You're right. And I wouldn't be surprised if NDak eventually swapped horses midstream too.
University of South Dakota Passes on Big Sky Conference (Posted: Nov 4, 2010 4:57 PM by Richie Melby)
Three days after Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton announced the addition of the University of North Dakota and Southern Utah University as core members in the Big Sky Conference, the University of South Dakota has decided to go another route.
At the beginning of the week Fullerton said the Big Sky Conference was "on the verge" of announcing USD as their 12th core member, but on Thursday officials within the university annouced the Coyotes would join the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The decision will pair USD with rival South Dakota State in the MVFC, as the two teams haven't played on the football field since 2003.
The move will leave the Big Sky Conference with 11 core members, 13 for football after Cal Poly and UC Davis joined in September. The Conference was expected to split into two seven-team divisions for football, but with South Dakota moving to the Missouri Valley Conference, divisions will likely not be created.
Below is the statement released by Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton regarding the University of South Dakota's decision to join the Missouri Valley Football Conference:
OGDEN, UTAH (Nov. 4, 2010) - Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton has issued a statement regarding the University of South Dakota's decision to accept membership to the Missouri Valley Football Conference:
"Obviously we are disappointed that the University of South Dakota is not joining us, but we understand the decision and we wish them the best of luck. We knew all along that this was a possibility. When making a decision of this magnitude, there are many constituents throughout a state that have a say in these matters.
"The last two months have been an exciting time for the Big Sky Conference. We've added Cal Poly and UC Davis to our football fold, and the University of North Dakota and Southern Utah as full members. Our league presidents chose to be aggressive during this time of conference affiliation upheaval. We have solidified and strengthened the Big Sky Conference. We have a vision of what we can be in the West, and that hasn't changed."
