining in the conference. The conference will sponsor five sports in the 2024-25 season: baseball, football, track and field, women’s gymnastics and wrestling.
What schools remain in the Pac-12 conference?
The only two teams left in the Pac-12 are the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars. Oregon State is one of the original members of the conference, which originated in December 1915 as the Pacific Coast Conference. In fact, Oregon State was known back then as Oregon Agricultural College.
Washington State, which was then known as Washington State College, joined the conference in 1917.
For the next two years starting with 2024, OSU and WSU will be competing across 12 sports (men’s basketball; women’s basketball; men’s cross country; women’s cross country; men’s golf; women’s golf; women’s rowing; men’s soccer; women’s soccer; softball; women’s tennis and women’s volleyball) as affiliate members of the West Coast Conference.
During that span, Washington State will compete in two sports (baseball and women’s swimming) as affiliate members of the Mountain West Conference.
And for its men’s rowing team, Oregon State will compete in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA).
What schools left the Pac-12 conference?
Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington have joined the Big Ten.
Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah have joined the Big 12.
Cal and Stanford have joined the ACC.
