Today, the University of Washington officially takes its place in the Big Ten Conference, and throughout our community of students, coaches, faculty, staff and alumni, the excitement is palpable! It has been a remarkable journey to reach this milestone, and I’m so grateful for all the hard work, collaboration and leadership that has gone into transitioning the UW and Husky Athletics to the highest-profile national stage in college sports. I can’t wait to watch as our outstanding teams and student-athletes – not to mention fans – show the world what it means to be a Husky.
One of the most rewarding parts of joining the Big Ten is that even as we compete against new opponents on the court and the field (including the “other” UW), we will continue to square off against many of the West Coast teams with whom we have long-standing and celebrated rivalries. Of course this includes the Ducks, but we’ll also remain in a conference with USC and UCLA, which have traditionally produced some of the most thrilling and enjoyable match-ups for Husky fans. It also gives me great pleasure to know that the Apple Cup tradition will continue, which is good news for all Washington sports fans whether they wear crimson or purple.
The transition to the Big Ten has also opened numerous doors for our academic community to forge new partnerships and collaborations with other conference universities, almost all of which are, like the UW, members of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group of the nation’s leading research universities. These opportunities for academic research alignment include the Big Ten Academic Alliance as well as the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, which is doing incredible work in advancing cancer research and patient care. As a national leader in cancer research and treatment, UW Medicine is primed to be part of this powerful collaboration.
What is clear from the past few years is how dynamic the college sports landscape is, with many unanswered questions about how academic institutions and student-athletes will navigate the shifting terrain. At the UW, we lead with our values and our commitment to developing student-athletes who thrive not only in competition, but in the classroom and throughout their lives. As a Big Ten member, the UW will have a prominent voice in ensuring that the future of college sports honors and upholds those values for the good of all student-athletes, present and future.
So, this fall, as our soccer, football, volleyball and cross country teams begin their seasons, I am overjoyed to be rooting for all of our Dawgs, and to be sustaining so many of our beloved traditions while also experiencing the thrill of a new and bigger stage. And whether you’re part of the roaring crowd or cheering from your couch, I hope you’ll join me in saying GO DAWGS!