Big Sky History

The Big Sky Conference completed its 64th year overall and 39th year of women's competition during the 2026-27 academic year.

Founded in 1963, the Big Sky Conference is an NCAA Division I conference competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. With a league that in 2026-27 will include 161 teams representing 14 institutions in 16 sports (seven men’s and nine women’s), the Big Sky prides itself on its “#ExperienceElevated” platform that emphasizes the unique traits and lifelong benefits that the conference and its member institutions provide to more than 3,000 student-athletes each year. 

As of July 1, 2026, the conference will have 11 full members (Eastern Washington University, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, University of Montana, Montana State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Northern Colorado, Portland State University, Southern Utah University, Utah Tech University, and Weber State University) located in seven states across the western United States, plus two football affiliate members in California (California Polytechnic State University and the University of California, Davis) and one men’s golf affiliate member (Francis Marion University). Conference members have won 13 NCAA team championships, including seven in football by five different members as well as six men’s cross country titles by NAU in the last decade. 

For more information, visit BigSkyConf.com and the Big Sky's accounts on X, Facebook, Blue Sky, Instagram, and YouTube at @BigSkyConf.