The Sicatoka

" ... hair apparent ... " (Ba-dump-bump. Ting!) However, based on the look on the face of the third guy from the left in that photo, I wouldn't crack on him about his hair ... or anything else. Woe be to the HS boys who someday show up at his door to take his daughters to prom ....

At the University of North Dakota, compared to mens hockey, football, and basketball (mens and womens), soccer is a minor sport. In comparison to football and basketball, show me a university where soccer isn't a minor sport.

I know that the private flyers (Fargo Jet Center, et al) have their space on the NE corner of the Fargo airport area, but I'd think they'd love to have their chance at the space the 119th is currently in also. In terms of "North Dakota: Empty space just north of 19th Ave N and University in Fargo would have a much better chance of recoving and providing economic value to the State (tax revenues) than would empty space a mile or so north of Arvilla.

The assistant job is posted. Assumably it'll be posted for external applicants. (Who else internal is there to apply?) We know what the posting says, but what are Sioux fans looking for in a new assistant. Hak and Berry are Canadian defensemen. In the spirit of "diversity" I'd like to see: - an American - a forward - someone with UND ties (GF area and WCHA ties at a very minimum) - someone with strong USHL connections I'm sure Dave Hakstol is printing this right now to use this as a criteria sheet. What does the rest of the panel of experts think are important qualities for the new assistant?

From UND's internal positions website:

How else do you get to Omaha? Isn't the coach supposed to know his sport? Apparently, from reports here, the coach didn't think they would be a #1 seed. He's the expert. Who else should the AD believe? Last I looked, UND womens soccer has 8.0 scholarships (DII limit is 9.9). But yes, they have a big facilities issue. (I gave an idea on how to solve it earlier.)

I believe PCM would put this into the "anybody can say anything" category. I would have to agree and think that UMary would have a much better go at NCAA DII than DSU would.

UM-Rolla to the GLVC seems like a sweet deal for them (other than having to be a DII independent in football): Now the MIAA commences the search ....

I know what I just read on Bisonville, but wouldn't you think something like "UMary exploring NCAA DII" would be somewhere on the UMary.edu website, somewhere? I couldn't find it there (not saying it isn't). Nor could I find anything of the sort on DSU's website.

Spring GPAs: womens hockey picks up its GPA.

Dogs and cats living together? Mass hysteria? More seriously, - Where is UM-Rolla going if they are leaving the MIAA? - UNO would be able to bus more often in the WCHA (cheaper than flying), and would have NCC rivals UND, UM-D, SCSU, and MSU-M, but I don't see when a WCHA opening is going to happen any time soon. Are they really holding on to that hope? That seems faint at best. - Yes, UNO would probably be able to save some bucks on travel in the MIAA in the other sports. - Where are you hearing noises that UNO would consider a switch? UNO leave? It could happen. After that? Welcome to the world of who-knows scenarios. All bets are off.

Bakken writes that stuff because he knows it throws sand into the gears of Fargoans that read it. Seems to work. Do we know the context in which the GF folks were asked about blending? Are those the full quotes? And where is the report? Has Fargo (Mayor Furness) fulfilled the Fargo Forum's freedom on information request? What's in there that can't be shown to the papers? A lot of parties seem to be doing "for their interests" things already, but are seems and reality the same right now? We don't know. I've said all along the best for ND would be "keep all." However, I don't think that'll be reality. From that point on, I'd expect everyone to work to protect their own interests.

I see this issue as a North Dakotan. Why? Because I have ties to all three cities that could be affected. I see this issue as it could affect North Dakota as a whole. It's pretty clear to me (at least) that ND will lose a base (AFB or ANG) in this round. I just hope that we don't lose a base and a unit (ND ANG). (Don't forget two key numbers: 34% over capacity on ANG space; only 25 of 40 ANG fighter units survive.) If saving the unit means having to blend it into operations at one of the AFBs, that's a trade North Dakotans have to be willing to make if and when that time comes.

From one of the previously linked Fargo Forum articles: Why doesn't Fargo Mayor Furness want that report in the hands of The Forum? Sure ND wants all three. I'm sure anyone in GF would agree with that. But (I said but) if a base is going to be closed, of course GF would take a pro-blending stance just as Fargo is taking a "not the 119th" stance. Here's what we're all missing: The Forum link also said "similar missions". - 119th flies F-16s. - GFAFB flies tankers. - Minot AFB ... flies F-16s. <-- And I'm sure it's Minot State's fault that MAFB flies 16s.

Realities: - The Department of Defense has determined that the excess capacity for Air National Guard bases is 34 percent. - Under the Air National Guard Vanguard Plan, fighter structure wings are projected to be reduced from 40, to 25, by 2013. Fargo and North Dakota could easily completely lose the 119th based on those observations from the consultant, and I mean gone, not blended. If that were to happen, GFAFB, with a limited scope and mission, could easily come up in the next round after 2005 (and the next round will come some day) to be closed. Lose both the ND ANG and the GFAFB: Wouldn't that be great for ND? The best scenario is keep all of them (but don't hold your breath waiting for that). The worst would be to lose all of them; next worst would be to lose two of three. Based on what the consultants point out, ND will most likely lose one. Depending on the "one", another could be put into jeopardy at a later date: lose two. How's that good for ND? A blended base at GFAFB (larger mission scope) is the best hope for keeping two bases in ND after the round after 2005. PS - Fargo's growth in some ways hurts them. Why? The ANG doesn't like to train over populated areas. PPS - Another very plausible scenario: The ND ANG is moved to GFAFB and their mission is redesignated from fighters to support (see the 40 to 25 reality above), to better blend with the mission of GFAFB.

I'll cover you on this one redwing: When you're talking the only thing that matters: common ground NCAA titles .... (7 + 0) > (5 + 1)

Fargo sure seems worried about losing its (119th) $100 MM economic impact, but surely, according to tony it's only Grand Forks that's guilty of such desire for public largess. Pot. Kettle.

The soccer ball never stops rolling on traditional turf thus the NCAA changed the rule: Soccer only on either natural grass or FieldTurf. Easy solution? FieldTurf in The Al.

Yes, I did. (I know of others that supposed it as well.) That's why I wanted a national search. Instead, you'll all understand if I'm with ScottM regarding a 'short leash'. Remember when the current class of seniors was freshmen and I preached "patience"? Well, no patience was shown in this hiring process. Clearly, the time for patience has passed: Results.

Or how about this: If it was true and both deny it. What would they be then?

Thomas and Hakstol both say no job had been offered. So, why would some anonymous source make it up? What motivation would there be in doing so?

Seriously? Sayitaintso.

I did some searching. A rendering here: http://www.crocusfund.com/about/news.asp?action=95 The Canad homepage talks about a late 2005 or early 2006 opening. http://www.canadinns.com/