NDSU Foundation plans new pregame party in Frisco for Bison fans

FRISCO — The party leading up to the Bison’s attempt to win their 10th national title in 14 seasons is a little different this year.

In past years, the NDSU Foundation has hosted a pep fest in the Frisco area.

This year, they are hosting a tailgate party instead.

“Change is good. I think it is going to allow for some more kids and family time,” said Todd Clark, a North Dakota State University fan from West Fargo who is in Frisco for his sixth title game.

“Because it is a night game, I think it makes a lot of sense to get everybody there right before the game instead of 24 hours before that,” former Bison Steve Sershen said.

Fans will take over a soccer field next to Toyota Stadium on Monday, Jan. 6, ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff. The event at Dr. Pink Field is a free, family-friendly tailgate party that will include games, kids events, a DJ and food and drinks.

The gates open when the tailgate lot opens at 1 p.m. and goes until 4 p.m.

The traditional team walk will take place at 3:15 p.m., right next to the tailgate party.

“The strength of the Herd is the Bison and the strength of the Bison is the Herd, so how do we make sure we do a pregame event that gets everybody together and ready to go into that stadium and absolutely destroy Montana State and make sure everyone is there?” Bethany Hardwig with the NDSU Foundation said of the mindset behind the change in the event.

After the Bison punched their ticket to Frisco, the NDSU Foundation conducted a survey. With the game being on Monday night for the first time, they wanted to know when fans would be in town.

Hardwig said many people would be driving down and arriving Sunday afternoon or early Monday, and the NDSU Foundation wanted an event that those fans could attend.

“That they don’t feel like they missed the thing was really important to us,” she said.

Attendance at pep fests in recent years noticeably declined as Bison Nation spread out across the Frisco area to enjoy their favorite watering holes and restaurants.

“The Bison are a huge part of what we do on that football field, so making sure people are gathered, ready and hyped is our obligation to our team,” Hardwig sad. “Our team has made it this far — Are we ready to yell loud and get them the rest of the way?”

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.