This week: While most of the attention in college football goes to the Power 4, I recently visited a program that's proving you don't need an FBS logo to build elite facilities.
The University of North Dakota has quietly invested more than $80 million into what I think is one of the most impressive football complexes in the FCS. From the largest weight room in the Dakotas to NFL-style meeting spaces, recovery areas, and player amenities, I was surprised this program isn't talked about more.
So this week, I'm taking you inside North Dakota's football facilities to show you what makes this program stand out—and why I think it's one of the most underrated facilities in college football.
And at the end, I'll give the entire complex my own personal ranking and tell you where it stacks up against every facility I've visited so far.
— Chris Colebank
By the Numbers
🏈 NCAA Division I FCS (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
🎓 Enrollment: 14,000+ students
💰 Football Facility Investment: $80+ million
🏟️ Home Stadium: 12,283-seat Alerus Center (indoor)
💪 Weight Room: Largest collegiate weight room in the Dakotas
🏃 Indoor Training: 155,000-square-foot Fritz D. Pollard Jr. Athletic Center with a full 100-yard football field
The Behind the Scenes Tour
North Dakota’s 22,000-square-foot weight room is the largest in the Dakotas and is built for year-round player development.
Head strength coach Derek Stein gave an in-depth breakdown of how the Fighting Hawks train for game day.
“Generally I like to try out anything I’m going to put into a program on myself first before I ever put it in with our guys”
Inside the Fighting Hawks’ elite training program
The Fritz D. Pollard Jr. Athletic Center features a full 100-yard indoor football field, giving North Dakota year-round practice space no matter what the weather looks like outside.
This is where the team fuels up every day. More than just a dining hall, it's a gathering place where players, coaches, and staff spend time together outside of football.
The team meeting room has theater-style seating with multiple display screens
One thing that stood out to me was how professional these meeting spaces felt. From the theater-style team room to the position film rooms, everything is built to create an environment where players can learn, communicate, and prepare at a high level.
Home games are played inside the Alerus Center, one of the few indoor stadiums in the FCS.
My Game Day Experience: I visited North Dakota for the Border Battle against South Dakota State, and it lived up to the hype. It was a back-and-forth game with major FCS playoff implications, and although the Fighting Hawks came up just short, 34–31, the atmosphere was outstanding.
The Alerus Center was packed, the crowd was loud from kickoff to the final whistle, and the tailgating scene was one of the best I've experienced at the FCS level. Honestly, if you didn't know where you were, you'd never guess you were watching an FCS program in North Dakota.
Behind-the-scenes look at the team's Kelly green uniforms before game day.
My North Dakota Rating
Football Facilities — 4.5/5
NFL-level facilities that rival many Power Four programs.
Overall Athletics — 4/5
Football isn't the only program with elite resources. North Dakota hockey is one of the premier programs in the country, and the Ralph Engelstad Arena is one of the most impressive athletic facilities you'll find at any level of college sports.
Campus & Setting — 3/5
The campus is well-maintained and beautiful, with future upgrades on the way. That said, after spending time in Grand Forks, it's clear you're in a smaller, remote college town with fewer attractions than many other Division I campuses.
Competition Level — 5/5
For an FCS program, it doesn't get much tougher. North Dakota competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, widely regarded as the premier conference in the FCS, facing national championship contenders almost every week.
Value for Cost — 4.5/5
Approximately $24,200 per year for North Dakota residents, while many out-of-state students benefit from tuition reciprocity and reduced regional rates. Considering the NFL-caliber football facilities, nationally elite hockey program, and overall Division I athletic experience, UND offers outstanding value compared to many public universities.
Overall Score: 21/25 (84%)
Facility updates:
🏟️ Texas Football Training Complex
Take a look inside Texas' new football training complex, featuring construction updates, renderings, and what players will have access to when it opens. (Mortenson)
🏈 University of South Florida On-Campus Stadium
Follow the progress of USF's new on-campus stadium and learn how the project will reshape the future of Bulls football.
🦆 Oregon Indoor Practice Facility
See the plans for Oregon's state-of-the-art indoor practice facility, designed to elevate player development and recruiting.
🏟️ New Mexico Athletics Facilities Master Plan
Learn about New Mexico's long-term facilities vision, including stadium renovations, premium seating, and upgraded player spaces.