Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, with its football programs competing in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS); as of 2025, it consists of 10 full member institutions located across eight western states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.[1][2] Founded on July 1, 1963, the conference was established by six charter members—Idaho, Idaho State, Gonzaga, Montana, Montana State, and Weber State—initially focused on basketball before expanding to other sports; it is headquartered in Farmington, Utah, and led by Commissioner Tom Wistrcill, who has held the position since 2012.[3][4][5] The league sponsors 16 sports: seven for men (basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field) and nine for women (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and volleyball), emphasizing competitive balance and student-athlete development across its footprint.[6] Over its six decades, the Big Sky has grown from a regional basketball alliance into a prominent FCS powerhouse, producing multiple national champions in football—such as Montana's 1995 and 2007 titles—and fostering rivalries that draw significant fan engagement, particularly in basketball and track events; the conference is set to expand to 11 full members in 2026 with the addition of Southern Utah and Utah Tech, enhancing its geographic and competitive depth.[3][7]History
Formation and early development
The Big Sky Conference was established on July 1, 1963, as a regional athletic association for institutions in the western United States, with six charter members: the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Gonzaga University, the University of Montana, Montana State University, and Weber State College.[3] These schools, spanning Idaho, Montana, and Utah, sought to create a competitive framework for intercollegiate sports amid evolving alignments in western collegiate athletics following the dissolution of the Pacific Coast Conference in 1959. The conference name, adopted on February 25, 1963, drew inspiration from A.B. Guthrie Jr.'s 1947 novel The Big Sky, symbolizing the expansive landscapes and pioneering spirit of the American West.[3] Initially conceived primarily as a basketball conference to address scheduling needs for smaller regional universities, the Big Sky quickly expanded its scope to include football and track and field for men, reflecting the era's emphasis on those core sports.[8] Women's sports participation was limited in the conference's early years, consistent with broader NCAA trends before Title IX's implementation in 1972. Jack Friel, a longtime basketball coach at Washington State University who had retired in 1958, was appointed as the first commissioner, serving from 1963 to 1971 and guiding the league's administrative foundation during its formative decade.[9] The inaugural football season in 1963 marked a key milestone, though scheduling logistics posed initial hurdles; Idaho State University emerged as the first conference champion with a 3-1 record against league opponents.[10] Early operations emphasized balancing competitive athletics with academic priorities for member institutions, many of which were public universities prioritizing educational missions in a post-Pacific Coast Conference landscape.[11] This period laid the groundwork for the Big Sky's identity as an NCAA Division I conference focused on regional rivalries and student-athlete development.Expansion and realignments
The Big Sky Conference initiated its expansion era in the 1970s, growing from its original six charter members by adding Boise State University and Northern Arizona University in 1970, which brought the total to eight institutions.[12] Gonzaga University, a founding member without a football program, departed in 1979 to join the West Coast Athletic Conference, but the league offset the loss by admitting the University of Nevada that same year.[12] Eastern Washington University joined as the ninth full member in 1987, further solidifying the conference's footprint in the Pacific Northwest.[12] The conference began sponsoring women's sports championships in 1988, after transitioning programs from the women-only Mountain West Athletic Conference (1982–1988); prior to that, select women's teams had competed independently or regionally starting around 1977.[3] The establishment of NCAA Division I-AA football (now FCS) in 1978 aligned closely with these developments, positioning the Big Sky as a foundational FCS conference and enabling it to attract institutions focused on competitive play at that subdivision without FBS ambitions.[13] The 1990s and 2000s brought a mix of losses and strategic additions amid broader NCAA realignments. Nevada departed for the Big West Conference in 1992, temporarily reducing membership to eight schools.[14] Boise State followed suit in 1996, moving to the Big West and leaving the Big Sky with seven football-sponsoring members, though the conference added Portland State University and Sacramento State University in 1996 primarily for basketball and other Olympic sports.[3] California State University, Northridge joined in 1994 but exited in 2001 to focus on non-football athletics elsewhere. By 2000, the league had rebounded to eight core football schools, emphasizing regional rivalries in the western United States. The 2000s saw further growth with the addition of the University of Northern Colorado in 2006 and the University of California, Davis in 2007, both initially as non-football full members to bolster basketball and other sports.