Cedar City, UT) - SUU President Michael T. Benson has scheduled a “significant announcement” for Monday, intensifying speculation that the Big Sky Conference will invite the university to join its ranks.

Benson said via a campus e-mail Friday that the press conference “promises to be a significant announcement which will garner nationwide attention.”

“Southern Utah University has reached an exciting pivot point with regard to our future as an institution,” Benson said in the e-mail.

Many expect the press conference to announce that SUU will join the Big Sky Conference. Cal Poly and UC Davis’ football programs moved to the Big Sky in early September.

While the invitation from the Big Sky has not been confirmed, Big Sky administrators, including member institution athletic directors, met in Park City last week to discuss conference expansion.

During a September 11 half-time interview with Art Challis on Power 91, Benson said that the Big Sky Conference was considering accepting another school but refrained from elaborating.

During last week’s Coaches’ Luncheon, Benson said a special announcement was tentatively scheduled to be made Wednesday at the Centrum Arena pending official word, but that announcement never materialized.

The Big Sky Conference includes in-state rivals Weber State, Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State and Sacramento State.

The press conference is scheduled to take place Monday at 2:00PM in the Sterling R. Church Auditorium.