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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.

Might have to wait till August 1, but this is exactly my mood today:

Have a hunch a big name recruit will commit tomorrow.

July.pdf Attached, I hope, is Coach Hutter's monthly newsletter. If this doesn't work, I will try again to attach it.

I also think with Schmidt, we won’t have a starting QB play extended minutes in a blowout win or blowout loss. That perplexed me last season. Schmidt says Iron sharpens iron. Can’t do that with reliance on just one piece of iron. Competition doesn’t end in Fall camp, it is year round throughout your career. That’s what winners do.

"I'm a checking, bottom-six guy that can play up in the top six," Young said. "I love to run around and piss people off, to be honest. I don't think there are a lot of players who love to do that anymore." I like this guy already

My young family and I were in GF for a short bit this past weekend for the first time since we moved away to Bis about 6 years ago. We drove around quite a bit to reminisce, to check out changes and to compare to Bis. A few notes - 1 - The UND campus updates are absolutely fantastic...we could not believe how much the main campus has changed and grown but still kept the classic traditional look. What an amazing school and campus it has become. The new athletic facilities on and around memorial are FAR bigger and more impressive than I realized they would be. I can see how UND football is winning more of these recruiting battles. Props to anyone/everyone involved because it really came together phenomenally. 2 - the downtown grand forks development was equally fantastic...we once again could not believe how well things came together and how much bigger and better all of the development ended up being in person than what we had pictured. Everything was clean, lively and busy. We drove around several blocks and didnt really see a single eye sore in any direction. Those upgrades and attractions are going to attract and retain more young families. We found ourselves feeling like we missed out and/or maybe shouldnt have moved away now that it all came together and has so much more to offer. Downtown GF is far better than downtown Bismarck in every single aspect, and it's not even close. 3 - when is scheels going to pull out of the columbia mall to finally just allow it to die all the way off to be sold and used for something else? Scheels having their own standalone building somewhere on the south end would be great, but maybe that isn't realistic? Could the mall be used as a giant food court with bars and resturants with TILT and other indoor turf and batting cages type places? Retail stores are dying even in the highest traffic malls in america. 4 - Grand Forks is similar to Bismarck in that the areas most visible to outsiders ( interstates and main highways) are some of the roughest parts of town. Both cities could do a much better job of maintaining and improving these corridors to better align with what the rest of the community actually looks like. Many people pass through Grand Forks via Highway 2 (Gateway Drive) and form opinions based on that stretch, which doesn’t reflect the city’s true character. While the view from the interstate is somewhat better, it still falls short of showcasing what the Greater Grand Forks area really has to offer. Similarly, Bismarck and Billings seem to leave their interstate corridors looking outdated and uninviting almost on purpose for some reason haha. 5- Despite the huge developments completed downtown and on the UND campus, there seemed to be surprisingly very little growth in the residential areas as far as single family homes go, even on the south end. Is there more development happening to the north or the west anywhere really? After being gone 6 years we were surprised to see how few new homes had been built on the south end compared to the growth and development we're used to seeing in bismarck. I think phase 1 of elk ridge alone in 1 year was more than the entire south end of GF in 6 years. Not to mention the 4-5 other big developments happening in Bismarck. We did see many new apartment complexes though. Are most new residents moving into apartments in GF? Is GF getting more low income new residents than middle+upper class professionals? I know we discussed GF is actually showing some population growth again which is great, but after seeing the pretty stagnent housing build (for the size of GF) and many new apartments, I'm wondering if the majority of that growth is from refugees and "new americans" rather than higher income families like Fargo and Bis seem to be attracting? I'll have to look at median income trends to see what that looks like between the 3 cities to see if that confirms anything or not. 6 - Grand Forks is a great place for a young family to live and is getting really close to offering what Bismarck and Fargo do. I think GGF is just a few indoor facilities away from being on par—with the added bonus of a more small-town, exclusive feel that’s less hectic than what Fargo and Bismarck have become. When we compared it directly to Bismarck as a young family, the deciding factors were the larger indoor museum, the zoo, the indoor science center, the turf bubble dome, and more indoor swimming options. Those amenities ultimately won us over, otherwise we probably would have stayed in Grand Forks. Choice Fitness blows anything Bismarck has out of the water—we miss that place tremendously. The small and crappy YMCA being the main fitness center in Bismarck is hilariously horrible. GF also having a major college in town for events is a big bonus that Bismarck lacks and something we also miss. I’m not sure how realistic a zoo would be for GGF, but I think just a few small additions like that would give GF an even bigger boost than what it seems to have added recently.

