Orem, UT — Utah Valley University (UVU) just marked its 10th year in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). As a relative newcomer to Division 1 sports, the university has racked up an impressive athletic record.

In October alone, UVU’s women’s soccer team and the women’s cross country team clinched WAC championships, marking 25 conference championships among UVU’s 16 sports teams since the university joined WAC in 2013. Last spring, the Wolverines made it to the National Invitation Tournament Final Four, marking UVU men’s basketball’s best season ever.

“We have only been a university for 15 years and, in that time, have made significant strides in strengthening our athletic program,” said Jared Sumsion, director of UVU Athletics. “We have recruited talented athletes and coaches who are energized by the overall momentum on the UVU campus.”

Not only have the Wolverines demonstrated their athletic prowess, but they have also excelled in academics. In its latest NCAA Academic Progress Report, UVU scored 992 of 1,000 points, which measures the eligibility and retention of student-athletes and tracks their progress toward graduation. UVU student-athletes have a 92% graduation rate; in the past decade, 252 Wolverines have received All-Conference Academic Honors.

“I am incredibly proud of our student-athletes, who strive to achieve excellence in all areas of their life,” said UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez. “Their hard work and determination is truly inspirational. I love to attend as many games and competitions as possible with my green pompoms in hand. But more exciting than watching these students compete is to see them winning in the classroom and succeeding in life.”

During last year’s NIT Tournament quarterfinals, President Tuminez and her pompoms were captured by ESPN, an image that went viral across social media.

The university will break ground next spring for a new soccer stadium funded through a $28 million donation from Utah Community Credit Union.