Wyoming, CSU Announce Border War Contests in Four Sports

LARAMIE -- Just days after Colorado State announced it would be leaving the Mountain West, Sundance Wicks was blunt about his hopes for the future of the Border War.

Get our free mobile app

"I don't want to lose that rivalry," Wyoming's head coach said in October of 2024. "I don't care what league we're playing in. We should always play. I think that series should be forever, to be honest with you.

"It's what's right with college athletics: rivalries. Those things need to exist. They should exist."

Tom Burman was direct that day, too.

"We shouldn't throw that away due to egos," Wyoming's longtime athletics director added.

The Rams will host the Cowboys on the hardwood in a non-conference tilt Dec. 11 inside Moby Arena.

That's not all.

Both schools announced Wednesday an agreement to meet for at least the next eight seasons, beginning during the 2028-29 campaign. Along with men's basketball, Cowgirls hoops, soccer and volleyball will also continue the annual battle with the Rams.

“We are thrilled to be able to get this scheduling agreement done with Colorado State,” Burman said in a statement. “It is in the best interest of both schools; we are 65 miles apart and have a great rivalry and I’m excited to see it unfold into the future.”

Jay Sawvel and the Cowboy football team will open the 2026 campaign this Saturday in Fort Collins. It's the 118th meeting between these bitter rivals, a series that began all the way back in 1899.

There is a 10-year pact on the gridiron, but there is not yet a meeting slated for 2027. A press release from UW states the schools are "working on an agreement."

CSU, along with San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State and Boise State, officially joined the reimagined Pac-12 Conference on July 1. Washington State and Oregon State kept that banner flying as USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington bolted for the Big Ten. Arizona and Arizona State, as well as Utah and Colorado, all landed in the Big XII. Stanford and Cal joined the ACC.

The dates for future Border War contests will be mutually agreed upon on a later date.

* The Cowboys will host the Rams in men’s basketball in 2029, 2031, 2033 and 2035. The Pokes will then play contests against CSU in Moby Arena in 2028, 2030, 2032 and 2034.

* The Cowgirls will host Colorado State in women’s basketball in 2029, 2031, 2033 and 2035. UW will play in Fort Collins in 2028, 2030, 2032 and 2034. The two teams are scheduled to faceoff this season on Nov. 13 in Fort Collins.

* Cowgirls Soccer will welcome the Rams to Laramie in 2029, 2031, 2033 and 2035. Wyoming will play in Fort Collins in 2028, 2030, 2032 and 2034. The two teams are set to play on Sept. 17 in Fort Collins at 7 p.m.

* Cowgirl Volleyball will host the Rams in 2028, 2030, 2032 and 2034. UW will head to Fort Collins in 2029, 2031, 2033 and 2035. The Cowgirls will face the Rams this season on Sept. 12 in the UniWyo Sports Complex at 7 p.m.

Wicks said continuing the rivalry makes too much sense, including fiscally, meaning no flights or hotel rooms.

"Like, it's just good," Wicks said, followed by a shoulder shrug. "It's good for the brand. It's good for both brands. So, you know where I stand on that."

* A UW press release contributed to this article

LATEST UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Pokes Practice Report: Position Battles Linger on Into September

* Wingard on McBride: "Most of the Bad Blood is Gone'

* Playing for 73: Caleb Hall is Carrying on His Father's Legacy

* Wyoming Preparing for Two CSU QB's Ahead of Opener

* Pecking Order at Wide Receiver Still Under Review

* Blowtorch to Blueprint: Wyoming's Plan for Revamped Offense

* Pokes Practice Report: Final Auditions Underway in Laramie

* Pokes Practice Report: Disruptive Defensive Front Steals Show

* Pokes Practice Report: Red-Zone Woes Still Linger

* Dainsus Miller Set To Return To Cowboy Football Program