Big Sky Expansion

[GeauxSioux]

that needs to be changed, im in the same city as Weber St. ive driven to all the big sky schools except for PSU and EWU. But i haven't been to a game at Sac but yes on all the rest.

Oh.

So you could spend about $400 every other year and fly out to the game or take Iceberg's advice and watch the game on Fox College Sports. http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-networ ... rts-2.html
UND has a contract with them to cover UND athletics via FSSN.

[GeauxSioux]

UND has by far the highest national name recognition of any of the Dakota schools.

Not sure where you get that, Jon. I hear a TON more about the XDSUs than the UXDs.

Geographically, all four of them are HORRIBLE fits for the Big Sky. Geographically, SUU would be better, but athletically, they're generally horrible. Why would we want a team that can't even stop a team with a losing record from winning a conference title?

Why would you base a long term membership to a conference on the basis of the ability or inability of a football team for one game or even for one year for that matter? Is this coming from someone who is 0-16 against Montana?

As I said before, college presidents look at a whole lot more than athletics.

As far as name recognition, UND has made it's name in college hockey and is considered to be one of the elite programs in Division I hockey. The Sioux are currently ranked #2. http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/

[SUUTbird]

UND has by far the highest national name recognition of any of the Dakota schools.

Not sure where you get that, Jon. I hear a TON more about the XDSUs than the UXDs.

Geographically, all four of them are HORRIBLE fits for the Big Sky. Geographically, SUU would be better, but athletically, they're generally horrible. Why would we want a team that can't even stop a team with a losing record from winning a conference title?

Coming from a team thats from a conference with UNC and ISU....not to mention that we could hang with the vast majority of teams in the Big Sky, probably all of them this year. Our athletic teams are not as bad as you think they are. In football we have slowly and are becoming a very good team and i cant see anything except improvement from now on. And the fact that the GWC is so small and it was crazy in conference last year with teams beating teams that had lost to others (aka we blew out UCD last season but lost to Cal Poly by 1) is not that hard to comprehend. Know your facts please.

[CPAlum]

Not sure where you get that, Jon. I hear a TON more about the XDSUs than the UXDs.

Geographically, all four of them are HORRIBLE fits for the Big Sky. Geographically, SUU would be better, but athletically, they're generally horrible. Why would we want a team that can't even stop a team with a losing record from winning a conference title?

Coming from a team thats from a conference with UNC and ISU....not to mention that we could hang with the vast majority of teams in the Big Sky, probably all of them this year. Our athletic teams are not as bad as you think they are. In football we have slowly and are becoming a very good team and i cant see anything except improvement from now on. And the fact that the GWC is so small and it was crazy in conference last year with teams beating teams that had lost to others (aka we blew out UCD last season but lost to Cal Poly by 1) is not that hard to comprehend. Know your facts please.

SUU is clearly the best addition to the BSC, my preference for sure. Only thing I don't like about SUU is taht damn track around the field ....oh and the scoreboard on Saturday.

[EWURanger]

I'm not sure why people are so down on SUU. Logically, they are really the only choice in terms of all-sports additions to the BSC. Their football program is decent (certainly better than UNC and ISU), and adding them would give Weber an in-state conference rival. Their other programs are not sensational, but one would have to imagine that they'd get better with an invite to the BSC. Academically, are they really any worse than some of the schools that are already in the Big Sky?

A flagship university like UND would certainly provide some value-added to the conference. The big thing is just the geography. Travel would be a nightmare for the three Cali schools, plus PSU, EWU, NAU.......hell, just about everyone *but* the Montana's - and even then, you are talking about somewhere that is far closer to Minnesota than Missoula or Bozeman.

It might be a different story if the BSC were considering 2 Dakota schools, so that UND would have a travel partner. But adding them just by themselves seems unworkable, IMO.

Nothing against UND, I'm sure it's a great school.

[webfan]

It's my understanding that UM has been vetoing SUU's entrance to the BSC. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[EWURanger]

It's my understanding that UM has been vetoing SUU's entrance to the BSC. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I hadn't heard that - but I sort of doubt that *one* member can veto another school's membership, even if that one school is a flagship member like Montana. Seems like it would have to be put to some sort of vote - and only in the case of a tie-breaker would one school's vote have that much sway.

[webfan]

It's a one vote blackball system, as I understand it.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

It's a one vote blackball system, as I understand it.

No it isn't. From what I remember from the last time when NDSU wasn't let in and Montana was blamed it takes a majority vote. I bet Dback will remember on that one.

Where did you hear this?

[webfan]

Don't remember but it should be easy to verify or not. How sure are you?

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Don't remember but it should be easy to verify or not. How sure are you?

Montana had this accusation leveled before so I'm fairly sure since it was shot down before.

[SDHornet]

Actually I was looking at the travel options and aside from it being a longer flight to Fargo, it would be easier to get to Grand Forks than Cedar City OR Flagstaff.

