The University of New Mexico announced today a partnership with six fellow Mountain West programs to continue competing in the conference through the singing of a grant-in-rights agreement that will provide stability for our student-athletes and security for the foreseeable future for our athletic department.

The United States Air Force Academy, the University of Nevada, San José State University, The University of Wyoming, The University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Hawai’I, along with The University of New Mexico give the Mountain West seven like-minded institutions that have similar academic and athletic goals.  Together, the Mountain West members will work to create a new and exciting future for the conference that will continue to build on the successes previously achieved.

“The University of New Mexico is proud to be a founding member of the Mountain West since its formation 25 years ago,” said UNM President Garnett S. Stokes. “It was vital for us to align ourselves with institutions that have similar ideology. Together we will move forward and forge a path that will allow UNM to continue its pursuit of championships and ensures our student-athletes succeed in sports and in the classroom.”

“UNM has been tremendously successful as a member of the Mountain West, and we will continue to be successful as we move forward,” said interim Vice President/Director of Athletics Dave Williams. “Our goals as a department will never change. We will always strive to win Mountain West championships, advance to postseason play and to have integrity in everything we do. Our future, and the league’s future, is extremely bright.”

The Mountain West was created on July 1, 1999, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colo.