North Dakota State University is no stranger to success on the gridiron.
When the Bison were in Division II, they were one of the elite powerhouses. How big, you ask? Try eight national championships in the school's illustrious history.
North Dakota State won three "mythical" championships in the 1960s (1965, 1968 and 1969) via wire service polls, but found its best glory in the 1980s. In that decade, the Bison won four national championships (1983, 1985, 1986, 1988) and narrowly missed a fifth in 1984, losing on a field goal as time expired. They also won the national championship in 1990.
Denis Isrow, an academic advisor to the football program, has been a pair of all eight championships. From 1963 to 1980 he was the head trainer and eventually made his way to associate division director in the Bison athletic department. He said the community support and expectations of the program are at a high level.
"The community is very supportive of the program," Isrow said. "They like their sports and they like a winner. It kind of pulls you along. When you produce what they want, they really get behind you."
Attendance-wise, the Bison drew 14,160 fans per game in 2005, which is more than Ball State University averaged, as the Cardinals' attendance was 12,953 per game.
"It's awesome playing here," NDSU running back Kyle Steffes said. "No matter if it's a blowout or a close game, the [student] section is usually filled up to the last play. We got some pretty awesome student fans up here."
The Bison play their home games at the Fargodome, where they've played since 1993. It is an indoor facility that includes scoreboards hanging behind both end zones, four sideline scoreboards, and giant video screens in each of the four corners which provide live action and instant replays. The dome cost $48 million to build and is also used for concerts and special events.
Isrow said the effect the Fargodome has on recruiting and the football program is tremendous.
"We take recruits in there and they're floored because it's such a beautiful building and it's really conducive to a class act," he said. "It's like between driving a Cadillac and driving a Ford. Everything that's taking place in there is modern technology. It's a beautiful thing."
The school's most famous football alumnus is Phil Hansen. He played 11 years in the NFL from 1991 through 2001 with the Buffalo Bills, and played in three Super Bowls. Hansen compiled 61.5 sacks throughout his career, with a career high of 10 in 1995.
He is currently the color commentator for North Dakota State football games on WDAY-970 AM in Fargo, N.D. Having grown up in North Dakota, Hansen was very familiar with the storied program. However, the only reason he went there was because they were the only school to offer him a scholarship.
"I don't know if anyone else would've wanted me," Hansen said. "I was a big kid and that's why North Dakota State offered me."
"I had never lifted a weight. My bench press was 185 when I came to college. I learned how to lift weights, how to keep my body strong. I learned a lot of about technical football like proper hand placement and proper steps. North Dakota State had great teachers."
In 2003, NDSU made the move up to Division I-AA from Division II. The move required plenty of changes though. The biggest one was scholarships. The number awarded jumped from 36 to 63 and athletic administrators and fans were unsure how Team Makers, the school's fundraising program, was going to raise enough money to compete in I-AA. Also lost in the move would be its rivalry game with the University of North Dakota.
"I understand outside of North Dakota no one cares, but in this area it's a big thing," Hansen said.
Hansen also said school President Joseph Chapman should receive credit for pushing the program to the next level. "It was an opportunity for North Dakota State to move themselves forward rather than staying the status quo," he said. "And the status quo is much more popular in this area than straying out. Chapman is very supportive. If you don't' have that, you're not going anywhere. His analogy is, 'Yes, the university is much bigger than the athletic department, but the athletic department is the front porch.' And that's what everybody sees."
Isrow also said he supported the move to I-AA because it pulls everything else in the school up also.
"Our president put together a research plan when we got in here," he said. "We would move up academically and athletically. Those things have increased so much on campus. Everything just came along with it."
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