Big Sky Expansion

[SDHornet]

MJ, the athletes fly in, so with that in consideration, Sac is a lot easier to get to than SUU. However for the fans, yes it is a miserable drive.

[SuperHornet]

Mines, and SH's other suggestion, WNMU, are both not worthy of discussion.

I only brought up WNMU as the only other D-II school that would make anywhere close to geographic sense, and that only comes in relation to NAU. Mines would be MUCH easier to get to than WNMU, and is much better athletically. I wasn't serious at all re WNMU, at least not in the way I am about Mines.

Athletically, CWU or maybe even SOU would probably be better, but either would throw a monkey wrench into the travel partner scheme. Mines would make a great travel partner (and perhaps geographic rival) for UNC. At least it wouldn't turn the Sky into the Sun Belt in the same way that the UXDs would.

[SUUTbird]

I dont really think the Dakota States really are an option as i think they are much happier being in a competitive conference in the MVC. Two options i can see for the Dakota schools would be to maybe join the Ohio Valley or Missouri Valley conference. The only issue i could see is that it would be an 11 team conference with relatively the closest competition available (especially since the Summit League Idea didnt work out.) Definitely not the best idea but really just an option that the Dakotas could take, the GWC will not be around next year

[weberwildcat]

Would yall shut the hell up about the Colorado school of mines, assuming its a real school. lets talk about schools that actually are on the big sky radar.

[dbackjon]

Mines, and SH's other suggestion, WNMU, are both not worthy of discussion.

I only brought up WNMU as the only other D-II school that would make anywhere close to geographic sense, and that only comes in relation to NAU. Mines would be MUCH easier to get to than WNMU, and is much better athletically. I wasn't serious at all re WNMU, at least not in the way I am about Mines.

Athletically, CWU or maybe even SOU would probably be better, but either would throw a monkey wrench into the travel partner scheme. Mines would make a great travel partner (and perhaps geographic rival) for UNC. At least it wouldn't turn the Sky into the Sun Belt in the same way that the UXDs would.

I think you need to look at a map and see where NAU and WNMU are - WNMU makes no sense at all.

Mines makes zero sense, either.

[AZGrizFan]

I only brought up WNMU as the only other D-II school that would make anywhere close to geographic sense, and that only comes in relation to NAU. Mines would be MUCH easier to get to than WNMU, and is much better athletically. I wasn't serious at all re WNMU, at least not in the way I am about Mines.

Athletically, CWU or maybe even SOU would probably be better, but either would throw a monkey wrench into the travel partner scheme. Mines would make a great travel partner (and perhaps geographic rival) for UNC. At least it wouldn't turn the Sky into the Sun Belt in the same way that the UXDs would.

I think you need to look at a map and see where NAU and WNMU are - WNMU makes no sense at all.

Mines makes zero sense, either.

Keep in mind the source, Jon.

[CPAlum]

Would yall shut the hell up about the Colorado school of mines, assuming its a real school. lets talk about schools that actually are on the big sky radar.

Thank You....I agree

[dbackjon]

I think you need to look at a map and see where NAU and WNMU are - WNMU makes no sense at all.

Mines makes zero sense, either.

Keep in mind the source, Jon.

I know.

[BigSkyBears]

Mines, and SH's other suggestion, WNMU, are both not worthy of discussion.

I only brought up WNMU as the only other D-II school that would make anywhere close to geographic sense, and that only comes in relation to NAU. Mines would be MUCH easier to get to than WNMU, and is much better athletically. I wasn't serious at all re WNMU, at least not in the way I am about Mines.

Athletically, CWU or maybe even SOU would probably be better, but either would throw a monkey wrench into the travel partner scheme. Mines would make a great travel partner (and perhaps geographic rival) for UNC. At least it wouldn't turn the Sky into the Sun Belt in the same way that the UXDs would.

Why do you keep bringing Mines into the picture. They're not even anticipating a move up. And you probably wonder why people on here think you're weird.

