No. Colorado moves closer to position in Big Sky

OGDEN, Utah — The presidents of Big Sky Conference schools voted unanimously Thursday to begin negotiating with the University of Northern Colorado over its application to join the league.

“We are taking this as a full-fledged, encouraging sign that we will soon be members of the Big Sky Conference,” said UNC athletics director Jay Hinrichs.

A final decision is expected to come at the Big Sky Conference spring meeting in Portland, May 15-17. Representatives from Northern Colorado will be invited to attend.

Seven of the eight Big Sky Conference presidents, along with interim Eastern Washington University President Brian Levin-Stankevich, spoke via conference call with Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton about the expansion.

The President’s Counsel asked Fullerton to draft a list of conditions UNC must meet to join the conference, including adding football scholarships, adding men’s cross country, and men’s and women’s indoor track and field.

“Obviously there are many issues the presidents expressed,” Fullerton said. “They want to ensure the University of Northern Colorado understands what is expected for membership in the Big Sky Conference.”

UNC would also have to formally address its athletic budget, gender equity and facility upgrades, Fullerton said.

The school is making the transition from NCAA Division II to I-AA for football, where it is a member of the Great West Football Conference. The school has expanded its Nottingham Field by 2,000 seats to hold 8,500 for the 2005 season.

“We will also outline Northern Colorado’s role in the Big Sky and how it will change as the institution completes the transition to a full-fledged Division I member,” Fullerton said.

The Big Sky began looking at expansion last summer. In December, the institution presidents decided to take a closer look at adding Northern Colorado. A team of Big Sky representatives visited the Greeley, Colo., campus in early February and a report was presented to the presidents.