[3] Realignments accelerated in the 2010s as FCS conferences adjusted to membership shifts across Division I. In 2012, the University of North Dakota and Southern Utah University joined as full members, expanding options for non-revenue sports.[15] The University of Idaho, a charter member that had left in 1996 for the Western Athletic Conference, rejoined in 2014 for all sports except football.[16] Departures included Northern Colorado and UC Davis in 2017, with both schools shifting football affiliations while retaining some Big Sky ties initially; North Dakota exited most sports for the Summit League in 2018.[3] These moves maintained the conference's emphasis on FCS football while accommodating non-football schools for basketball and track & field. The 2020s have featured continued flux, driven by national realignment trends and geographic considerations. Southern Utah left for the Western Athletic Conference in 2022 after a decade in the Big Sky.[17] In response, the conference announced on June 25, 2025, that Utah Tech University and Southern Utah would join (or rejoin) as full members effective July 1, 2026, increasing the core to 11 football schools and enhancing regional travel efficiency.[7] Sacramento State, a long-term member since 1996, announced its exit effective June 30, 2026, to pursue FBS independence with a new stadium project.[18] Complementing these changes, Francis Marion University joined as an affiliate for men's golf on July 1, 2025, following the conference's reinstatement of the sport after a hiatus.[19] Overall, these evolutions have grown the Big Sky from six members in 1963 to 10 full members by the 2024-25 academic year, all sponsoring FCS football and contributing to a robust multi-sport footprint.[3]Recent milestones
In 2013, the Big Sky Conference marked its 50th anniversary with a year-long celebration that included the unveiling of special logos and branding, the release of historical retrospectives through countdown lists of the top 50 athletes, teams, and moments in conference history, and a series of commemorative videos highlighting key achievements.[20][21][22] The 2020-2021 academic year brought significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the conference to postpone its fall football season to spring 2021, cancel all spring 2020 competitions including the remainder of the basketball tournaments, and adopt flexible scheduling policies for basketball to accommodate postponed games and health protocols.[23][24][25] In cross country, Northern Arizona University swept both the men's and women's Big Sky Conference championships on November 1, 2025, in Bozeman, Montana, continuing the program's dominance with low team scores of 20 and 16 points, respectively. On November 15, 2025, Northern Arizona's men's and women's teams earned at-large bids to the NCAA Cross Country Championships, with Weber State's individual qualifier.[26][27][28] Following its 2024 regular-season title win, the University of Montana hosted the 2025 Big Sky women's soccer championship tournament from November 5-9 at South Campus Stadium in Missoula.[29][30] For the 2025 football season, the conference announced a 39-member preseason All-Conference team on July 20 during the Big Sky Kickoff Weekend in Spokane, Washington, with Montana State earning the most selections at five players.[31] Preseason polls from both coaches and media positioned Montana State as the frontrunner, receiving 30 first-place votes and 488 points in the media poll.[32][33] Broadcasting reached a new milestone with a media rights extension to ESPN announced on January 6, 2025, doubling the amount of Big Sky content available on ESPN platforms starting with the 2025-26 academic year, including enhanced ESPN+ streaming for the basketball conference schedule that begins January 1, 2026.[34][35] A key diversity initiative came in 2016 with the appointment of Andrea Williams as the conference's first female commissioner, serving until 2018 and overseeing operations during a period of expansion and realignment.[36][37]Membership
Current full members
The Big Sky Conference currently consists of 10 full member institutions, all of which sponsor multiple sports and compete in the league's championships across various disciplines, primarily at the NCAA Division I level. These universities are located across the western United States, with a strong emphasis on basketball, football (for 10 schools), track and field, and other Olympic sports. As of 2025, the full members include both charter institutions from the conference's founding in 1963 and later additions, contributing to a combined student enrollment exceeding 100,000 and notable success in FCS football playoffs and NCAA postseason appearances.[7] The following table summarizes key details for each full member (enrollment as of 2024-25):| Institution | Location | Founded | Joined Big Sky | Nickname | Colors | Enrollment (2024-25) | Primary Sports Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA | 1882 | 1987 | Eagles | Red and white | 10,911 | Strong in football (multiple playoff appearances) and men's basketball; women's cross country national contenders. |
