The South Dakota State University wrestling team will begin competing in the Pac-12 Conference starting with the 2026-27 school year, according to an April 1 announcement.
The move places South Dakota State among four new affiliate members joining Pac-12 Wrestling next season. The conference expansion coincides with the launch of the new Pac-12 and aims to strengthen both competition and opportunities for student-athletes.
Justin Sell, SDSU Director of Athletics, said, “We look forward to competing in the Pac-12, beginning this upcoming season. The ability to enhance our student-athletes’ experiences while competing at the highest level of the sport is extremely important to us, and we believe we’ve found a perfect match in the Pac-12. I look forward to the continued bright future of South Dakota State wrestling.”
In addition to South Dakota State, Air Force, Northern Colorado and North Dakota State will join as affiliate members alongside Northern Illinois, which was previously announced as a member last October. With these additions, nine teams will compete in Pac-12 Wrestling starting with the 2026-27 campaign. This meets NCAA requirements for automatic qualification for league champions and marks the largest membership since 2008-09.
Head coach Damion Hahn said, “We are extremely excited about the opportunity to join the Pac-12 conference as an official member in the sport of wrestling. The opportunities it gives our student-athletes to compete at a high level, while continuing to strengthen the Pac-12 conference, are special. The ability to host a conference championship, compete against top teams during the regular season, and chase individual goals is what our wrestlers come to South Dakota State University for.” He added: “We are thrilled to be a part of strengthening the Pac-12 conference in the sport of wrestling. Excitement and big things are on the horizon for the Pac-12.”
Over recent years under Hahn’s leadership, SDSU has sent 31 wrestlers to NCAA Championships—including a program-record nine qualifiers in 2025—and achieved seven All-American honors while winning at least twelve dual meets each season over five years.