Big Sky Conference

Industry:	Sports Teams & Leagues
Employees:	5

Description

The Big Sky Conference was established in 1963 by six charter members - Idaho, Idaho State, Gonzaga, Montana, Montana State and Weber State. Those six schools formed the foundation of the Big Sky before the league expanded in 1970 by adding Boise State and Northern Arizona. Gonzaga left the Sky in 1979 and was replaced by Nevada, which gave the league eight members. The conference grew to nine schools in 1987 with the addition of Eastern Washington.

The 1990s saw change in the makeup of the league, beginning in 1992 when Nevada departed and put the Big Sky back at eight teams. In 1996 Boise State and Idaho left and at the same time the conference added Portland State, Sacramento State and Cal State Northridge. The Big Sky maintained nine teams for five years before Cal State Northridge departed in the spring of 2001.

With the addition of Northern Colorado, the Big Sky spreads across eight states spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountain Front. The Big Sky is represented along the entire west coast with schools in Washington, Oregon and California. League schools also range up and down the Rocky Mountains with institutions in Montana, Idaho, Utah, Arizona and now Colorado.

Of the eight western-most states in the contiguous United States only one, Nevada, is not represented in the Big Sky.

On Feb 25, 1963, the name Big Sky was adopted by the six presidents of the charter members as the name of the new conference. The name Big Sky originated in a novel written by the late A.B. (Bud) Guthrie of Great Falls, Mont., in 1947 entitled "The Big Sky." Jack Hollowell, a former Montana advertising director, promoted the Big Sky theme for the Treasure State. While on a track and field trip from Pocatello, Idaho, to Missoula, Mont., the legendary Dubby Holt of Idaho State saw a "Welcome to Big Sky Country" sign as his team entered Montana. Holt, and his athletes thought "Big Sky" would be a perfect name for the new conference. Harry Missildine of the Spokane Spokesman-Review called for the newly formed league to be named the Big Sky Conference in his column dated Feb. 20, 1963.

The Big Sky sponsors championships in 14 sports, including men's and women's cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, basketball and tennis. In addition, there are also championships in football, and women's volleyball, golf and soccer.

The 2007-08 season will mark the 20th year that the Big Sky Conference will sponsor championships in women's sports. The former Mountain West Conference existed from 1982-88, sponsoring championships for women's sports at the same institutions the Big Sky had men's programs. The Big Sky merged with the Mountain West in 1988, forming one league for both men and women.

Doug Fullerton, the fifth commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, will enter his 13th year at the helm. Fullerton took over the Big Sky on July 1, 1995, replacing longtime commissioner Ron Stephenson. Stephenson served the league for 14 years. Steve Belko was the commissioner from 1977-81 while John Roning held the post from 1971-77. The first league commissioner was Jack Friel, who served from 1963-71.

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News Archive

Big Sky conference gets record-setting TV deal Deseret News (Salt Lake City); 8/11/2009 OGDEN -- The Big Sky Conference announced the largest television package for a Football Championship...This is an exciting announcement for Big Sky fans," said Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton. "More than half of the 36 conference... ...more

WEBER STATE CAPTURES FOURTH BIG SKY CONFERENCE STERLING SAVINGS BANK PRESIDENT'S CUP US Fed News Service, Including US State News; 7/18/2009 ...University issued the following news release: The Big Sky Conference Sterling Savings Bank Presidents' Cup is staying...Sterling Savings Bank Presidents' Cup,'' said Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton. "We've been awarding... ...more

MEN FINISH 2 WOMEN FINISH 4 AT 2009 BIG SKY CONFERENCE OUTDOOR TRACK&FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS US Fed News Service, Including US State News; 7/1/2009 ...University issued the following news release: Weber State's men finished second and the women, fourth, at the 2009 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships held this week at the University of Montana in Missoula. Northern Arizona... ...more