WSUnPurple1
Active member
SUU has accepted the invite from the big Sky. S and N Dakota have had invites extended to them.
-
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts, upgrade to remove ads and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your BigSkyFans.com experience today!
Did the Big Sky just get bigger?
- Thread starter WSUnPurple1
- Start date
I'm sure its accurate. The presidents meet for two or three days this week to discuss matters. Expansion was the top priority. If All three were extended invites, that pretty much means that UM is gone, and so is another program. Could the Montana legislature be forcing the WAC to take MSU along for the ride with UM? I really hope not. MSU isn't ready in the slightest. Weber is more prepared than MSU and that isnt' saying a lot. Hell, I really don't think UM is ready to make the jump. In the long run the Grizz are going to kick themselves for leaving.
If not, does the Sky really need 14 members?
If not, does the Sky really need 14 members?
oldrunner
Active member
There is nothing on the Big Sky's site reguarding this, or in the newspapers. It sounds good, but it is not anything official yet. That would give us 12 for football and 10 for everything else. It would also give us a championship game in football. It would also be a step up for SUU.
wsucatfan said:
No we wont be able to have a championship game, the "Big Sky championship game" would be played the same day as the first round of the playoffs, this is why the SWAC conference doesnt compete in the FCS playoffs.
Fullerton said in that first interview that we wouldnt have a championship game.
Sounds to me like Montana, and probably MSU, are as good as gone. But that should come as no surprise given the tone and content of O'Day's recent "email" that went viral. I can't see the two Dakotas joining the league in all sports -- the travel would be crazy. But I've been wrong more than once before... 
MSU isn't going anywhere. Their President and AD have been vociferously against moving sideways to the very unstable and expensive WAC.
Also, recent comments made by the UM president seemed to suggest that UM isn't going to move up either. The party most responsible for the move up talk at UM is O'Day, but he's the type of guy that would buy anything that promises to extend his penis.
Also, recent comments made by the UM president seemed to suggest that UM isn't going to move up either. The party most responsible for the move up talk at UM is O'Day, but he's the type of guy that would buy anything that promises to extend his penis.
I must admit, I'm having a hard time figuring out just what is going on in Missoula. After I read O'Day's email, I thought, "Well, it's obvious, they're going to the WAC." Then I watched the television interview with the new president, and I thought, "Wow, he's linked Montana's future to MSU's, and maybe they aren't going anywhere."
Very tough to predict. What mystifies me, though, is why the Big Sky would want a 14-team league if they didn't anticipate losing a couple of teams? Of course, nothing's been officially announced, so all we have are message board rumors that the Dakotas and Southern Utah are coming. It will be an interesting couple of months as these things shake out.
Very tough to predict. What mystifies me, though, is why the Big Sky would want a 14-team league if they didn't anticipate losing a couple of teams? Of course, nothing's been officially announced, so all we have are message board rumors that the Dakotas and Southern Utah are coming. It will be an interesting couple of months as these things shake out.
A Bison fan on the championship forum said he saw this report.
"SUU President Michael Benson has indicated the scheduling of a "special announcement" in the Centrum Arena for Wednesday at 2PM (MT). He further states that it is an "announcement that will be pretty exciting for our institution... that's all I can say right now."
I wonder if its about SUU moving to the Big Sky
"SUU President Michael Benson has indicated the scheduling of a "special announcement" in the Centrum Arena for Wednesday at 2PM (MT). He further states that it is an "announcement that will be pretty exciting for our institution... that's all I can say right now."
I wonder if its about SUU moving to the Big Sky
Another interesting link on the future of the Big Sky and FCS, this from the Grand Forks Herald:
"Fullerton’s summary of last week’s presidents meeting had two facets: One, the focus was to envision the Big Sky in five years. Two, the league believes that FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) will play a major role in the future of college football.
“The presidents were able to spend some time together and talk about where they want to be in five years,” Fullerton said. “I’d say the presidents were very forward thinking in establishing the Big Sky as we move forward.
“There’s the thought that FCS will become more important as we move forward in the NCAA, because finances in all but the very top teams are looking unsustainable at the FBS level with costs inflating so quickly.”
Fullerton said he’s taking part in an NCAA meeting Wednesday in Indianapolis that centers on FCS’ role in the future.
“The top FBS schools are moving away from the bottom,” he said. “There’s such a disparity. With the inflation factors, can FBS sustain?
“Obviously, the Big Sky wants to be one of the major players (in the FCS). I was real pleased with the presidents’ vision.”
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/a ... /homepage/
"Fullerton’s summary of last week’s presidents meeting had two facets: One, the focus was to envision the Big Sky in five years. Two, the league believes that FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) will play a major role in the future of college football.
“The presidents were able to spend some time together and talk about where they want to be in five years,” Fullerton said. “I’d say the presidents were very forward thinking in establishing the Big Sky as we move forward.
“There’s the thought that FCS will become more important as we move forward in the NCAA, because finances in all but the very top teams are looking unsustainable at the FBS level with costs inflating so quickly.”
