Big Sky Stadiums

[Bison_Kent]

Here is a site for all the stadiums in the Big Sky.

http://members.cox.net/kschmidt16/Bison-Big%20Sky/big_sky%20stadiums.doc

I would like to thank all Big Sky school web sites for the pictures.

[WYOBISONMAN]

Kent - Great job!! That was interesting as I have not seen some of the BSC venues. I have been to Holt Arena at ISU several times, but it has always been for a rodeo, never football. I must admit I was surprized how small it was for football seating. It is not a very nice venue. It is kind of old and seems like a giant quonset.

[Bison_Kent]

Here are stadiums from the other two conferences (Gateway & Ohio Valley) that have been talked about. I definetely think the Big Sky is a better fit. Some of these stadiums are ok but not as good as the Big Sky's overall.
http://members.cox.net/kschmidt16/Other%20I-AA%20Conf/Gateway_%20Stadiums.doc
http://members.cox.net/kschmidt16/Other%20I-AA%20Conf/OhioValley_Football%20Stadiums.doc

[siouxrock]

i have to admit big sky stadiums are nicer then most NCC schools wiht the exception to the bison and teh sioux
and maybe Mankato

[JBB]

Well, if you like Manako you must love Agustana, same design, Identical. The only stadium I dont like in the NCC is SCSU and they get a new one this summer. A 6,000 seater just south of their hockey arena.

[Bengal1]

Just a couple of corrections on Big Sky Stadiums:

Idaho State's Holt Arena has 12,000 fixed seats for football (the number you had listed is the seating capacity for the basketball setup). *In the early 80's, when demand was high, we were able to move in some bleacher seating around the endzones to get seating above 13,000... *It is an older facility -- the first college domed stadium in the US. * But it's not bad for football -- almost every seat gives you a good view. Click on the "seating" to get a view:

http://www.isu.edu/departments/holt/footcam.htm

Eastern Washington plays maybe one game a year at Albi Stadium in Spokane. *They play the rest at their home field, Woodward Stadium, and it only seats about 7,000. It is probably the worst facility for football in the conference.

http://www.ewu.edu/new/maptours/pages/Woodward.html

Most here are still keeping fingers crossed for both schools, but I agree with some other postings that nothing may happen until the I-A rules go into effect. *Both NDSU and SDSU will make a strong addition.

[Guest]

Bengal1,
Thanks for the information. I will update this when I get a chance.

I do have a question for you. It looks like the sidelines are very close to the seating areas. Where do the players and coaches stand along the sidelines?

[Bengal1]

The pictures are a little deceiving. There actually is more room between the seating and the sidelines than the pictures indicate. But, between about the 30 yard lines on each side of the field, there is also a "dug out". This extends back underneath the seating, and this is where a lot of benches and what not are located. The pictues don't pick this up very well either.

[siouxrock]

these are areansa are all bett then the NCC except the football facilities and b-ball. teh sioux got alers and the ralph
and the bison have some pretty good ones i herd too

[Bison_Kent]

Just to note, the stadium page has been updated per Bengal1's reply. Here is another link.

http://members.cox.net/kschmidt16/Bison-Big%20Sky/big_sky%20stadiums.doc

[100_proof_grizzly]

Bison_Kent:

Interesting work on the three conference stadiums. One thing though, when you showed WIU's stadium, you should have showed some pictures of the oft used correctional facilities in Macomb as well. Regarding the Gateway Conference, the "Ice Castle" is pretty much the hallmark of the conference. With the Ohio Valley, I believe that EIU's stadium is suppossedly the finest even if capacity is a little low. If you guys were looking at a conference to be competitive at the get go, I would look at the Ohio Valley (I am not knocking your choice of the Big Sky). A few years and you should dominate that conference.

[siouxrock]

the ralph englestad arena is the best arena ever
thats what kansas b-ball coach roy willimas said

[Bison_Kent]

100 Proof,

To let you know, Northern Iowa used to be the NCC until either the late 70s or early 80s when they moved up to I-AA. So we have history with them. The Ohio Valley is just too far away from anyone school, in my opinion. The Gateway would be my second choice but it is only a football conference so I am not sure finding two conferences is what we want to do.

I am assuming that the Ice Palace is Youngstown State's stadium. It does look nice. It looks like the best in the Gateway. I am not sure E. Illinois is the best in the Ohio Valley. It might be Eastern Kentucky's from what the pictures show.

The Big Sky is just the best fit for NDSU & SDSU as far as rating facilities and caliber of compitation. The NCC was the best Division II football conference. We want to go to the best Division I-AA conference.

[100_proof_grizzly]

Hey Siouxrock:

I could care less about basketball (although that is an impressive quote and I'm sure Ralph Engelstad could buy MANY colleges). Football is the main point of interest for most colleges (especially mine) so either support your football program or just go back to your hockey program. This post is about football stadiums and your post made no sense for this thread. Keep this in mind, although you have a fine athletic program, it is an athletic program in DII. Hockey alone doesn't make you DI.