Story Links IRVINE, Calif. – The Athletics Department at the University of Hawaiʻi has successfully negotiated to retain Big West affiliation for its four teams in sports not covered by the Mountain West. This arrangement guarantees ongoing competitive chances for these programs while enhancing their future stability. The four University of Hawaiʻi teams set to remain […]
IRVINE, Calif. – The Athletics Department at the University of Hawaiʻi has successfully negotiated to retain Big West affiliation for its four teams in sports not covered by the Mountain West. This arrangement guarantees ongoing competitive chances for these programs while enhancing their future stability.
The four University of Hawaiʻi teams set to remain with the Big West include men’s volleyball, men’s swimming & diving, women’s beach volleyball, and women’s water polo.
“This arrangement marks a major achievement for our athletics program and was genuinely a collective effort,” stated acting Athletics Director Lois Manin. “We appreciate commissioner Dan Butterly and the member institutions of the Big West for allowing us to stay in the conference. It ensures our student-athletes in these four sports can keep competing at the highest level within the Big West.”
Big West Commissioner Butterly expressed in a statement that the conference is delighted to sustain its long-term collaboration with UH, which began in 1984.
The arrangement with the Big West follows UH’s announcement in October regarding its transition to full membership in the Mountain West after being a football-only member since 2012. The remaining UH teams will integrate into 15 conference-sponsored sports within the Mountain West at the commencement of the 2026-27 academic year.
Women’s sports encompass basketball, cross country, golf, both indoor and outdoor track & field, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, and volleyball. Men’s sports consist of basketball, baseball, football, golf, and tennis.
