Where fans fuel champions.
Simple. Secure. Direct.
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Where fans fuel champions.
Simple. Secure. Direct.
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Where fans fuel champions.
Simple. Secure. Direct.
Where fans fuel champions.
Simple. Secure. Direct.
12 Schools•Division I•Est. 1963
The Big Sky Conference was founded July 1, 1963, by six charter members — Idaho, Idaho State, Gonzaga, Montana, Montana State and Weber State. The name comes from A.B. Guthrie's 1947 novel, proposed by Spokesman-Review columnist Harry Missildine at founding meetings in Spokane. Commissioner Tom Wistrcill has led the conference since November 2018; HQ is in Farmington, Utah. Ten full members compete across eight western states, plus football affiliates Cal Poly and UC Davis. The conference sponsors 16 sports in the FCS subdivision and uniquely does not sponsor baseball — one of only two Division I conferences with that distinction. Football defines the Big Sky nationally. Montana leads all-time with 19 conference titles; Montana State has 18 and won back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. The Brawl of the Wild between Montana and Montana State — dating to 1897 — is one of FCS's most storied rivalries. Eastern Washington's Roos Field, with its distinctive red turf, is an iconic FCS venue. Men's basketball's best postseason run came in 1977 when Idaho State reached the Elite Eight, upsetting UCLA en route. The conference has never received an at-large NCAA tournament bid. Weber State leads with 22 regular-season titles and 10 tournament championships. Damian Lillard, NBA champion and All-Star, played at Weber State. Northern Arizona has won six consecutive men's cross country national championships since 2016. The conference claims 13 NCAA national championships total: seven in FCS football across five different schools and six in men's cross country, all by Northern Arizona. The '#ExperienceElevated' platform reflects the conference's western mountain identity and serves approximately 3,300 student-athletes. Sacramento State departs for the Big West in 2026; Southern Utah and Utah Tech join that fall, bringing full membership to 11.
Official Website
The Big Sky Conference was founded July 1, 1963, by six charter members — Idaho, Idaho State, Gonzaga, Montana, Montana State and Weber State. The name comes from A.B. Guthrie's 1947 novel, proposed by Spokesman-Review columnist Harry Missildine at founding meetings in Spokane. Commissioner Tom Wistrcill has led the conference since November 2018; HQ is in Farmington, Utah. Ten full members compete across eight western states, plus football affiliates Cal Poly and UC Davis. The conference sponsors 16 sports in the FCS subdivision and uniquely does not sponsor baseball — one of only two Division I conferences with that distinction. Football defines the Big Sky nationally. Montana leads all-time with 19 conference titles; Montana State has 18 and won back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. The Brawl of the Wild between Montana and Montana State — dating to 1897 — is one of FCS's most storied rivalries. Eastern Washington's Roos Field, with its distinctive red turf, is an iconic FCS venue. Men's basketball's best postseason run came in 1977 when Idaho State reached the Elite Eight, upsetting UCLA en route. The conference has never received an at-large NCAA tournament bid. Weber State leads with 22 regular-season titles and 10 tournament championships. Damian Lillard, NBA champion and All-Star, played at Weber State. Northern Arizona has won six consecutive men's cross country national championships since 2016. The conference claims 13 NCAA national championships total: seven in FCS football across five different schools and six in men's cross country, all by Northern Arizona. The '#ExperienceElevated' platform reflects the conference's western mountain identity and serves approximately 3,300 student-athletes. Sacramento State departs for the Big West in 2026; Southern Utah and Utah Tech join that fall, bringing full membership to 11.
Official Website