Conference Change for UNC? - Hear me out

[Siouxfan1]

The Big Sky may very well be in upheaval mode in the next few years. Will Montana, Montana St, Sac St, and Portland State stay or move to FBS and the WAC.

Will Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington be capable of funding football?

Will APR issues within certain Big Sky programs could even cause some schools to drop sports because of low scores.

The Big Sky hasn't offered the sports offerings that UNC needs: baseball, softball, wrestling, swimming.

What is an option?

Perhaps the Summit.

Eastern schools in the Summit want to leave for the Horizon (IPFW, Oakland, IUPUI)
The Summit is looking at sponsoring football.
Football members would be W Ill, USD, SDSU, UND, NDSU (and S Utah - which is likely headed to the Big Sky)
Summit offers all of UNC's sports except wrestlilng, but could offer that with UNC joining.

UN-Omaha and Central Missouri are thought to be interested in moving up to DI and the Summit.

Could have a new Summit of

North Dakota
NDSU
South Dakota
SDSU
Nebraska-Omaha
Central Missouri
maybe Central Oklahoma
Oral Roberts
Western Illinois

If Montana leaves the Big Sky, wouldn't UNC be better off in a new Summit?

Just food for thought.

 

[Beardown]

I don't think the Big Sky is going to change much at all for a while.

 

[jjjj]

Interesting scenario but I don't see it happening. I have never heard that the Big Sky is even slightly interested in S. Utah; I think its academics are supposedly the sticking point. I have also read that there is no way the Nebraska Board of Regents would allow a move up by UNO.

 

[Blofeld]

No thanks. :lol:

So happy to not deal with the petty, vindictive, ego centric, rural, negative, Dakota schools anymore. 8)

 

[Brian]

No thanks. :lol:

So happy to not deal with the petty, vindictive, ego centric, rural, negative, Dakota schools anymore. 8)

Though we do have the Big Sky version in the University of Montana.

I am thrilled to be in the Big Sky and will be really disappointed if it breaks apart. I don't miss the days of playing Mankato State or Augustana. What is really surprising is Augustana's new football stadium (better than Nottingham):
http://www.goaugie.com/sports/2008/9/3/FB_0903081901.aspx?id=1676

How a DII team can find a couple to donate enough money to build that stadium is beyond me.

 

[Blofeld]

It's smaller, it only seats 6,200. The scoreboard is nicer but that's not saying much... Otherwise I don't think the pressbox is better, it's smaller and the visitor side is bowled in which is nice but with the new construction on the east side at Nottingham it's a lot nicer now it just needs better and larger seating.

It's a private school also so the alumni culture and donations are just more substantial.

 

[Siouxfan1]

Interesting scenario but I don't see it happening. I have never heard that the Big Sky is even slightly interested in S. Utah; I think its academics are supposedly the sticking point. I have also read that there is no way the Nebraska Board of Regents would allow a move up by UNO.

The Montana schools are the ones that don't want SUU in. NAU, Weber and Idaho State have been pushing for SUU's inclusion.

UN-Omaha's new AD is Trev Alberts. He only took the job based on having the option of moving Omaha to DI. UNO is moving up - and has some money behind that move to placate any Regents concern. Colorado didn't stop UNC.

 

[Siouxfan1]

No thanks. :lol:

So happy to not deal with the petty, vindictive, ego centric, rural, negative, Dakota schools anymore. 8)

Yeah, NDSU fans are something else. :lol:

They are likely the most insecure fan base in FCS, but that was evident decades ago in the NCC.

SDSU fans are only petty with respect to basketball, a sport their have high aspirations in.

USD fans are bad in Vermillion, but decent on boards and away games.

UND fans define themselves more by hockey success - football and basketball are icing!

 

[Brian]

No thanks. :lol:

So happy to not deal with the petty, vindictive, ego centric, rural, negative, Dakota schools anymore. 8)

Yeah, NDSU fans are something else. :lol:

They are likely the most insecure fan base in FCS, but that was evident decades ago in the NCC.

SDSU fans are only petty with respect to basketball, a sport their have high aspirations in.

USD fans are bad in Vermillion, but decent on boards and away games.

UND fans define themselves more by hockey success - football and basketball are icing!

Went to an SDSU baskeball game in Brookings in the late 90's and was really impressed. They were miles ahead of UNC at the time (in quality of team and arena and support). Drove by the Fargo dome, not impressed though in December in N.D., indoor football is probably the way to go.

What I am envious of is that UNC is not remotely close to the center of attention in the State of Colorado like the North Dakota and Montana schools are with their States.

 

[Bearsfan24]

No thanks. :lol:

So happy to not deal with the petty, vindictive, ego centric, rural, negative, Dakota schools anymore. 8)

Yeah, NDSU fans are something else. :lol:

They are likely the most insecure fan base in FCS, but that was evident decades ago in the NCC.

SDSU fans are only petty with respect to basketball, a sport their have high aspirations in.

USD fans are bad in Vermillion, but decent on boards and away games.

UND fans define themselves more by hockey success - football and basketball are icing!

Went to an SDSU baskeball game in Brookings in the late 90's and was really impressed. They were miles ahead of UNC at the time (in quality of team and arena and support). Drove by the Fargo dome, not impressed though in December in N.D., indoor football is probably the way to go.

What I am envious of is that UNC is not remotely close to the center of attention in the State of Colorado like the North Dakota and Montana schools are with their States.

That's because they don't have markets to compete in, if UNC was one of two big schools in the state we definitely get a lot more attention. What does Montana really have in that state? Couple minor league teams.

Anywho, to OP's idea, even though its a little crazy its still not that far fetched. I think we're going to experience some significant changes over the next few years in college football. You know the WAC is going to look to grab a team or two from the Big Sky. Plus with all the budget cuts going on. But I think if anyone moves up in the next few years its going to be, if not both, Montana schools. Which I'm hopeful for, because it would be nice not having to deal with them anymore. Not too sure about Portland or Sac State, but at the same time it could be doable because they are located in big cities. Which could help with fan support.