The Bigger Ten: Iowa Welcomes West Coast Newcomers
Founded in 1896 by seven Midwestern schools, the Big Ten Conference has seen plenty of change over the years. The University of Iowa joined what was then known as the Western Conference in 1899, and the conference didn’t gain its 10th member until 1917. In recent decades, the Big Ten added the University of Nebraska and grew east to include Penn State University, Rutgers University, and the University of Maryland. And though membership has held steady with 14 schools for the past decade, the Big Ten is expanding yet again—this time to the west. This fall, it welcomes UCLA, the University of Southern California, the University of Oregon, and the University of Washington for competition.
“The opportunity for the Big Ten to grow its brand with institutions that share our long-held values is really exciting,” says Beth Goetz, Henry B. And Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair at the University of Iowa. “As the landscape continues to change, it’s important to leverage our strengths across a national footprint.”
The Big Ten Academic Alliance, which helps member schools pool resources and funding for research, is also looking forward to collaborating with the research powerhouses of the West Coast.
“The entry of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington into the Big Ten creates so many new possibilities for collaborative research and innovative educational programs,” says Kevin Kregel, University of Iowa executive vice president, provost, and representative on the BTAA board. “These universities bring strengths that complement our university really well. I look forward to seeing how we can develop collaborations and share knowledge with these institutions to have a greater impact on our students, our faculty, and the broader global community.”
Ahead of the fall sports seasons, learn about the UI’s new neighbors and get a refresher on established rivalries with an updated guide to the country’s oldest Division I collegiate athletic conference.
University of Illinois
Year Founded
1867
Year Joined Big Ten
1896
Enrollment
56,403
(Champaign-Urbana campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s gymnastics, 10
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Illini (Kingfisher)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
Dad's Day
Weekend football game with the crowning of a King Dad.
Memorable game against Iowa
November 30, 1899
In the teams’ first football contest, held at a neutral site in Rock Island, Illinois, Iowa won 58-0.
Academic strengths
- Engineering
- Information sciences/computer programming
- Psychology
Notable alumni
- YouTube creators Steve Chen and Jawed Karim
- Actor Nick Offerman
- Yelp creators Russell Simmons and Jeremy Stoppelman
Indiana University
Year Founded
1820
Year Joined Big Ten
1899
Enrollment
47,527
(Bloomington campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s soccer, eight
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Hoosiers
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
“Big Jake”
A cannon that fires every time Indiana scores in a home football game.
Memorable game against Iowa
Feb. 26, 2023
The Iowa women’s basketball team edged Indiana 86-85 on a dramatic Caitlin Clark (24BBA) buzzer-beater at home.
Academic strengths
- Business
- Biology
- Music
Notable alumni
- Actor Kevin Kline
- Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban
- Actor and LGBTQ advocate Laverne Cox
University of Iowa
Year Founded
1847
Year Joined Big Ten
1899
Enrollment
31,452
Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s wrestling, 24
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Hawkeyes (Herky)
Traditions
The Hawkeye Wave
Fans wave at the UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital after the first quarter of home football games.
PHOTO: UI OFFICE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Academic strengths
- Writing
- Medicine
- Research
Notable alumni
- Actor Gene Wilder (55BA)
- Author John Irving (67MFA)
- Basketball star Caitlin Clark (24BBA)
University of Maryland
Year Founded
1856
Year Joined Big Ten
2014
Enrollment
40,813
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Women’s lacrosse, 14
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Terrapins (Testudo)
PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM
Traditions
Flash Mobs and Flags
Flash mobs at basketball games, unfurling of huge state of Maryland flags at football and basketball games.
Memorable game against Iowa
March 10, 2019
The Iowa women’s basketball team beat Maryland in the finals of the Big Ten Tournament behind Megan Gustafson’s 26 points.
Academic strengths
- Education
- Engineering
- Business
Notable alumni
- Google co-founder Sergey Brin
- Puppeteer and animator Jim Henson
- Journalist and TV news host Gayle King
University of Michigan
Year Founded
1817
Year Joined Big Ten
1896
Enrollment
50,967
(Ann Arbor campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s swimming, 12
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Wolverines
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
“Go Blue”
Players and coaches jump to touch the “Go Blue” banner entering the football field.
Memorable game against Iowa
Oct. 19, 1985
The top-ranked Iowa football team beat No. 2 Michigan 12-10 with a Rob Houghtlin (87BA) field goal as time expired.
