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NIU to Join Mountain West, Move Wrestling to Pac-12

7/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Northern Illinois Huskies will join the Mountain West Conference for football and gymnastics on July 1 2026.
The school will move wrestling to the Pac-12 and shift other sports to the Horizon League.
Wide receiver DeAree Rogers said the move gives a bigger conference and better opponents, while Athletic Director Sean Frazier called it self-preservation and noted it cuts long MAC trips, adds Horizon travel, and secures a better TV deal.

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Story summary

Northern Illinois Huskies will join the Mountain West Conference for football and gymnastics on July 1 2026.
The school will move wrestling to the Pac-12 and shift other sports to the Horizon League.
Wide receiver DeAree Rogers said the move gives a bigger conference and better opponents, while Athletic Director Sean Frazier called it self-preservation and noted it cuts long MAC trips, adds Horizon travel, and secures a better TV deal.