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Big Sky Conference
AssociationNCAA
FoundedJuly 1, 1963; 62 years ago (1963-07-01)
CommissionerTom Wistrcill (since November 16, 2018)
Sports fielded
  • 16
    • men's: 7
    • women's: 9
DivisionDivision I
SubdivisionFCS
No. of teams10 (11 in 2026) (+2 football affiliates)
HeadquartersFarmington, Utah
RegionWestern United States
BroadcastersESPN
Scripps Sports (Montana schools only)
Official websitebigskyconf.com
Locations
Location of teams in

The Big Sky Conference is a collegiate athletic conference, affiliated with the NCAA's Division I with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. As of 2024, ten full member institutions are located in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Two affiliate members from California are football–only participants, and a South Carolina school joined for men's golf in July 2025. Sacramento State will leave at the end of the 2025–26 school year, with Southern Utah and Utah Tech joining.[a]

History

[edit]
Big Sky Conference
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
220km
137miles
Eastern
Washington
UC Davis
Cal Poly
Utah Tech
Southern
Utah
Weber
State
Sacramento
State
Portland
State
Northern
Colorado
Northern
Arizona
Montana
State
Montana
Idaho
State
Idaho
Location of Big Sky members:
Full member
Departing members
Future members
Affiliate member, football
Not pictured: men's golf affiliate Francis Marion

Initially conceived for basketball,[1][2][3] the Big Sky was founded 62 years ago on July 1, 1963, with six members in four states;[4][5] four of the charter members have been in the league from its founding, and a fifth returned in 2014 after an 18-year absence.

The name "Big Sky" came from the popular 1947 western novel by A. B. Guthrie Jr.; it was proposed by Harry Missildine, a sports columnist of the Spokesman-Review just prior to the founding meetings of the conference in Spokane in February 1963,[6][7] and was adopted with the announcement of the new conference five days later.[4][5]

Starting in 1968, the conference competed at the highest level (university division) in all sports except football (college division). The sole exception was Idaho, in the university division for football through 1977 (except 1967, 1968).[8] Football moved to the new Division I-AA in 1978, which was renamed Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2006.

In 1974, half of the Big Sky's ten included sports were dropped (baseball, skiing, swimming, golf, and tennis), leaving football, basketball, wrestling, track, and cross country skiing.[9][10]

Women's sports were added 37 years ago in 1988, moving from the women's-only Mountain West Athletic Conference (1982–88).

Fiftieth anniversary

[edit]

The 2012–13 season marked the completion of a half century of athletic competition and a quarter century sponsoring women's collegiate athletics. Before the season the league introduced a new logo to celebrate this.

The 25th season of women's athletics also marked a first for the league, as Portland State won the league's inaugural softball championship. From 1982 to 1988, women's sports were conducted in the Mountain West Athletic Conference.

The Big Sky sponsors championships in sixteen sports, including men's and women's cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, basketball, and tennis. There are also championships in football, and in women's volleyball, golf, soccer, and softball. Men's golf will be reinstated in 2025–26 after having been discontinued in 2024.[11] It is one of two Division I all-sports conferences to not sponsor baseball, the other being the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Member schools

[edit]

  Members departing for the Big West Conference on July 1, 2026.

Current full members

[edit]
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Endowment
(millions) 		Nickname Joined Colors
Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington 1882 Public 10,915 $32.1 Eagles 1987    
University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho 1889 12,286 $465 Vandals 1963;
  2014[b] 		   
Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho 1901 12,301 $75 Bengals 1963    
University of Montana Missoula, Montana 1893 11,064 $241.6 Grizzlies[c] 1963    
Montana State University Bozeman, Montana 1893 17,165 $264 Bobcats 1963    
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona 1899 28,194 $198.2 Lumberjacks 1970    
University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado 1889 9,881 $100.5 Bears 2006    
Portland State University Portland, Oregon 1946 26,012 $98 Vikings 1996      
California State University, Sacramento Sacramento, California 1947 Public 31,181 $92.9 Hornets 1996    
Weber State University Ogden, Utah 1889 Public 29,914 $219.5 Wildcats 1963    
Notes
  1. ^ Southern Utah was previously a member from 2012 to 2022.
  2. ^ Idaho was a charter member but departed in 1996 to join the Big West Conference; they rejoined the Big Sky for all sports but football in 2014, which rejoined in 2018.
  3. ^ The Montana women's basketball team is known as the Lady Griz, but all other women's teams are known as Grizzlies.[12]

Future members

[edit]
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Endowment
(millions) 		Nickname Joining Colors Current
conference
Southern Utah University Cedar City, Utah 1897 Public 15,444 $29.9 Thunderbirds 2026[a]     WAC
Utah Tech University St. George, Utah 1911 Public 12,556 $16.3 Trailblazers 2026      
Notes
  1. ^ Southern Utah was previously a full member of the Big Sky from 2012–13 until 2021–22.

Affiliate members

[edit]
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors Big Sky
sport(s) 		Primary
conference
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, California 1901 Public 21,812 Mustangs 2012       Football Big West
Francis Marion University Florence, South Carolina 1970 4,187 Patriots 2025       Men's golf Carolinas[a]
University of California, Davis Davis, California 1905 38,369 Aggies 2012     Football Big West
(Mountain West
in 2026)
  1. ^ Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.

Former full members

[edit]
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors Subsequent
conference 		Current
conference
Boise State University Boise, Idaho 1932 Public 26,155 Broncos 1970 1996     Big West
(1996–2001)
WAC
(2001–11) 		Mountain West
(2011–2026)
Pac-12
(2026–future)
California State University, Northridge Northridge, California 1958 38,511 Matadors 1996 2001       Big West
(2001–present)
Gonzaga University[a] Spokane, Washington 1887 Private
(Jesuit) 		7,421 Bulldogs 1963 1979       West Coast
(1979–2026)
Pac-12
(2026–future)
University of Nevada Reno, Nevada 1874 Public 21,034 Wolf Pack 1979 1992     Big West
(1992–2000)
WAC
(2000–12) 		Mountain West
(2012–present)
University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota 1883 13,772 Fighting Hawks 2012 2018     Summit
(2018–present)
Southern Utah University Cedar City, Utah 1897 14,330 Thunderbirds 2012 2022     WAC
(2022–2026)
Big Sky
(2026–future)
Notes
  1. ^ Gonzaga was a charter member in 1963, but has not fielded a football team since 1941.

Former affiliate members

[edit]
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors Big Sky
sport(s) 		Primary
conference 		Conference
in former
Big Sky sport
Binghamton University, SUNY Vestal, New York[a] 1946 Public 17,768 Bearcats 2014 2023       men's golf America East Northeast (NEC)
University of Hartford West Hartford, Connecticut 1877 Nonsectarian 6,792 Hawks 2014 2023     men's golf New England (CNE)[b]
Notes
  1. ^ The campus mailing address is Binghamton.
  2. ^ Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.