Academic strengths
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Business
Notable alumni
- NFL star Tom Brady
- Olympian Michael Phelps
- Actor James Earl Jones
Michigan State University
Year Founded
1855
Year Joined Big Ten
1950
Enrollment
51,316
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s cross country, eight
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Spartans (Sparty)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
The Spartan Walk Statue
Football players leave pennies at the bronze Spartan statue before games.
Memorable game against Iowa
Feb. 25, 2023
Iowa’s men’s basketball team overcame a 13-point deficit in the last 90 seconds and sent the game into overtime with a Payton Sandfort cluch 3 that led to a 112-106 victory.
Academic strengths
- Education
- Agriculture
Notable alumni
- NBA star Magic Johnson
- Spider-Man director Sam Raimi
- Actor James Caan
University of Minnesota
Year Founded
1851
Year Joined Big Ten
1896
Enrollment
54,890
(Twin Cities campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Women’s ice hockey, six
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Golden Gophers (Goldy)
PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM
Traditions
“Ski-U-Mah” victory chant
Started by two rugby players inspired by a native Dakota victory yell and now included in both school songs.
Memorable game against Iowa
Feb. 1, 2008
The top-ranked Iowa wrestling team defeated No. 3 Minnesota 20-13 in Minneapolis during a season in which the Hawkeyes would capture their first NCAA team title under coach Tom Brands (92BS).
Academic strengths
- Education
- Biology
- Medicine
Notable alumni
- Actor Jessica Lange
- Actor Henry Fonda
- WWE star Brock Lesnar
University of Nebraska
Year Founded
1869
Year Joined Big Ten
2011
Enrollment
23,600
(Lincoln campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s gymnastics, eight
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Huskers (Herbie)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
The Tunnel Walk
The Tunnel Walk entrance for the football players on game day, through a line of fans.
Memorable game against Iowa
Sept. 12, 1981
The Iowa football team upset Nebraska 10-7 at home under coach Hayden Fry during the Hawkeyes’ first winning season since 1961.
Academic strengths
- Agriculture
- Journalism
Notable alumni
- Investor Warren Buffet
- Twitter co-founder Evan Williams
- TV host and comedian Johnny Carson
Northwestern University
Year Founded
1851
Year Joined Big Ten
1896
Enrollment
About 22,000
Driving distance from Iowa City
View Map
Sport with most NCAA championships
Women’s lacrosse, eight
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Wildcats (Willie)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
Wildcat Dash
Known as the WildcatDash, freshman students lead the football team onto the field in the home opener each fall.
Memorable game against Iowa
May 2, 2021
The No. 4 Iowa field hockey team beat No. 5 Northwestern 3-1 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in the NCAA quarterfinals.
Academic strengths
- Engineering
- Journalism
- Medicine
Notable alumni
- Actor David Schwimmer
- Author George R. R. Martin
- Late-night host Stephen Colbert
Ohio State University
Year Founded
1870
Year Joined Big Ten
1912
Enrollment
60,046
(Columbus campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s swimming, 11
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Buckeyes (Brutus)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
Victory Bell
The ringing of a 2,420-pound victory bell after each football win.
Memorable game against Iowa
Nov. 4, 2017
In Iowa City, Kirk Ferentz’s Iowa football team stunned No. 3 Ohio State 55-24 in the Hawkeyes’ largest victory over the Buckeyes.
Academic strengths
- Computer science
- Engineering
Notable alumni
- Olympian Jesse Owens
- Actor J. K. Simmons
- Author R. L. Stine
University of Oregon
Year Founded
1876
Year Joined Big Ten
2024
Enrollment
23,834
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Women’s indoor track and men’s outdoor track, seven each
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Ducks
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
Motorcycle Entrance
The football team is led onto the field at home games by a mascot who rides a custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Memorable game against Iowa
May 29, 2015
The Iowa baseball team defeated Oregon 3-1 in the NCAA Regionals, giving the Hawkeyes their first NCAA Tournament victory in 43 years and their first 40-win season since 1985
Academic strengths
- Business
- Environmental science/sustainability
Notable alumni
- Nike founder Phil Knight
- Actor Sam Elliott
- Olympian Steve Prefontaine
Penn State University
Year Founded
1855
Year Joined Big Ten
1990
Enrollment
48,535
(University Park campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Fencing, 13
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Nittany Lions
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
“Nittanyville"
A weeklong tent village tailgate before home games that include games, pep rallies, and chants.
Memorable game against Iowa
Jan. 31, 2020
In a highly anticipated wrestling dual in Iowa City, No. 1 Iowa beat No. 2 Penn State 19-17.