Fargo to Grand Forks is 80 miles. (1.5 hours)
Vegas to Cedar City is 174 miles. (2.75 hours)
Vegas to Flagstaff is 252 miles. (4.33 hours)
SLC to Cedar City is 252 miles. (4 hours)
Flagstaff to Cedar City is 281 miles. (5.5 hours)
Phoenix to Flagstaff is 146 miles. (2.5 hours)
Denver to Greely is 57 miles. (1.25 hours)

Now I didn’t look at flight costs or flight time, but I was wondering who would get paired with who as far as travel partners go. Assuming the travel pairing is as follows:
MSU-UM, UNC-WSU, PSU-Sac, EWU-ISU, NAU-SUU

If NAU and SUU was paired (and as a Sac State fan I am thinking of our travel here), we have the option of flying into Vegas (assuming SUU is game 1 of a 2 game hoops weekend) then driving to Cedar City. Now the tough leg of travel comes where in all likelihood the long bus ride from Cedar City to Flagstaff to face NAU. Then the team would probably bus it to Phoenix and fly back to Sac. The only advantage here is I have to imagine flights are cheaper to both/either Vegas and Phoenix but a long bus ride is unavoidable. (If NAU was game 1, the route would be reversed)

Now throw UND into the mix and I went with the following travel pairings:
MSU-UM, UND-UNC, WSU-NAU, Sac-PSU, EWU-ISU

So this means a flight to Fargo (probably a lay over somewhere if it’s coming from Sac or Portland) followed by a not so long bus ride to Grand Forks and a flight from Fargo into Denver with a bus ride to Greeley. (Reverse order if UNC is game 1.)

Another option is if WSU and SUU are paired. This would probably be done by flying into Vegas with a bus ride to Cedar City, then Ogden before flying back from SLC. (Reverse order if WSU is game 1)

Now I am too lazy to look into flight times and flight costs, but on the surface it appears as UND would require less travel, at least less travel in a bus. No idea how the combined travel time of bus + plane will stack up. Obviously costs are the major concern (let’s be real, it will be all the AD’s will look at, I am sure they couldn’t care less about how much time is spent on the road by the coaches and athletes) so who ever is cheaper probably be the more desirable choice. Either way Sac State will still be flying all across the western US. My choice remains SUU mainly because I am sure somehow I can use their location as an excuse to travel to Vegas.

[SloStang]

Coming from a team thats from a conference with UNC and ISU....not to mention that we could hang with the vast majority of teams in the Big Sky, probably all of them this year. Our athletic teams are not as bad as you think they are. In football we have slowly and are becoming a very good team and i cant see anything except improvement from now on. And the fact that the GWC is so small and it was crazy in conference last year with teams beating teams that had lost to others (aka we blew out UCD last season but lost to Cal Poly by 1) is not that hard to comprehend. Know your facts please.

SUU is clearly the best addition to the BSC, my preference for sure. Only thing I don't like about SUU is taht damn track around the field ....oh and the scoreboard on Saturday.

You mean the score on the scoreboard on Saturday, right? SUU has a beautiful new video board. It is impressive. I was also impressed by the turnout for the game. I was there three years ago and the stadium was a ghost town. This year it was nearly full and was loud at critical points in the game.

I think that SUU would be a good addition to the Big Sky.

[CPAlum]

SUU is clearly the best addition to the BSC, my preference for sure. Only thing I don't like about SUU is taht damn track around the field ....oh and the scoreboard on Saturday.

You mean the score on the scoreboard on Saturday, right? SUU has a beautiful new video board. It is impressive. I was also impressed by the turnout for the game. I was there three years ago and the stadium was a ghost town. This year it was nearly full and was loud at critical points in the game.

I think that SUU would be a good addition to the Big Sky.

Yes Slo...the score, I have nothing against scoreboards. Wish I could have joined you there. I looked up the drive from San Diego on GoogleMaps and it is about 9 hours. If they join BSC Id make that drive for a game

[JBB]

SUU has been building the football for a few years now and they have been getting better and better. Progress and improvement are measures of good programs.

The BSC has always gone with geography even when the Mighty Land Grants looked good. Every time they have had to go to the well the pickings have gotten slimmer and slimmer. Now change has come and we have the previously forbidden football affiliates. The Dakotas used to be too far and SUU wasnt up to the standards of the league.

All of these schools are in play. Im guessing SUU will be among the all sport invites. UND is on that list as well and there is a lot of talk about USD being considered all-sports and/or football only. It also seems likely the BSC is going to make its move with our without an announcement from Montana about the WAC.

I also heard today the Summit announced there was no interest in Summit football with or without the MVFC.

[Willie]

UND has by far the highest national name recognition of any of the Dakota schools.

Not sure where you get that, Jon. I hear a TON more about the XDSUs than the UXDs.

Geographically, all four of them are HORRIBLE fits for the Big Sky. Geographically, SUU would be better, but athletically, they're generally horrible. Why would we want a team that can't even stop a team with a losing record from winning a conference title?

Because you're in fucking California. Most Californians couldn't find their ass with both hands. When comparing NDSU and UND, it's a landslide that people know more about UND.

