The new president of North Dakota State University, Marshall Stewart, is all in on the Bison's move to the Division I FBS level, and he believes the funding is there to support success at this new level. Stewart, who comes from a background in working at Power Four schools, is confident that donors are ready to go and that the university is well-positioned for the future. He bases this assessment on meetings with donors over the past 10 weeks, where he has seen a lot of interest in seeing the university not only be competitive but win. In my opinion, this is a fascinating development, as it shows the university's commitment to raising funds for both academics and athletes, and it's a model that Stewart plans to carry over to NDSU. Personally, I think this is a smart move, as it will help the university attract top faculty and students, and it will also help to build a strong brand identity. What makes this particularly fascinating is that Stewart is taking a hands-off approach to athletics, but he is still closely involved, which is a refreshing change. He has made it clear to the athletic director that it's his program to run, and he will be informed but not involved in the day-to-day operations. This is a smart strategy, as it allows the athletic director to run the program while still having the support of the university's leadership. One thing that immediately stands out is that Stewart is confident that the two-year postseason ban for moving to FBS will be repealed, and he signed off on NDSU's application process to be immediately eligible. This is a bold move, and it shows Stewart's belief in the university's ability to compete at the next level. From my perspective, this is a positive development, as it will help the university to build a strong athletic program and attract more students and faculty. However, it's also important to consider the broader implications of this move. The landscape of athletics is shifting rapidly, with the portal, NIL, and revenue share all playing a role. Stewart expects the landscape to shift again in the next several years with television contracts and the continued movement of conferences. This raises a deeper question: how will NDSU position itself to be in the best light as these shifts occur? In my opinion, this is a critical question, as it will determine the university's long-term success. A detail that I find especially interesting is that Stewart has a strong background in fundraising, which will be crucial for the university's success at the FBS level. He has worked at schools like North Carolina State, Kansas State, and Missouri, where the presidents were heavily involved in fundraising. This model will be carried over to NDSU, which will help the university to build a strong athletic program and attract more students and faculty. What this really suggests is that Stewart is committed to building a strong athletic program that will help the university to attract more students and faculty, and it will also help to build a strong brand identity. In conclusion, the new president of North Dakota State University, Marshall Stewart, is all in on the Bison's move to the Division I FBS level, and he believes the funding is there to support success at this new level. Stewart's commitment to fundraising and his hands-off approach to athletics are both positive developments for the university. However, it's also important to consider the broader implications of this move, and how NDSU will position itself to be in the best light as the landscape of athletics continues to shift.