Membership timeline

[edit]
Utah Tech UniversityWestern Athletic ConferenceRocky Mountain Athletic ConferencePacific West ConferenceNCAA Division II independent schoolsScenic West Athletic ConferenceIntermountain Collegiate Athletic ConferenceUniversity of California, DavisCalifornia Polytechnic State UniversityWestern Athletic ConferenceSouthern Utah UniversitySummit LeagueSummit LeagueNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsAmerican West ConferenceNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsNCAA Division II independent schoolsRocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceNAIA independent schoolsSummit LeagueUniversity of North DakotaGreat West ConferenceNorth Central ConferenceUniversity of Northern ColoradoNCAA Division I independent schoolsNorth Central ConferenceNCAA Division II independent schoolsRocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceRocky Mountain Athletic ConferencePortland State UniversityPacific West ConferenceOregon Collegiate ConferenceBig West ConferenceCalifornia State University, SacramentoAmerican West ConferenceNorthern California Athletic ConferenceNorthern California Athletic ConferenceBig West ConferenceCalifornia State University, NorthridgeAmerican West ConferenceNCAA Division I independent schoolsCalifornia Collegiate Athletic AssociationEastern Washington UniversityNCAA Division I FCS Independent SchoolsNCAA Division II Independent SchoolsEvergreen ConferenceMountain West ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceBig West ConferenceUniversity of Nevada, RenoWest Coast ConferenceNorthern California Athletic ConferenceNorthern Arizona UniversityPac-12 ConferenceMountain West ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceBig West ConferenceBoise State UniversityIntermountain Collegiate Athletic ConferenceWeber State UniversityMontana State UniversityUniversity of MontanaIdaho State UniversityWestern Athletic ConferenceBig West ConferenceUniversity of IdahoPac-12 ConferenceWest Coast ConferenceGonzaga University

Full members  Assoc. members (football only)  Full members (except football)  Assoc. members (other sports)  Other conference  Other conference 

NCAA championships

[edit]
See also: List of NCAA schools with the most NCAA Division I championships

NCAA Division I national championships as of 2021.

School Team Individual
Men's Women's Total Men's Women's Total
Eastern Washington 1 0 1 0 0 0
Idaho 0 0 0 4 0 4
Idaho State 1 0 1 2 0 2
Montana 2 0 2 3 0 3
Montana State 1 0 1 1 1 2
Northern Arizona 4 0 4† 6 8 14
Northern Colorado 0 0 0 0 0 0
Portland State 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sacramento State 0 0 0 0 0 0
Southern Utah 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weber State 0 0 0 3 1 4
Conference total 9 0 9 19 10 29

† Northern Arizona is the only Big Sky program to win D1 team national titles outside of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Sports

[edit]

As of the 2025–26 school year, the Big Sky sponsors championships in seven men's and nine women's NCAA-sanctioned sports.[13] Each core member institution is required to participate in all of the 13 core sports.

Men's core sports are basketball, cross country, football, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and tennis. Women's core sports are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, tennis, and volleyball.

Affiliates

[edit]
Cal Poly quarterback Sam Huard looks downfield during a Big Sky Conference football game against Northern Colorado on Oct. 21, 2023.
Cal Poly quarterback Sam Huard looks downfield during a Big Sky Conference football game against Northern Colorado on Oct. 21, 2023.

Cal Poly and UC Davis participate as football-only affiliates, otherwise participating in the Big West Conference. The Mustangs and Aggies were welcomed by the BSC in September 2010 in response to both nationwide conference realignment[14] and an expansion of the FCS playoff bracket at the time, according to then-commissioner Doug Fullerton.[15]

Both Binghamton and Hartford of the America East Conference were affiliates in men's golf only from 2014 to 2023. Before the 2014–15 school year, the latter two schools had participated in men's golf alongside five full Big Sky members in the single-sport America Sky Conference.[16] The return of Idaho brought the number of members participating in men's golf to six, which led to the Big Sky adding men's golf and absorbing the America Sky Conference. Both schools left after the 2022–23 athletic season, after Binghamton moved their program to the Northeast Conference and Hartford reclassified to Division III and joined the Commonwealth Coast Conference. By this time the number of full Big Sky members that sponsored men's golf had dropped to 4, below the 6 member minimum necessary for the conference champion to receive an autobid to the NCAA Division I men's golf championship, so with the departure of the two affiliates, the Big Sky ceased sponsoring men's golf again after the 2024 season.[17] However, the reinstatement of Eastern Washington men's golf effective in 2025–26 gave the Big Sky five full members that sponsored the sport,[18] and Big Sky men's golf returned at that time with Francis Marion, a Division II member that plays Division I men's golf, as the needed sixth member.[19]

Baseball

[edit]

The Big Sky is unusual among Division I all-sports conferences in not sponsoring baseball, a distinction that it shares only with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and which it held alone prior to the 2022–23 school year. The conference originally sponsored baseball in 1964, with all members participating. When Boise State and Northern Arizona arrived for the 1971 season, competition was split into two divisions of four teams each, with the winners in a best-of-three championship series.[20][21] Montana State[22] and Montana soon dropped the sport and by the 1973 season, only six teams remained but the divisions were kept, and Boise State moved over to the North Division for two years.[23]

In May 1974, the Big Sky announced its intention to discontinue five of its ten sponsored sports. It retained football, basketball, cross-country, track, and wrestling, and dropped conference competition in baseball, golf, tennis, swimming, and skiing.[9][10] Of the eleven Big Sky baseball titles, four each went to Idaho[24] and Gonzaga, and three to Weber State.[25] Gonzaga won the final title in 1974 over Idaho State in three games, after losing the first game in Pocatello.[26] Southern division champion Idaho State chose to end its baseball program weeks following the conference's announcement,[27] and Gonzaga, Idaho, and Boise State joined the new Northern Pacific Conference (NorPac) for baseball in 1975.[28] Boise State and Idaho competed in the NorPac for six seasons, then discontinued baseball after the 1980 season.[29][30]

  • Idaho (4) 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969
  • Gonzaga (4) 1965, 1971, 1973, 1974
  • Weber State (3) 1968, 1970, 1972

In 2016, North Dakota announced in April that it was their last baseball season.[31] Since then, only Northern Colorado and Sacramento State have competed in the sport, both as affiliate members in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) until Northern Colorado baseball moved to the Summit League after the 2021 season.

Wrestling

[edit]

Through the 1987 season, the conference sponsored wrestling. Boise State and Idaho State dominated in most years, winning ten and eight conference titles, respectively. BSU won seven consecutive from 1974 to 1980. Montana State and Weber State also had some good years; Montana won their only conference title in the last year Big Sky sponsored the sport.

  • Montana State (3) 1964, 1965, 1966
  • Idaho State (8) 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1984
  • Boise State (10) 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1986
  • Weber State (2) 1981, 1983
  • Montana (1) 1987

Boise State continued its wrestling program as an affiliate member of the Pac-10 (now Pac-12) Conference.

Teams in Big Sky Conference competition
Sport Men's Women's
Basketball
11
11
Cross country
11
11
Football
13
–
Golf
6
11
Soccer
–
10
Softball
–
7
Tennis
10
10
Track and field (Indoor)
11
11
Track and field (Outdoor)
11
11
Volleyball
–
11

Men's sponsored sports by school

[edit]
School Basketball Cross
country		 Football Golf Tennis Track and field
(indoor)		 Track and field
(outdoor)		 Total
Sports
Eastern Washington Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 6
Idaho Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7
Idaho State Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 6
Montana Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 6
Montana State Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 6
Northern Arizona Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 6
Northern Colorado Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 6
Portland State Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 6
Sacramento State Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7
Weber State Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7
Totals 10 10 10+2[a] 5+1[b] 8 10 10 57+3
Future Members
Southern Utah Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 6
Utah Tech Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes[c] Yes[c] 6
  1. ^ Affiliates Cal Poly and UC Davis.
  2. ^ Affiliate Francis Marion.
  3. ^ a b Utah Tech does not currently sponsor men's track & field, but will add both indoor and outdoor teams when it joins the Big Sky in 2026–27.