| University of Idaho | Moscow, ID | 1889 | 1963 (rejoined 2014 for non-football) | Vandals | Silver and gold | 11,610 | Football program with historic rivalries; excels in volleyball and track & field. |
| Idaho State University | Pocatello, ID | 1901 | 1963 | Bengals | Orange and black | 12,385 | Dominant in wrestling (multiple NCAA qualifiers); women's basketball and football contributors. |
| University of Montana | Missoula, MT | 1893 | 1963 | Grizzlies | Maroon and silver | 10,178 | Football powerhouse (24 playoff appearances); men's basketball with consistent NCAA bids. |
| Montana State University | Bozeman, MT | 1893 | 1963 | Bobcats | Blue and gold | 17,030 | Football champions (2024 Big Sky title); strong in track & field and Nordic skiing. |
| Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ | 1899 | 1970 | Lumberjacks | Blue and gold | 28,317 | Women's cross country (multiple NCAA titles); football and men's basketball participants. |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1889 | 2006 | Bears | Blue and gold | 9,431 | Basketball-focused (men's and women's NCAA appearances); reinstated men's golf in 2025. |
| Portland State University | Portland, OR | 1955 | 1996 | Vikings | Green and white | 18,692 | Urban commuter school strong in football and soccer; track & field standouts. |
| Sacramento State University | Sacramento, CA | 1947 | 1996 | Hornets | Green and gold | 31,833 | Football with recent playoff runs; women's basketball and volleyball contributors. |
| Weber State University | Ogden, UT | 1889 | 1963 | Wildcats | Purple and white | 29,842 | Men's basketball dynasty (multiple conference titles); football and wrestling programs. |
Future full members
The Big Sky Conference will expand its full membership to 11 institutions with the addition of two Utah-based universities starting in the 2026–27 academic year, following the departure of Sacramento State at the conclusion of the 2025–26 season.[7][39] This move enhances the conference's regional footprint in the western United States while bolstering competition in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football, increasing the number of football-sponsoring full members to 11 alongside affiliates Cal Poly and UC Davis for a total of 13 league teams.[40][41] Southern Utah University, located in Cedar City, Utah, will rejoin the Big Sky as a full member effective July 1, 2026, after departing for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) following the 2021–22 academic year; the Thunderbirds were previously full members from 2012 to 2022.[7][42] The university sponsors 15 NCAA Division I sports, including football and men's and women's basketball, which will compete in conference play beginning with the 2026–27 seasons.[43] Southern Utah's return is expected to revive established rivalries and strengthen the conference's basketball and football offerings, given the program's history of competitive performances during its prior tenure.[7] Utah Tech University, based in St. George, Utah, marks its first conference affiliation since transitioning to NCAA Division I in 2017 (initially as Dixie State University) and joining the WAC in 2020; the Trailblazers accepted the Big Sky invitation on June 25, 2025, and will become full members on July 1, 2026.[7][44] Utah Tech fields 16 Division I sports, with 13—including football, men's and women's basketball, and others like soccer and track & field—set to participate in Big Sky competition starting in 2026–27, while three sports (men's soccer, women's gymnastics, and wrestling) will seek future affiliations.[44] This addition introduces fresh competition and geographic balance, particularly in football, where the Trailblazers have built a program since resuming the sport in 2018.[45] The expansion aligns with the Big Sky's strategic goals of fostering regional rivalries and elevating athletic quality, as both newcomers hail from southern Utah and bring established Division I programs that complement the conference's emphasis on non-revenue and Olympic sports alongside football.[7] Southern Utah and Utah Tech will integrate fully for the 2026 football season, with the conference shifting to a nine-game schedule format to accommodate the expanded lineup, and their basketball teams will debut in league play during the 2026–27 winter season, including eligibility for the postseason tournament.[40][46]Affiliate members
The Big Sky Conference maintains affiliate memberships to enable institutions outside its full membership to participate in select sports, particularly high-profile ones like Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football or specialized offerings such as men's golf. This structure supports competitive balance and expands scheduling opportunities without requiring comprehensive conference affiliation.[7] As of the 2025-26 academic year, the conference's affiliate members are limited to football and men's golf. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) serve as football-only affiliates, having joined the league in that capacity effective with the 2012 season to enhance the conference's FCS lineup. Both institutions are full members of the Big West Conference for their other sports but compete in Big Sky football to align with regional rivalries and postseason eligibility.