The Sicatoka

My guess (just a guess) as to what's going on there: - UND folks listen to KFGO (Sioux Hockey and Football) already. - KVOX (The Fan in Moorhead) doesn't reach GF, but KKXL (The Fan in GF) does. No need to run News & Views in the GF market twice. (Or would that be three times considering you can listen to KFYR in GF.) But back to subject: Anyone listening? What's the conversation? Why is Harmeson the guest there today?

Phil Harmeson (acting AD and senior associate to the president of UND) is supposed to be on News & Views (790 KFGO, 550 KFYR, 1440, KKXL) this morning. Anyone listening? (I'm away from a radio.)

... and substance not at all.

Now, there is no such thing as a DI or a DII budget. There's just a budget: income and expenditures. But here's a question yet without an answer as far as "DI budgets": That's from The Forum, Sunday, April 17, 2005, (and should say June 30). Inniger has raised $400k of a needed $1 MM in ten months. He needs $600k in the following two months to make budget. And needs another $1 MM over the 12 months to make that fiscal year's budget. And wants to start a capital campaign for the BSA (another $8-16 MM). As far as facilities, UND has talked on the same scale of dollars for an indoor training facility ($10 MM) as NDSU has talked for a BSA renovation ($8-16 MM).

In the great and wise words of "Uncle Ralph": Where the **** is Canisius?" As far as getting college hockey information from Grandpa Sid ....

I remember him playing forward when the team was really short on healthy bodies (injuries, Stafford with WJC team) during mid-season*. However, down the key stretch he was playing defense. And wasn't he running a point on the second power play unit also? * A forward line of Marvin, Bina, and centerman Scott Foyt played one night against Canisius, or a (RIP) "Uncle Ralph" would say, "Where the **** is Canisius?" http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0405/boxes/mcnsndk1.d18

New NCC commissioner Roger Thomas has a mission: The story goes on to speculate on "possibles" and offers an on-line poll. Full Story. On-line poll.

Matt was staying back, playing defense first. He grew into his offensive role. Radke jumped up on the play a couple of time this year when it probably wasn't a sound play from a defensive point of view. (Yes, there is such a thing as a defenseman jumping up on the play being the better move defensively. Think puck possession.) Not thinking defense first most likely wasn't seen as a positive by Berry (the defenseman coach). If Radke can think a little more "is this a smart defensive play" he'll be a fun one to watch.

I'd expect Brad Berry to tug back on the reigns on those young defensemen until their defensive responsibilities are understood and are performed as second nature. Once they've proven they understand and can do a defenseman's job, you'll see the offensive side of those freshmen if there is one. Example? I don't recall seeing Matt Jones below the tops of the circles in the offensive zone once during his freshman year. Sophomore year and beyond? Oh yeah.

The change that Hakstol made to make it his system turned the team around last year, after the team finally bought into it. That change may provide big benefits this coming (youthful defensive corps) season. That change helps the defense out by trying to limit the number of outmanned rushes they face. The change is best summed up as "no more three forwards below the goal line" style. One forward stays up, in the slot, and is able to do a few key things: (1) take a quick shot if his teammate wins the puck in the corner, (2) pick off a cross-ice breakout pass if the opponent win the puck in the corner, and (3) prevent some of the previously numerous odd-man rushes against Parise and Lamoureux. If you have three men in deep and don't win the puck the other team is coming out at least 3-on-2 or better. That's tough on goaltenders.

Even this guy says to GF to get out in front of it. And as far as the ND ANG in Fargo, they're starting to realize that the handwriting may be on the wall also. The outcome there could affect Hector Airport (" ... COULD LEAVE HECTOR AIRPORT WITHOUT FIRE AND RESCUE PROTECTION ... " meaning Fargo would have to provide all of it and pick up all of the bill). An AP story about the future of the ND ANG.

Dan? Do you mean Jonathan's younger brother David?

I didn't think that was reality. Wasn't that just purely speculation here?

Marshall is a public school. I don't know the law in West Virginia, but Dr. Kupchella as well as anyone, having worked in an open-records state like North Dakota, should know applications just might become public. Info on Marshall.

Scott Riley is leaving his coaching spot at UND. http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/s...ta/11721962.htm

If this all plays out in the DoD's timeline there is ample time to try to create private sector jobs to replace those that would go. The catch is you have to be working all sides of this: - try to keep the base's current mission, and - work to bring in a new mission that will stand the test of time, and - work to bring in new public sector missions (homeland security?), and - (most importantly) work to bring in new private sector companies and jobs. Grand Forks has a nice potential for bio-tech and aerospace companies with UND being in town. They have to keep working all of their positives to their advantage (ala Cirrus).

Before, the roster was short. Now, there's a freshman bulge. This difference I see between this bulge and the bulge of 2001-02 is that this bulge has the potential for many more early departures. That could level out the bulge more than the 2001-02 bulge was leveled out. Early departures. This is all going to happen when you can recruit top end talent. The key is that the coaches are replacing top end talent with top end talent.

I didn't expect you or I to know the answer. And I expect no concensus from Morningside fans also. But it's a question that Augustana fans would need to consider all sides of before moving in any direction.

Which begs the next question: Would Morningside supporters tell you it was a good move?

My concern lies in Dr. Kupchella's own words/letter: If that wasn't true before, in writing that it may turn out to be self-fulfilling.

I wondered the same thoughts. Murray goes to the Swiss Elite League: That sounds to me like a move that'll get him some nice dollars and relative physical safety (shoulder) compared to the WCHA, AHL, or NHL. Yup.

Question: How's Morningside doing after leaving the NCC? Admittedly they went DIII and not to a DII NSIC, but that'd have to be something that Augustana would look at if it were to come to pass.

Coaching transitions happen all of the time. Isn't that kind of like predicting the sun to rise in the east?