The University of Hawaii’s men’s swimming and diving team will become an affiliate member of The Big West in the 2026-2027 season, alongside its men’s volleyball, women’s water polo, and women’s beach volleyball teams. “We’re delighted to sustain a long-standing partnership with the University of Hawai`i that started in 1984,” Butterly commented. “By including these […]
The University of Hawaii’s men’s swimming and diving team will become an affiliate member of The Big West in the 2026-2027 season, alongside its men’s volleyball, women’s water polo, and women’s beach volleyball teams.
“We’re delighted to sustain a long-standing partnership with the University of Hawai`i that started in 1984,” Butterly commented. “By including these programs as affiliate members, we enhance the overall strength and reputation of The Big West and offer our student-athletes greater chances to compete nationally in their sports.”
This announcement follows significant conference realignment in the west, which included Hawaii’s decision to become a full member of the Mountain West Conference in the 2026-2027 season. The Mountain West only hosts a swimming and diving championship for women at present, and this Big West announcement suggests that there are no intentions to introduce a men’s championship, despite having four men’s programs.
Future Sponsorship of Swimming & Diving in Mountain West Conference
| Men’s Swim & Dive |
Women’s Swim & Dive |
|
| Air Force | X | X |
| UNLV | X | X |
| Nevada | X | |
| New Mexico | X | |
| San Jose State | X | |
| Wyoming | X | X |
| UTEP | ||
| Hawaii | X | X |
Since 2012, Hawaii has participated in the Mountain West as a football-only member, while most of its other sports – including both swimming and diving teams – have been part of the Big West.
Hawaii also served as a full member of the Big West for women’s sports from 1984 to 1996, during which time the men’s teams were in the WAC.
It remains uncertain whether the previous travel subsidies that Hawaii had to pay as a Big West member to cover the additional costs of traveling to Hawaii will still be applicable in the new framework.