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Big Sky Conference which are played by Big Sky schools:

School Baseball Skiing Soccer Wrestling
Montana State No RMISA No No
Northern Colorado Summit No No Big 12
Sacramento State WAC No Big West No
Utah Tech MW No MW No

Women's sponsored sports by school

[edit]
School Basketball Cross
country		 Golf Soccer Softball Tennis Track and field
(indoor)		 Track and field
(outdoor)		 Volleyball Total
Sports
Eastern Washington Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8
Idaho Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8
Idaho State Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9
Montana Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9
Montana State Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 7
Northern Arizona Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8
Northern Colorado Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 8
Portland State Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9
Sacramento State Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9
Weber State Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9
Totals 10 10 10 9 6 9 10 10 10 92
Future Members
Southern Utah Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes 8
Utah Tech Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Big Sky Conference which are played by Big Sky schools:

School Beach volleyball Gymnastics Rowing Skiing Swimming
Idaho No No No No MPSF
Montana State No No No RMISA No
Northern Arizona No No No No MPSF
Northern Colorado No No No No MPSF
Sacramento State Big West MPSF WCC No No
Southern Utah No Pac-12[a] No No No
Utah Tech No No No No MPSF
  1. ^ SUU women's gymnastics currently competes in the MPSF, but will join the Pac-12 at the same time the overall athletic program rejoins the Big Sky.

Facilities

[edit]
School Football stadium Capacity Basketball arena Capacity
Cal Poly Mustang Memorial Field 11,075 Football-only member
Eastern Washington Roos Field 8,600 Reese Court 6,000
Idaho Kibbie Dome 16,000 Idaho Central Credit Union Arena 4,200
Idaho State ICCU Dome 12,000 Reed Gym 3,040
Montana Washington–Grizzly Stadium 25,203 Dahlberg Arena 7,321
Montana State Bobcat Stadium 20,767 Brick Breeden Fieldhouse 7,250
Northern Arizona Walkup Skydome 10,000 Walkup Skydome 7,000
Northern Colorado Nottingham Field 8,533[32] Bank of Colorado Arena 2,992
Portland State Hillsboro Stadium 7,600 Viking Pavilion 3,094
Sacramento State Hornet Stadium 21,195 Hornets Nest 1,012[33]
Southern Utah Eccles Coliseum 8,500 America First Event Center 5,300
UC Davis UC Davis Health Stadium 10,367 Football-only member
Utah Tech Greater Zion Stadium 10,000[34] Burns Arena 4,779[35]
Weber State Stewart Stadium 17,500 Dee Events Center 11,500

Basketball

[edit]

Current NBA players

[edit]

Conference rivalries

[edit]

Non-conference rivalries

[edit]

2021–22 home game attendance averages

[edit]
School[37] Total Games

(Includes Away Games)

Total Home

Game Attendance

Average Home

Game Attendance

Weber State 32 67,678 4,511
Montana 32 53,917 3,171
Montana State 34 42,634 3,045
Southern Utah 32 24,712 1,647
Idaho 31 19,804 1,320
Eastern Washington 34 14,392 1,199
Idaho State 30 15,153 1,165
Northern Colorado 35 14,775 1,136
Portland State 31 13,256 946
Northern Arizona 31 8,465 604
Sacramento State 29 7,846 603

Rivalries

[edit]

Protected football rivalries

[edit]

Because there are 12 teams in the conference, but each team only plays eight conference football games per year, the conference has set two "protected rivalry" games for each team. These rivalry match-ups are played every season, while football games against other conference teams are played twice every three years. Many of the protected rivalries are traditional, due to the teams either being in the same state or within close geographical proximity. With the departure of Southern Utah from the conference, new protected rivalries were announced for 2022–2024.[38][39][40] These rivalries were extended through 2027,[41] and have not yet been updated following the announcement of conference membership changes that will occur in 2026.

School Rival 1 Rival 2
UC Davis Cal Poly Sacramento State
Cal Poly UC Davis Sacramento State
Eastern Washington Idaho Montana State
Idaho Idaho State Eastern Washington
Idaho State Idaho Weber State
Montana Montana State Portland State
Montana State Montana Eastern Washington
Northern Arizona Weber State Northern Colorado
Northern Colorado Northern Arizona Portland State
Portland State Montana Northern Colorado
Sacramento State UC Davis Cal Poly
Weber State Idaho State Northern Arizona

Conference

[edit]
Schools First
Meeting		 Game Winner
(Last Meeting)		 All-time Record
Cal Poly UC Davis 1939 Battle for the Golden Horseshoe UC Davis UC Davis leads 22–20–2
Eastern Washington Montana 1938 EWU-UM Governor's Cup Eastern Washington Montana leads 27–17–1
Eastern Washington Portland State 1968 Dam Cup Portland State Portland State leads 21–20–1
Idaho Idaho State 1916 Battle of the Domes Idaho Idaho leads 30–13
Idaho Montana 1903 Little Brown Stein Montana Idaho leads 55–28–2
Montana Montana State 1897 Brawl of the Wild Montana Montana leads 72–40–5
UC Davis Sacramento State 1954 Causeway Classic Sacramento State UC Davis leads 46–21

Non-conference

[edit]
Schools First
Meeting		 Trophy Winner
(Last Meeting)		 All-time Record Note
Idaho Boise State 1971 Governor's Cup Boise State Boise State leads 22–17-1 Last competed for in 2010
Idaho Washington State 1894 Battle of the Palouse Washington State Washington State leads 73-16-3 Last played in 2022
Southern Utah Northern Arizona 1983 Grand Canyon Rivalry Northern Arizona Northern Arizona leads 13–9 Last played in 2021
Southern Utah Weber State 1984 Beehive Bowl Weber State Weber State leads 19–8 Last played in 2021

Commissioners

[edit]

Headquarters

[edit]

Big Sky championships

[edit]

