UND to the Big Sky?

Since its move to Division I athletics, the search for permanent conference affiliation has been UND's top priority.

The Big Sky Conference rarely has been mentioned as a long-term home for UND.

The Big Sky, however, has provided UND a glimmer of hope that it could be the school's answer for stable conference affiliation.

The league's commissioner, Doug Fullerton, said Thursday that UND is on the Big Sky radar as a possible future member. The Big Sky, like many leagues, is pondering its future as a massive realignment appears imminent in college athletics.

"North Dakota has a lot of friends in this league," Fullerton said.

However, UND's path to the Big Sky is far from guaranteed. It's only a possibility at this point.

If Montana -- the league's most prominent member -- decides to move its football program up to the FBS level, the school will leave the Big Sky.

There has been considerable speculation that Montana could wind up in the Western Athletic Conference, leaving an opening in the Big Sky. And if Montana bolts, will Montana State be far behind?

UND isn't the only school on the Big Sky radar. Southern Utah, currently a member of the Summit League, also has been mentioned as a possible Big Sky member. Southern Utah believes it would be a better fit geographically for the Big Sky than the Summit.

"We want to know our options if something goes down," Fullerton said.

For months, UND has targeted the Summit League as a permanent home. The Summit, however, is waiting for UND to resolve its nickname controversy before it will consider the school for membership.

The presidents of the Summit schools will meet June 21 in Chicago to discuss UND's potential membership.

However, the Summit does not offer football -- the biggest drawback for UND joining the Midwest-based conference.

And finding a long-term home for UND football is one of the greatest obstacles the athletic department faces in its transition to Division I athletics. The Big Sky does offer football.

But the Big Sky is a big league, geographically, which may be a detriment to UND.

If UND joined the league, the Big Sky would spread across three time zones -- making for difficult marketing of the league.

"I still think there are people uncomfortable with a horizontally developed league," Fullerton said. "It seems like leagues develop vertically and I think that has to do with time zones and market news cycles. I'm not sure, but I think that's why."

There is another issue that could serve as a drawback for UND.

Of the nine Big Sky schools, Montana and Montana State are the two institutions that have the most history with UND.

"If Montana and Montana State would leave, would UND want to go to the Big Sky, now that we're a different league?" Fullerton said.

The other members of the Big Sky are Eastern Washington, Portland State, Weber State, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, Northern Arizona and Idaho State.

Fullerton is scheduled to discuss any possible conference movement with the league presidents next week.

Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .