Grand Forks is way too far. A good move for them and perhaps a better move for the Big Sky (and us). I'm probably moving to Fargo, ND so I'd miss our Ags playing up in Grand Forks, but it is better for our budget and athletes to avoid playing so far from home.
Staying out here for now. There was a snowstorm that kept me on the coast, but it works out for some Aggie road games. I think down the road, the idea that UND was even in the Big Sky will seem so outlandish. Currently, who is the closest B.Sky member to them? N. Colorado?
It made a little more sense before South Dakota decided to go to the Missouri Valley conference instead of moving to the Big Sky with UND, SLO, and UCD.
As the article suggests, some of UND's moves have been influenced by a tiff between UND and NDSU. As I recall, UND was not happy when NDSU moved to D-1....seems a little silly because UND has been a D-1 hockey power for years.
So with the two North Dakota schools resuming regular play in football, will they re-tool the rivalry trophy? It has been some variation on the nickel, which made sense when the teams were the Bison and the Fighting Indigenous Americans...but in these enlightened times, not so much.
it would be a good move for Sac to get the Big Sky/Big West combo package. especially if we could get rid of Hawaii. Sac would be the NoCal partner (with us) for basketball roadtrips, like UOP use to be. much better league for them for all their olympics sports.
Another poster on that same the Slack site thread claims that "the BWC is set to add UCSD this spring and the WAC just added Cal Baptist (CBU) who will start their D1 transition with the WAC in 18-19..."
My googling led to the same conclusion. All in the wishlist stage for Triton fans.
Now if the Big West accepted Slack and UCSD, but kept Hawai'i maybe we could have UCSD and Hawai'i as travel partners. A weekend in San Diego and Honolulu. Sounds great, but there wouldn't be anytime to enjoy either place.
And what's with the WAC? They have become the foster home of athletic conferences. Home to anyone in need of a league.
I like the idea of the Hornies being in the Big West, but living in Hawaii, I love being able to root for the Ags once a year. I don't think the league can give Hawaii the boot in any case. Hawaii will have to want to leave and they might if they can join the WCC, which is very doubtful.