Central ND News

Bismarck State College (BSC) announced on Wednesday that it will revive its football program, with the Mystics set to return to the field in Fall 2027 as part of the NAIA Frontier Conference. The announcement was made by Interim President Dan Leingang and Director of Athletics Myron Schulz during a press conference attended by former players, coaches, and conference officials.

“This moment has been four decades in the making and truly marks the beginning of a new era for MysticNation,” said Leingang. “It’s exciting to see former BJC players return to campus to celebrate this announcement alongside our current students.”

The college last fielded a football team in 1985, after earlier periods from 1946-1962 and 1971-1985 when it competed in the North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC). At that time, Bismarck Junior College (BJC), as it was then known, played against other North Dakota schools including Dickinson State, Valley City State, and Mayville State. Previously a two-year program competing against four-year institutions, BSC will now compete on more equal footing within the NAIA.

“This is a milestone moment for our athletic department and for the future of our college,” said Schulz. “We’re restoring a tradition that meant so much to our campus and will give our students, alumni and fans another team to rally behind on the weekends.”

Schulz himself played strong safety for BJC during its last seasons in 1983-84. Former coaches Ed Hasche and Don Bigwood joined him at the event along with Dr. Scott Crawford, Commissioner of the Frontier Conference.

"Frontier Conference football welcomes the return of Bismarck State football as the conference's 15th team and draws the entire NAIA closer to nearly 100 football programs nationally.  The entire conference looks forward to having MysticNation be an integral part of game-day Saturdays each fall on the gridiron," shared Crawford. "It will be fun to see BSC rekindle old rivalries in North Dakota and develop new rivalries across the Frontier."

The addition makes BSC one of four North Dakota teams in a conference that includes schools from Idaho, Oregon, and California. This expansion provides opportunities for renewed local rivalries as well as competition against teams from other states.

Leingang noted that with this transition into NAIA athletics and growth in academic offerings—now including 13 bachelor’s degrees—BSC aims to further its mission: “With our transition this fall to the NAIA and Frontier Conference and now offering 13 bachelor’s degrees, BSC continues to move forward in developing well-rounded students who are prepared to lead in their careers and communities,” he said. “Our investment in athletics supports our mission to educate and prepare the region’s future workforce and leaders by developing characteristics such as discipline, leadership, teamwork and resilience.”

A search is underway for a head coach for Mystics Football ahead of its inaugural season back on campus.

More information about BSC football can be found at https://www.bscmystics.com/Football.