FSSD

Big Sky 4 R1 schools - NAU (145%), UM (143%), Poly (137%), UNC (117%) and MSU (102%) all saw growth over 100%. All four R1 schools have healthy research budgets well over the $50m cut line. NAU and UM are both growing quickly and I was surprise to see Montana's numbers versus MSU giving it's a land grant school and you generally hear more about MSU growth. Idaho had a growth rate of 42% which is surprising given that it is a land grant school. I wonder if UI is feeling some pressure from BSU. Boise State is close to the R1 metric points ($50m with 100% growth) and now that they are in the nuPAC is there going to be even more pressure. Cal Poly is really growing and they could be R2 soon and with a 137% growth they could be pushing R1 in 5yrs. PSU is going the wrong direction on many fronts. It will be interesting to see what they look like in the near future. ISU is also seeing reduced research numbers and it has always been number 3 in the State. The only positive is that ID has a population over 2 million and growing very quickly. Can they carve out a space for themselves. UNC saw some nice growth but they are just managing things. They really need to take advantage of the local market to see if they can get some momentum (Greeley, CO MSA 369,745 growth 14%) In general most thing look good for the Big Sky but there is clearly a difference with the Top 3 or 4 Schools. And it was interesting to hear a change in tone about Utah schools from Hell No to Yes. NOTE: Utah Tech no research dollars.

I am not sure that you can just look at the schools current status. Here is some additional information: Overall Increase in Total Research from 2014 to 2023 was approximately 62% Green - Increase > 62% Yellow - increase < 62% and > zero Red - decrease in funding MVC 2 R1 schools - ISU is the only school with above average increase in funding at 72%. SIU is a concern with overall net loss in funding. It's R1 status could be in question in the near future. And with the cuts coming in 2025 at the federal level it will be interesting. UNI had a net growth of 23% they are struggling in Des Moines.

I agree with you on all counts. An entire rethinking of the complex and what can it be for all of the sports. And as you noted, I don't think it needs to be drastic changes. But, with the idea of moving basketball to a higher D-1 experience. Hosting a NCAA preseason tournament ie (Pentagon) - with a local corporate sponsor. Can you host volleyball tournaments? Not sure of the timing, but the REA hosting D-II NCAA basketball tournament finals. It seems like there are opportunities for GF and UND to collaborate on special events to keep things going. Even expand on the idea of Edina dabeautyleague https://dabeautyleague.com/ in Grand Forks for all the local college/NHLers.

Over the past decade, discussions about merging the top FCS teams with the G5 conferences have surfaced repeatedly, and it feels like this idea is gaining traction. When comparing conferences like C-USA, MAC, AAC, and Mountain West, their competitive level seems increasingly similar to the top FCS programs. The strongest FCS conferences, MVFC and Big Sky, house teams like the Dakotas, Montana, and Idaho, which could seamlessly form a competitive G5 conference. Recent events, such as Sacramento State's situation, may have sparked renewed interest in realignment, particularly for Montana and Idaho. The Big Sky's addition of the Utah schools could signal that more significant shifts, beyond just UC-Davis and Sacramento State, are on the horizon.

After finishing outdoor track and field facility, the extra practice courts attached to the Betty and a permanent reconfiguration of the seating in the Betty should be the next priorities for the Athletic Department.

Missouri State departed the MVFC, and the Summit League lost Western Illinois, leaving it with nine teams. The Summit League likely aims to reach an even number of teams to simplify travel partnerships and scheduling. Neither conference is at risk of dissolving. However, opportunities to add schools and markets like UT-Arlington are rare and worth pursuing when they arise.

Youngstown is near the border of Pennsylvania? I think they would stay with the MVC schools, OVC or look toward MAC. It would be great if St. Thomas went scholarship. I think that is farther down the road. But, they are a football school and that is what got them kicked out of DIII. And if they have a big donor ready to step up it to could be done. They have a couple of facilities they could use: - Allianz - seats 20,000 - outside the stadium is a mess. But, the staduim itself is very nice with around 5,000 seats going to suites, club areas, and a beer hall. - Vikings TCO Staduim - little smaller but very nice - seating varies from 7,500 to 10,000.

Summit Football would have needed both Texas and Utah schools to work. I don't think tSL had any interest in UTech/SUU without UVU. And even then I am not sure how much interest they had.

