The Mountain West is noted for its geographic diversity. Some of the most beautiful terrain and landscapes in the nation can be found within Mountain West boundaries, including the majestic Rocky Mountain range, which borders five MW institutions (Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico and Utah State). The high plains of Wyoming (elevation 7,220 feet – the highest Division I campus in the nation) contrast with the desert cities of Las Vegas and Reno, home to UNLV and Nevada, respectively, while Fresno State, San Diego State and San José State add a West coast influence with their locations in Central, Southern and Northern California. The inclusion of the Hawai‘i football program extends the Mountain West footprint to the beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean, while the addition of the women’s soccer program at Colorado College gives the MW an additional presence in the Rocky Mountains.
The MW
Air Force
Founded: 1954
Location: U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
Elevation: 7,163 feet
Population: 380,567
Enrollment: 4,400
Student-Athletes: 900
MW-Sponsored Sports: 16
Boise State
Founded: 1932
Nickname: Broncos
Location: Boise, ID
Elevation: 2,842 feet
Population: 593,000
Enrollment: 23,886
Student-Athletes: 420
MW-Sponsored Sports: 17
Colorado State
Founded: 1870
Nickname: Rams
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Elevation: 5,004 feet
Population: 156,480
Enrollment: 33,198
Student-Athletes: 369
MW-Sponsored Sports: 16
Fresno State
Founded: 1911
Nickname: Bulldogs
Location: Fresno, CA
Elevation: 352 feet
Population: 494,665
Enrollment: 24,500
Student-Athletes: 450
MW-Sponsored Sports: 17
Nevada
Founded: 1874
Nickname: Wolf Pack
Location: Reno, NV
Elevation: 4,505 feet
Population: 237,000
Enrollment: 21,353
Student-Athletes: 400
MW-Sponsored Sports: 15
New Mexico
Founded: 1889
Nickname: Lobos
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Elevation: 5,312 feet
Population: 556,495
Enrollment: 25,015
Student-Athletes: 440
MW-Sponsored Sports: 18
San Diego State
Founded: 1897
Nickname: Aztecs
Location: San Diego, CA
Elevation: 46 feet
Population: 1,406,630
Enrollment: 33,778
Student-Athletes: 560
MW-Sponsored Sports: 15
San José State
Founded: 1857
Nickname: Spartans
Location: San Jose, CA
Elevation: Sea level to 2,125 feet
Population: 1,000,536
Enrollment: 32,471
Student-Athletes: 470
MW-Sponsored Sports: 15
UNLV
Founded: 1957
Nickname: Rebels
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Elevation: 2,030 feet
Population: 518,313
Enrollment: 29,700
Student-Athletes: 480
MW-Sponsored Sports: 15
Utah State
Founded: 1888
Nickname: Aggies
Location: Logan, UT
Elevation: 4,778 feet
Population: 48,565
Enrollment: 28,118
Student-Athletes: 400
MW-Sponsored Sports: 15
Wyoming
Founded: 1886
Nickname: Cowboys, Cowgirls
Location: Laramie, WY
Elevation: 7,220 feet
Population: 30,816
Enrollment: 13,551
Student-Athletes: 375
MW-Sponsored Sports: 15