Montana State UniversityâÂÂNorthern (MSUâÂÂNorthern or Northern) is a public college in Havre, Montana, United States. It is part of the Montana University System and was "Northern Montana College" prior to the restructuring of Montana's public university system in 1994.
In 1913, the Montana State Legislature approved the establishment of the "Northern Montana Agricultural and Manual Training School" at Fort Assinniboine, southwest of Havre, but no money was actually appropriated. The state legislature amended their original act in 1927 to include certain academic subjects and in 1929, the legislature appropriated funds to establish the college as a branch of the University of Montana (later renamed the Montana University System). Northern Montana College opened its doors in September 1929 in temporary quarters in Havre High School, and moved to its present campus in 1932.
The Montana StateâÂÂNorthern athletic teams are called the Lights and Skylights. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Frontier Conference for most of its sports since the 1935âÂÂ36 academic year; while its rodeo teams compete in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).
Montana StateâÂÂNorthern competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, golf, rodeo and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, rodeo and volleyball.