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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 are of great benefit to the University of Oregon, and we are grateful to the Big 10 presidents for inviting us to join the conference. We look forward to the opportunity for our student-athletes to compete in this league, 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.”