The University of Denver is set to join the West Coast Conference on July 1, 2026 and will begin play in the 2026-27 season after the school accepted a formal invitation from the league on Friday.
 
The West Coast Conference will be the primary home of Denver's nine athletic programs: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball. A conference transition plan for DU's men's and women's swimming and diving programs is in place and will be announced at a later date. The move does not impact the conference affiliations for hockey (NCHC), gymnastics (Big 12), men's and women's lacrosse (BIG EAST) or the men's and women's skiing (RMISA), and the triathlon program will stay independent as an NCAA-emerging sport.
 
Here is what Denver's senior leadership and coaches had to say about the move to the west on Friday during media availability at the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness.
 
Jeremy Haefner, University of Denver Chancellor
On joining the West Coast Conference: 
"I am absolutely delighted to represent the University of Denver in joining the West Coast Conference. Especially for season 2026 and 2027. It represents a significant step in the journey of elevating the University's reputation, visibility, athletics, and really excellence, which we are so known for. This alignment is ideal for the University of Denver. We are joining nationally recognized, nationally reputational universities that look like us, that we aspire to be more like them. They're in cities that our alum, our students that we recruit are situated. The West Coast Conference is on a national media platform that has a scope of millions and therefore more and more people across the country will see the excellence of our athletic competitions, our student athletes, whom we cherish so much at this university. More on that, though, it is about values and mission. These are institutions that are very mission-oriented and driven. They often have a faith kind of association they believe in developing the whole student, just like the University of Denver does. They care about their faculty and staff, they have rigorous academics, community engagement, student success, and again, the development of the student athlete and the well-being of the student athlete. Nine of those institutions are in the top 150 of US News National Rankings. We are ranked 117, so we fit in that group very nicely. But that level of reputation, that level of excellence, is what we value and we are integrated with in so many different ways. There are going to be so many opportunities for collaborations. In our academics, in our student affairs, in our faculty and staff. I know that if Provost Labore(>) was here, she'd be so excited about connecting with the other academic leaders at these institutions to start building partnerships around research and academics, and that's what's going to happen, because we're committed to making this not just about athletics, but about the institution, and that's why I think there's just so much to be proud and excited about. And then finally, I want to say super thanks to so many people. Our board has been enthusiastically supportive of that. We had 100% participation of the board to support this philanthropically. That's how vested and how strategic they believe this is. I want to thank Vice Chancellor for Athletics, Josh Berlo, for his leadership, his experience and his knowledge and the people that he knows. This couldn't have happened without this kind of experience. I also want to address the friends I have now in the West Coast Conference. A lot of presidents that I had an opportunity to connect with. These are good, good people. I want to say, so are the good people in the Summit League. I've always enjoyed working with them, but I'm particularly excited to work with these individuals because of the institutions that they represent. So the motto that I'm embracing is 'we rise in the West,' and that's exactly what the University of Denver has been doing all these years. So this is a nice, strategic step in that direction."
 