[47][7] In men's golf, Francis Marion University joined as an affiliate member on July 1, 2025, after previously competing in the Southland Conference from 2021 to 2025. This addition reinstates and bolsters the Big Sky's sponsorship of the sport following a one-year hiatus, bringing the total number of participating teams to seven: the six full-member programs of Eastern Washington, Idaho, Montana State, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, and Weber State, plus Francis Marion. The move strengthens competition in a niche Olympic sport, allowing the conference to host a dedicated championship at The Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, from April 27-29, 2026.[19][48] Historically, affiliate arrangements have been key to the Big Sky's growth in football, with Cal Poly and UC Davis's 2010 invitations (effective 2012) marking a strategic expansion that increased the league's football roster and improved national visibility in FCS play. These partnerships exemplify how affiliates contribute to the conference's stability in revenue-generating or geographically suitable sports without broader commitments.[47]Former members
The Big Sky Conference has experienced several membership changes since its founding in 1963, with institutions departing for various reasons including conference realignments, shifts to higher divisions, program eliminations, and geographic or financial considerations. Gonzaga University, a charter member, was one of the first to leave after 16 years, citing a desire to focus on non-football sports like basketball in a conference better suited to its Jesuit institution's priorities; during its tenure, Gonzaga won eight men's basketball regular-season titles and seven tournament championships, establishing a legacy of hoops excellence that continued after its move to the West Coast Conference.[14][49] The University of Nevada joined in 1979 as Gonzaga's replacement but departed after 13 years to pursue Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competition in the Big West Conference, aligning with its ambitions for broader national exposure; Nevada captured four Big Sky football titles during its membership, including back-to-back championships in 1990 and 1991. Boise State University, which became eligible for full competition in 1970, left in 1996 for the Big West to elevate its programs across multiple sports, eventually transitioning to FBS; the Broncos dominated Big Sky football with four undefeated conference seasons between 1973 and 1977, contributing to their national I-AA championship in 1980.[50] California State University, Northridge (CSUN) joined in 1996 as Boise State's replacement but exited after five years in 2001 following the elimination of its football program amid budget cuts; CSUN's brief stint highlighted challenges for non-traditional FCS schools maintaining comprehensive athletics. The University of North Dakota entered as a full member in 2012 but left after the 2017–18 academic year to join the Summit League, primarily to cut travel costs and improve geographic alignment for its non-football sports; North Dakota's men's basketball team reached the NCAA Tournament in 2017 during its Big Sky tenure, marking a notable achievement before the departure.[21][51][52][53] Among former affiliate members, the University of California, Davis competed in Big Sky football as an affiliate starting in the 2013 season and remains a football-only affiliate, bridging its transition from the Great West Football Conference while other sports joined the Big West Conference in 2007; this arrangement allowed UC Davis to build rivalries in football. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) participated as a wrestling affiliate from 2012 to 2017 before shifting affiliations, reflecting the conference's occasional use of affiliates to bolster specific sports amid broader realignments.[47][54]| Institution | Membership Type | Years | Reason for Departure | Notable Legacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga University | Full | 1963–1979 | Realignment to West Coast Conference for non-football focus | 8 men's basketball regular-season titles; 7 tournament championships[14] |
| University of Nevada | Full | 1979–1992 | Realignment to Big West Conference for FBS aspirations | 4 football conference titles (1990–1991 back-to-back) |
| Boise State University | Full | 1970–1996 | Realignment to Big West Conference for program elevation | 4 undefeated Big Sky football seasons (1973–1977) |
| California State University, Northridge | Full | 1996–2001 | Football program cut due to budget constraints | Brief presence amid FCS transitions[21] |
| University of North Dakota | Full | 2012–2018 | Realignment to Summit League for reduced travel costs | 2017 NCAA men's basketball tournament appearance[52] |
| University of California, Davis | Football Affiliate | 2013–present | Remains football affiliate | Built FCS football rivalries as affiliate[47] |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) | Wrestling Affiliate | 2012–2017 | Shifted to other affiliations | Supported conference wrestling depth[3] |
Membership timeline
