The Pac-12 Conference announced that Southern Utah University’s women’s gymnastics team will join as an affiliate member beginning with the 2026-27 season. The nationally-ranked “Flippin’ Birds” will team up with Oregon State, Boise State, and Utah State to form a four-member gymnastics league.
“We are proud to build on the long history of excellence in Pac-12 women’s gymnastics,” said Commissioner Teresa Gould. “The addition of Southern Utah solidifies our foundation and ensures we will continue to be a force in the sport.”
SUU Head Coach Scotty Bauman added, “We’ve built something special here in Cedar City. Our athletes, staff, and supporters have put in the work to earn national respect, and now we have the opportunity to compete at the highest level in one of the most storied conferences in collegiate gymnastics.”
The Flippin’ Birds bring a consistent record of success to the conference. The program has made 13 consecutive NCAA regional appearances and secured three straight conference championships, including the 2023 Mountain Rim title and the 2024 and 2025 MPSF Championships. Southern Utah has been a regular in the national Top 25, finishing No. 21 in 2025 and No. 22 in 2023. Their dominance was highlighted last season when the team swept the MPSF’s annual awards, earning accolades for Gymnast, Freshman, and Specialist of the Year, as well as for its head and assistant coaches.
With the addition of Southern Utah, the Pac-12 positions itself as one of the nation’s premier gymnastics conferences. Over the past five seasons, the four programs have a combined average national ranking of 26.1, placing the conference fourth behind only the SEC, Big 12, and Big Ten.
The league also boasts impressive postseason streaks, including Oregon State’s 50 consecutive appearances, Boise State’s 17, and Southern Utah’s 13. Collectively, the conference’s teams have averaged a home attendance of 2,335 and an average team score of 196.114 over the last five years, both ranking fifth nationally.
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