Arizona State Becomes Official Member of the Big 12 TEST TEST

TEST TEST A year after making the initial announcement, Arizona State University is officially a member of the Big 12 Conference. The Big 12 first revealed the Sun Devils would become a new member on August 4, 2023, but ASU gained full membership and voting rights as of today, August 2, 2024.

"Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for ASU and Sun Devil Athletics as we proudly join the Big 12! We can't wait to maintain our rivalries with the Four Corner schools while building new traditions and connections with the outstanding universities we now join in this exciting national conference. Together, we'll ignite new ways for our passionate Sun Devil fans to connect and experience game day like never before. Additionally, we'll create important new resources and opportunities, propelling our incredible student-athletes to achieve success in the classroom and at the highest levels of competition," said Sun Devil Athletic Director Graham Rossini. 

Four former Pac-12 Conference schools including Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Colorado and the University of Utah join the Big 12 Conference in 2024, positioning the universities and their student-athletes for increased stability and success.

Aligning with the Four Corner area schools was a key factor for ASU leadership. The moves will help create a strong Arizona-Utah-Texas portion of the conference that will extend current rivalries, create new ones, and offer regional travel for student-athletes.

"Arizona State University and its nearly 700 student athletes are excited to join the diverse collection of high quality institutions in the Big 12 Conference and eager to begin our first year of competition. Change is rejuvenating and as we have begun building closer relationships over the past year and become a part of this outstanding conference, we are highly motivated to share the innovative spirit that defines ASU. In the evolving model of college sports today, we look forward to working together to inspire students, alumni and fans throughout the conference and across the country in engagements that will drive us all to be our best and to set new standards of excellence in all that we do," said ASU President Michael Crow.

Arizona State has a proud history in the Pac-12 Conference, joining the conference in July 1978 along with the University of Arizona to make the then-Pacific-10 Conference a reality. ASU twice played in the Rose Bowl, and won 66 conference titles across 11 different sports.

"Competing in the Big 12 will be a fantastic experience not only for Sun Devil Wrestling, but all of Sun Devil Athletics," said Anthony Robles (2011 NCAA Champion and ASU Wrestling alum). "The conference will be intense, fun, passionate and competitive -- all things that I know our university wants in the future. The Big 12 can and will help all present and future Sun Devils reach their dreams just like I was able to do. I can't wait to watch us compete."

Arizona State, one of the largest public universities in the country, has more than 140,000 combined students studying either in campus immersion or digital immersion. The university is committed to both egalitarian access and academic excellence. An R1 university, Arizona State recently joined the prestigious Association of American Universities, which comprises the nation's elite research universities recognized for their academic and research strength.