The Big Sky Conference began operations on July 1, 1963, with six charter full members: the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Gonzaga University, University of Montana, Montana State University, and Weber State College (now University). This founding phase established the conference as a regional NCAA Division I entity focused primarily on basketball, with football added shortly thereafter.[3] Growth in the late 1970s and 1990s reflected the conference's expansion westward and its adaptation to Division I-AA (now FCS) football, adding schools like Boise State University and Northern Arizona University in 1970, followed by the University of Nevada in 1979 to replace departing Gonzaga. By the 1990s, further additions including Portland State University, Sacramento State, and California State University, Northridge in 1996 offset losses such as Boise State and Idaho departing for FBS opportunities, marking a period of realignment amid broader NCAA shifts.[3][55] The 2010s emphasized FCS stability, with full memberships for the University of North Dakota and Southern Utah University in 2012, Idaho's return in 2014, and Northern Colorado University's addition in 2006, alongside football-only affiliates UC Davis and Cal Poly in 2012. Departures like North Dakota in 2018 and Southern Utah in 2022 prompted a focus on retention, culminating in the 2026 expansion to include Southern Utah's return and Utah Tech University's entry as full members, while Sacramento State exits. This era underscores the conference's commitment to a core FCS footprint in the western U.S.[56][57][7] The following table chronicles key membership changes for full members (unless noted as affiliate), highlighting join and departure dates through 2026:| Year | Membership Changes |
|---|---|
| 1963 | Charter full members join: University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Gonzaga University, University of Montana, Montana State University, Weber State College.[3] |
| 1970 | Full members join: Boise State University, Northern Arizona University.[3] |
| 1979 | Full member departs: Gonzaga University (to West Coast Conference). Full member joins: University of Nevada.[49][55] |
| 1987 | Full member joins: Eastern Washington University.[16] |
| 1992 | Full member departs: University of Nevada (to Big West Conference).[58] |
| 1996 | Full members join: Portland State University, Sacramento State, California State University, Northridge. Full members depart: Boise State University (to Big West Conference), University of Idaho (to Big West Conference).[12][59][60] |
| 2001 | Full member departs: California State University, Northridge (to Big West Conference).[60] |
| 2006 | Full member joins: University of Northern Colorado.[57] |
| 2012 | Full members join: University of North Dakota, Southern Utah University. Football affiliate members join: University of California, Davis; California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly).[56][14] |
| 2014 | Full member rejoins: University of Idaho (non-football sports; football joins in 2018).[61] |
| 2018 | Full member departs: University of North Dakota (to Summit League for most sports, Missouri Valley Football Conference for football).[52] |
| 2022 | Full member departs: Southern Utah University (to Western Athletic Conference).[62] |
| 2025 | Men's golf affiliate member joins: Francis Marion University.[2] |
| 2026 | Full member rejoins: Southern Utah University. Full member joins: Utah Tech University. Full member departs: Sacramento State (to Big West Conference for non-football sports; football becomes FCS independent). Football affiliates continue: UC Davis, Cal Poly.[7][18][59] |
Conference governance
Headquarters
The headquarters of the Big Sky Conference have been located in Farmington, Utah, since August 1, 2019, marking the fourth relocation in the organization's history; prior locations included Ogden, Utah (1995–2019), Boise, Idaho (1971–1995), and Pullman, Washington (1963–1971).[4][63] The move to Farmington was selected for its central position within the conference's geographic footprint and close proximity to Salt Lake City International Airport, approximately 15 miles away, which enhances travel efficiency for staff, championships, and media operations.[64] The conference office occupies Suite 110 at 286 South 200 West in the Farmington Tech Center, a 33,000-square-foot facility built in 2018 that houses modern administrative spaces tailored to athletic conference needs.[65][66] These include cutting-edge staff offices, an open reception area, a dedicated media room for press conferences and broadcasts, and versatile meeting and conference rooms to support championship planning and executive functions.[63] As the operational core of the Big Sky Conference, the headquarters oversees key functions such as game scheduling, NCAA compliance enforcement, marketing initiatives, and coordination of affiliate programs across its member institutions.[65] Its location in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, roughly 25 miles from Weber State University in Ogden, facilitates efficient collaboration with nearby full members while providing logistical advantages for regional events.[64] As of November 2025, no further relocations have been announced, allowing the headquarters to sustain and expand its role in digital media operations, including production oversight for over 600 annual events streamed on ESPN+ under a media rights agreement extended through the 2029–30 academic year.[7][67][68]Commissioners
