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A sign of things to come. A hawk eating a gopher on the UND campus.

Many of you know me. I was one of the first ss.com members, joining back in 2002. I have been less active in recent years as, in my opinion, the site has been used more for bitching than talking about UND sports. I also tracked and posted UND football, M&W basketball recruiting efforts for many years. More than 3,500 potential recruits were tracked over those years. I am pleased that the tracking of potential FB recruits has continued. After running seven successful Let's Help Bubba (meaning - let's help UND football) fundraising campaigns, I backed away due to my disappointment/disagreement with UND athletic fundraising efforts. Long story short, I feel better about that area now and will likely become more active again. I had earlier posted that my next fundraising effort would be for an All-American Wall in the new football locker room. It would include pictures and brief stories of our past All-Americans, MVPs, championship teams, etc. It would be professionally done in a first-class manner to impress potential recruits and their parents. We did one of these for Rich Glas many years ago and it proved to be a recruiting asset for his basketball programs back then. I had planned to launch the fundraising for the football Wall this summer. Due to the chaos in college athletic funding right now, we are going to put the Wall on hold for a while. With the 701, 1883 NIL Collective, Champion’s Club, the Cost of Attendance and the recent House Settlement affecting mid-level Division I programs in many (some unknown) ways, the focus for the near term needs to change. UND having adequate funds to attract and retain athletes is the priority right now. Therefore, I am recommending and encouraging individual fans to contribute to one of the UND’s 701 Award funds (scholastic or NIL). The 1883 Collective NIL will still be valuable for businesses who want to take advantage of having UND athletes represent their marketing efforts. However, for fans like you and me, we should be contributing to the 701 Fund. It provides UND with the most flexibility in this challenging time. As you may know, you have the opportunity to direct your NIL funds to specific sports or the athletic program in general. Contributions to the 701 are tax deductible, 1883 donations are not. Personally, I have a concern that some fans/businesses may cut back on their Champion’s Club donations in order to help with the NIL efforts. We can’t allow that to happen as the CC provides the funds for our scholarships. Losing scholarship dollars would have a negative effect. So, I am asking that we all donate a little (hopefully, a lot) extra to help UND Athletics. Setting up monthly contributions to the 701 or 1883 would be great. You can be assured that some of our rivals are making this same plea to their supporters. We cannot be left behind. Many or our competitors have been successful in convincing business owners to contribute on behalf of their business AND make individual contributions as well. Many of our supporters already do this but many don't! Convincing these owners and upper management to do so can make a huge difference in our efforts. Here is the link to the 701 Fund: 701 Award | UND Alumni Association & Foundation | University of North Dakota If you live in the area, I encourage you to attend next Tuesday's meeting at the Ralph sponsored by the GF/EGF Chamber. I expect all the specific ways to contribute will be fully explained. https://d15k2d11r6t6rl.cloudfront.net/pub/8ziy/5krpme5r/kjb/sf0/yz0/UND%20and%20Chamber%20logo.jpg Let's do all we can to assist UND Athletics! If you have any questions or concerns about my message, please PM me.

To be fair he's giving us almost daily updates and has only 90 minutes of field activity to source it. He's also doing regular feature stories on players. We are damn lucky to have him otherwise it would be all content from the Forum.

As much as we hate to admit it, a 1st team all American, NFL draft pick, and conference POY classifies as a stud in my book

It wouldn’t validate anything other than 3 guys moved ahead of him on the depth chart. Your “theory” has been debunked. You obviously haven’t had extended conversations with different coaches (if any at all). You don’t have a clear understanding of how and why coaches decisions are made. Danny had mentioned in the fall of 2023 how impressive Simon had been looking then. Coaches make position decisions as a staff. Normally, the position coaches and coordinators. “Forcing” a decision on one’s staff, isn’t typically done, and not part of Bubba’s MO. The players and staff are at practices, meetings, film study, the weight room and team social gatherings. If the players gravitate to a leader it becomes obvious to the coaches. It’s a big part of the decision and I was told that was a huge factor. The same evaluation takes place each year. We will see which of these guys can accomplish that, read defenses, minimize mistakes and maximize their physical and intellectual talents to give this team the best chance to win. What won’t happen is a decision made on just the “eye test”. It won’t be made because of height, weight and HS accomplishments. ( those are factors that help get them here, but they have to earn their way to the top of the depth chart). Your cheap shots show a lack of FB knowledge and a lack of class. Romfo has already “made the team”. Calling him “Rombo” is typical of keyboard warriors and uncalled for. Who the hell even thinks of stupid stuff like falling from a starter down the depth chart behind lasts year’s backups? Are you really hoping for a conversation about that?? Romfo is actually a story of a small town kid who proved himself a winner and champion as a multi sport athlete and earned a spot on an FCS FB team. He gradually worked his way up earning the starting QB position (nobody gave it to him). He may never play another down at UND but he has earned our respect and appreciation.

