North Dakota St. makes do without Big Sky membership

FARGO, N.D. – The year in athletics for North Dakota State was marked by the search to find a conference, something school officials have deemed paramount for future success in the school’s jump to NCAA Division I.

It started with a bang – and ended with a bust.

While the Bison were able to join with five other schools to create a formidable Division I-AA football conference, they were snubbed in their attempt to join the established Big Sky Conference.

“Obviously the Big Sky information was a setback,” said Gene Taylor, NDSU athletic director. “Certainly our coaches are disappointed … but everyone has been very supportive of what we’re trying to do.”

It was last spring when NDSU, South Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Davis and Southern Utah announced the formation of the Great West Football Conference.

The Bison finished 2-3 in the league, losing those three games by a combined total of eight points. They were 8-3 overall, including a convincing win over No. 20 UC Davis in the last game.

Great West teams compiled an 8-6 record against the Big Sky Conference. Cal Poly won the inaugural league championship and finished 9-2 overall.

The Mustangs were hopeful for a playoff berth, but were passed over by the Division I-AA selection committee.

NDSU was one of four schools to publicly express interest in the Big Sky Conference, but college presidents from the league left only Northern Colorado in the running.