Men's basketball

[edit]
See also: Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament
Season Regular-season
champion(s) 		Tournament
champion 		NCAA
seed 		Region Wins Advancement
1964 Montana State no tournament
1965 Weber State
1966 Weber State, Gonzaga
1967 Gonzaga, Montana State
1968 Weber State West 0
1969 Weber State West 1 Round of 16
1970 Weber State West 0
1971 Weber State West 0
1972 Weber State West 1 Round of 16
1973 Weber State West 0
1974 Idaho State  (playoff over Montana) West 0
1975 Montana West 1 Round of 16
1976 Weber State, Boise State, Idaho State Boise State West 0
1977 Idaho State Idaho State West 2 Round of 8
1978 Montana Weber State West 0
1979 Weber State Weber State 7 Midwest 1 Round of 32
1980 Weber State Weber State 7 West 0
1981 Idaho Idaho 7 West 0
1982 Idaho Idaho 3 West 1 Round of 16
1983 Nevada, Weber State Weber State 9 West 0
1984 Weber State Nevada 11 West 0
1985 Nevada Nevada 14 West 0
1986 Northern Arizona, Montana Montana State 16 West 0
1987 Montana State Idaho State 16 West 0
1988 Boise State Boise State 14 West 0
1989 Boise State Idaho 13 West 0
1990 Idaho Idaho 13 West 0
1991 Montana Montana 16 West 0
1992 Montana Montana 14 West 0
1993 Idaho Boise State 14 West 0
1994 Weber State, Idaho State Boise State 14 West 0
1995 Weber State, Montana Weber State 14 Southeast 1 Round of 32
1996 Montana State Montana State 13 West 0
1997 Northern Arizona Montana 16 West 0
1998 Northern Arizona Northern Arizona 15 West 0
1999 Weber State Weber State 14 West 1 Round of 32
2000 Montana, Eastern Washington Northern Arizona 15 West 0
2001 Cal State Northridge Cal State Northridge 13 Midwest 0
2002 Montana State Montana 15 Midwest 0
2003 Weber State Weber State 12 Midwest 0
2004 Eastern Washington Eastern Washington 15 East 0
2005 Portland State Montana 16 West 0
2006 Northern Arizona Montana 12 Midwest 1 Round of 32
2007 Weber State, Northern Arizona Weber State 15 West 0
2008 Portland State Portland State 16 Midwest 0
2009 Weber State Portland State 13 East 0
2010 Weber State Montana 14 East 0
2011 Northern Colorado Northern Colorado 15 West 0
2012 Montana Montana 13 East 0
2013 Montana Montana 13 East 0
2014 Weber State Weber State 16 West 0
2015 Montana, Eastern Washington Eastern Washington 13 South 0
2016 Weber State Weber State 15 East 0
2017 North Dakota North Dakota 15 West 0
2018 Montana Montana 14 West 0
2019 Montana Montana 15 West 0
2020 Eastern Washington canceled canceled
2021 Southern Utah Eastern Washington 14 West 0
2022 Montana State Montana State 14 West 0
2023 Eastern Washington Montana State 14 East 0
2024 Eastern Washington Montana State 16 First Four 0
2025 Northern Colorado, Montana Montana 14 East 0
  • Prior to 1976, each NCAA regional had a third place game (won 1969; lost 1972, 1975)
  • The only Big Sky team to reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament was Idaho State in 1977
  • The only Big Sky team to earn a bye in the NCAA tournament was Idaho in 1982
  • Through 2025, the Big Sky has yet to have an at-large team in the NCAA tournament

Championships (by school)

[edit]
School Member years Conference
titles		 Tournament
titles		 Last won
Weber State 1963–present 22 10 2016
Montana 1963–present 13 12 2025
Montana State 1963–present 6 5 2024
Eastern Washington 1987–present 6 3 2024
Northern Arizona 1970–present 5 2 2007
Idaho 1963–96, 2014–present 4 4 1993
Idaho State 1963–present 4 2 1994
Boise State 1970–96 3 4 1989
Nevada 1979–92 2 2 1985
Portland State 1996–present 2 2 2009
Gonzaga 1963–79 2 0 1967
Northern Colorado 2006–present 2 1 2025
Cal State Northridge 1996–2001 1 1 2001
North Dakota 2012–18 1 1 2017
Southern Utah 2012–22 1 0 2021
Sacramento State 1996–present 0 0 —

NCAA tournament

[edit]

Since 1968, the Big Sky champion has received a berth in the NCAA tournament; the conference tournament winner has been the representative since its introduction in 1976.

The best finish by a Big Sky team came in 1977, when the Idaho State Bengals of Jim Killingsworth advanced to the Elite Eight, with a one-point upset of UCLA in the Sweet Sixteen in Provo, Utah. Two days later, the Bengals led UNLV by a point at halftime, but lost by seventeen and finished at 25–5.

Seeding was introduced in 1979 when it expanded to forty teams, and the highest seed granted a Big Sky team was in 1982 in a 48-team bracket: ranked eighth in the final polls with a 26–2 record, the Idaho Vandals under Don Monson were seeded third in the West regional. After a first round bye, they beat Lute Olson's Iowa Hawkeyes in nearby Pullman in overtime, but lost to second-seeded (and fourth-ranked) Oregon State in the regional semifinals (Sweet Sixteen), also played in Provo. (Idaho had defeated OSU by 22 points in December in the Far West Classic at Portland.)

Other Big Sky teams that advanced to regional semifinals (Sweet Sixteen) include the Weber State Wildcats in 1969 and 1972, when the total field was 25 teams, and the Montana Grizzlies under Jud Heathcote in the 32-team field in 1975. The Griz fell to heavily-favored UCLA by just three points, who went on to win another title in John Wooden's final year as head coach. (A year later, Heathcote was hired at Michigan State with Monson as an assistant for the first two years; in his third season, the Spartans won the national title in 1979.)

Since 1982, only three teams from the Big Sky have advanced within the NCAA tournament, and none past the round of 32. Weber State won in 1995 and 1999, coached by Ron Abegglen, and Montana in 2006, led by alumnus Larry Krystkowiak. Prior to Idaho in 1982, the Big Sky had been seeded seventh (Weber State, 1979 & 1980; and Idaho, 1981); the highest seed for the conference since 1982 is ninth (Weber State, 1983), and the highest since expanding to 64 teams in 1985 is twelfth (Weber State in 2003; Montana in 2006).

Through 2025, the Big Sky has yet to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. The first NIT appearance for the conference was Idaho in 1983; two Big Sky teams advanced to the NIT's round of 16: Weber State (1984) and Boise State (1987).

Women's basketball

[edit]
See also: Big Sky Conference women's basketball tournament
Season Tournament champion Tournament runner-up
1983 Montana Weber State
1984 Montana Eastern Washington
1985 Idaho Montana
1986 Montana Eastern Washington
1987 Eastern Washington Montana
1988 Montana Eastern Washington
1989 Montana Idaho
1990 Montana Idaho
1991 Montana Montana State
1992 Montana Boise State
1993 Montana State Montana
1994 Montana Boise State
1995 Montana Montana State
1996 Montana Weber State
1997 Montana Montana State
1998 Montana Northern Arizona
1999 Cal State Northridge Portland State
2000 Montana Cal State Northridge
2001 Idaho State Montana
2002 Weber State Montana State
2003 Weber State Montana State
2004 Montana Idaho State
2005 Montana Weber State
2006 Northern Arizona Weber State
2007 Idaho State Northern Arizona
2008 Montana Montana State
2009 Montana Portland State
2010 Portland State Montana State
2011 Montana Portland State
2012 Idaho State Northern Colorado
2013 Montana Northern Colorado
2014 North Dakota Montana
2015 Montana Northern Colorado
2016 Idaho Idaho State
2017 Montana State Idaho State
2018 Northern Colorado Idaho
2019 Portland State Eastern Washington
2020 Canceled (final): Montana State / Idaho
2021 Idaho State Idaho
2022 Montana State Northern Arizona
2023 Sacramento State Northern Arizona
2024 Eastern Washington Northern Arizona
2025 Montana State Montana

Football titles

[edit]