Academic strengths
- Engineering
- Business
Notable alumni
- Film star Gene Kelly
- Actor Ty Burrell
- Comedian and producer Keegan-Michael Key
Purdue University
Year Founded
1869
Year Joined Big Ten
1896
Enrollment
52,211
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Women’s basketball, men’s golf, and women’s golf; one each
Women’s basketball, men’s golf, and women’s golf; one each
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Boilermakers (Purdue Pete)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
Purdue Big Bass Drum
The Purdue Big Bass Drum is a 10-foot drum used by the marching band that forms the center of their "P" logo formation.
Memorable game against Iowa
Feb. 28, 1970
The Iowa men’s basketball team, nicknamed the Miller Six Pack, overcame a hot shooting night from Purdue’s Rick Mount to claim the Big Ten title 108-107.
Academic strengths
- Engineering
- Pharmacy
Notable alumni
- Astronaut Neil Armstrong
- NFL star Drew Brees
- Actor George Peppard
Rutgers University
Year Founded
1766
Year Joined Big Ten
2014
Enrollment
43,859
(New Brunswick campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
View Map
Sport with most NCAA championships
Fencing, 1
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Scarlet Knights (Sir Henry)
PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM
Traditions
Cannon firing
Cannon firing after Rutgers touchdowns, and the long history of cannon stealing and painting between Rutgers and rival Princeton.
Memorable game against Iowa
Feb. 24, 2022
In an Iowa women’s basketball victory, Coach Lisa Bluder wore a shirt honoring former Iowa and Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer and other trailblazing Black female coaches.
Academic strengths
- Graduate education
- Medicine
- Business
Notable alumni
- Actor Sebastian Stan
- U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
- Author Toni Morrison
University of Southern California
Year Founded
1880
Year Joined Big Ten
2024
Enrollment
About 47,000
Driving distance from Iowa City
View Map
Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s outdoor track, 26
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Trojans (Traveler)
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Traditions
Traveler
A live white horse mascot who gallops around the stadium during home football games.
Memorable game against Iowa
Dec. 27, 2019
In its 10th football meeting against USC, Iowa rolled to a 49-24 win in the Holiday Bowl.
Academic strengths
- Journalism
- Cinema
Notable alumni
- Filmmaker George Lucas
- Actor and singer Miranda Cosgrove
- Actor Zac Efron
UCLA
Year Founded
1881
Year Joined Big Ten
2024
Enrollment
46,676
Driving distance from Iowa City
View Map
Sport with most NCAA championships
Men’s volleyball, 21
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Bruins (Joe and Josephine)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
The victory bell
The victory bell, which is passed back and forth to the winner of the UCLA/USC rivalry game and painted in that school’s colors.
Memorable game against Iowa
Jan. 29, 1965
Coach Ralph Miller’s Iowa men’s basketball team upset John Wooden’s top-ranked and eventual national champion Bruins 87-82 in Chicago.
Academic strengths
- Theater
- Film and television
- Dentistry
Notable alumni
- Composer and conductor John Williams
- Actor Marilyn Monroe
- Actor and governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
University of Washington
Year Founded
1861
Year Joined Big Ten
2024
Enrollment
50,097
(Seattle campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Rowing, five
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Huskies (Harry the Husky and Dubs II)
PHOTO: BIG TEN ACADEMIC ALLIANCE
Traditions
Sail-gating
Football fans “sail-gate”—tailgate in boats—on Lake Washington before games.
Memorable game against Iowa
Dec. 29, 1995
The Iowa football team avenged its 1982 and 1991 Rose Bowl losses with a 38-18 victory in the Sun Bowl.
Academic strengths
- Medicine
- Engineering
Notable alumni
- Martial artist and actor Bruce Lee
- Actor Rainn Wilson
- Actor Anna Faris
University of Wisconsin
Year Founded
1848
Year Joined Big Ten
1896
Enrollment
48,557
(Madison campus)
Driving distance from Iowa City
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Sport with most NCAA championships
Women’s ice hockey, seven
NICKNAME & MASCOT
Badgers (Bucky)
PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM
Traditions
"Jump Around"
Fans jump in the stands to "Jump Around" by House of Pain at the end of the third quarter of football games.
Memorable game against Iowa
Nov. 20, 2004
The Iowa football team beat Wisconsin 30-7 for a share of the Big Ten title and the newly created Heartland Trophy.
Academic strengths
- Engineering
- Medicine
Notable alumni
- Vice President Dick Cheney
- Architect Frank Lloyd Wright
- NFL star Russell Wilson