University of Northern Colorado Athletics
11/12/2026 9:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
FARMINGTON, Utah – Northern Colorado's women's swimming and diving program will compete in the Big Sky Conference beginning in the 2027-28 season, the league announced Thursday.
The Bears will join Idaho, Northern Arizona and Utah Tech, along with affiliate member University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in the conference's inaugural women's swimming and diving season. All five programs currently compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
"We are absolutely thrilled to introduce women's swimming and diving as the newest Big Sky-sponsored sport," Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. "In this era of college athletics, it's particularly meaningful that our membership has leaned into crowning another team each year as a Big Sky champion and, in doing so, will create a direct pathway for additional Big Sky student-athletes to qualify for and participate in their respective NCAA championship."
The move brings Northern Colorado's program under the same conference banner as the rest of its teams. The Bears have competed in the MPSF in swimming and diving while their other programs have called the Big Sky home.
Women's swimming and diving will become the 10th Big Sky women's sport in a 17-sport portfolio, arriving in what will be the conference's 40th year sponsoring women's athletics. The Big Sky previously sponsored men's swimming and diving from 1963 to 1974, but this marks the first time the league has sponsored the sport for women.
The inaugural Big Sky Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will take place in February of 2028, with dates and location to be announced later.
Northern Colorado's season is currently underway, with head coach Lisa Ebeling's program competing in the MPSF for a final season before the transition.
Swomen Club
The Swomen Club plays a vital role in the success of UNC Swimming & Diving, providing elite training gear, enhanced nutrition and championship-level travel opportunities. These investments directly support our student-athletes and ensure the Bears are equipped to perform at the highest level.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the women's swim and dive team on X (@UNC_BearsSwim), Instagram (@UNC_BearsSwim_Dive), and Facebook (/UNCOBearsswimdive).
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The Bears will join Idaho, Northern Arizona and Utah Tech, along with affiliate member University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in the conference's inaugural women's swimming and diving season. All five programs currently compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
"We are absolutely thrilled to introduce women's swimming and diving as the newest Big Sky-sponsored sport," Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. "In this era of college athletics, it's particularly meaningful that our membership has leaned into crowning another team each year as a Big Sky champion and, in doing so, will create a direct pathway for additional Big Sky student-athletes to qualify for and participate in their respective NCAA championship."
The move brings Northern Colorado's program under the same conference banner as the rest of its teams. The Bears have competed in the MPSF in swimming and diving while their other programs have called the Big Sky home.
Women's swimming and diving will become the 10th Big Sky women's sport in a 17-sport portfolio, arriving in what will be the conference's 40th year sponsoring women's athletics. The Big Sky previously sponsored men's swimming and diving from 1963 to 1974, but this marks the first time the league has sponsored the sport for women.
The inaugural Big Sky Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will take place in February of 2028, with dates and location to be announced later.
Northern Colorado's season is currently underway, with head coach Lisa Ebeling's program competing in the MPSF for a final season before the transition.
Swomen Club
The Swomen Club plays a vital role in the success of UNC Swimming & Diving, providing elite training gear, enhanced nutrition and championship-level travel opportunities. These investments directly support our student-athletes and ensure the Bears are equipped to perform at the highest level.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the women's swim and dive team on X (@UNC_BearsSwim), Instagram (@UNC_BearsSwim_Dive), and Facebook (/UNCOBearsswimdive).
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