Bold = National Champions

Season Champions Record (Conf.)
1963 Idaho State 3–1
1964 Montana State 3–0
1965 Weber State, Idaho 3–1
1966 Montana State 4–0
1967 Montana State 3–1
1968 Weber State, Montana State, Idaho 3–1
1969 Montana 4–0
1970 Montana 5–0
1971 Idaho 4–1
1972 Montana State 5–1
1973 Boise State 6–0
1974 Boise State 6–0
1975 Boise State 5–0–1
1976 Montana State 6–0
1977 Boise State 6–0
1978 Northern Arizona 6–0
1979 Montana State 6–1
1980 Boise State 6–1
1981 Idaho State 6–1
1982 Idaho, Montana, Montana State 5–2
1983 Nevada 6–1
1984 Montana State 6–1
1985 Idaho 6–1
1986 Nevada 7–0
1987 Idaho 7–1
1988 Idaho 7–1
1989 Idaho 8–0
1990 Nevada 7–1
1991 Nevada 8–0
1992 Idaho, Eastern Washington 6–1
1993 Montana 7–0
1994 Boise State 6–1
1995 Montana 6–1
1996 Montana 8–0
1997 Eastern Washington 7–1
1998 Montana 6–2
1999 Montana 7–1
2000 Montana 8–0
2001 Montana 7–0
2002 Montana State, Montana, Idaho State 5–2
2003 Montana State, Montana, Northern Arizona 5–2
2004 Montana, Eastern Washington 6–1
2005 Eastern Washington, Montana State, Montana 5–2
2006 Montana 8–0
2007 Montana 8–0
2008 Montana, Weber State 7–1
2009 Montana 8–0
2010 Eastern Washington, Montana State 7–1
2011 Montana State 7–1
2012 Eastern Washington, Montana State, Cal Poly 7–1
2013 Eastern Washington 8–0
2014 Eastern Washington 7–1
2015 Southern Utah 7–1
2016 Eastern Washington, North Dakota 8–0
2017 Southern Utah, Weber State 7–1
2018 Weber State, Eastern Washington, UC Davis 7–1
2019 Weber State, Sacramento State 7–1
2020 Weber State 5–1
2021 Sacramento State 8–0
2022 Sacramento State, Montana State 8–0
2023 Montana 7–1
2024 Montana State 8–0
2025 Montana State 8-0

Football championships (by school)

[edit]
School member years total titles Last won
Montana 1963–present 19 2023
Montana State 1963–present 18 2025
Eastern Washington 1987–present 10 2018
Idaho 1965–95
2018–present		 8 1992
Boise State 1970–95 6 1994
Nevada 1979–92 4 1991
Weber State 1963–present 5 2019
Idaho State 1963–present 3 2002
Sacramento State 1996–present 3 2022
Northern Arizona 1970–present 2 2003
Southern Utah 2012–present 2 2017
Cal Poly 2012–present 1 2012
North Dakota 2012–2017 1 2016
UC Davis 2012–present 1 2018
Cal State Northridge 1996–2001 0
Portland State 1996–present 0
Northern Colorado 2006–present 0

All-time school records by wins for current teams

[edit]

This list goes through the 2020 season.

This list includes former member North Dakota and excludes current member Idaho. Records do not match NCAA record book.[52]

# Team Records Pct. Big Sky
Championships		 National
Championships
1 North Dakota 622-383-30 .615 1 1
2 Montana 564-478-26 .540 18 2
3 Eastern Washington 503-404-23 .553 10 1
4 UC Davis 495-384-35 .561 1 0
5 Cal Poly 485-383-19 .557 1 1
6 Montana State 470-467-33 .502 16 3
7 Idaho State 449-488-21 .480 3 1
8 Northern Arizona 445-438-23 .504 2 0
9 Northern Colorado 425-450-26 .486 0 2
10 Portland State 331-354-10 .483 0 0
11 Weber State 266-294-3 .475 6 0
12 Sacramento State 263-351-8 .429 2 0
13 Southern Utah 261-319-13 .451 2 1

Overall Big Sky Conference champions

[edit]
Boise State Broncos (1970–1996) Cal State Northridge Matadors (1996–2001) Eastern Washington Eagles (1987– ) Gonzaga Bulldogs (1963–1979) Idaho State Bengals (1963– ) Montana State Bobcats (1963– ) Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (1970– ) Portland State Vikings (1996– ) Sacramento State Hornets (1996– ) Idaho Vandals (1963–1996) Nevada Wolf Pack (1979–1992) Northern Colorado Bears (2006– ) Montana Grizzlies (1963– ) Weber State Wildcats (1963– )
Football 6 – 7 – 3 17 2 – 1 8 4 – 19 7
Men's Basketball 2 1 1 2 2 5 4 2 – 4 1 1 8 31
Women's Basketball (RS/Tourn) 1/0 1/1 1/1 – 3/3 3/1 1/1 1/1 – 1/1 – 1/0 21/20 2/2
Men's Cross Country 2 – – – 5 2 18 – – 2 3 – 8 7
Women's Cross Country – – – – – 4 15 – – 1 – – 2 4
Men's Indoor Track and Field 2 – – – 5 – 12 – 2 1 1 – – 5
Women's Indoor Track and Field 6 3 – – 1 1 7 – 2 1 – – 1 4
Men's Outdoor Track and Field 1 – – – 12 1 15 – – 4 2 – 1 9
Women's Outdoor Track and Field 6 3 – – 1 1 7 – 3 1 – – 1 5
Men's Tennis 5 – 1 – 2 4 2 – 10 10 2 – – 11
Women's Tennis 2 1 – – 2 – 3 – 9 – 1 – – 10
Women's Soccer – – 1 – 2 – – 1 1 – – – 4 4
Volleyball 1 1 5 – 3 – 1 5 11 3 – 2 3 –
Women's Golf 1 – – – 1 1 5 4 1 – – – 1 1
Men's Golf 1 1 – – – – – 1 2 – 2 – 6 17
Baseball (1963–74) – – – 4 – – – – – 4 – – – 3
Men's Swimming (1963–74) – – – – – – – – – 2 – – 8 –
Wrestling (1963–87) 10 – – – 7 3 – – – – – – 1 2
Men's Skiing (1963–74) 1 – – – – 4 – – – 2 – – 3 –
Total

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Big Sky Conference

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from Grokipedia
The Big Sky Conference is a collegiate affiliated with the (, 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 , , , , , , , and Washington. Founded on July 1, 1963, the conference was established by six charter members—, Idaho State, Gonzaga, , Montana State, and Weber State—initially focused on before expanding to other ; it is headquartered in , and led by Commissioner Tom Wistrcill, who has held the position since 2012. The league sponsors 16 : seven for men (, cross country, football, , , indoor , and outdoor ) and nine for women (, cross country, , soccer, , , indoor , outdoor , and ), emphasizing competitive balance and student-athlete development across its footprint. Over its six decades, the Big Sky has grown from a regional basketball alliance into a prominent FCS powerhouse, producing multiple in football—such as Montana's 1995 and 2007 titles—and fostering rivalries that draw significant fan engagement, particularly in and track events; the conference is set to expand to 11 full members in with the addition of Southern Utah and Utah Tech, enhancing its geographic and competitive depth.

