Minnesota State-Mankato

Location: Mankato, Minnesota Division: NCAA Division II Conference (football): Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Stadium: Blakeslee Stadium Conference (basketball): Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Arena: Taylor Center

The Minnesota State University, Mankato, generally referred to as simply Minnesota State, Bulldogs compete as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in NCAA Division II football and basketball. Minnesota State, formerly "Mankato State", is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota, about 90 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. The school has an undergraduate enrollment of around 12,000.

Minnesota State-Mankato sits a mile southeast of the point where the Minnesota River heads northeast towards its eventual confluence with the Mississippi River. The campus is the focal point of Mankato's south side, bordered by Monks Avenue on the east. With no interstates in the immediate area, the major highways of note are US 14 and US 169 (which is the main road to the Twin Cities), both located a few miles north of the campus. Blakesee Field (7,000) is located on the southwest corner of Stadium Road and Walnut Street, Taylor Center (4,800) is on the northwest corner. Mens hockey plays at Verizon Wireless Center (5,000), part of the Civic Center Plaza on Shoreline Drive and feet from the Minnesota River.

The Mavericks' most prominent rival is Saint Cloud State, with whom they have been conference mates for the better part of a century. Minnesota-Duluth also figures prominently in rival terms, especially in hockey and football.

Seven former Mavericks have made it to the NFL, the most recent being WR Adam Thelein. Nine NHL players have ties to the Mavericks, US Olympian David Backes being the most visible. And while no Mavericks have made it to the NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is an alum (and is also the namesake of the Taylor Center).