[native]

I dont really see why the Big Sky does not want us. We are decently competitive in all sports and would be a perfect geographical fit for the Sky (already have somewhat of a rivalry going with NAU). The only other hope i can see for the remaining Great West Conference teams is if the Summit League gets football. The league as a whole would be a pretty good one (more in terms of competitiveness then travel).

Agreed. Great football attendance figures, too.

[Sioux]

Actually I was looking at the travel options and aside from it being a longer flight to Fargo, it would be easier to get to Grand Forks than Cedar City OR Flagstaff.

Now throw UND into the mix and I went with the following travel pairings:
MSU-UM, UND-UNC, WSU-NAU, Sac-PSU, EWU-ISU

So this means a flight to Fargo (probably a lay over somewhere if it’s coming from Sac or Portland) followed by a not so long bus ride to Grand Forks and a flight from Fargo into Denver with a bus ride to Greeley. (Reverse order if UNC is game 1.) .

All teams would just fly into Grand Forks, they have a full airport. It is home to the best aviation program in the country.

Also, there are multiple flights daily to/from Minneapolis if teams fly commercial. UND charters all their flights so whatever conference they get into doesn't matter.

[SuperHornet]

All teams would just fly into Grand Forks, they have a full airport. It is home to the best aviation program in the country.

In whose opinion?

I was under the impression that the best aviation program in the country was in Lynchburg.

[GeauxSioux]

Actually I was looking at the travel options and aside from it being a longer flight to Fargo, it would be easier to get to Grand Forks than Cedar City OR Flagstaff.

Now throw UND into the mix and I went with the following travel pairings:
MSU-UM, UND-UNC, WSU-NAU, Sac-PSU, EWU-ISU

So this means a flight to Fargo (probably a lay over somewhere if it’s coming from Sac or Portland) followed by a not so long bus ride to Grand Forks and a flight from Fargo into Denver with a bus ride to Greeley. (Reverse order if UNC is game 1.) .

All teams would just fly into Grand Forks, they have a full airport. It is home to the best aviation program in the country.

Also, there are multiple flights daily to/from Minneapolis if teams fly commercial. UND charters all their flights so whatever conference they get into doesn't matter.

The flight from Denver to Fargo is non-stop. Denver to Grand Forks would go through MSP.

UND has won the National Championship for flying 16 times. http://forum.siouxsports.com/topic/6415 ... _p__453831

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

All teams would just fly into Grand Forks, they have a full airport. It is home to the best aviation program in the country.

In whose opinion?

I was under the impression that the best aviation program in the country was in Lynchburg.

An aviation guys.

You're also under the impression that women's football is entertaining without lingerie. You are also under the impression that children's movies are good adult entertainment.

The impressions you are under, are unimpressive.

[SDHornet]

...I looked up the drive from San Diego on GoogleMaps and it is about 9 hours. If they join BSC Id make that drive for a game

Vegas traffic could significantly increase the drive time.

[frinq]

Uh, guys, I'm sorry to say it, but SUU isn't, repeat isn't, in the academic league with the Big Sky. Give it 15-20 years and maybe it will be if they've got money coming in. But that's beside the point. This is football we're talking, and in that sense SUU might well be good fit. In athletics they've been persistently climbing and are now right on the edge of the BSC.

[SUUTbird]

Uh, guys, I'm sorry to say it, but SUU isn't, repeat isn't, in the academic league with the Big Sky. Give it 15-20 years and maybe it will be if they've got money coming in. But that's beside the point. This is football we're talking, and in that sense SUU might well be good fit. In athletics they've been persistently climbing and are now right on the edge of the BSC.

frinq no offense but from what i can gather SUU has a pretty good academic reputation, hell we were just listed as one of the top Universities by the The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges this year alone. dont know about you but that makes me feel comfortable in our athletic and academic capabilities in regards to fitting the blueprint of the Big Sky. The article can be found here:

Word Spreads: SUU Experience gains National Recognition

SUU Thunderbirds have two more points of pride as they arrive on campus this fall in the growing reputation of an SUU education.

Just days from the official start of the new school year, the campus is proud to announce its placement in the nation’s top collegiate rankings as a member of The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges listing for the western region and as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Universities.

Most recently, SUU was listed in the top tier of all regional universities in the West in the 2011 edition of “Best Colleges” by U.S. News Media Group.

According to a news release from U.S. News, “The 2011 Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence.”

Most recently, SUU was listed in the top tier of all regional universities in the West in the 2011 edition of “Best Colleges” by U.S. News Media Group.

http://www.suu.edu/ad/pr/news/archives/ ... spx?id=810

[EWURanger]

Hell, I say just add SUU and be done with it already.

That'd give us 10 for all sports, 12 for football. Add UND and USD for football, and you're at 14. I just don't think it makes sense to add UND by themselves......if USC were in the mix I think I would feel differently.

Of course, all of this probably hinges on Montana's upcoming announcement that they've WAC'd off.