SPOKANE, Wash. (July 16, 2024) – With preparations for the upcoming football season getting underway, the preseason will officially begin with the 2024 Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff this weekend in Spokane, Wash. Head football coaches and two student-athletes from all 12 programs around the league will gather for the Kickoff on July 20-22 at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino.
Northern Arizona's representatives will be first-year head coach
Brian Wright, redshirt junior offensive lineman
Jonny Bottorff and redshirt senior defensive lineman
Daniel Robledo.
Northern Quest Resort and Casino will host all the weekend's events. On Saturday, student-athletes will take part in a youth football clinic at Spokane's North Central High School. Following the community service event, the Big Sky will host its third Hall of Fame induction ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Standard time. The Lumberjacks do not have any inductees this year, but the show will honor all eight inductees from the 2024 class live on ESPN+.
Sunday's events include video interviews, photoshoots and meetings and student-athletes will learn how to leverage their Name, Image and Likeness opportunities with Influencer's Joe Maggio. Later, the participants will hear from former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf about his past and what others can learn from his life experiences.
Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill will kickoff Monday's activities at 8 a.m. MST with his Commissioner's Conference Address. The day will be highlighted by over four hours of live coverage from Northern Quest beginning at 9 a.m. MST on ESPN+. The Big Sky's Meghan Robinson and Scripps Sports' Kyle Hansen will co-host coverage for the day with interviews from all 12 football teams, Wistrcill and special guests. Wright will be live at 9:30 a.m. MST with Bottorff and Robledo to follow at 9:39 a.m.
Upon returning to Flagstaff, NAU will open Fall camp on July 31 with the season opener set for Saturday, Aug. 31 against Lincoln University at Findlay Toyota Field.
Scripps Sports will produce both the Hall of Fame Gala and Monday's media day for the Big Sky Conference, with the shows airing on the below stations and on ESPN+.
Saturday's Hall of Fame Gala
| Missoula |
MTN |
8.2 |
| Kalispell |
MTN |
18.2 |
| Billings |
MTN |
2.2 |
| Bozeman |
MTN |
7.2 |
| Butte |
MTN |
4.2 |
| Great Falls |
MTN |
3.2 |
| Helena |
MTN |
12.2 |
| Salt Lake City |
Utah 16 |
16.1 |
| Boise |
Boise 6 |
6.2 |
| Twin Falls |
Twin Falls 6 |
6.2 |
Saturday's Hall of Fame Gala & Monday's Media Day
| Missoula |
KPAX |
| Billings |
KTVQ (Q2) |
| Bozeman |
KBZK |
| Great Falls |
KRTV |
| Helena |
KTVH |
| Salt Lake |
KSTU |
| Boise |
KIVI (Idaho 6) |