The commissioner of the Big Sky Conference serves as the chief executive officer, overseeing operations, governance, strategic initiatives, and compliance with NCAA regulations, while reporting to the conference's Board of Directors, which is composed of representatives from the member institutions' athletic directors and presidents. The Board, advised by the Presidents' Council, conducts a search process to select the commissioner, often involving a committee chaired by a member institution's president.[69] Since the conference's founding in 1963, seven individuals have held the position of commissioner. Jack Friel, a former Washington State University basketball coach who led the Cougars for 30 seasons, became the inaugural commissioner and served from 1963 to 1971. Friel played a pivotal role in establishing the conference's foundational structure, spearheading its formation primarily around basketball competition among regional institutions.[70] John Roning succeeded Friel, serving from 1971 to 1977 after a stint as athletic director at the University of South Dakota. A former coach and administrator with experience at Gustavus Adolphus College and other programs, Roning focused on stabilizing the young conference during its early expansion phase.[14] Steve Belko held the role from 1977 to 1981, bringing expertise from his coaching career at the University of Oregon and Idaho State University, where he amassed over 300 basketball victories. Belko emphasized competitive balance and administrative efficiency during his tenure.[14] Ron Stephenson, an Idaho native and former athletic director at the University of Idaho and Boise State University, led the conference from 1981 to 1995, the second-longest tenure to date. He enhanced the league's credibility through key developments, including securing its first football television contract and initial corporate sponsorships, while navigating membership growth to 10 institutions. Stephenson was inducted into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions.[71][72] Doug Fullerton assumed the position in 1995 following 10 years as Montana State University's athletic director and served until his retirement in 2016, marking the longest tenure in conference history at 21 years. A Hamilton, Montana native and former Army helicopter pilot, Fullerton guided the Big Sky through significant expansions, adding Southern Utah and North Dakota as full members and UC Davis and Cal Poly as football affiliates to reach 11 full members and 13 football members by 2012 and bolstering football and basketball competitiveness. He also served on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee from 2009 to 2013, influencing tournament selections.[73][15][74] Andrea Williams became the sixth commissioner and the first woman in the role, serving from 2016 to 2018 after 16 years with the Big Ten Conference, including 10 as associate commissioner. A former Texas A&M dual-sport athlete in basketball and volleyball, Williams advanced student-athlete welfare initiatives and operational efficiencies during her two-year term before transitioning to chief operating officer of the College Football Playoff.[69][75] Tom Wistrcill, with over 30 years in college athletics including prior roles as commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and senior associate commissioner at the Big 12, has led the Big Sky since November 2018. Under his direction, the conference has achieved record revenue growth through enhanced media rights deals and sponsorships, while prioritizing student-athlete advocacy, competitive excellence, and strategic realignments. Notable accomplishments include adding Francis Marion University as a men's golf affiliate in July 2025 and preparing for the full membership of Southern Utah University and Utah Tech University starting in the 2026-27 academic year, alongside managing the departure of Sacramento State after the 2025-26 season. Wistrcill was elected vice president of the Collegiate Commissioners Association in 2025 and received a contract extension through 2030.[76][7][77]Sports
Sponsored sports
The Big Sky Conference sponsors 16 NCAA Division I sports as of 2025, comprising seven for men and nine for women.[6] The men's sports include basketball, cross country, football (played at the Football Championship Subdivision level), golf, tennis, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.[6] The women's sports consist of basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and volleyball.[6] This structure emphasizes a balanced emphasis on Olympic-style and team sports, with track and field events split into indoor and outdoor seasons to align with NCAA scheduling.[1] The conference organizes annual championships for all sponsored sports, typically culminating in postseason tournaments or meets that determine automatic qualifiers for NCAA regional or national competitions.[78] For basketball, both men's and women's tournaments feature all 10 full member institutions in a multi-day event; the 2025 championships were held March 8–12 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.[79] Starting in the 2025–26 season, regular-season basketball play follows an 18-game double round-robin format, where each team faces every conference opponent twice (once home and once away).[35] Football concludes with a conference champion determined by regular-season standings, granting an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs. Other sports, such as cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and track and field, host championships via meets or tournaments hosted rotationally by member institutions, with top performers advancing to NCAA regionals.[78] The Big Sky does not sponsor baseball, which was discontinued after the 1973–74 season, or wrestling, which ended as a full conference sport following the 1986–87 season and now operates only through affiliate arrangements where applicable.[80][81]Participation by school