History

Formation and early development

The Big Sky Conference was established on July 1, 1963, as a regional athletic association for institutions in the , with six charter members: the , , , the , , and Weber State College. These schools, spanning , , and , sought to create a competitive framework for intercollegiate sports amid evolving alignments in western collegiate athletics following the dissolution of the in 1959. The conference name, adopted on February 25, 1963, drew inspiration from 's 1947 novel The Big Sky, symbolizing the expansive landscapes and of . Initially conceived primarily as a 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. 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 coach at 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. The inaugural football season in 1963 marked a key milestone, though scheduling logistics posed initial hurdles; emerged as the first conference champion with a 3-1 record against league opponents. Early operations emphasized balancing competitive athletics with academic priorities for member institutions, many of which were prioritizing educational missions in a post-Pacific Coast Conference landscape. This period laid the groundwork for the Big Sky's identity as an 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 and in 1970, which brought the total to eight institutions. , 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. joined as the ninth full member in 1987, further solidifying the conference's footprint in the . The conference began sponsoring 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. 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. The 1990s and 2000s brought a mix of losses and strategic additions amid broader NCAA realignments. Nevada departed for the in 1992, temporarily reducing membership to eight schools. Boise State followed suit in 1996, moving to the and leaving the Big Sky with seven football-sponsoring members, though the conference added and Sacramento State University in 1996 primarily for and other . 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 . The 2000s saw further growth with the addition of the in 2006 and the in 2007, both initially as non-football full members to bolster and other sports. Realignments accelerated in the as FCS conferences adjusted to membership shifts across Division I. In 2012, the and joined as full members, expanding options for non-revenue sports. The , a charter member that had left in 1996 for the , rejoined in 2014 for all sports except football. Departures included and UC Davis in 2017, with both schools shifting football affiliations while retaining some Big Sky ties initially; exited most sports for the in 2018. These moves maintained the conference's emphasis on FCS football while accommodating non-football schools for and track & field. The 2020s have featured continued flux, driven by national realignment trends and geographic considerations. Southern Utah left for the in 2022 after a decade in the Big Sky. In response, the conference announced on June 25, 2025, that 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. Sacramento State, a long-term member since 1996, announced its exit effective June 30, 2026, to pursue FBS independence with a new project. Complementing these changes, joined as an affiliate for men's golf on July 1, 2025, following the conference's reinstatement of the sport after a hiatus. Overall, these evolutions have grown the Big Sky from six members in 1963 to 10 full members by the 2024-25 , all sponsoring FCS football and contributing to a robust multi-sport footprint.

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. The 2020-2021 academic year brought significant disruptions due to the , leading the conference to postpone its fall football season to spring 2021, cancel all spring 2020 competitions including the remainder of the tournaments, and adopt flexible scheduling policies for to accommodate postponed games and protocols. 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. 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. 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. 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. Broadcasting reached a new milestone with a media rights extension to 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 streaming for the conference schedule that begins January 1, 2026. 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.

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 level. These universities are located across the , with a strong emphasis on , football (for 10 schools), , and other . As of 2025, the full members include both 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. The following table summarizes key details for each full member (enrollment as of 2024-25):
InstitutionLocationFoundedJoined Big SkyNicknameColorsEnrollment (2024-25)Primary Sports Contributions
Cheney, WA18821987EaglesRed and white10,911Strong in football (multiple playoff appearances) and men's basketball; women's cross country national contenders.
, ID18891963 (rejoined 2014 for non-football)VandalsSilver and gold11,610Football program with historic rivalries; excels in and track & field.
Pocatello, ID19011963BengalsOrange and black12,385Dominant in wrestling (multiple NCAA qualifiers); women's and football contributors.
Missoula, MT18931963GrizzliesMaroon and silver10,178Football powerhouse (24 playoff appearances); men's with consistent NCAA bids.
Bozeman, MT18931963BobcatsBlue and gold17,030Football champions (2024 Big Sky title); strong in track & field and .
Flagstaff, AZ18991970LumberjacksBlue and gold28,317Women's cross country (multiple NCAA titles); football and men's participants.
Greeley, CO18892006BearsBlue and gold9,431-focused (men's and women's NCAA appearances); reinstated men's golf in 2025.
Portland, OR19551996VikingsGreen and white18,692Urban commuter school strong in football and soccer; track & field standouts.
Sacramento State UniversitySacramento, CA19471996HornetsGreen and gold31,833Football with recent playoff runs; women's and contributors.
Ogden, UT18891963WildcatsPurple and white29,842Men's dynasty (multiple conference titles); football and wrestling programs.
These institutions represent a mix of public research universities and regional comprehensives, with football sponsored by all 10 full members alongside affiliates, while non-football sports like draw participation from the core group. Notable contributions include Montana's football dominance, with 24 FCS playoff berths since 1963, and Weber State's legacy, featuring 14 regular-season titles. Enrollment figures reflect full-time equivalents and underscore the conference's role in serving diverse student-athlete populations in the .

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. This move enhances the conference's regional footprint in the 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. 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 (WAC) following the 2021–22 academic year; the Thunderbirds were previously full members from 2012 to 2022. The university sponsors 15 sports, including football and men's and , which will compete in conference play beginning with the 2026–27 seasons. Southern Utah's return is expected to revive established rivalries and strengthen the conference's and football offerings, given the program's history of competitive performances during its prior tenure. 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. 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. This addition introduces fresh competition and geographic balance, particularly in football, where the Trailblazers have built a program since resuming the sport in 2018. The expansion aligns with the Big Sky's strategic goals of fostering regional rivalries and elevating athletic quality, as both newcomers hail from southern and bring established Division I programs that complement the conference's emphasis on non-revenue and alongside football. Southern Utah and 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 teams will debut in league play during the 2026–27 winter season, including eligibility for the postseason tournament.

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 . This structure supports competitive balance and expands scheduling opportunities without requiring comprehensive conference affiliation. 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. In men's golf, Francis Marion University joined as an affiliate member on July 1, 2025, after previously competing in the from 2021 to 2025. This addition reinstates and bolsters the Big Sky's sponsorship of the following a one-year hiatus, bringing the total number of participating teams to seven: the six full-member programs of , , Montana State, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, and Weber State, plus . The move strengthens competition in a niche Olympic , allowing the conference to host a dedicated championship at The Wigwam Golf Resort in , from April 27-29, 2026. 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.