The Utah Tech/SUU don't really fit the tSL/MVFC profile: National Research University/Urban or State Flagship. The only school that does not fit this profiles is ORU. Both Utah schools are Regional Universities and No Research. Right now the tSL doen't need to make a move. They went after Utah Valley and the Texas Schools because they are a better fit. I can see why Utah Valley went to Big West and the large mormon population is CA. And the Texas school already had a working relationship with the UAC football schools. Those were good options for those schools. I would have liked to see the Texas school join tSL. The fact that the tSL was in the conversations is encouraging. The positives are they have a confirmed agreement between MVFC/tSL and a seat at the table which are steps in the right direction for future expansion. I don't think things are done yet, you have newPac - Texas St/Sac St?, MWC Tarleton St/UC-Davis movement, SoCo was rumored to be interested in WGA/UNA/Austin Peavy/EKU. More moves to be made out west. And it is crazy to think of all the football schools in the West - that Sac St might have jumped all of them to the newPac.

Announcement of SUU Joining WAC: The Thunderbirds will be joining the WAC ahead of the 2022-23 season, leaving the remainder of the current athletic season and the 2021-22 season to be played in the Big Sky Conference. “The opportunity to become a member of the WAC is very exciting for us,” SUU Director of Athletics Debbie Corum said. “We believe that the future of SUU Athletics as a member of the WAC will provide exciting opportunities for our programs. “Southern Utah University is honored to join the WAC and help lead the resurgence of this great conference,” said SUU President Scott L Wyatt. “We join a group of universities that is growing in enrollment and a conference that is poised for the future. Now, was AD or President the person that caused all the problems and burned bridges with the Big Sky. I don't know.

According to sources on X it sounds like: 1) WAC is kicking out the Utah schools (SUU and U-Tech both Big Sky bound). New Big Sky: EWU, UI, ISU, UM, MSU, PSU, Weber St, UNC, UNA, SUU, U-Tech. Cal Poly UC-Davis football only - 11 schools/13 football 2) All ASUN football schools moving over to the WAC with a rebrand to UAC. 8 schools/7 football UAC: UT-A, Tarleton St., ACU, UCA, WGA, N. Alabama, EKU, Austin Peavy I wonder what happens when Tarleton St leaves?

Air Force and UNLV are the only thing holding the MWC together. If things don't go well for MWC, I can see AF going to AAC to join Arm and Navy. But, what does UNLV do? Big XII or Bust?

Great Season - Ethan!! Looking forward to next year. Any chance you can play DT too?

I was just curious if this was going to happen because nothing had been discussed about it since last fall. Sounds like it is in progress. It will be interesting to see everything finished. I think the Fieldhouse is schedule for an Aug completion. I think that finishes everything in the Athletic District.

Is the outdoor track being installed this summer or has that project been pushed out?

I read that and it was a weak arguement.

I assume No. Why should they want to, some property has been set aside for public good uses and they are exempt from property tax.

I think it is the TIF money that he was grinding on. I have a serious problem with the overuse of TIF financing.

I wonder if this is a signal that some Texas schools are joining the tSL.

Its the offseason what heck, let talk about uniform combinations from last year. General comments: Helmet: - Love the silver with interlocking ND helments. The only thing is that the green color looks off. - Next, I like the silver with the large bird head thing - I like the green color, but not a fan of the strange ND/bird head thing. or the finish. Combinations: Road:k - Helmet: Green; Top: White; Bottom: White - Top Center picture, I think that is a nice combination. The green gives it a nice contrast. Runner-up for me would be the same uniform combination with the Silver helmet. Both of them look really nice. Home: - Helmet: Silver; Top: Green; Bottom: Silver - I think it is a really good look. Next would be the all blacks with silver helmet. I really want to like the Silver/Black/Silver but the look has a couple of problems. 1) As stated earlier, helmet green doesn't match the stripe on the pants green. 2) The stripe on the pants and helmet match G-W-G, but the stripes on the shoulder don't match it's G-W-B-W-G. So, it looks off to me. Any other opinions?

I think most of us are referencing SDSU and NDSU because UND is moving to a 4 man front

I don't think SDSU had a DT much over 285 last year and they did just fine.

It will be interesting to see how the defense develops and I really miss a stout defense.

For starters an accurate crest level forecast would be nice....

https://fbschedules.com/iowa-state-adds-south-dakota-to-2025-football-schedule/ Aug 30, 2019 — Iowa State will host South Dakota at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, on August 30, 2025. The Cyclones will pay the Coyotes a $575,000 https://fearthefcs.com/2020/06/19/south-dakota-state-and-iowa-state-to-play-in-2027/ June 19, 2020 by Fear The FCS - The two schools will meet on Saturday, September 4, 2027 in Ames, Iowa with the Jackrabbits will receive a guarantee of $550,000 I don't have a real problem with the payout if the game was played in 2020. But, the game was pushed and UND signed the new contract in 2021 when they knew the going rate was $550 to $575. They left money on the table, why?