Can Verhoeff go #1? He accepts the challenge: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/can-keaton-verhoeff-chase-down-gavin-mckenna-for-top-pick-at-2026-nhl-draft/

I don’t think he has an agenda, not like mcfooley I think he reports what he sees

Don't we have a guy who can hop on his bike, ride by practice and determine who the Starting QB should be??

These articles on Verhoeff vs McKenna for #1 are coming fast n furious now. Here's a couple more. I can't wait to see this guy suit up this season. Philly Flyers article on the two: https://phillyhockeynow.com/2025/08/14/gavin-mckenna-or-keaton-verhoeff-would-either-complete-the-flyers-rebuild/ And Hockey Writers calls Verhoeff a generational defensive talent: https://thehockeywriters.com/2026-draft-eligible-keaton-verhoeff-is-a-generational-defensive-prospect/

Have a hunch a big name recruit will commit tomorrow.

I literally have no idea why anyone is wasting any energy at all being annoyed about a 9th D commitment. How easy do you think it is to get someone to want to come and be that?

Slotting into the bottom 6, as a buzz saw/grinder and NHL draft pick-- sign me up.

I might be in the minority but I miss the old days of Mazzocco and Woog. I just re-watched the 2010 Final Five games with UND and have fond memories of setting the VCR back in the early 2000’s and recording the UND/Minnesota or CC/Minnesota games on the Midwest Sports Channel and later on, Fox Sports North. Those two guys were clearly homers for the Gophers, as they should be, but always quick to give praise to the opponent when due.

There isn't one. Some people just have a hard time understanding that their uninformed opinion is actually just that vs. someone who watches pretty much every practice and just relays what he sees. However it pretty amusing to make the leap and actually say out loud that to that Miller would have anything to gain by pushing for one player over another or the that a football staff worth anything would be swayed by that.

This staff definitely seems to be prioritizing speed and guys that are tough to play against. Here’s to hoping this team resembles Western Michigan from this year that just comes at you in waves on the forecheck.

Embarrass who? The crew of older fans who get offended when a young person talks like a young person? The pearl clutching is just odd to me. He's done more to promote UND hockey and college hockey to the masses than nearly anyone.

UND plays SDSU, NDSU and Montana this year. They already have the opportunity to make people notice this year. Win all three games and you have changed the narrative. The question is .. when are they going to take advantage of the opportunity.

We scored 30 points a game last year, I don't think it was the QB's fault that we gave up more than 30. Just saying. So, why all the bashing on him? By the way, I don't care who wins the battle this fall either. Change the focus to the lack of stopping the run last year and not getting off the field on 3rd downs.

I have said it for 7-8 years. I have always liked the way WMU plays, even with Andy Murray. They play Hockey the way UND "says" they play hockey. The last few years when I heard buzz phrases like "hard to play against", "full 60 minutes" "take away time and space" it really has just felt like lip service.

Are we really downplaying the conference that's won 7 of the last 9 national championships?

Hawks is great unless you like opponents calling you Hawksuckers. See how that works? Most adults aren’t worried about what immature people conjure up to insult them, that’s why they are rivals.

That’s about the last thing I’d expect to hear about Berrys teams.

Not gonna lie, I hope he gets signed to do broadcast just because of this aggressive take 😆

I’d love to hear Jordan Schmaltz behind the mic if nothing else for the intermission analysis. That guy is really good.

I can't tell either. Maybe the collars are a little different? Hard to say as the only times I remember seeing them were all the times they were hanging their heads after losing to us in 2ot and in that position the helmets block the collar.

I don't get his infatuation with Romfo. He never moved the needle last year. Once teams stopped the run he wasn't good enough to sling the rock past 15 yards without it being a duck.

Guessing my 6 year old will have them down faster than me.

good point...if we just paid 50k for a guy that can't beat out simon for at least 2nd string or maybe starter is alarming...

You're talking about two guys that will literally be the 14/15th forward (maybe last forward in?) and the 9th dman...95% of the games both of them will be in suits in the stands. And the players knew that coming in. Regarding the next recruiting cycle, has there been a single commit yet that was someone that UND was targeting or was potentially UND-bound? I don't see one. There's a huge pile of UND targets for the next cycle, including the potential #1 pick in 2027. Let's allow those guys to all do their official visits to campus and see where they end up. Because I have a feeling Bryn will pull in some big ones from that group. This staff has been doing all good things since being hired IMO. I'm not gonna toss them under the bus because they brought in an NAHL guy for the 9th D spot.

