Cratter

Academics matter...more than any recent FCS Championship (EWU).

From the bleacher report article: "If allowed, it could be a pretty brilliant plan to stay western but avoid the four horsemen. The Big Sky would have no leverage vs. a WAC that also sponsors FCS football. If the WAC also sponsored FCS sports, the odds of the WAC peeling away four Big Sky members skyrocket. " Sound familiar? Sounds a lot like star. seems to be the only way the WAC survives for any meaningful future.

Gotta love not playing a game in the big sky yet reporters/bloggers consider us upper class: "The Big Sky is not going to willingly push any of the four likely roadblocks for WAC expansion (Montana, Montana State, Portland State, or North Dakota) into the WAC. It would be equally strategically foolish to push their middle class (Weber State, Sacramento State, Northern Arizona) into the WAC without binding assurances from the WAC."

I fully expect UND to dominate the Big Sky this year.

Isn't it about money and prestige? It's not BCS it's FBS. Say UND builds a 20000 arena, you don't think they could average 15000 playing Wyoming, UNLV, San Jose st, Fresno, Hawaii, like Idaho use to play at home. Plus home game against NDSU . People from the entire state would drive to Grand Forks to watch those games. Tons of Fargo people. Bring football to hockey's level! Und was averaging 10,000 playing Duluth and Mankato. Random Idaho games were on Espn. You get to be in NCAA football on playstation.

The 75 team against any other UND team? Based on accounts of others as I believe you weren't born yet?

Remember this quote Sioux Fans. Old dominion athletic director: "Reason No. 2 is the same for Old Dominion as it is for Alabama: money and prestige. There is simply more of both in the bottom half of the FBS than in the top half of the FCS." FCS is old division two. UND needs to move to FBS should the opportunity present itself. And this time not be reactive!

You, I, nor any students, besides one or two will ever have any say.

I have the same concern, but from the UND group Kelley and the SBOHE pick.

A good read. And a dream conference for all. http://ordinary-gentlemen.com/burtlikko/2012/05/how-to-save-the-western-athletic-conference/ "The “big fish, little pond” thing is overrated. North Dakota State would have garnered more attention in the Idaho Potato Bowl than they did in the FCS national championship game (at least the Potato Bowl is a part of betting pools) and NDSU had to play more ignored and money-losing playoff games to get there. The MVC and CAA/A-10 have their niche, but the latter is hurting as well."

Is it time to add basketball to the front page?

Or since Idaho doesn't wanna downgrade to FCS Big Sky maybe they agree to "temporarily" drop to WAC FCS with certain former Big Sky schools.

Could this new WAC football be both FCS and FBS? Scheduling alliance with these new move ups agreeing to be FBS in a certain time frame while Idaho and nmsu scheduling the minimum games needed against FBS to maintain that title for a year or three?

Interesting off topic quote from Fullerton "Answer: I was born and raised in Hamilton, Montana, so I remember the old Division II days when you had the two Dakotas, the two Montanas, you had Sac State and San Diego State at that time in the Division II world. That's a long time ago, I understand, but still I remember that you went through one of those six schools if you wanted to get anywhere in Division II. Those old rivalries, to me, will be rekindled. We're the same kind of people. I think it's extremely healthy for the game."

No one really knows. Fullertons pipe dream of Idaho joining the big sky could have fallen through again. It could have been a front. The new plan could be for big sky schools to join the WAC. Montana could add a few sports and be FBS ready tomorrow. More ready than Idaho still is. I never saw a plan to save Idaho football and nmsu from independence. But the plan apparently will come out soon. Doubt those two school would agree to stay Indy til "ya all are ready to join us sometime down the road".

It's the largest school in the Dakotas of course Grand Forks people refer to UND as the U.

I thought based on all reports and basically this thread it's some Big Sky Schools. Isn't it a perfect opportunity for the Montana's dreams. They get to dictate a FBS conference!

Hard to say und would ever think of moving to D1-A 17 years ago.

Could easily be the Montana's. Hence the reason the big sky expanded. Just like the wcha adding bemidji and UNO knowing the big ten schools were gone.

Hammer said this is his dream job! “This is the most exciting career opportunity I’ve ever had, bar none,” Hammer said. “Everything about it is thrilling. I’m humbled to have the opportunity. It’s a chance to call one of the most elite programs in all of college hockey and also enter back into the UND fray at the most exciting time in its history with the Big Sky Conference. It’s my dream job.”

High unemployment.

Any guesses why it cost four times as much to operate the NDSU plane?

North Dakota is the Sioux state and roughrider state. Minnesota is the gopher state. Seems like the new nickname would be a no brainier!

Probably start the thread after they don't make the Frozen Four again.

I believe UND just received a million dollar five year tv deal. That shouldn't help hold back the other sports too much.