Leaderboard

It sounds like NDSU and SDSU went on a leap pf faith and UND waited and took a wait and see approach. It seems like it worked out for all involved. I think the Big Sky realized that they screwed up by not taking NDSU and SDSU and didn't want to screw up again so that is why the took UND. Here are some quotes from a Argus Leader (Sioux Falls main paper) from June 22nd, 2006. SDSU could feel heatWhen SDSU and NDSU began NCAA Division I competition in 2004 - citing the number of smaller, less prestigious schools moving into Division II - it drastically altered the state of college athletics in the Upper Midwest.It also was perhaps the biggest trigger for UND to move its other 18 sports into D-I with its men's and women's hockey teams."You could almost predict what was going to happen," said Fred Oien, SDSU's athletic director. "We were looking at what was happening in Division II, and it didn't fit what South Dakota State wanted, and the same with North Dakota State and North Dakota."UND, which plans to begin the five-year transition process mandated by the NCAA in the 2007-08 school year, will not be eligible for Division I postseason play in sports other than hockey until 2012-13. Most of NDSU and SDSU's teams will be eligible in 2008-09, with the volleyball and wrestling squads able to compete for the D-I postseason this fall.SDSU and NDSU continue to package themselves as a partner deal for prospective conferences, but a renewed UND-NDSU partnership could put the Jackrabbits in a tough situation. Another option involves NCC schools making the Division I leap as a group - a proposal discussed since the early days of SDSU's investigative process.Gross said one of the drawbacks is that if the entire league moves to Division I, it would take 13 years before the NCAA would even consider granting it an automatic berth to the financially lucrative men's basketball tournament. It might not even grant that request. Sorry about bringing this to your board but it is an article from back in the day. Gross was Augie's AD in Sioux Falls, SD.