We tweeted earlier about outgoing Big Sky Commissioner Doug Fullerton’s interview with Josh Grissom from Vandal Nation and the Idaho Argonaut. The interview revolved around The University of Idaho and their planning for the future of their football program.
It has been well-publicized that Idaho has a standing invite to drop down to FCS and join the Big Sky for football like the rest of their athletics department has. The timetable of everything was the primary discussion point as Idaho needs to make a decision, presumably by summer.
But we thought we’d recap the nuts and bolts of his glowing comments on UND specifically. He interjected UND’s name into the conversation a couple different times. Here are a couple comments regarding his view on why Idaho Football should join the Big Sky:
“If you look at Montana, Montana St or the University of North Dakota, we are the same type of institutions. That type of institution is a research institution, a high-level educational enterprise.”
“It will make us all better if you (Idaho) come into the league because your DNA is to go to the top. I said the same thing about UND. They were coming out of Division II with people saying ‘well they’re not where NDSU is’ or ‘they’re a Division II school’. I know the University of North Dakota. It’s in their DNA to get better. Last year they had 7 wins in their second year in our league. And you watch them – they will be the ones to challenge NDSU, it will be right in that state. And I know it’s going to happen…”
It’s clear that being the flagship university of the state of North Dakota and having the academic profile that UND has went a long way with the Big Sky Presidents regarding UND’s ultimate Big Sky membership acceptance. That is important to note, now and in the future, regardless of which division UND ends up in 10, 20 and 50 years down the road.
It’s telling that Fullerton sees the promise and future of UND, for football specifically, in the Big Sky and on the national stage. He’s a former coach and athletic director, meaning he does have the experience of the profession and can recognize the traits and characteristics of a winning program. He’s been paying attention.
It’s also telling that when asked by Grissom about why he would like to have Idaho Football in the BSC, and why BSC Football should be appealing to Idaho, Fullerton invoked UND without solicitation into the conversation…..
Twice.
Is it football season yet?
