The Backbone of the Big Sky: Behind the Guys Who Keep It Moving

It’s easy to cheer for the powerhouse programs of the Big Sky Conference, but behind every kickoff and championship moment is a team of dedicated professionals working year-round to keep the league on course.

FCS Nation sat down with three of the Big Sky’s key decision makers, Jon Kasper, Dan Satter, and Tyson Rodgers, to uncover what it really takes to keep one of the top conferences in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) running smoothly, especially when unexpected changes are thrown their way.

Jon Kasper: “Mr. Big Sky” and the Keeper of Championships

Jon Kasper knows Big Sky football inside and out. The Senior Associate Commissioner for Championships, a role he’s held since 2019, has been a cornerstone of the conference since 2004. But his relationship with the league runs even deeper.

Before joining the conference office, Kasper was a beat reporter covering University of Montana football for the Missoulian from 1997 to 2004, chronicling some of the program’s most iconic years. A proud Montana journalism graduate, he now oversees championship planning and execution across multiple sports.

His fall season begins not with football, but with cross country, volleyball, and soccer, managing logistics like scheduling, manuals, streaming, and hotel accommodations. Throughout the year, he also manages championships for softball, men’s and women’s golf, and more.

“Having worked at the conference office for 21 years, if they need something, [they know] Kasper can get it to me,” he said. “That’s my brag, you know, they call me Mr. Big Sky because I’ve been there for so long and I have a true love and passion.”

Dan Satter: The Strategist and Stabilizer

Dan Satter wears more hats than most. As Deputy Commissioner, CFO, and COO of the Big Sky, his fingerprints are on nearly every logistical and financial decision made within the league.

Satter is currently navigating one of the most complex challenges yet: reshuffling the football schedule to account for Southern Utah University and Utah Tech joining the conference and Sacramento State’s exit. He's also managing the legal implications of the House v. NCAA ruling, a major case reshaping how college athletes are compensated.

Before joining the Big Sky, Satter served as Athletic Director at Boston University. He followed Commissioner Tom Wistrcill to Salt Lake City in 2019 when Wistrcill was appointed commissioner.

“I knew if I didn’t do it, I would always wonder about it,” Satter said. “Knowing who you work for, who your boss is, I believe, has more impact on your job satisfaction than any other part of it.”

Tyson Rodgers: The Voice of the Big Sky

As Associate Commissioner for Communications and External Relations, Tyson Rodgers is the engine behind the Big Sky’s online presence. His work goes far beyond posting scores or game-day graphics, he’s a storyteller, strategist, and tireless advocate for growing the conference’s reach.

“Working in sports is a great thing to do because it’s something everyone’s envious of,” Rodgers said. “But you don’t see the late nights, grabbing surge protectors, getting on your hands and knees to fix something. You do the dirty work, so to speak.”

Rodgers’ most high-profile success? Spearheading the 2022 social media campaign that brought ESPN College GameDay to Bozeman for the iconic Cat vs. Griz rivalry game. The campaign had been in the works the year before, but fell short. In 2022, the team went all-in, and the results were historic.

“We punch well above our weight class,” said Kasper of the Big Sky’s digital presence. “Pound for pound, there’s no better social media team at a Division I conference.”

Under Rodgers’ leadership, the Big Sky’s social media engagement has quadrupled, setting a new standard for what’s possible in the FCS digital landscape.

Quiet Impact, Year-Round Dedication

The Big Sky Football Kickoff Media Day is a celebration of the conference’s talent, coaches, athletic directors, standout players, and student-athlete advocates. But beyond the headlines and highlight reels are individuals like Kasper, Satter, and Rodgers, the behind-the-scenes leaders who keep the Big Sky’s gears turning.

From shaping championship schedules to managing multimillion-dollar decisions and driving national conversations online, these three are more than administrators, they’re the backbone of the Big Sky.