The Sicatoka

Doing a little digging around in various UND info I've acquired I find: - UND's "pro forma" staffing budget projections include a coach, an assistant, and a grad assistant from 2008-09 through 2012-2013. (Currently it is a coach and two grad assistants.) - UND projects to have 7.5 baseball scholarships in FY13 (2012-2013 season). That's 30 "25% scholarships" for folks without a calculator handy. Even though I like the notion of lacrosse, yes, the prime issue now is finding an all sports conference home. After achieving that comes aligning specific sports to that conference (add mens tennis? add mens soccer? drop baseball? drop softball? other?). After that comes an evaluation of other possibilities under the new circumstances. I'd love to see UND Lacrosse one day, but there are bigger fish to fry first.

Maybe you can't ... I recommend everyone read what 'jimdahl' linked to and take it to heart, especially that last paragraph.

Ya know, I won't disagree with that. But I will say the following: Before you post it here ask yourself, "Would I say this to the person's face?" When you post it here, you just may have.

No Kelling in the last cut? I owe a couple "beverages" to some folks.

Here is the other thing: So do athletic directors and other administrators. I'd say if it's happened out there for all to see or in the public record it's out there for discussion. If it's a rumor (or "I know a secret" info) how do we know if it's true or if it's someone waging a smear campaign. Shouldn't the standard be to "discuss what has happened in public (or as public record)" instead of "discuss what has rumoredly happened privately or behind closed doors" to folks in visible positions in UND athletics?

From: http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=63797 So they've effectively raised the scholarship minimum (mandatory 25% offers), added the "transfer and sit" rule (like FB, BB, and hockey), and capped rosters. With a 35 man roster you figure 7 or 8 recruits every year. If each guy has to get a 25% offer that's about 2 full scholarships for a program that only has 3. How's that going to work?

This thing just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser .... And you thought special assessments in Fargo were bad today ...

Patience. :D

Bemidji State in the WCHA? The potential of Canadian schools in the NCAA? Whispers of a "Big Ten Hockey Conference" if BSU is in the WCHA? To all of that I can only say one thing: As it may prove to be an invaluable asset to the program if there are significant shake-ups in conference alignments down the road, thank you, thank you, Mr. Engelstad for the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Simple question: Do the actions of the WCHA leadership regarding officiating of games match the desires and words of the NCAA Rules Committee? I'm pretty sure I know my answer.

Leagues "dumping" teams makes for bad situations down the road. You reap what you sew sooner or later. A league made up of UAA, MSU-Mankato, and Bemidji State plus the rest of CHA? Who in that group could afford that travel? Alternatively, how would UND fans feel if they got a "provisional" or "associate" status in Big Ten Hockey but didn't make national tournaments (someone in league will have a losing conference record and bad RPI from it) but the winners of the now weaker WCHA and the CHA did? This problem doesn't have a simple solution. You need to think through all of the possible impacts.

A total housecleaning is impractical. With a stable full of new, untested officials, you could end up worse than where we are now. (Yes, that is possible.) The officials are willing to call the games per the rules, but that may mean some up-front pain as teams and coaches and fans adapt to the tight calling style (the NCAA's "no obstruction allowed" or the NHL's "by the book, period"). And those officials, during that time, need clear support from their supervisor and the league. I'd say they are not getting that today, at least as far as "call it tight". Hence, there is really only one option at this point: As deeply as it pains me to say it, "redwing77" has this one right on. One last note: Consistency means not only team to team, but week to week, game to game, period to period, and shift to shift. Set a standard, make it clear what it is, and stick to it.

Like I said ...

So between the DU/SCSU fiasco and now the DU/UW fiasco DU has potentially up to four points in the standings it shouldn't have. So how should a team that finishes right behind them in the final standings view this, especially if they are within four points? What if there's more than one team within that four point range? What an embarrassment. What a mess.

They were there Friday because it was a media event (CSTV national game). That should tell you everything you need to know about their passion for this "cause".

Hawai'i and Alaska have a common problem: Distance. However, they are markedly different in one key area: Caller: "Yeah, we have an open date in our football schedule the first Saturday in December." Possible Road Team: "Who is this calling again?" (this is where the scenario splits) Scenario 1 --- Caller: "The University of Hawai'i Possible Road Team: Scenario 2 --- Caller: "The University of Alaska. Possible Road Team: Fairbanks? In December? .... (dial tone)

Robert O. Kelley's day at UND: http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=63431

http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=63268

On offense: Five really big guys who eat a lot. Behind them will be a guy who can throw the ball really far, really hard, and accurately. Behind that guy will be ... oh, wait, you probably meant names .... More seriously: Skill positions lose a WR (Dressler), a FB, and a TE. The OL will be pretty revamped (save for at center). There were four graduating seniors who saw playing time throughout the year. The defense loses starters at RCB, a LB, and a DL and one backup DB. Yes just four seniors off the entire defense from 2007.

BLASPHEMY! You will do penance you heathen: Four "Our Hrkac" and four "Hail Parise". No, ten of each. No, one hundred of each! We will pray to Ralph for your eternal soul. But it may still be too late .... As the man says as he's laying down the "Inglewood jack": "And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengenance upon thee." -- Jules Winnfield

For reference, the "Final Five": Robert O. Kelley, dean of the University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences. Kathleen Long, dean of the University of Florida College of Nursing. Phyllis E. Johnson, Beltsville Area director of the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Bruce Smith, dean of the UND Aerospace school. Dennis Elbert, dean of the UND College of Business and Public Administration.

Miller seems to give us hope after a road series on a big sheet, and then he comes home and the time and space isn't there for him on UND's NHL-sized rink and nothing good comes of it. I hope I'm wrong this time, but I still have flashbacks to him looking almost "deer in the headlights" when pressured on the second powerplay unit during a recent home series. Forney just needs to get healthy and into the line-up consistently. Good things will flow from there for him.

His last name is only different if you can't spell. Cam Lamoureux's father's name is Roger. (I don't believe Roger and Pierre are related. Help?) Roger played for UND and on the Canadian National Team.

The details are here: http://www.theralph.com/cal/event.asp?e=448 So who all is planning on attending? Who's the favorite to win?

What if I said I have it on pretty good authority that UND's coaches aren't overly concerned about Minnesota's and SCSU's recent recruiting gains in northwestern Minnesota. How much trouble would that get me into?