The Big Sky Conference's full members vary in their sponsorship of the league's sponsored sports, with all 10 institutions competing in men's basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, and football as of the 2025–26 academic year. However, participation in men's golf and tennis is more limited, with only select schools fielding teams in those disciplines. On the women's side, all full members sponsor basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball, while golf, soccer, and tennis see partial participation across the membership.[6] As of 2025, there are 10 full members, all of which field football teams, but variations exist in non-core sports. No changes to sponsorships are scheduled prior to the 2026 expansion.[7][82]| School | Basketball | Cross Country | Football | Golf | Tennis | Indoor Track & Field | Outdoor Track & Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Idaho | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Idaho State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Montana | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Montana State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Northern Arizona | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Northern Colorado | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Portland State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sacramento State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weber State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| School | Basketball | Cross Country | Golf | Soccer | Tennis | Indoor Track & Field | Outdoor Track & Field | Volleyball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Idaho | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Idaho State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Montana | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Montana State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Northern Arizona | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Northern Colorado | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Portland State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sacramento State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Weber State | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Affiliate programs
The Big Sky Conference utilizes affiliate programs to expand participation in specific sports, allowing non-full member institutions to compete in conference schedules, standings, and championships without committing to full membership across multiple disciplines. These arrangements enhance competitive balance and provide opportunities for regional institutions to align with the conference's standards in targeted areas. As of 2025, affiliates are fully integrated into regular-season play and postseason eligibility, including access to the NCAA automatic qualifier in football.[47] In football, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) serve as affiliate members, having joined in 2011 to bolster the league's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) offerings. These teams participate in an eight-game conference schedule alongside the ten full members, all of which sponsor the sport—Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State, and Weber State—creating a 12-team competitive structure for the 2025 season. Affiliates like UC Davis have demonstrated strong performance, including earning the conference's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs in prior years, which underscores their role in elevating overall league quality. Note that UC Davis will depart for the Mountain West Conference starting in 2026-27.[7][38][84] Beyond football, the conference reinstated men's golf for the 2025-26 academic year after a one-year hiatus, with Francis Marion University joining as an affiliate member effective July 1, 2025. This addition expands the sport to six teams, including full members Eastern Washington, Idaho, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, and Weber State, fostering deeper regional competition and eligibility for NCAA regional qualifications. Affiliates in men's golf, like Francis Marion, compete for individual honors and team titles, contributing to the conference's strategic growth in non-revenue sports. Southern Utah will join as a full member and compete in men's golf starting in 2026-27.[19][48] These affiliate programs allow the Big Sky to maintain a minimum of eight viable teams in football and sufficient depth in emerging sports like men's golf, ensuring sustainable scheduling and heightened rivalries without diluting full-member resources. While the conference sponsored wrestling from 1963 to 1987 with participation from full members like Cal Poly, no current affiliate arrangements exist in that sport, reflecting a focus on contemporary priorities.[85]Championships and rivalries