Josh Berlo, University of Denver Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations
On joining the West Coast Conference: 
"Really well said, Chancellor, I'll just build on a couple of those comments. The West Coast Conference is just a natural fit for our institution, athletically, academically, geographics. The geography is where our students come from, it's where our alumni reside, and it's been a long goal, it's really part of our journey. We're a young Division One athletic department dating back to the late 90s, and this has been something DU has aspired to for quite some time, and this is the next step in this journey, it's probably a home we're going to be in for many, many decades, and it fits so well for broad-based excellence, academic achievement, academic achievement with integrity, competitive excellence. And it was great this morning to share with our staff and couches this news, these things happen quickly, and to see the reactions of our longtime staff members, long time coaches, who have known that this has been an objective that goes back that far, and again, just that natural fit, the comfortability, the program alignment, it really will be an empowerment tool, and there will be challenges. There are lots of opportunities as we walk this journey, but it is something that lifts up athletics and lifts up the institution, the visibility element is so key, and to be in these major markets, to be competing in major media platforms and exposing our institution really to the world through the lens of athletics, it's an honor and a privilege for us to do that in furtherance of the institutional mission. So I do want to say that the Summit League has been a great home for the University of Denver. We've been proud members, and most recently, in the last few years under Commissioner Fenton's leadership, that league has really flourished. But there are elements of the West Coast Conference that are just so unique and special to the University of Denver, and couldn't be more excited for this transition. What it does for us athletically, the engagement opportunities for our alums and so many of our student athletes being rooted in the West, and so much of our student body being rooted in the West so we're got some work to do in preparation. We've got some championships yet to win in our current conference, but the future is so bright for the University of Denver athletics, and the momentum that we have is beyond palpable and deep appreciation to all of our staff, student athletes, and coaches that have been building to this moment for decades, and our institution for their support. The Chancellor, the Board [of Trustees], it all came together at the right time for this to happen, and that is the culmination of thousands of people and so many victories and championships that this institution is desired to be amongst such a prestigious group of universities. So again, I'll just close with it's a natural fit. It feels really good. We've got work to do, but we couldn't be happier than taking all that on. So congratulations and thank you to all the people who played a role in this over many decades, and we look forward to our competition within the West Coast Conference for many, many, many years to come. Let's go to Denver."
 
Tim Bergstraser, Men's Basketball Head Coach
On his initial thoughts from hearing the news about WCC: 
"My immediate response was excited. I understand how big it is for university overall athletics. I had to do a lot more educating of my own self, just because I'm not super familiar with the WCC, but I do understand that it's a power conference for sure, and I think it's just the absolute perfect fit for our program and university to fit in with them, so I'm very excited."
 
On the benefits of recruiting with the association to the WCC: 
"I think it's definitely going to expand our net for sure, when we are getting out there and recruiting. And part of our recruiting pitch I guess is selling the league. You want to sell them that you're playing very high level basketball against very good players. And the travel is going to be pretty fun. I'm an up-North guy, so no disrespect, but it's going to be a lot different than going to the Dakotas now that we're going to the West Coast. We're definitely going to sell the winning success of that league, and we're really going to sell that in the recruiting pitch. I think that's going to really attract… our kind of people. And when we really lay that out for them, and I think they're going to be really attracted to that."
 
On this becoming the turning point for DU Men's Basketball: 
"We've already talked to the staff, we really need to focus on this year as much as we can. But let's be real. We still need to look ahead and get prepared as much as possible without losing complete focus on what we're trying to do this year. But I'm a firm believer in the vision that's here, and I've been a part of that vision ever since I got the job. I'm very excited for that vision, because I see it, I'm right there with them. Who knows what could happen in a year, but I'm just going to take it one year at a time, one day at a time, and I really do think this is going to propel the brand of DU athletics in the University."
 
Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart, Joy S. Burns Head Women's Gymnastics Coach
On the initial thoughts of Denver joining the WCC: 
"Excited for the University, for the athletic department, obviously, for gymnastics. It doesn't have a direct effect on us, since we're still part of being an affiliate member of the Big 12, but the exposure for all the other sports is exposure for gymnastics and all the rest of the affiliate members. It's a big recruiting hub for us, and I just think being on a national platform is going to elevate all the programs and teams. I couldn't be any more excited for the university and the mission of the university."
 
On the WCC being a good spot for DU:
"Well, this opportunity gives me a chance to reflect on Dan Ritchie, who obviously, and Dan was such a role model and mentor. And I know Dan had talked about being in this particular conference for years and years, and the fact that the timing is now right, and credit to the success of all the coaches and programs here to get us into this conference, and credit to the Chancellor and Josh Burlow for making it happen. But yes, I think all of the coaches, whether we're affiliates or not, or in that new conference, we are just so incredibly excited at the exposure how the mission of those other institutions. Like universities, as far as academics, and again, that has an indirect exposure and recruiting benefit for us. So we're all incredibly excited."
 