[webfan]

No sh**, lets be realistic.

[Fresno St. Alum]

The only D-II school that has any shot at the Big Sky is C.Washington, the D-II board peeps have already shown they can't afford a move right now anyway. They'd only be an option if the Dakotas said no and more left for the WAC after S.Utah comes in.

[GeauxSioux]

More conversation on the possibility of expansion..... DI conference speculation

[JBB]

Saying they all have bad geography sounds like they are minimizing that aspect. The drive from Las Vegas to Cedar City is easy though. Its going to be a lot easier than the drive from Fargo to Grand Forks when you consider how bad I94 gets in the winter. Once the wind starts blowing the snow around its a pretty nasty drive. The drive to Cedar City is always easy.

SUU has been passed up more than once. I'm starting to think if there is going to be a football affiliate why not SUU? It almost seems to me they need a basketball affiliate if they keep adding football affiliates?

If nobody leaves I dont think they will add anybody. If they add before anybody leaves we will know how many are leaving by how many they add. I think SUU has earned the first spot. They have really improved their programs and facilities. Im sure it would have happened anyway if they had been invited years ago but now its demonstrated.

There will always be academic disparities. NDSU is an average school in the Summit and MVFC in a lot of ways. It has to be considered a wash.

Financial stability is another factor. The State Universities seem to have the perception of an edge but this can be demonstrated by each institution. Its a factor for sure.

[weberwildcat]

Saying they all have bad geography sounds like they are minimizing that aspect. The drive from Las Vegas to Cedar City is easy though. Its going to be a lot easier than the drive from Fargo to Grand Forks when you consider how bad I94 gets in the winter. Once the wind starts blowing the snow around its a pretty nasty drive. The drive to Cedar City is always easy.

SUU has been passed up more than once. I'm starting to think if there is going to be a football affiliate why not SUU? It almost seems to me they need a basketball affiliate if they keep adding football affiliates?

If nobody leaves I dont think they will add anybody. If they add before anybody leaves we will know how many are leaving by how many they add. I think SUU has earned the first spot. They have really improved their programs and facilities. Im sure it would have happened anyway if they had been invited years ago but now its demonstrated.

There will always be academic disparities. NDSU is an average school in the Summit and MVFC in a lot of ways. It has to be considered a wash.

Financial stability is another factor. The State Universities seem to have the perception of an edge but this can be demonstrated by each institution. Its a factor for sure.

you dont think they make it an even 12 if no one leaves? montana has to go, the wac needs them badly and now UM will be afraid to not go because they might think it will hurt the program to not move up when they should have.

[GrizFan5]

Montana isn't going anywhere.

[EWURanger]

Saying they all have bad geography sounds like they are minimizing that aspect. The drive from Las Vegas to Cedar City is easy though. Its going to be a lot easier than the drive from Fargo to Grand Forks when you consider how bad I94 gets in the winter. Once the wind starts blowing the snow around its a pretty nasty drive. The drive to Cedar City is always easy.

SUU has been passed up more than once. I'm starting to think if there is going to be a football affiliate why not SUU? It almost seems to me they need a basketball affiliate if they keep adding football affiliates?

If nobody leaves I dont think they will add anybody. If they add before anybody leaves we will know how many are leaving by how many they add. I think SUU has earned the first spot. They have really improved their programs and facilities. Im sure it would have happened anyway if they had been invited years ago but now its demonstrated.

There will always be academic disparities. NDSU is an average school in the Summit and MVFC in a lot of ways. It has to be considered a wash.

Financial stability is another factor. The State Universities seem to have the perception of an edge but this can be demonstrated by each institution. Its a factor for sure.

Fullerton has already stated that the goal is a 12 team format for the BSC - in football, anyway.

The real issue is *how many* schools will they add - and this, of course, depends on Montana's time-line for departure.

