On Wednesday, April 1, North Dakota State University announced that the Wrestling program is joining the Pac-12 as an affiliate member beginning in the 2026-27 season.
NDSU Director of Athletics, Matt Larson, spoke on the announcement saying, “As we continue to chart the course for our future at NDSU, conference affiliation and alignment are critical for our long-term success.” Larsen continued, “The wrestling program’s transition to the Pac-12, not only preserves many of our traditional regional rivalries, but also helps expand the Bison brand further across the country. I look forward to the opportunity for our student-athletes to compete for Pac-12 Championships and continue the long tradition of Bison wrestling on the national stage.”
Head Wrestling Coach Obenson Blanc said, “Our staff is very excited about the opportunity to compete in the Pac-12.” He concluded, “The profile of the conference’s membership aligns well with our goals as a program and this move provides our student-athletes with the opportunity to compete for championships at the conference level and sets the Bison up with a foundation for NCAA National Championship success.”
Adding the Bison brings the Pac-12 to nine wrestling members, meeting an NCAA requirement for automatic qualification for its annual league champions in each weight class. NDSU joins Oregon State, Air Force, Cal Poly, Cal State Bakersfield, Little Rock, Northern Illinois, Northern Colorado, and South Dakota State in the league.