Fullerton said he’s taking part in an NCAA meeting Wednesday in Indianapolis that centers on FCS’ role in the future.
“The top FBS schools are moving away from the bottom,” he said. “There’s such a disparity. With the inflation factors, can FBS sustain?
“Obviously, the Big Sky wants to be one of the major players (in the FCS). I was real pleased with the presidents’ vision.”
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/a ... /homepage/
I've also heard that the Big Sky is now going after the Dakotas for ALL SPORTS, not just affiliates.
North Dakota seems like they cant wait for a Big Sky invite, the question is if they will join as a full member, South Dakota hasnt expressed much interest, but I think the Sky is begining to win them over. And I think both UND and USD would be nuts to not join as full members, the Big Sky is a much better Basketball conference than the Summit League.
North Dakota seems like they cant wait for a Big Sky invite, the question is if they will join as a full member, South Dakota hasnt expressed much interest, but I think the Sky is begining to win them over. And I think both UND and USD would be nuts to not join as full members, the Big Sky is a much better Basketball conference than the Summit League.
SUU cancelled the announcement.
However, and I got this from a very reliable source, I was told that SUU was invited for All-sports and accepted on the spot. However, their announcement is being delayed for USD and UND. They were invited to appease UM. Montana, wants to be in a league with peer schools. Schools that have excellent academics, a strong foundation in research, and that have professional schools (law, medical, extensive graduate schools, etc). Unfortunately, SUU isn't considered an excellent academic institution, but a directional institution (ITS FAR BETTER THAN THAT SHIT HOLE IN OREM; UVU). So, as a means of keeping Montana happy, which is a good move anyway, the Sky invited both USD and UND. Yes, SDSU and NDSU are both stronger athletically, they are weaker academically. USD and UND are on par with the U of U (thats for CATCAT) and the UC system in California. By being the Sky...they will have the chance to grow quicker and be in a better athletic league than their sisters Dakota schools. At one time USU was the top school in Utah, now its been eclipsed by both BYU and Utah. By being in the Sky USD and UND will both become stronger and better quicker. Only negative, travel. Hopefully, a divisional system will keep travel minimal. Regardless, its going to suck not playing UM and MSU annually. I hope they keep all of the original charter schools together, but its not looking like it'll happen. I still think UM and MSU will do what needs to be done to keep Weber on their schedules though. Great rivalry's...and lots of tradition. Hell, the fights against MSU throughout the years says it all! GO CATS!!
Oh, once the Dakotas decide...we should be hearing from all three. But, SUU is in and so is, I believe, UND (the Sioux don't have any prior commitments, but out of respect for USD they are also waiting. fullerton isn't pushing USD, he is giving them their space unlike Benson and the WAC who I think have burned a bridge in Missoula). I think the Sky is waiting for USD to workout an exit plan with the Summit League.
However, and I got this from a very reliable source, I was told that SUU was invited for All-sports and accepted on the spot. However, their announcement is being delayed for USD and UND. They were invited to appease UM. Montana, wants to be in a league with peer schools. Schools that have excellent academics, a strong foundation in research, and that have professional schools (law, medical, extensive graduate schools, etc). Unfortunately, SUU isn't considered an excellent academic institution, but a directional institution (ITS FAR BETTER THAN THAT SHIT HOLE IN OREM; UVU). So, as a means of keeping Montana happy, which is a good move anyway, the Sky invited both USD and UND. Yes, SDSU and NDSU are both stronger athletically, they are weaker academically. USD and UND are on par with the U of U (thats for CATCAT) and the UC system in California. By being the Sky...they will have the chance to grow quicker and be in a better athletic league than their sisters Dakota schools. At one time USU was the top school in Utah, now its been eclipsed by both BYU and Utah. By being in the Sky USD and UND will both become stronger and better quicker. Only negative, travel. Hopefully, a divisional system will keep travel minimal. Regardless, its going to suck not playing UM and MSU annually. I hope they keep all of the original charter schools together, but its not looking like it'll happen. I still think UM and MSU will do what needs to be done to keep Weber on their schedules though. Great rivalry's...and lots of tradition. Hell, the fights against MSU throughout the years says it all! GO CATS!!
Oh, once the Dakotas decide...we should be hearing from all three. But, SUU is in and so is, I believe, UND (the Sioux don't have any prior commitments, but out of respect for USD they are also waiting. fullerton isn't pushing USD, he is giving them their space unlike Benson and the WAC who I think have burned a bridge in Missoula). I think the Sky is waiting for USD to workout an exit plan with the Summit League.
talhadfoursteals said:
You can still have all 4 origional Big Sky Schools in the same division and keep the rivalries together, Like this- an East/West or Mountain/Pacific separation
East/Mountain
Montana
Montana State
Idaho State
Weber State
Northern Colorado
North Dakota
South Dakota
West/Pacific
Eastern Washington
Portland State
Sacramento State
UC Davis
Cal Poly
Southern Utah
Northern Arizona