[JBB]

I have received bad news:

Im hearing UND is nixed on full blown BSC membership on location (nobody wants to bring their BB teams to Grand Forks) and academics. They will be ok for football but thats it. USD and SUU are in too with SUU still being considered for full membership depending on the WAC.

Unfortunately this will mean UND will probably end up in the Summit, a conference their fans have been trashing wholesale since NDSU and SDSU got in. They really teed off on it when USD was admitted and they were held out because of their total incompetence resolving their nickname issue. It only took about 25 yrs.

[GeauxSioux]

From the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls SD..... http://www.argusleader.com/article/2010 ... 002/sports

The Big Sky Conference presidents met this week and one of the topics was the University of South Dakota.

The content of those discussions is still under wraps, but any news regarding USD and a conference affiliation for its football team is good news at this point.

Big Sky Conference commissioner Doug Fullerton, who could not be reached for comment Thursday, has stated publicly the goal of the Big Sky is to have two six-team divisions and has also said the conference athletic directors - but not necessarily the presidents - were very positive to the Dakotas' potential membership.

[JBB]

Football only would at least preoccupy them and maybe, just maybe, they will stop doing passive/aggressive things like raising a ruckus all over the state because NDSU wouldn't put them back on the schedule after they quit in the hissy fit of 2003. NDSU finally agreed to schedule them and presented them with several different options last winter and they said no! That was a blessing in disguise because NDSU can now wash their hands clean of the UND scheduling issue but it tells the BSC a little about their new member to be.

Its going to be bad having them in the Summit but at least they will be shuffled out west for football. Of course the Summit isnt a lock but they have a site visit in a couple of weeks.

I think it might be a good idea to get a lot of angry protesters out in front of the Betty complaining about dropping the nickname.

[AZGrizFan]

Football only would at least preoccupy them and maybe, just maybe, they will stop doing passive/aggressive things like raising a ruckus all over the state because NDSU wouldn't put them back on the schedule after they quit in the hissy fit of 2003. NDSU finally agreed to schedule them and presented them with several different options last winter and they said no! That was a blessing in disguise because NDSU can now wash their hands clean of the UND scheduling issue but it tells the BSC a little about their new member to be.

Its going to be bad having them in the Summit but at least they will be shuffled out west for football. Of course the Summit isnt a lock but they have a site visit in a couple of weeks.

I think it might be a good idea to get a lot of angry protesters out in front of the Betty complaining about dropping the nickname.

NDSU is a bunch of pussies for not scheduling UND.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Tell you what, If the Sky takes both Dakotas for thier last 2 memebers after Montana goes(maybe, maybe not) there are going to be alot of pissed off Thunderbird fans.

From all the articles it seems the Big Sky is more interested in the Dakotas than SUU.

I think if Montana leaves the Sky might go after both dakotas, but if Montana stays than the Sky will go after SUU only.

[webfan]

Per eGriz:SUU, UND and USD got BSC invites. SUU accepted immediately nothing yet on Dakotas. Not official but it's not surprising.

[EWURanger]

Just a rumor at this point.........

I'm assuming SUU will join as a full member, putting us at 10 full members, subract UM and that's 9 again. Add Cal Poly and UC Davis and you're at 11. Assuming UND and USD would be football only members and that they accepted an invite, that'd put the conference at 13 for football. Strange.

[TbrdsFN10]

I am curious as to why big sky fans do not like SUU for the conference. Did SUU do something in the pass for fans to not like them? I have been visiting big sky teams forums (montana, Montana St, etc.) it is not all the fans but there are some that are just hell bent on not wanting SUU in the conference. Can anyone shed some light on the subject for me? Having the GWC teams added to the Big Sky would only make it better IMO.

[EWURanger]

Not all Big Sky fans are opposed to SUU as a member. In fact, I think most want SUU as a member. They're really the only choice geographically, and your football program seems to be making some nice gains. Also good attendance numbers this year as well. So I'm with you - why not SUU?