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. , a charter member, was one of the first to leave after 16 years, citing a desire to focus on non-football sports like in a conference better suited to its Jesuit institution's priorities; during its tenure, Gonzaga won eight men's regular-season titles and seven tournament championships, establishing a legacy of hoops excellence that continued after its move to the . 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. 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 , primarily to cut travel costs and improve geographic alignment for its non-football sports; North Dakota's men's team reached the NCAA Tournament in 2017 during its Big Sky tenure, marking a notable achievement before the departure. Among former affiliate members, the 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 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.
InstitutionMembership TypeYearsReason for DepartureNotable Legacy
Gonzaga UniversityFull1963–1979Realignment to West Coast Conference for non-football focus8 men's basketball regular-season titles; 7 tournament championships
University of NevadaFull1979–1992Realignment to Big West Conference for FBS aspirations4 football conference titles (1990–1991 back-to-back)
Boise State UniversityFull1970–1996Realignment to Big West Conference for program elevation4 undefeated Big Sky football seasons (1973–1977)
California State University, NorthridgeFull1996–2001Football program cut due to budget constraintsBrief presence amid FCS transitions
University of North DakotaFull2012–2018Realignment to Summit League for reduced travel costs2017 NCAA men's basketball tournament appearance
University of California, DavisFootball Affiliate2013–presentRemains football affiliateBuilt FCS football rivalries as affiliate
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)Wrestling Affiliate2012–2017Shifted to other affiliationsSupported conference wrestling depth

Membership timeline

The Big Sky Conference began operations on July 1, 1963, with six charter full members: the , , , , , and Weber State College (now University). This founding phase established the conference as a regional entity focused primarily on , with football added shortly thereafter. 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 and in 1970, followed by the University of Nevada in 1979 to replace departing Gonzaga. By the 1990s, further additions including , Sacramento State, and in 1996 offset losses such as Boise State and Idaho departing for FBS opportunities, marking a period of realignment amid broader NCAA shifts. The 2010s emphasized FCS stability, with full memberships for the and 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 in 2018 and 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. The following table chronicles key membership changes for full members (unless noted as affiliate), highlighting join and departure dates through 2026:
YearMembership Changes
1963Charter full members join: University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Gonzaga University, University of Montana, Montana State University, Weber State College.
1970Full members join: Boise State University, Northern Arizona University.
1979Full member departs: Gonzaga University (to West Coast Conference). Full member joins: University of Nevada.
1987Full member joins: Eastern Washington University.
1992Full member departs: University of Nevada (to Big West Conference).
1996Full 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).
2001Full member departs: California State University, Northridge (to Big West Conference).
2006Full member joins: University of Northern Colorado.
2012Full members join: University of North Dakota, Southern Utah University. Football affiliate members join: University of California, Davis; California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly).
2014Full member rejoins: University of Idaho (non-football sports; football joins in 2018).
2018Full member departs: University of North Dakota (to Summit League for most sports, Missouri Valley Football Conference for football).
2022Full member departs: Southern Utah University (to Western Athletic Conference).
2025Men's golf affiliate member joins: Francis Marion University.
2026Full 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.
This timeline illustrates the conference's evolution from seven full members in its early years to a projected 11 full members by 2026, with ongoing affiliate participation in select sports to enhance competitive balance.

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). 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. 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 needs. 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. As the operational core of the Big Sky Conference, the oversees key functions such as game scheduling, NCAA compliance enforcement, initiatives, and coordination of affiliate programs across its member institutions. Its location in the , roughly 25 miles from in Ogden, facilitates efficient collaboration with nearby full members while providing logistical advantages for regional events. As of November 2025, no further relocations have been announced, allowing the headquarters to sustain and expand its role in operations, including production oversight for over 600 annual events streamed on under a media rights agreement extended through the 2029–30 .

Commissioners

The commissioner of the Big Sky Conference serves as the , overseeing operations, , strategic initiatives, and compliance with NCAA regulations, while reporting to the conference's , 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 , often involving a chaired by a member institution's president. Since the conference's founding in 1963, seven individuals have held the position of commissioner. Jack Friel, a former 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. John Roning succeeded Friel, serving from 1971 to 1977 after a stint as athletic director at the . A former coach and administrator with experience at and other programs, Roning focused on stabilizing the young conference during its early expansion phase. Steve Belko held the role from 1977 to 1981, bringing expertise from his coaching career at the and , where he amassed over 300 basketball victories. Belko emphasized competitive balance and administrative efficiency during his tenure. Ron Stephenson, an Idaho native and former athletic director at the University of Idaho and , 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. 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 native and former Army helicopter pilot, Fullerton guided the Big Sky through significant expansions, adding Southern Utah and 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 Men's Committee from 2009 to 2013, influencing tournament selections. Andrea Williams became the sixth commissioner and the first woman in the role, serving from 2016 to 2018 after 16 years with the , including 10 as associate commissioner. A former Texas A&M dual-sport in and , Williams advanced student- welfare initiatives and operational efficiencies during her two-year term before transitioning to chief operating officer of the . Tom Wistrcill, with over 30 years in college athletics including prior roles as commissioner of the 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 as a men's affiliate in July 2025 and preparing for the full membership of and 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.

Sports

The Big Sky Conference sponsors 16 NCAA Division I sports as of 2025, comprising seven for men and nine for women. The men's sports include , cross country, football (played at the Football Championship Subdivision level), , , indoor , and outdoor . The women's sports consist of , cross country, , soccer, , , indoor , outdoor , and . This structure emphasizes a balanced emphasis on Olympic-style and team sports, with events split into indoor and outdoor seasons to align with NCAA scheduling. 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. For , 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 , with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Starting in the 2025–26 season, regular-season play follows an 18-game double round-robin format, where each team faces every conference opponent twice (once home and once away). Football concludes with a conference champion determined by regular-season standings, granting an automatic berth to the playoffs. Other sports, such as cross country, , soccer, , , and , host championships via meets or tournaments hosted rotationally by member institutions, with top performers advancing to NCAA regionals. 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.

Participation by school

The Big Sky Conference's full members vary in their sponsorship of the league's sponsored , with all 10 institutions competing in men's , cross country, indoor and outdoor , and football as of the 2025–26 academic year. However, participation in men's and is more limited, with only select schools fielding teams in those disciplines. On the women's side, all full members sponsor , cross country, indoor and outdoor , and , while , soccer, and see partial participation across the membership. As of 2025, there are 10 full members, all of which field football teams, but variations exist in non-core . No changes to sponsorships are scheduled prior to the expansion.
SchoolBasketballCross CountryFootballGolfTennisIndoor Track & FieldOutdoor Track & Field
Eastern Washington✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Idaho✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Idaho State✓✓✓✓✓✓
Montana✓✓✓✓✓✓
Montana State✓✓✓✓✓✓
Northern Arizona✓✓✓✓✓✓
Northern Colorado✓✓✓✓✓✓
Portland State✓✓✓✓✓✓
Sacramento State✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Weber State✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
This table illustrates that all 10 schools sponsor the core sports, with 5 sponsoring men's and 9 sponsoring men's (9 teams total including all listed).
SchoolCross CountrySoccerIndoor Track & FieldOutdoor Track & Field
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Idaho State✓✓✓✓✓✓
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Montana State✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
✓✓✓✓✓
Portland State✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Sacramento State✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Weber State✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
In the women's table, Northern Colorado notably does not sponsor soccer, golf, or tennis, focusing on the core sports, while schools like and sponsor all nine women's disciplines. Total sponsorships per school range from 12 () to 16 ( and ), highlighting all-sports participation at select institutions versus more limited programs at others like Portland State, which emphasizes and track alongside football.

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. 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. Beyond football, the conference reinstated men's for the 2025-26 after a one-year hiatus, with joining as an affiliate member effective July 1, 2025. This addition expands the sport to six teams, including full members , , , Sacramento State, and Weber State, fostering deeper regional and eligibility for NCAA regional qualifications. Affiliates in men's , like , 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 starting in 2026-27. These affiliate programs allow the Big Sky to maintain a minimum of eight viable teams in football and sufficient depth in emerging s like men's , ensuring sustainable scheduling and heightened rivalries without diluting full-member resources. While the conference sponsored wrestling from to 1987 with participation from full members like Cal Poly, no current affiliate arrangements exist in that , reflecting a focus on contemporary priorities.

