CEDAR CITY, Utah – A day that many T-Birds fans have been waiting for has finally come. July 1, 2026, marks the start of a new academic year. It also marks the beginning of a new era for Thunderbirds Athletics.
Today, the Thunderbirds officially return home to the Big Sky Conference, while the nationally recognized Flippin' Birds officially begin their membership in the Pac-12 Conference. Together, the moves usher in an exciting future for Thunderbirds Athletics, one built on tradition, competitive excellence, regional rivalries, and opportunities to compete on some of the biggest stages in collegiate athletics.
For 14 Southern Utah athletic programs, today represents a return to familiar territory. After spending 10 seasons in the Big Sky Conference from 2012-22, the Thunderbirds once again call one of the nation's premier Division I FCS conferences home.
During its previous membership, Southern Utah established itself as a competitive force, capturing nine Big Sky Conference championships across multiple sports. The football program claimed the 2015 and 2017 Big Sky Championship and earned an NCAA FCS Playoff berth, softball captured the 2014 Big Sky Tournament title and advanced to NCAA Regionals, men's basketball won the 2021 regular season championship, men's outdoor track and field claimed its first conference title in 2019, and women's cross country, women's basketball, and other programs consistently competed among the league's best.
Now, those traditions continue.
Beginning with the 2026-27 athletic season, Southern Utah will compete for Big Sky championships in football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
The return also renews regional rivalries that have become part of the university's athletic identity. Matchups with Weber State, Northern Arizona, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, and new conference member Utah Tech once again become annual fixtures on the schedule, creating exciting opportunities for student-athletes and fans alike.
The move also provides meaningful benefits beyond competition. Reduced travel for many sports creates more balance for student-athletes, allowing them to spend more time on campus while continuing to compete at a championship level. The conference's geographic footprint also strengthens recruiting opportunities throughout the western United States while reconnecting Southern Utah with longtime conference opponents and alumni across the region.
While much of Thunderbirds Athletics begins its Big Sky journey today, one program is embarking on an equally exciting path.
Southern Utah Gymnastics officially joins the Pac-12 Conference, becoming one of just four member institutions competing in one of collegiate gymnastics' most prestigious conferences.
The move comes after one of the most successful stretches in program history.
Over the past several seasons, the Flippin' Birds have established themselves as a national power, winning four consecutive conference championships, capturing the final Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference title in 2023 before claiming three straight Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championships from 2024 through 2026. Southern Utah has also qualified for 14 consecutive NCAA Regional Championships, earned multiple Top 25 national finishes, and continues to rank among the nation's elite academic programs.
"This move validates everything we've been working toward," Interim Director of Athletics Tom Higbee said following the announcement. "Joining the Pac-12 aligns with our goals for national competitiveness and provides our student-athletes the stage they deserve."
Head coach Scotty Bauman echoed that excitement.
"We've built something special here in Cedar City," Bauman said. "Our athletes, staff, and supporters have put in the work to earn national respect, and now we have the opportunity to compete at the highest level in one of the most storied conferences in collegiate gymnastics."
The Pac-12 has long been regarded as one of the premier conferences in collegiate gymnastics, producing Olympic athletes, NCAA champions, and nationally ranked programs year after year. Southern Utah's inclusion is a testament to decades of sustained success and positions the Flippin' Birds to continue competing among the nation's elite.
Although today's conference memberships become official, the excitement is only beginning.
Fans will soon witness the return of classic Big Sky rivalries across football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, cross country, golf, and track & field, while gymnastics enters the national spotlight like never before in program history.
For Thunderbirds student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and supporters, July 1 represents more than a date on the calendar.
It is the start of a new chapter rooted in Southern Utah's proud history while embracing an even brighter future.
The Big Sky logo once again belongs beside Thunderbirds Athletics.
The Pac-12 welcomes one of the nation's top gymnastics programs.
And for Southern Utah University, a new era has officially begun.
About the Big Sky Conference
Founded in 1963, the Big Sky Conference is an NCAA Division I conference competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Big Sky prides itself on its "#ExperienceElevated" platform that emphasizes the unique traits and lifelong benefits that the conference and its member institutions provide to around 3,300 student-athletes each year. Conference members have won 13 NCAA championships, including seven in football by five different members as well as six of the last nine Division I men's cross country titles by NAU.
About SUU Athletics
Southern Utah University Athletics is home to 15 NCAA Division I teams. SUU Athletics supports the University's educational mission by fostering leadership, personal growth, and academic excellence. Committed to integrity and community engagement, we prepare student-athletes for success both on and off the field. SUU Athletics is more than competition - it's a transformative part of the Thunderbird experience.
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