The Big Sky Conference Gets Bigger, Announces Expansion

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The Big Sky Conference Gets Bigger, Announces Expansion
Big Sky Conference Media Relations, Jon Kasper
http://www.i-aa.org/article.asp?articleid=70206

The presidents of the eight Big Sky Conference institutions voted Tuesday to add the University of Northern Colorado as the league’s ninth member. The University of Northern Colorado will officially join the Big Sky Conference on July 1, 2006, and begin athletic competition in August of 2006. ...

[Pantherpower]

That is big news! I've hoped all along that the Gateway would add SDSU and NDSU, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Nice geographical fit for UNC.

[NoCoDanny]

It's very exciting to have our university take this next step. Much thanks to the presidents of all eight institutions for the opportunity. Also, I know everyone associated with the UNC is very excited to begin new rivalries with all the schools in the conference. We look forward to hosting you in Greeley beginning in '06!

[eagle1]

Welcome UNC Bears! I look forward to the Bears visiting Woodward Field to take on the Eagles in the near future. Welcome aboard. Go Eagles!!!

[kmax]

Welcome aboard to the Bears. Looking forward to a little retaliation for a certain game in Bozeman a couple years ago. ;)

[polsongrizz]

Interesting news, will those other two "east" schools join soon... ;)

[89Hen]

Great for UNC and the Big Sky, but what will this do to the GWFC? :confused:

[colgate13]

Great for UNC and the Big Sky, but what will this do to the GWFC? :confused:

My thoughts exactly...

[putter]

With NDSU and SDSU also looking elswhere I think the Great West will look much different in 5 years, if it is around at all.

Gongrats to UNC and welcome to the Big Sky!!

[Marcus Garvey]

Gotta give the Big Sky credit for being smart about expansion too. They're one of only two I-AA conferences whose members all play both football and basketball.

[Hansel]

Great for UNC and the Big Sky, but what will this do to the GWFC? :confused:
When WKU leaves the Gateway- Perhaps they will add NDSU/SDSU???

[ncbears]

Thanks for all the welcomes. I am looking foward to establishing to rivals in the coming years! I wish we could start this coming fall already!

[P2TheB]

When WKU leaves the Gateway- Perhaps they will add NDSU/SDSU???


I really doubt it. And it's not because they wouldn't add them b/c they just became D1, but because of travel expenses. If WKU leaves the Gateway, it will leave SIU with only 1 (maybe 2) teams it can travel by bus to in the Gateway (Indiana St.---maybe Illinois St.).

Adding either NDSU/SDSU or both would be financially draining to programs such as SIU, SMS, and Youngstown State in terms of travel expenses and "unnatural rivalries geographically". Sure, at UNI that would be a game that most fans would recognize, but with other schools not even close to NDSU or SDSU it's just not there. And I realize that NDSU is playing SIU this year, but I really don't expect that to be a series that continues too long. Just my two cents.

[polsongrizz]

Great for UNC and the Big Sky, but what will this do to the GWFC? :confused:
I don't think the GWFC was a long term solution for at least three of the teams. It will affect UCD and Cal Poly the most I believe in the long term.

[AggiePride]

When WKU leaves the Gateway- Perhaps they will add NDSU/SDSU???

You guys come in a pair now? How cute.

[AggiePride]

I don't think the GWFC was a long term solution for at least three of the teams. It will affect UCD and Cal Poly the most I believe in the long term.

And SUU.

Did not realize the Dakotas were so anxious to get out until just now. Aww, their friend got the hot chick and now they are stuck home on a friday night with the fat, ugly GWFC. :(

[NDSU_grad]

And SUU.

Did not realize the Dakotas were so anxious to get out until just now. Aww, their friend got the hot chick and now they are stuck home on a friday night with the fat, ugly GWFC. :(
I really don't think that's true. If we had a conference for our other sports, I have no doubt NDSU would make a serious commitment to the GWFC.

[AggiePride]

I really don't think that's true.

I don't either.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

You guys come in a pair now? How cute.

I don't think there's ever really been a question about the SDSU/NDSU marketing themselves together to prospective conferences. It makes good sense.

[Hansel]

You guys come in a pair now? How cute.

Earlier the Gateway had said if they were to expand they would want 9 teams, so if WKU left they would be down to 7.

I prefer to be in the GWFC for FB over ANY I-AA conference, however there are other sports to consider.

[dbackjon]

Welcome UNC - sounds like a good fit for the Big Sky!

[WMTribe90]

It'll be great to bring Big Sky football to the Denver area. I will certainly make a game or two in 2006.

[catbob]

I think UNC will be a good addition to the BSC, as long as they keep making efforts to improve the quality of their programs and facilities.

I'm quite curious to play a Vincent Jackson-less UNC team. That guy tore us apart.

I do feel UNC is a good fit for the Sky, and look forward to playing them on a yearly basis!