David Carle, Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach
On his thoughts of joining the WCC: 
"Great thing for our institution. You know, you hear the Chancellor and Josh speak about. You know, obviously, the groups of the schools that we're going with, but also I think the recruitment of the regular student body is critical in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, but universities in whole. I think it makes us a stronger institution, which excites me, excites our program, ultimately, is a really good thing for our department. I think seeing the caliber of player that these programs that are going to the West Coast Conference to be able to recruit, I think it's a wonderful thing, especially if you've seen the Big 10 go national. You've got a lot of our sports, obviously don't have football, and I don't think tennis players or soccer players sign up to play in California and want to go to Rutgers. And I think it gives us a great opportunity for us to recruit California, because it's more centrally located. I think it elevates and makes the West Coast Conference stronger. Obviously, we've won the director's cup for a number of years. I think the value that we bring into the conference is exceptional, and I know that our people will strive to win as much as we can."
 
On if the coaches had an influence on the decision:
"I think everybody that's been a part of this thing, you know, since Dan Ritchie wanted to bring it to division one in the mid-90s, has been a part of getting into this point. I think Josh touched on it. He shared a story with us today about Bernie Mullen and Mr. Ritchie going out to California in the late 90s to try, and plant a flag and get in with this conference and try and do that. And it's taken 25-30 years. If we were stubbing our toe every year, not doing well, we wouldn't be in this position. So I think it's a totality of our efforts, amongst all our sports, in our department, many people still are not here, but all the people that are here have seen this thing go through till the end. I think there's a lot of people that aren't a part of the institution anymore. I'm sure Josh and Jeremy, and John Miller are getting texts and calls from how excited they are for the institution, because this has been a long-standing effort to try and get into this conference with our university, with other universities, and the geographics, the academics, all of it. I think it is a wonderful fit."
 
Julianne Sitch, Women's Soccer Head Coach
On overall thoughts on conference change: 
"It's really exciting and I think it's a great opportunity for the whole program of Denver athletics, especially for the soccer programs and women's soccer. To be able to compete in a premier conference with top schools, and especially top other high academic schools. So I think that's going to be really great. It's going to be good for recruiting as well. We're already in that market, so to be able to tap into even more of a West Coast market for women's soccer is going to just continue to elevate our program and reach for higher things that we're doing here at Denver."
 
On joining a prestigious women's soccer conference: 
"Yes, absolutely. California in general, the West Coast, is top notch for youth soccer. So to be able to go out there and know that athletes will be able to come and play in Denver, but then knowing that they're also going to be able to play at home too, at least two times out of their four years in college. So that's also like a big market for us that will be great for us to be able to tap into those athletes, to be able to come here. So I think it's only going to continue to elevate our opportunities of recruiting, and just continue to elevate our play here at Denver."
 
On competing with schools in the WCC: 
"Yes, especially right now too. Like, we're in that market, and we have recruits that are interested in those same types of schools that are in the WCC right now. So to be able to now also be in that market, I mean, it's great you think about Denver in general as one, not just an institution, but also as a city. So that is a great market. And then to be able to compete against other private and high academic institutions is going to be big."
 
Megan Pendergast, Women's Volleyball Head Coach
On overall thoughts on conference change: 
"I'm ecstatic. I think the WCC is an elite volleyball conference. I think it's an elite conference overall, but for us and in the volleyball world, it is well respected, and we get to play some of the premier programs on the West Coast. And I am elated."
 
On adjusting to the WCC: 
"It's huge. I think we have a ton of success already recruiting in California, and I think this is only going to help. And a lot of times we're in recruiting battles, we hear a lot of these schools' names. And so I am super excited that, you know, just some of these destinations are just a little bit more exciting for your kids in California, because they get to go home, you know? And so I think it's going to help our recruiting tremendously."
 
Quotes compiled by Maggie Poe, Blake Horwitch, and Lucas Schachter
 

DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Pioneers on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers on Twitter
Follow @DenverPioneers on Instagram