KC Smurthwaite is a consultant for Athletics Admin, specializing in revenue generation in sports. He has almost two decades of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. He also teaches sports management and journalism as an adjunct professor. Follow him on Twitter @KcSmurthwaite or reach him at [email protected]
OREM, Utah – In the early 2000s, Utah Valley University was competing against junior college programs like Treasure Valley Community College, College of Eastern Utah, Colorado Northwestern, and the now-defunct Ricks College (RIP) in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. John Stockton and Karl Malone were still suiting up for the Utah Jazz, and 38 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah Valley State College was quietly building its university and athletics program in Orem.
Just over two decades later, those same Wolverines are preparing to take their place on a much bigger stage. When Utah Valley University officially accepted an invitation to join the Big West Conference, beginning in 2026, it marked more than just a change of leagues — it was a milestone in UVU’s remarkable rise from junior college roots to a Division I brand. UVU is also one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country.
UVU’s athletic journey began at the junior college level in 1972–73, then moved into the Scenic West and NJCAA Region 18 in 1986. In 2003–04, it made NCAA history as the only institution to transition directly from junior college to Division I. (The rules have since changed — just ask Sacramento State.) Now, the Wolverines will bring Big West competition back to Utah for the first time since Utah State left the conference in 2005 — another milestone in an already improbable, yet remarkable story.
For UVU Athletic Director Dr. Jared Sumsion, who grew up in Utah and graduated from UVU himself, the moment carries personal significance.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of support since we made the announcement,” Sumsion said. “There’s strong alignment between our athletics department, President Tuminez, and Vice President Val Peterson. They are completely bought in on the growth of Wolverine athletics — and that’s been a big key to our success.”
Sumsion has been at the helm of the school’s 16 NCAA Division I programs — encompassing more than 400 student-athletes — since May 3, 2019. Before being named athletic director, he served as interim director following a stint as senior associate athletic director for external operations. His leadership has not gone unnoticed: In 2024, he was named an NCAA Division I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year by NACDA.
“Less than 25 years ago, we were still a junior college,” Sumsion said. “Now, we’re becoming a nationally recognized name. That comes from recruiting the right student-athletes, hiring the right coaches, and having the right teammates in our administrative staff.”
With an enrollment of over 47,000 students — making it the largest university in Utah — UVU will become the biggest school in the Big West Conference when it joins in July 2026. It will also be the only member located outside California, filling the geographic gap left by Hawaii, which is departing for full membership in the Mountain West Conference.
UVU continues to set new enrollment records. This year, the university experienced growth of nearly 5%, adding more than 2,100 students and welcoming its largest freshman class to date. “Students continue to choose UVU and have found that it is a place for them to thrive,” said President Astrid Tuminez in a recent Salt Lake Tribune article. That growth, Sumsion said, also helps fuel the excitement around Wolverine athletics.
“We have one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, inclusive of being family-friendly and one of the best areas to start and grow your business,” Sumsion said. “Silicon Slopes is just up the road, and businesses are moving here. We’ve also been aggressive on the recruitment front as a university, but that also builds our brand from an athletics standpoint. Every student can be part of a fun, growing student section. Those are memories I have from being a student, and it’s part of what makes the overall experience here so special.”
UVU will compete in 13 Big West-sponsored sports, including basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Wrestling will remain in the Big 12.
For Sumsion, the move is about positioning UVU for long-term success.
“We’ve loved our time in the WAC — it’s a storied league with national championships and Hall of Famers,” he said. “But we needed to position ourselves for growth. We felt confident the Big West was the right fit for us. Other leagues or representatives called often to pitch themselves or an idea, which speaks volumes about what other schools think of us. But the Big West is the right home.”
Facilities and Fundraising
UVU’s rise has also been fueled by strategic investments in facilities and fundraising.
Over the past few years, UVU has announced transformative partnerships, including a $28.5 million pledge from Utah Community Credit Union for a new soccer stadium and a $17.7 million agreement with doTERRA that has helped upgrade nearly every sport’s facilities.
“We’ve closed several major gifts that have truly been difference-makers,” Sumsion said. “Every day, I meet someone new who wants to get involved. There’s a lot of competition for dollars and attention in Utah and Salt Lake counties, but we’re getting a lot of love from our fans and sports fans in general.”
Although UVU’s alumni base is still young — many having attended when it was a junior college — the support is growing.
“Not everyone identifies as an alum of Utah Valley State College,” Sumsion acknowledged. “But we’ve already seen some very successful alumni giving back. And beyond individuals, national brands are stepping up to partner with us as well.”
The success has brought attention… even for other jobs.
For Sumsion, UVU’s rise is personal. He attended Utah Valley as a student and has had a front-row seat to the university’s transformation.
“I love Utah Valley. My family and I are happy here,” he said. “Have other big-time opportunities popped up along the way? Absolutely. However, just as with joining the Big West, you must listen and evaluate. Seeing where we are today compared to where we were when I was a student — that’s incredibly rewarding.”
He added with a smile, “We’re building facilities, taking care of our student-athletes, and building a family-first atmosphere. There’s still work to do, but we’re thrilled about where we are and where we’re going next.”
What About Football?
One question Sumsion hears often is whether football could be next on UVU’s horizon.
He chuckled at the suggestion. “I get this question almost daily. I love college football — the pageantry, the tradition. But until we get that $150 million donor walking through the door, it’s not in our deck of cards just yet.”
Sumsion even keeps full-size home and away UVU football helmets behind his desk — a fun conversation starter.
For now, Sumsion and his team of gritty wolverines are focused on the here and now — building on UVU’s momentum and preparing to step into the Big West spotlight in 2026.
“Our story is still being written, not just in pages, but authored in chapters,” he said. “And we love where it’s going.”