NCAA championships
Member institutions of the Big Sky Conference have collectively earned 13 NCAA team national championships, with an additional 20-plus individual titles, predominantly in distance running events within cross country and track and field. These successes span multiple sports, though football and cross country account for the bulk of team accomplishments, while Northern Arizona University has been a powerhouse in producing individual standouts.[3] Football programs from Big Sky schools secured seven team titles across the NCAA College Division, Division II, and FCS levels, all occurring while the institutions were conference members. No Big Sky football team has claimed an FCS national championship since Eastern Washington's 2010 victory, but recent playoff deep runs highlight ongoing competitiveness; for instance, Montana State advanced to the 2024 FCS title game as the conference representative, falling 35-32 to North Dakota State in the championship.[86][87] Northern Arizona's men's cross country team has been especially dominant, capturing six NCAA titles between 2016 and 2022 under coach Michael Smith. The Lumberjacks' program emphasizes high-altitude training in Flagstaff, contributing to their sustained excellence in distance events. On November 1, 2025, Northern Arizona swept both the men's and women's Big Sky cross country championships in Bozeman, Montana, with the men led by individual winner Colin Sahlman and the women by Riley Burns, setting the stage for a potential strong performance at the upcoming NCAA Championships on November 22; following a third-place finish at the Mountain Regional on November 14, 2025.[88][26][89] The following table summarizes all team NCAA national championships won by current or former Big Sky members while affiliated with the conference:| Sport | School | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Football (FCS) | Boise State | 1980 |
| Football (FCS) | Idaho State | 1981 |
| Football (DII) | Montana State | 1976 |
| Football (FCS) | Montana State | 1984 |
| Football (FCS) | Montana | 1995, 2001 |
| Football (FCS) | Eastern Washington | 2010 |
| Cross Country (Men) | Northern Arizona | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 |
Conference championships
The Big Sky Conference crowns champions in its sponsored sports through a combination of regular season performance and postseason tournaments, with formats varying by sport to determine automatic NCAA qualifiers where applicable. In football, the champion is the team with the best regular season conference record, allowing for co-champions in case of ties; no postseason tournament is held, but the title carries the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Basketball employs a 10-team postseason tournament for both men and women, featuring the top teams from the 11 full members (with one team receiving a bye), held in early March at a predetermined neutral site to decide the conference champion and NCAA tournament auto-bid. Track and field events use conference meets to select individual and team auto-qualifiers for NCAA regionals, emphasizing top performances rather than a single winner. These structures ensure competitive balance while prioritizing postseason opportunities.[3][79] All-time, Montana leads in football with 19 conference titles, showcasing its historical dominance since the league's founding in 1963, followed by Montana State with 15 shared or outright crowns. In men's basketball tournament history, Montana holds the edge with 11 victories, reflecting its consistent postseason success across decades. Women's basketball sees Montana atop the list with 20 titles, highlighting the Grizzlies' sustained excellence in the sport. These leaders underscore the conference's regional rivalries and the impact of flagship programs on its legacy.[10][93] Recent seasons illustrate ongoing parity. In the 2025 football campaign, as of November 16, Montana leads at 7-0 in conference play while Montana State follows at 6-0, positioning them as leaders with one week left in the regular season; Montana State's prior title in 2024 marked their third in five years. The 2025 men's basketball tournament, held March 8-12 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho, culminated with Montana defeating Northern Colorado 91-83 in the final, securing the auto-bid and extending their historical edge. Women's basketball saw similar intensity, with Montana State claiming the title by defeating Montana 58-57 in the final amid strong showings from Eastern Washington. These outcomes contribute to the conference's reputation for producing competitive NCAA participants.[82][79][94][95]| Sport | School | All-Time Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Football | Montana | 19 |
| Football | Montana State | 15 |
| Football | Weber State | 8 |
| Football | Eastern Washington | 8 |
| Men's Basketball | Montana | 11 |
| Men's Basketball | Weber State | 9 |
| Men's Basketball | Nevada* | 2 |
| Women's Basketball | Montana | 20 |
| Women's Basketball | Montana State | 11 |
| Women's Basketball | Northern Arizona | 6 |