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 . These successes span multiple sports, though football and cross country account for the bulk of team accomplishments, while has been a powerhouse in producing individual standouts. Football programs from Big Sky schools secured seven team titles across the , 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. 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, swept both the men's and women's Big Sky cross country championships in , 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. The following table summarizes all team NCAA national championships won by current or former Big Sky members while affiliated with the conference:
SportSchoolYear(s)
Football (FCS)Boise State1980
Football (FCS)Idaho State1981
Football (DII)Montana State1976
Football (FCS)Montana State1984
Football (FCS)1995, 2001
Football (FCS)2010
Cross Country (Men)2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
Individual NCAA titles, exceeding 20 in total, are concentrated in track and field, with Northern Arizona athletes claiming multiple distance crowns. Notable examples include Nico Young's 2024 indoor sweep of the 3,000m and 5,000m events, Abdihamid Nur's 2022 indoor 5,000m record-setting win, and Andy Trouard's 2018 indoor 3,000m victory, all contributing to the conference's reputation for excellence in endurance sports.

Conference championships

The Big Sky Conference crowns champions in its sponsored sports through a of and postseason , with formats varying by to determine automatic NCAA qualifiers where applicable. In football, the is the team with the best record, allowing for co-champions in case of ties; no postseason tournament is held, but the title carries the automatic bid to the FCS . Basketball employs a 10-team postseason 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 and NCAA tournament auto-bid. events use meets to select individual and team auto-qualifiers for NCAA regionals, emphasizing top s rather than a single winner. These structures ensure competitive balance while prioritizing postseason opportunities. All-time, Montana leads in football with 19 conference titles, showcasing its historical dominance since the league's founding in , 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 ' sustained excellence in the sport. These leaders underscore the conference's regional rivalries and the impact of flagship programs on its legacy. 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 , culminated with Montana defeating 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 . These outcomes contribute to the conference's reputation for producing competitive NCAA participants.
SportSchoolAll-Time Titles
FootballMontana19
FootballMontana State15
FootballWeber State8
Football8
Men's BasketballMontana11
Men's BasketballWeber State9
Men's Basketball2
Women's BasketballMontana20
Women's BasketballMontana State11
Women's Basketball6
*Nevada departed the conference in 1999. Montana boasts over 500 all-time conference wins in football, the highest among current members, with Montana State exceeding 400; these records reflect long-term program stability and recruiting prowess in the region. Across sports, such benchmarks emphasize the Big Sky's focus on development over expansion, fostering deep competitive histories.

Notable rivalries

The Big Sky Conference features several intense intra-conference rivalries, particularly in football, where protected matchups ensure annual competition among key opponents. Each of the conference's 12 football programs is assigned two protected rivals to play every season, promoting consistent regional battles and fan engagement. For instance, 's protected rivals include State and Portland State, while Idaho's are and . The most prominent rivalry is the Montana–Montana State football series, dubbed the Brawl of the Wild, which began in 1897 and stands as one of the oldest in . This in-state clash, protected annually, has been played 123 times as of 2024, with Montana leading the all-time series 74–43–5. The game draws significant crowds, averaging over 25,000 fans in recent years, including a 2023 attendance of 27,178 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Another notable intra-conference football rivalry is between and , contested for the Little Brown Stein trophy since 1938, recognized as the oldest active trophy series in FCS football. The series, which alternates hosting in a 1-4-1 format among , Missoula, and Spokane, underscores historical ties from the teams' shared roots before the Big Sky era. As of 2025, holds a 56-31-2 all-time edge. In basketball, rivalries often build on football intensity but emphasize competitive history since the conference's founding in 1963. Weber State and have developed a heated men's basketball matchup dating to the 1960s, with both programs as charter members frequently vying for conference supremacy; Weber State leads the all-time series 98-79 through 2025. Non-conference games, such as those between Big Sky teams and nearby West Coast Conference power Gonzaga, add regional flavor, with Gonzaga routinely scheduling Big Sky opponents like State for high-profile exhibitions. Extra-conference rivalries provide occasional historical intrigue, exemplified by Montana's series against Washington, which began in 1903 and features 20 meetings through 1995, though Washington dominates with a 17-2-1 record. These games highlight Montana's early ties to programs before the Big Sky's formation. In the 2025 preseason poll, Montana State was picked first and Montana second, amplifying anticipation for their Brawl of the Wild matchup and other protected series amid a competitive league landscape.

Facilities and attendance

Primary venues

The primary venues for Big Sky Conference football games are predominantly on-campus stadiums at public universities, with Washington-Grizzly Stadium serving as the home for the Grizzlies in , featuring a capacity of 25,217 and known for its expansive natural grass field and surrounding mountain views. Bobcat Stadium at in , hosts the Bobcats with a of 22,000 after recent additions, including a new south end zone grandstand and standing-room terraces that enhance spectator amenities. For basketball, key arenas include the Dee Events Center at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, which accommodates over 12,000 spectators in a multi-purpose domed facility used for both men's and women's games, along with community events. At the University of Montana, Dahlberg Arena within the Adams Event Center in Missoula provides a capacity of approximately 7,500 for Grizzlies contests, featuring modern chair-back seating and a dedicated student section known as The Zoo. These venues, like most in the conference, are owned and operated by public institutions to support intercollegiate athletics and regional gatherings. Other notable facilities encompass multi-use spaces such as Reese Court at in , a 5,000-seat arena primarily for and with flexible configurations for indoor events. For cross country, the 2025 Big Sky Championships were held at Bridger Creek Golf Course in , offering a challenging 5K and 8K course through rolling terrain suitable for conference-level competition. Recent upgrades across these sites include Montana State's 2024 audio-visual enhancements and $25.5 million indoor athletic facility adjacent to Bobcat Stadium, improving training and fan experiences ahead of the 2025 season. Attendance in Big Sky Conference sports has shown robust engagement, particularly in football, where teams from and consistently draw larger crowds compared to those in other regions. As of late November 2025, during the ongoing football season, led the conference with an average home attendance of 26,339 fans per game, followed closely by Montana State at 21,894, reflecting strong fan support amid a competitive season. Historical peaks, such as Montana State's 2021 playoff run, saw the team average 19,176 fans per home game during the regular season, with postseason matchups boosting numbers further through heightened regional excitement. Basketball attendance has remained more modest but stable for top programs. Post-COVID recovery has been evident across , with football attendance rebounding to pre-pandemic levels and surpassing them in key markets; for instance, in 2024, Montana averaged 24,174 fans per home game, marking a significant uptick from 2021's constrained crowds. Rivalry games, notably the Brawl of the Wild between and Montana State, continue to drive peaks, drawing 26,856 in 2021, a record 27,178 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in 2023, and 22,057 at Bobcat Stadium in 2024. Regional factors significantly influence these trends, with Montana and Idaho programs benefiting from passionate local support—Montana averaged over 25,000 per game in 2023—while teams like and Sacramento State draw under 5,000 on average due to smaller population bases and less entrenched traditions. The conference's planned expansion to 11 full members in with the addition of Southern and Utah Tech is expected to enhance geographic reach and potentially boost attendance in future seasons.

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