Bigger opportunities led GCU to pivot from WCC to Mountain West

PHOENIX — In positioning itself for the next era of athletic success, a move to the Mountain West was too good for GCU to pass up compared to an initial transition to the West Coast Conference, university decision-makers said Monday.

“Things were happening rapidly with the the Pac-12 making their changes and seeing all the potential changes happening in other conferences, we really had to make a decision that was going to be the best for GCU, and you kind of have to predict ahead,” athletic director Jamie Boggs said.

Grand Canyon University announced it had accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West on Friday, about a half-year after it had announced a move to the West Coast Conference.

WCC commissioner Stu Jackson responded with a statement expressing disappointment with GCU for backing out of its commitment.

One key change the Pac-12 made through this process was adding Gonzaga, which appeared to be a logical rival for GCU in the WCC when that move was agreed to.

Reported mutual interest in GCU following Gonzaga came about but never materialized, as the Pac-12 prioritized universities with football programs after adding the Bulldogs.

“It would have been a joy to participate with Gonzaga in (the WCC), but it wasn’t meant to be,” Phoenix sports icon and GCU advisor Jerry Colangelo said. “Now we look forward to playing Gonzaga and beating them.”

Boggs said GCU was appreciative of the interest it received from the WCC and other potential suitors, but all the data they looked at pointed to the Mountain West being the best fit.

“The opportunities at the Mountain West were very strong: higher level of competition, national exposure, national brands,” Boggs said. “We were very appreciative and thankful for the opportunity to be invited to the WCC, but when we saw all that the Mountain West had to offer, the decision was easy for us.”

She said it was a very quick decision after parsing through all the factors at play, which took “a couple of days.”

GCU president Brian Mueller said at a public announcement of the move he believes the Mountain West will soon be “the premiere basketball conference in the west.”

“There’s historic programs in this conference that are now building momentum,” Mueller said, pointing to teams such as UNLV, New Mexico and Nevada.

What about GCU enticed the Mountain West?

“The city of Phoenix, the state of Arizona, what you bring to the league, you fit,” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez told GCU supporters at the event. “You’re within driving distance, the economic prosperity, what you have built here at Grand Canyon aligns with what all of our campuses are trying to do.”

She later told reporters geography is still important to the Mountain West during an era when it’s becoming less important to other conferences.

“Staying true to that geography out here in the west is important because we’re already an airplane league as it is,” Nevarez said.

She added the support behind the ‘Lopes was as big a factor as any.

“Also just the excitement, the fan base. I had mentioned earlier that 2023 regional in Denver (which the Mountain West hosted) was insane with ‘Lope nation,” Nevarez said. “And I love the idea of the rivalries that will develop.

“It’s all about what the fans bring. No matter the size of your arena, if they’re not coming in with excitement and passion, it could feel empty. Or it could feel like the game changer.”

As it was trying to court GCU, the Mountain West’s multiple at-large bids in the NCAA tournament greatly impacted the pitch.

Last year, six Mountain West teams made the Big Dance, although four are headed for the Pac-12 (Boise State, San Diego State, Utah State and Colorado State).