Now if we could somehow convince Sac St to leave. :D

[polsongrizz]

Now if we could somehow convince Sac St to leave. :D
Although in one way I would hate that, gives me a reason to go to Sac every other yr to see friends, I agree also... :(

[CatFan22]

I hope the BSC will add NDSU and SDSU and get rid of Sac St and Norther Arizona. It would give the GSC a more Big Sky look and competitiveness.

[Tod]

Hasn't NAU been with the BSC since day one? I don't have any desire to see them go.

[Ronbo]

Earlier the Gateway had said if they were to expand they would want 9 teams, so if WKU left they would be down to 7.

I prefer to be in the GWFC for FB over ANY I-AA conference, however there are other sports to consider.


Here's a good I-AA Conference for you guys and make it an All Sports Conference.

Call it the Midwestern States Athletic Conference MSAC

N. Iowa
NDSU
SDSU
UND
Grand Valley State (Mich)
St. Cloud State (Minn)
Wayne State (Mich)
Ferris State (Mich)
Minnesota State
Nebraska Omaha

All good sized institutions.

[Gil Dobie]

Here's a good I-AA Conference for you guys and make it an All Sports Conference.

Call it the Midwestern States Athletic Conference MSAC

N. Iowa
NDSU
SDSU
UND
Grand Valley State (Mich)
St. Cloud State (Minn)
Wayne State (Mich)
Ferris State (Mich)
Minnesota State
Nebraska Omaha

All good sized institutions.

St Cloud Stat and Minnesota State would never get the funding.
Some of the Michigan School are big enough GVSU 20,000+ enrollment.
Omaha would have to get the approval from Big Red.
Not sure if UND would go DI, unless this conference was established.
Hockey is a big drawback for such a move, because of title IX.

[DaBears]

the President of the BSC was quoted as saying:


"I don't think the presidents see nine as the limit," Fullerton said. "As the world changes in athletics, we'll need to revisit (the number).

I can only imagine the Dakota's as being next in line.

[dbackjon]

I hope the BSC will add NDSU and SDSU and get rid of Sac St and Norther Arizona. It would give the GSC a more Big Sky look and competitiveness.

Uh, Excuse me? The Lumberjacks have been in the BSC since almost the inception, and are quite competitive in all sports, thank you.

And far as the Big Sky "look" - what the heck is that??

[grizbeer]

Hasn't NAU been with the BSC since day one? I don't have any desire to see them go.They joined in 1970 with BSU. I don't think we need to get rid of NAU, Flagstaff just needs to get a decent airport so teams don't have to bus from Phoenix.

[arkstfan]

The ability of the GWFC to become stable is going to be totally linked to hoops. You can't function effectively in Division I athletics as an independent in basketball when so much of revenue and post-season opportunity is tied to conference affilitation.

SDSU, NDSU, need basketball homes and that will shape what happens. SUU has a decent league with the Mid-Con despite less than great travel, but they have a home.

[dbackjon]

Big Sky Member History:

1963 - Founded - Charter Members: Montana, Montana State, Idaho, Idaho State, Gonzaga and Weber State

1970 - Expansion - Northern Arizona, Boise State

1979 - Departure/Expansion - Gonzaga leaves, Add Nevada

1987 - Expansion - Eastern Washington

1992 - Departure - Nevada

1996 - Departure/Expansion - Boise State, Idaho leave; Add Sacramento State, Portland State and Cal St-Northridge

2001 - Departure - Cal St-Northridge

2006 - Expansion - Northern Colorado

[kmax]

They joined in 1970 with BSU. I don't think we need to get rid of NAU, Flagstaff just needs to get a decent airport so teams don't have to bus from Phoenix.
Amen to that. NAU is usually competive but the getting there thing can be tough, especially during BBall season when teams are playing Thurs-Sat games at NAU and Sac State.

[89rabbit]

Congrats to UNC. :)

[DuckDuckGriz]

I hope the BSC will add NDSU and SDSU and get rid of Sac St and Norther Arizona. It would give the GSC a more Big Sky look and competitiveness.

I'm not sure where the NAU comment stems from. They have a great facility at the Walkup Dome in Flagstaff and have better fan support than ISU, WSU, PSU, or Sac.

[Pen Guin]

Dump Northern Arizona? Sorry ... why doesn't the GFC dump YSU because they have had a few poor years and are too far away? Why doesn't the SoCon Dump GSU because they have been a bit below par, and Wofford is just 'sooo fantastic'? Wow, maybe we had better find out why the SLC keeps McNeese, they are not even a Texas school? LA is in the south.

NAU is responsible for bringing a sense of depth to the Griz-heavy conference. EWU is not in the Big Sky region either. These are two of the conference's top 3 teams. The bigger question here is what does this move say about the Great West?

[Gil Dobie]

The bigger question here is what does this move say about the Great West?

Nuttin much can be done until another DII moves to I-AA or the fat chance other conferences re-align.