USD to Join MIssouri Valley Football Conference

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) - University of South Dakota officials say the school is joining the Missouri Valley Football Conference starting in 2012. The move reinstates a football rivalry with South Dakota State.

The state's two largest schools haven't played each other in football since 2003, when SDSU moved to NCAA Division I and then joined the Missouri Valley.

South Dakota also is moving to Division I. It plays football in the Great West Conference, which will disband after next season.

USD and SDSU will regularly compete in other sports when USD joins the Summit League next fall.

The Big Sky Conference had said earlier this week it was "on the verge" of announcing the addition of USD, the same day the league welcomed the University of North Dakota and Southern Utah.

University of North Dakota athletics director Brian Faison issued a statement in response to today's news involving USD:

“As we stated earlier this week, we are honored and excited to be part of the Big Sky Conference. The Big Sky Conference gives us the best opportunity for success at the Division I level. The conference brand is incredibly strong, reflecting a tradition of athletics success on a national level for nearly 50 years.

“We will continue to work closely with the University of South Dakota, as well as North Dakota State and South Dakota State, to continue and renew our great rivalries. Our goal in scheduling is to give our student-athletes the best competitive experience and bring great teams to Grand Forks for our students, alumni and fans.”

Tags: south dakota, summit league, missouri valley football conference, brian faison, big sky conference, great west, north dakota, fighting sioux, daily updates, sports, und