Nucleus

One major thing that must be considered here is that while the REA is busy hosting UND practices and events, its utilization is still very minimal to hosting other events such as concerts, other sporting events, even wedding receptions and trade shows. If you want to look at how a professional venue should be run take a look at Ford Field in Detroit. Yes, Detroit and Grand Forks are different, but the venue usage idea is essentially all the same. Why isn't REA hosting concerts and banquets and a million other things during the summer when the UND sports are not in season? Or any other facilities on campus? Would it be unreasonable for them to put an effort into making some extra cash? From the REA standpoint it would, because if they put on all of these events and staff then with people and pay the intangible expenses of hosting an event, they still wouldn't see any of the profit because theoretically it would go the Athletic Deparment. So why try? Why make an effort? Nothing in the agreement says anything about "sporting event related" profit, it just says profit. This brings me back to my original statement that the REA/Athletic Department agreement MUST be redone into more of a collaborative effort rather than a "I'll do this if and if you do this" agreement. UND has 13,500? undergraduate students, most of which probably have some sort of part-time job, why not use a resource that we have? Or find some high school kids or someone to staff an event in the off-season? Plan the event early, market it during your hockey games and basketball games, and put on a show. All the capabilities and resources, but NONE of the drive and motivation. For example, the Toby Keith concert. Huge success! Even if the Ralph draws 3-4 big names a year, imagine the inflow of money to the Ralph, the community, and the most important entity---the one REA is here to "serve"---the Athletic Department

I didn't even knew that Siouxgoo had access to any sort of electronic equipment! As far as the reason for the budget shortfall, siouxgoo had it nailed. The contract with REA is absolutely unfair and unjust to the athletic department. Yes, if they make a profit it comes to the athletic department, but they don't, they have no incentive to? Why would they go through the pain of hosting or booking events knowing that the potential profit won't come back to them? The athletic department became so overwhelmed with this excellent facility that they agreed to litterally, take in up the #&@ in order to use it. Just because its there, doesn't mean it is the best thing for us. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Ralph and the atmosphere it has, but as far as a money-maker for UND athletics? Absolutely not. In 30 years when it gets turned over to the University, what a clusterf*&^ that will be with two sets of employees and a out-of-date deteriorated building to drain on the University? Lets face it, stadiums and facilities don't last that long anymore. I.E. the Metrodome which is thought to be so out of date and primitive, but yet it was built in the 80s (only 20 years ago). The agreement needs to be redone, but also there needs to be discipline to the individual coaches to stick to their allotted budget. For example, the average overbudget for the Mens and Womens BB program combined for the past 5 years is nearly $15,000 combined over budget every year, which flucuations. The only sports to stick to their orginal allotted budget for the year is the cheer team and the baseball program. Congrats to those groups, you understand your role and work your butt off to make up the difference (selling 50/50, etc.) I also agree that their should be incentives for the coaches and programs that do well. Why should VB and softball and Mens BB consistently get huge chunks of money when they do nothing with it? Its stupid from a financial standpoint and yes I understand that athletics isn't all about the money made and money lost, but face it, the business of professional and collegiate sports is exactly that....a business.

Looking in the paper today I noticed that Forney got his hands in a lot of goals versus Red Lake Falls. Yes, Red Lake Falls is terrible but Forney had 4 goals in the first period and 8 points over the whole night I believe. Not bad. 8 points is still 8 points.

I watched Gratzek play BB yesterday and for the first time I realized how thick he is. He is a speciman and could potentially get bigger. The only thing I believe is that he is not big enough to be a lineman in D-2 or for that matter D-1. He would have to become either a linebacker or even a TE. I think he could flourish in both. He is as good a athlete I have seen around here in a long time. Sure would be nice for the Sioux to get a linbacker that I believe could have Diggerish potential.

I watched Wahlin play in her first game of the year and she is the real deal. All I could compare her too was Roysland as a junior/senior. Wahlin is just a sopomore, she can shoot the lights out and is unselfish in ball handling. She isn't a Roebuck type player in that she is very quiet, however, she know how to run the point and be a leader. She would be a great one for UND, but realistically, I think she will go middle to upper tier D-1 if she stays healthy. Only problem with her is that she is only about 5'4" or so. Excellent ball player, best all-around player I have EVER seen as a sophomore around here, that's right EVER seen.

He will almost for sure play after the HS season, but I'd say based on that, if UND and Forney both think that he needs more time, he will play Juniors. Development is Development.

Defensive Liability.....ehh...maybe?? Not that I recall, but his defense is undoubtedly his weak point, but he has the opportunity to imporve that this year. As far as his number.....I am not positive but I think 7. Don't quote that, but if I remember correctly thats it. If Forney learns to use his body he could be a good down low presence on defense and could clear bodies. Who knows. According to my sources he put his time in the weight room this last summer for football and hockey. His dry land program is one that his coach, Eades, and the TRF FB coach have worked together to develop. He should be ready for the WCHA, but I personally think that he might go play a year of Juniors first.

