NDSU football fans love making the trip to Frisco, Texas, for the NCAA Division I Football Championship. The Bison have advanced to the title game 11 times in 17 years of Division I eligibility and earned a record nine national titles.
As a cold snap blows across Fargo this week, the warmth of community spirit and Bison pride ignites a mass relocation south. Thousands of die-hard NDSU fans packed their cars, chartered buses and booked flights to Frisco, Texas, for the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision championship.
They come from across the United States, but a large part of the travelling fanbase comes directly from NDSU’s homebase in Fargo. So many, in fact, that some fans now call Frisco “Fargo South” during Bison football championship visits. The Monday, Jan. 6 title game between the Bison and Montana State at Toyota Stadium is a battle of two football powerhouses and a reunion for the city of Frisco and its most devoted guests.
The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. It will be televised on ESPN and available to ESPN+ subscribers and the ESPN app.
For the Fargo faithful, this trip is about more than football. It’s a chance to uphold a proud tradition of hospitality, generosity and camaraderie. NDSU fans see themselves as unofficial ambassadors of their city, committed to leaving a lasting impression on their hosts.
Bison fans have been here many times. With nine FCS titles since 2012 and 11 Frisco appearances in the last 14 years, NDSU has made this pilgrimage a near-annual event. Over the years, the people of Fargo have embraced the role of repeat visitors, earning a reputation for turning the championship weekend into a celebration of sportsmanship and community.
“I’ve often travelled to Frisco with great friends and college classmates,” said Jim Hambrick, BS ’87, business administration and accounting, who is market president of Cornerstone Bank in Fargo. “In the early years, it was almost a reunion of my closest friends from college with their families. I always seem to run into somebody in Frisco I haven’t seen in many years as well as those I’ll only see once a year at the championship game.”
From decorating the streets with green and yellow to filling local restaurants, the Fargo fans make their presence felt in a way that is as respectful as it is revelatory. Many bring small tokens of appreciation—homemade treats, local Fargo products and heartfelt thank-you notes—to share with Frisco locals.
This year’s championship pits NDSU against Montana State, a rivalry that dates back to 1914. The two teams last met in the 2021 FCS Championship game, where NDSU won 38-10. Montana State, however, has waited a long time for this opportunity, having last hoisted the championship trophy in 1984.
For fans of both teams, Frisco’s Toyota Stadium is a venue where football legends are made. But the game is more than just a sporting event, it’s a chance for NDSU fans to celebrate more than a decade’s worth of dominance on a national stage.
Beyond the excitement of the game, the Bison fans’ pilgrimage has a tangible impact on Frisco’s economy. With an estimated direct economic boost of $10.1 million and a total impact of $16.3 million, the championship game is a windfall for local businesses. Hotels are packed with visitors, restaurants are buzzing with activity and stores are stocked with green and yellow gear.
“Bison fans are the best,” said Nick Shafer, vice president of Stadium operations at FC Dallas and Toyota Stadium. “I’ve shared so many great stories with them. From the first trip when Frisco and the surrounding cities discovered that Bison fans can really celebrate to working with NDSU to bring Corso the bison down for a game to the fans somehow renaming our East Frontage Road on Google to ‘Bison Way,’ it’s all been such great memories.”
Shafer, who is in his 20th year at Toyota Stadium, has helped host the FCS championship since 2011. He said Bison fans have through the years helped make the title game in Frisco the event it is today.
“It means a lot to us to have NDSU fans come to Frisco regularly,” Shafer said. “We’ve been able to share in this amazing run of NDSU football and really have a relationship with the team, fans and NDSU staff. Businesses, people in Frisco and our surrounding cities recognize the colors and logo when I’m wearing some gear and always ask about the team.
“It’s been a pleasure hosting the fans and we look forward to hopefully seeing everyone in the future after our stadium renovations are complete.”
For many fans, the journey from Fargo to Frisco is an adventure. Caravans of vehicles adorned with Bison flags create a moving sea of green and gold along the highways. Fans share stories of past championships, sing fight songs and build camaraderie on the road.
For many Fargo fans, this trip to Frisco is a chance to showcase the spirit of their community and remind Frisco why the Bison faithful are more than visitors.
“I think it’s very important to show how the NDSU fanbase is respectful and also knows how to have fun,” Hambrick said. “The fact that businesses in and around Frisco look forward to the return of the Thundering Herd really shows we are considerate guests and appreciative of the hospitality we are provided.”
When the television cameras roll Monday night at Toyota Stadium, the people of Fargo and Frisco will come together to once again unite the two communities and strengthen friendships.
And, of course, bring home a record 10th Bison national championship.
“I feel immense Bison pride every time I’m in Frisco,” said Hambrick, who is making his 10th trip to Frisco this year. “It is amazing to see all of the Bison flags waving during the tailgate and seeing the thousands of fans in green and yellow in the stands.
“I’m very proud to be a graduate of NDSU and a Bison fan.”