Young is a move that frees up a roster spot in a year. He’ll suit up for every game and give us 10 hard minutes a night. He is out after this season and gives a recruit another year to develop in juniors. A move like that was inevitable and it beats having someone come in that the staff is not sold on long term.

would'nt it have been great to get some reps in those blowout games or heck the last two full games to see what jerry or jack have/had????? oh well

Bob is his father and Doug is his uncle.

Romfo was the QB last year because he earned it. It was a staff decision. It wasn’t forced by Bubba on the rest of the staff. Romfo “had the locker room”. The players gravitated to him. (Same factor when Studsrud became starter). He also had the players gravitating to him. I continue to believe we had QB’s with the potential that needed PT last year. That is important for backups at all positions. I didn’t see any of our QB’s perform consistently enough in the spring scrimmage to say that we have our QB yet. I believe the QB position is our biggest concern right now offensively. However, the spring scrimmage was one day. It will be interesting to see how all 4 of these guys have progressed over the summer and into fall camp. Regardless of any hype, the other players have to believe in the QB. This is a different team than last year. Whoever earns the starting spot must establish themselves as the guy the players look to and the guy the coaches trust to lead.

Um ... Twins game. They'll drive you to drink.

These work great. Could have been far worse! Diagonal Nodak looks outstanding! I really like the black .... could business suits be a thing again? Or is that another thing Berry destroyed? I'm with @stoneySIOUX, I like the simplicity. I'm a retro guy, so new and flashy doesn't do much for me. I also agree with @RhettRingers that there should be a combo of the green jerseys with green breezers and helmets. Though I suppose they could work that combo in if they want.

I really like how Bryn doesn't just do the job with recruiting, but also hypes, teases and engages the fan base. This staff has been doing everything right so far (we will see about jersey's soon enough). The question will be if they can put it together on the ice. Let's get back to the Hak Hockey expectations! I know there were a lot of pain points during the regular season with Hak, especially early on in the season, but you always knew you were making the tourney, and with a high chance to be in the Frozen Four. Would be really nice to get to enjoy some postseason hockey again.

Take some time to listen to the 360 guys conversation with the top 3 QBs The guys seem to really get along well.

Roster is set! D-Corps is stacked. Goalies look solid. Forwards (15): SR - Strinden, James, Rickwood, Young JR - Menghini SO - Swanson, Littler, Croal, Andrew FR - Zellers, Klee, Zakreski, Kernan, Reschny, Josephson Defense (8): JR - Zmolek, Livanavage, Wiebe SO - Emery, Strathmann, Jubenvill FR - Laurila, Verhoeff Goalies (3): SR - Sandy (RS possibility) JR - Homer FR - Spunar

This is not validated and is a perfect example of conspiracy b.s. that now everyone will latch on to as fact (as evidenced by the string of comments on here). Nice guys don’t usually finish first; things are going just fine. Injuries are a part of the game unfortunately. The nice guy mentality that Bubba formerly ran practice with was not getting it done… trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is…. With all that said, there is a line you don’t cross. You can’t have all out brawls within your team. In summary, everyone step away from the ledge. Things are going fine. Better than fine, actually.

Outside of Wyatt (who I don’t think anyone thought was a possibility), is there anyone that’s committed right now that we’d rather have than DuPont, Carels, Fitzhenry, England, Daley, etc? I personally love that this staff is more calculated and doesn’t mass offer on day 1. That’s how you get into the mess we’ve been on with recruiting misses. I trust Chyzyk has a plan (and a plan B, C, D like Schloss always says. I’m glad we didn’t settle for a portal forward and D and waited out Reschny and Voerhoff 😀. Here’s to hoping this is some of the same.

Schmidt didn't bring JTJ in because he wanted a experienced backup. JTJ will compete with Jerry for the QB1 job. Jerry has been in the system and has worked with Isaac, so he may have a slight edge. But JTJ is super athletic and was recruited to an FBS team. Should be a goof battle. Needs to be one of those two guys. Don't want there to be any surprises in late August when QB1 is announced.

New commit--James Jones, a WR from St. Thomas Aquinas HS (FL). Has offers from Eastern Michigan, Western Kentucky, Liberty, Rhode Island and Bethune-Cookman.

For 2026

Highly touted 2009 center & Red Deer Alberta native Brock England follows North Dakota on IG. He'll be with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Dub full time this year for his 16 year old season. I would imagine he's one of many targets for Chyzyk and Jackson.

Other than the fact that the other qbs laid eggs in fall camp and Simon won the job?