The Sicatoka

That, or never return to that jurisdiction.

Football pre-season picks? Guys, it's a different sporting season in my world, but "The 'H' Word" is not liked by some in the football forum.

I'd guess (not knowing) not. Alternatively, he wouldn't have to sit a DI-to-DI transfer season and would be post-season eligible for the remainder of his collegiate eligibility.

You have the best college hockey facility on earth, plus, it supports itself through its operations. Me-thinks it sounds like some folks are complaining because their ice cream is cold. And all this "Old Ralph" nostalgia: ask me some time and I'll tell you about the day I had my choice of 500+ old arena "rush seating" student section spots .... AGAINST MINNESOTA. No, I'm not kidding. And having heard the F-bomb on live radio as well (and knowing Hennessy had made an earlier comment to the effect that "looking at this crowd it's clear they serve here" ) I'm almost positive that was an unhappy (about Lundbohm scoring at 19:42 to make it 10-1) Mankato fan. Knowing Hennessy's style, he'd have let it slide if it was a Sioux fan and gone on without acknowledging it. His "really classy" retort assured me it wasn't a Sioux fan.

Clarkson's travel schedule was messed up by weather so they only played one game this weekend at The Ralph. Congratulations to the Sioux Womens Hockey team on their 4-0 shutout over Clarkson and their first winning season! http://www.fightingsioux.com/sports/whocke...RELEASE_ID=2702

My issue with Mussman is predictability: You know what is going to be run. How? Watch the personnel package going in. That tells you clearly what to expect. I'm pretty sure teams familiar with UND know that too. Now, in fairness to Chris, I don't know if any of us can say for sure if that is him or a conservative style of offensive play dictated by the overall philosophy of the team (set by the head coach). Then again, they've won with Mussman at the offensive helm so there really shouldn't be any issue.

It doesn't have to be a huge stretch. It doesn't even have to be logical. It's the NCAA. They do whatever is politically expedient for their benefit.

People, look who set up "Fabi-o's" goals: Erik Fabian (Drew Stafford, Robbie Bina) Erik Fabian (Ryan Hale, Matt Greene) Erik Fabian (Drew Stafford, Matt Greene) Fabian got us through a weekend. Let's see who gets us through a season.

I'm still concerned about the lines (offensive and defensive). I'm hoping spring football clears up who will "lead the way" or "stop the first wave" next fall. If those two groups perform as well as this year's (and 2001's) look out. What's behind them is loaded.

Congratulations to the UND Womens Swimming and Diving Team. Twenty-three conference titles in a row! The UND Mens Swimming and Diving Team had a pretty good weekend (swept all events at conference!), and couple of decades, as well (same link). Congratulations to them all and good luck at Nationals.

Goon made Roger Thomas' and Dr. Kupchella's case for them right here. Should UND fans be dropping F-bombs and other vulgarity toward visitors? Look how even Goon referred to the MSU-M fan that dropped an F-bomb toward Tim Hennessy: "jerk." So, good fans or "jerks." You decide.

Look at what's going on at Michigan, Michigan State, and Maryland (and don't kid yourself, now Oregon and the Pac-10 will be next). To think the NCAA won't try is to not understand the NCAA. Remember: All the actions at all these places started after the 2004 NCAA meetings in Nashville in January. I believe something is afoot from those meetings.

Anyone listening clearly heard what was said. Anyone listening knew that person was making a horrible impression. That's why the efforts of Roger Thomas (and Dr. Kupchella) are important. Are UND fans "that guy" or better than that?

Rumor has it that Al "White Cowboy Hat" Pearson's group (two buses) is staying in the Holiday Inn Downtown. Those folks never have any fun, pre- or post-game.

Stafford is only 18 plus a few months, right? To be drafted this summer, wouldn't he have to opt in and thus lose his collegiate eligibility (like the BU goalie DiPietro (sp) a few years back)? EDIT: Yup, he would. Given the NHL CBA situation, I'm not sure that opting in right now would be a wise move. I hope he waits (but that's me being greedy). He's big and talented. He'll be a high draft pick if he opts in or if he waits for 2005. Plus, it sounds like he'd be OK on the free agent market too.

I was hoping you weren't going to say "Dan Hammer." Hammer left KVLY-TV and is no longer associated with them and now works for Clear Channel ND. The only time I hear KVLY people on KFGO are for a "what's on KVLY-TV news tonight" spot (or the same for sports). I'm not sure if those are "comps" or paid ads. Otherwise, KFGO news/weather/sports is KFGO people.

A green paper, two-sided letter was waiting for me in my cupholder Friday (in the upper deck) as well. It was pretty clearly aimed at fans and fan behavior. Regarding "cupholders": Wasn't there a problem in Season One at REA where some of the cupholders were intentionally damaged by some students (and the act was caught on tape)? Help me out. I seem to recall something along those lines but haven't found anything in a quick web search.

Can you draw a better connection between those two? I missed it.

So did I. Guess what: A season ticket holder could lose their seats too. This isn't "students" issue. This is a "fans" issue in the eyes of Kupchella (who was consistent on that "fans" point on the radio with Scott Hennen) and Roger Thomas and UND and the NCAA.

Not to interrupt a perfectly good rip-Kupchella-fest, but I believe everyone (students and season ticket holders) got a letter from .... Roger Thomas .... on Friday. Roger Thomas does give a rip about what the (not students) fans say in the stands apparently. Commence the rip-Roger-Thomas-fest.

I read somewhere that in the past there was this crazy notion called "unbiased journalism."

I want the audio, the ring, the house lights, and the lasers too.

Some pretty good fan commandments here.

Did I mention the Visitor's Starting Center? Link (That would be "fragile, and no hands." )

Using the Daktronics boards before the game to "preview" the other team's starting roster would be fun. Show this picture with the caption: Visitor's Starting Goalie. Link to picture. Show this picture with the caption: Visitor's Starting Defenseman.