Siouxper Slam 29

It's great that they buy the ticket and support the program, but if you're standing on the walkways for almost 3 hours just drinking beer, why should they lower ticket prices for you to do that? Go to a bar: it's free admission and drinks are cheaper. If you want to be at the game, sure; stand on the walkways, but CHEER! If it's a close game, get to your seat and make some noise with everyone else! The ticket isn't just for the seat: it's for the experience. Enjoy the game with other fans and not just your $7 cup of Bud Light.

I’ve been reading all of this stuff about Faison and how awful he is, and I want to throw my two cents in. Although I realize some pretty terrible stuff has happened and everyone wants to point a finger at someone, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and believe they did the best that they could and what is best for the majority. I’m not saying Faison or anyone else at UND is perfect or correct in their decisions, but I think that bashing people does more harm than good for everyone, fans included. My understanding is that Faison tried to make as many cuts as possible, even going above the 10% reduction that the president wanted, but Schafer said that teams needed to be cut. There was a formula or calculated method to figuring out how to cut expenses, not cut off revenue, stay compliant with Title IX, and impact the fewest people possible. Baseball & men’s golf came out to be the combination that fit all of those categories the best. It really sucks that teams had to be cut, especially ones that have had recent success and looked to be turning things around. Would we be having the same argument if women’s hockey were cut instead of baseball? WH is a revenue-generating sport (although not much) that is consistently in the Top 10 every year and beat two #1 teams last season. If anyone else has a better idea that cuts more expenses without stopping revenue and you still are compliant with the NCAA/Title IX, submit your application for the next AD or UND’s CFO. The baseball fundraising letter situation: yeah, that was handled poorly by Faison, and he admitted it. He should have at least answered the letter/email to explain why they can or cannot do anything and maybe find ways that can help. Of course the fundraising situation as well as the announcement of cutting baseball & golf could have been handled better. It isn’t easy for anyone. Also, it’s a matter that is over and done with, nothing is going to change. Think about the things that Faison HAS done well for UND: transition to Divison I and the Big Sky; helped create the most dominant conference in college hockey; pushed for better facilities for teams and recruiting; emphasized academics as the primary concern of student-athletes; brought back a fan-favorite coach (Bubba) that people believe in and get excited about; kept the best coach in college hockey with Brad Berry; and ensuring that student-athletes in the future will be able to afford their education by doing full cost of attendance for all sports. It is easier to stew about the mistakes and bad decisions, but with everything he (and the rest of the administration) has done, don’t you think he is genuinely concerned about UND’s future and that he probably really does hurt from having to make these tough decisions? One last thing to end my rant: students and community members have been complaining about cutting baseball and men’s golf so there are no administrators that need to take a pay cut. That is garbage. Schafer said every line item is on the table, so did Alice Brekke. Athletics administration IS going to have salary reductions/job eliminations, guaranteed. No one is exempt from the shortfall. Thank you for reading

Link to the budget cuts. Some explanation of what has been cut but not much http://und.edu/president/budget/

Anybody know when or where the proposed budget cuts are going to be posted online today?

There will probably be a few admins cut, considering they can cut salary, insurance, and any other benefits to save money. Like Talksalot83 said:

Given the fallout from Tuesday's announcement about baseball & men's golf, that still leaves $165-170k in expenses that still need to be cut. Where else can the athletic department trim budgets? I can't imagine they would dare p*ss off any other teams and take money from them.

Just putting a mock schedule together so it's easier to visualize next season. Sorry if the spacing is a bit sloppy. 2016-17 Schedule October 1st vs. Manitoba? October 7th/8th TBD (non-conference home series or Bemidji State?) October 14th/15th TBD October 21st/22nd TBD (non-conference home series or Bemidji State? October 28th/29th at UMD November 4th/5th TBD (at Minnesota?) November 11th/12th vs. Denver November 18th/19th at St. Cloud State November 25th/26th TBD (vs. Michigan State...assuming it was a home/home from last season) December 3rd vs. Boston College at Madison Square Garden December 9th/10th vs. Western Michigan December 16th/17th OFF December 23rd/24th OFF December 31st/January 1st TBD (non-conference road series?) January 6th/7th at Omaha January 13th/14th vs. Miami January 20th/21st vs. UMD January 27th/28th at Colorado College February 3rd/4th vs. St. Cloud State February 9th/10th TBD (Hall of Fame?) February 17th/18th at Western Michigan February 24th/25th vs. Omaha March 3rd/4th at Miami March 10th-12th NCHC Quarterfinals March 17th/18th NCHC Frozen Faceoff (Minneapolis) March 24th-26th NCAA Regionals (Fargo/Cincinnati/Manchester/Providence) March 31st/April 1st OFF April 6th/8th NCAA Frozen Four (Chicago) **Still need to fit in the Minnesota series (2), Bemidji State (2), Hall of Fame game (probably RPI), Union (1), and Canisius (2)

Looks like there are a few more than 80 tickets sold already. Are you using NDSU math skills?

Still a lot of tickets remaining for tomorrow's game. Let's buy them up! Anyone think we'll break 3,000 tomorrow?

Anyone have a prediction for attendance tonight? Last year was 3142

It's over. Own it. Make it the best of all the "Hawks" out there. Continue to dominant and be the best fans in college sports. #FHawkingProud

They usually do

Student attendance should be a little better tomorrow since they have priority line for men's hockey that night, but probably still not what it should be. I'd say anything over 6,500 would be great...probably closer to 6,000-6,200.

UND 33 UNC 30

Probably right. Any bets on how long it takes for a lawsuit to be filed by Red River HS or Mayor "Hawk" from Bismarck (who apparently owns everything) claiming that UND is stealing their trademark name?