Ha, this is gold. More Tampa magic! The story on the day Reschny and Verhoeff committed: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/how-unds-staff-learned-about-cole-reschny-and-keaton-verhoeffs-commitments

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.

Really interested to see Josh Zakreski. Older freshman, has some offensive touch, solid forechecker. Really want him to be able to play that Brad Marchand, Brandon Tanev, or to use a recent NCHC example, Jared Wright/Rieger Lorenz bulldog, relentless forechecking style. It's possible that I'm thinking too highly of him, but I think Zakreski can be a big time difference maker sooner rather than later.

Facing reality is difficult for some people. I have my Fighting Sioux gear, but if I am at a UND game and some kids start yelling “Let’s go Hawks!”, I would join in. I cheer for my alma mater, the University of North Dakota.

…and we weren’t going to get any elite talent period according to you. I think I would word it a bit differently the next time, but you do you.

13/14F. Love the addition. If you can't land a whale, this is the route I was hoping they'd go. Opens up another F spot for freshman class of 2026. Throw everything you can at Desnoyers, if you can't land him, I hope they go this route 1 more time.

per the scout "But I'll say this about Keaton: the term 'generational talent' has been thrown around a lot [last week] about McKenna. Keaton Verhoeff might be the best right-shot defenseman prospect I've ever seen. The kid's a unicorn. I believe he'll be the best right-shot defenseman to play in college since Cale [Makar], and he'll be playing college in his draft year-as a true 17-year-old. McKenna is an '07, and Verhoeff is an '08 who was only a few months away from being in the 2027 draft."

Puck Preps article on Reschny: https://puckpreps.com/cole-reschny-eager-to-bring-two-way-game-to-north-dakota/

I am glad that I was wrong and appreciate the info. I am also pleased to learn that UND is compensated. I would make two suggestions: 1) make sure your Customer Service employees understand this and answer this question correctly when asked and 2) make a big deal about it on your website. Fans are much more likely to make a purchase if they know it is benefiting their school.

It had been confirmed since Christmas he was leaving to BU. Using Berry as the excuse is fine, but it doesn't tell the entire story.

Boom!! Lots of competing offers including Greg ‘Home Run’ Hardin’s Bryant Bulldogs.

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.

Good Afternoon Happy Tuesday!!! I just made new content to share. Check It Out!!! For those of you that haven't joined the Blog Family on the blog yet, you're welcome to click the follow button. It's for all Hawk Fans regardless of what Sport you cheer for. I hope you have a FANTASTIC evening!!! https://ftstspotlight.blogspot.com/2025/07/touchdown-game-times-have-been-born.html?m=1

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.

Congrats to Cole Smith & fiancé Hannah Cook on their engagement & their newborn son!

$100 million to Grand Sky! Great for Grand Forks

She is not a Bot. If you look at her photo on her blog you may recognize her, as she is at a lot of UND sporting events and other places around town. Have a 5 minute conversation with her and she will brighten up anyone's day. She a a Grand Forks Treasure.

Father of one of my favorite players. So sorry for Ben’s loss.

The Avs fans: "Hak isn't a good coach" Everyone else: "You know he took two bad teams to the playoffs, also he beat you with Seattle when you were the defending Stanley Cup Champions".

What a difference a few months makes! After the 2024 season ended, I was very pessimistic about this program. Now I can't wait for the 2025 season to start! LGH! 😁

With all these chippahs coming in, one I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do this year is James. He's not a sniper, but he's a damn fine hockey player who can make teams pay with his legs and his hustle.

Bruins faithful are chatting up this clip, bigglie. Zellers was up against Blanar, the d-man who has been the surprise standout at camp.

Verhoeff officially signed his aid package, so the coaching staff can comment on him now: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/schlossman-how-dane-jackson-became-sold-on-keaton-verhoeff-coming-to-college-at-age-17 I guess we can thank MacDonald leaving early for us landing Verhoeff.

He has visited campus also. Back in the spring. Need this one bad.

He has already made the team. The subject of the thread is “Who is QB1?” I’m pretty sure they mean in 2025. Repeating your usual drivel about last year doesn’t add anything to the discussion. There are others who have an opinion on who they think will be the starter and can state their opinion without having to repeatedly berate a guy who played hurt, didn’t quit, and is back trying to help this team get better. Why don’t you focus on your guy instead? He has a lot of potential and could be the starter.

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.

We are fortunate that Jerry didn't hit the portal after being basically ignored last year.

Wish they would've went green helmets and breezers with the green jersey.

Happy Friday, everyone 😉

Yup. I'm not hung up on a low-number tradition, but a player who would base such a serious decision on his jersey number is not very appealing to me.

I would like to see him score on at least half of his breakaways.