Beyond this year, I have to believe that the state of UND WBB is excellent. With the local girls thriving for the team the fans should come. Kimbrough is as I had expected (check posts from last year) offensively, but where she could have issues is on the defensive end. Roebuck will have a quick trigger if she cannot defend properly. Bagaason needs to realize that she isn't the only weapon (as she was mostly last year for Fosston) and needs to look to pass before shoot to be affective. Langen seems to be down this year to me. She seems lethargic and not in NCC shape. Perhaps she put back on the weight she had lost? Jahner is a floor leader and cannot be compensated for on her hustle. Boese is Boese I'll leave that alone, there is a reason she was a preseson All-American. Maffin has impressed me a lot over the last year or so. I had mixed feelings about Roebuck recruiting her, but she has obviously put her time in the gym and deserves to be out there. Ledger is a Roebuck player if I have ever seen her. Shes a bruiser and isn't afraid of contact, which sometimes gets her in trouble, but in the end oh well. Guinn has been doing a lot of point work and I believe that could be her role after the departure of Mahlum. Mahlum right now is the "weakest link" her defense is fierce but the offense is not so much. I think the Sioux are in good shape for a long time.

I apologize for the lack of timing on this as I am not an avid vistor to the Hockey portion of siouxsports. But I noticed that someone wanted a rundown as a scouting report about Forney. Having seen him play many times and spoken to his family and himself about the situation, here is what I have to offer. Offensive- Great hands- can handle the puck very effectively, shows great capability in puck control and seems to always have to option to shoot or pass because of this puck control. Wrister is quick and most effective when it is shin to thigh high. Slapper is kind of slow in developing but has good speed on the actual shot. Accuracy is a little wary however, but this can be worked on. Defensively- Big body, but needs to use it physically. He is able to use the body to pin opponents and avoid being pushed around, but with a 6'4" (or so) body he needs to be the one pushing bodies around. Intangibles- Smart hockey player. Spent a lot of time the past couple summers doing camps and getting advice from around the world. Knows the game, and like I saw from someone else "rarely gets caught in the wrong spot". Likeable kid- I do not forsee any conlficts caused by him in the locker room. He played against Oshie as a freshmen, and has been in contact with Eades through the TRF-Warroad rivalry. Great personality and seems to always be available to adjust to surroundings. Good team player- last season he was definately the best player on the TRF team and probably in the Mariucci Conference in MN, but was the 3rd leading scorer behind a kid from Warroad and fellow linemate Alec Holen, proving his ability (and willingness) to pass. Potential- Like I said before with a body of that frame, Forney needs to put on a little muscle and I do not see that as a problem. His brothers both attempted college atheltics and could not put on any extra muscle and ended up dropping it, so that could be a cause for concern. I fully believe that Hak and his staff can devise some sort of regimine that will work though. Offensively, he is ready for the WCHA. Defensively, we will see by the end of the HS year. Smarts- Just a quick note on the education side, with both parents being teachers, the education aspect is/ will be a big part in Forney's college experience. I do not know what he wishes to pursue, but the pressure will be on there too. Any feedback on this is encouraged, and I will undoubtedly have more as the HS season unfolds.

Just to get an opinion from the crowd.... Where does Strouth's injury put Dressler in the backfield??? Or Demetrius Charles? Who will Beatty's counterpart be, or will there be one? IMO, I think Beatty can handle it, but it would be nice to have some sprinter speed out of the backfield occasionally, so who knows who will fill that void.

Listen to Legend, like HE knows what he's talking about.....pfff

Once again, Legend stirs the pot. Imagine that. It would be hard to see RH go anywhere, he stuck here after a tough decision last offseason. IMO, I think he will be a successor here, eventually. But thats just me. Legend is the one with the info.

Beatty is a tough runner, no doubt, I think he will be the one to step it up, if UND decides to go with a 2 TB 1 FB process instead of the feature tailback with FB mixed in.

If B-G-M-R can get Mekash completely healthy and Bruggeman back for the playoffs that is a huge boost. How healthy they are is still in question, but they are still in the lineup. Mekash hasn't done much since being back. I think she was averaging about 15 ppg before she went down and since she has been back she's sitting about 7 ppg. Should be interesting to see how well those two girls do at "less than 100%". Though I haven't seen Fosston play this year, I still think that they can beat RLF in a tough game. Either way and combination of a championship with RLF, B-G-M-R, and Fosston will be a good one.

As for Freund, I have never seen him play so I do not know what to expect from him, but I have heard that he is a good player. Perhaps that could be motivation for either Manke or Belmore? I agree that Dressler will be a vital part of the offense next year, but from a running back perspective, he and Strouth are essentially the same person, small, quick, won't bowl anyone over. What I think is that UND needs to develop someone into a punishing running back to complement either Dressler or Strouth. I think that Trent Christensen could be that guy. Yes he is listed as a fullback, but he has the nice hands of a running back. He could become an offense force out of the backfield. IMO, Strouth should stick as the #1 back and Dressler should work as a flanker/ wide out at this point , with a little time at RB. An interesting problem to have too many athletes at one position.