Back-to-back FCS titles boost North Dakota State financially

Jan 7, 2013 - 9:23 PM Fargo, ND (Sports Network) - North Dakota State's second straight FCS national championship will keep the marketing, sales and ticket departments quite busy at the Missouri Valley Football Conference university.

Bison athletics reaped the benefits of their first FCS national title last year. Saturday's title-game victory over Sam Houston State for the second straight year - this time by a 39-13 margin - will expand these glory days within the program.

Season tickets were capped at 12,100 for home games at the Fargodome this past season, Josh Hemingway, NDSU's director of tickets/events and facility operations, said Monday, but that's probably not nearly enough among the Bison's rabid fan base, which took Frisco, Texas, by storm once again during championship week.

The back-to-back national titles will continue to boost NDSU in many financial areas, including advertising, booster and corporate donations, and sales. The football booster club also enjoyed exceptional growth after last season's title.

"Our licensing revenue will see an increase from not only the increase demand for NDSU products but also additional sales and royalties from NCAA national championship merchandise," said Troy Goergen, NDSU senior associate athletic director/marketing.

"Sponsorship retention should be high due to success and we will see increased interest from new sponsors due to national exposure and success of program."

Next season, Bison coach Craig Bohl will return almost all of his key starters from this season's team, which had a 14-1 record. The MVC champions will be favored to win a third straight FCS title, a feat which has only been accomplished by Appalachian State from 2005-07.