The Sicatoka

Here's the final tally from the event.

What's interesting about that list: Those are all "parking lots" today (except for Winnipeg Arena which is slated for destruction after True North Centre opens this fall).

The catch is this: Ralph Engelstad, not UND, made every construction decision on the building. If Ralph used his money and his decisions to build a building for a team he used to play for and his zealous love for that team came through in the building, so be it. If it was at the southwest corner of University and 17th Ave N in Fargo, instead of that half-bricked Morton building that is there, I'm sure it would get a much better rating from you.

The letter was dated February 21, 2002. As far as what is reported where, how does UND (or any institution) do its accounting versus how the OPE requests that the numbers be reported?

Aside from charter air or not, remember, they are going by bus to most of their road destinations, even Michigan Tech. (That has to be cheaper than flying.) The exceptions are CC, DU, UAA, and road non-conference games too far to drive. I'm not sure if they drive to Wisconsin or not.

From Dr. Kupchella's letter on this subject: The "we" in there includes Roger Thomas and Dr. Phil Harmeson (UND's NCAA faculty representative). PS - Same source:

Why do currents matter? The theme with going DI-AA is increased costs. PSU is a case study showing this.

That would include yours then too. Forgive me for placing a higher value on the opinion of a man at the pinacle of his profession, namely Andy Murray, head coach, Los Angeles Kings, when it comes to judging hockey arenas.

PSU jumped before Oregon and OSU "re-emerged" so that was to their advantage. Then OU and OSU re-emerged. Say they only get 1/5 the media attention of NDSU or UND; however, there are 5 times the number of people out there as well. It's roughly a wash. PSU made the playoffs eight times and twice reached the national championship, losing both games, from 1987 to 1995. That's not a bad time to make the transition. Yet, they struggle. Sure, Montana and MSU would be better comparisons, but they've also had budgetary issues of late. The reality, because all this is purely speculation, is this: That's from an old story in The Oregonian and the link may not work any more. http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian...11019327120.xml Were UND to consider such a move, I'd like to know they have it figured out (how they are going to pay for nearly doubling, which is about the norm, and PSU did more than that, the athletic budget). I'm sure that Sioux Hockey revenues would be a key in all the calculations: economic engine.

Imagine trying to get goalie gear through airport security.

PSU is a bad comparison to UND from the "economic engine" point of view. The transition (probation periods) was just about guaranteed to harm PSU's "engine" (football). That probably wouldn't be the case for UND and its "engine" (hockey). On that we probably agree. However, PSU is still in a state with a much larger population and overall state economic base than UND. From that perspective the advantage is not nearly as great. Alternatively, PSU's situation does compare quite well ("economic engine", state resources available) to certain other schools still hoping to gain entry to the Big Sky at some point.

Wouldn't that be true for anyone looking at such a transition? PS - It's not really 27. It's 54. For each mens football scholarship added (from 36 to 63) it'd be wise to add one for the womens sports to stay in compliance with Federal law (Title IX).

I was told that since 9/11 the team has chartered to games (no commerical flights). Can anyone confirm this?

We're not talking hockey. We're not talking about being a top school in the state. We're talking about paying, not subsidizing with university general funds or student fees, paying, the bills. Thus, PCM's comments about "the economic engine that makes it possible" if such a decision were to be made.

Now you're an expert on hockey venues? How many college games have you watched at each? Where'd you sit in each? Who was playing? What makes one better than the others? I'll trust Sioux forward Brady Murray's father* when it comes to rating hockey facilities. I suspect he has better hockey facilities judging credentials. And I'm not sure you'll like what he said. * Make sure you look at that domain name and understand who Andy Murray is.

Not understanding PCM's point (needing the economics to work) is the main reason for lack of success for many attempting the transition. For example, Portland State, of the Big Sky, one of most successful DIIs of the late 1980s and early 1990s, now has to subsidize by university general fund dollars and student fees two-thirds of their athletic department budget. Plus, within the last year they've dropped mens and womens tennis pleading poverty.

The whole list: http://www.undalumni.org/sioux-gala-auction-items.htm

(gulp) Which border?

Hey! I thought we agreed that we wouldn't discuss "Milbank" in public. Now PCM will be mad. Maybe PCM won't notice now that he's gloating and claiming that he's the "Slovakian Pipeline." And I'll have you know I've picked up Zap, Pillsbury, and Napoleon on my scouting responsibilities list.

Which is newer? The MacInnis at Tech may be older, but they just recently put money into it. The DECC is the same age (roughly). And Mankato is newer than 1972. Anchorage? How about if I change that to "least recently refurbished"?

How could I have that job? You haven't retired yet.

A while back young phenom Kobasew went to BC and bailed after one year. Now a young phenom Pineault goes to BC for a year and bails. This fall young phenom Dan Bertram goes to BC. I wonder if BC will do for Bertram everything it did for the other two.

Current HS juniors generally become HS seniors the next year. That is the normal transition path. Well, except for guys like Diggler.