The Sicatoka

Yes, that is true. That's why I wanted a "today" snapshot. The question that started this, however, is about the caliber of athletes ND HS athletics puts out. Relating to "next year," the question becomes are they Division I caliber athletes or playing for a Division I team? Were they recruited by multiple Division I programs or just one? (I know we can't answer that for most.) The number of ND HS athletes playing Division II jumped considerably when the NSIC went DII. That doesn't say the caliber of the ND HS athlete went up.

The caliber of HS play in various sports in ND isn't the same caliber as in the rest of the country. The caliber of ND HS basketball and football isn't nearly what it is in other places. ND HS hockey is closer (a little) to the rest of the nation than those two sports; still, it's not what it is elsewhere, but ND is able to produce more DI players in that area. I'm not looking to start a war here. I'm just asking. Not counting NDSU (to eliminate the "automatic" transition of a bunch), how many ND athletes are currently playing in DI basketball, football, and hockey? I can start a hockey list easily: At UND: 6 (Bina, Fuher, Fylling, Massen, Schneider, Ziegelmann) At Minnesota: 3 (G Potulny, R Potulny, Irmen) At SCSU: 1 At Michigan St: 1 (?) At Bemidji St: 1 (Sedevie) Help? Football? The center at Minnesota and Terry at Iowa State. Basketball? You got me. Bison Kent: I suspect your answer will sift out of these lists.

When'd that change? Eh, no worries. It's just the Badger reporter. We still have our guy in Grand Forks.

That'd all be him.

I thought you had to lift the cap and look down the pump down opening on a septic tank in Sterns County to see that.

No, no, no! Get with the program "NDSU grad." Ol' "1234" says those two (a AAA and the AA player of the year) are "leftovers" compared to a guy who played, what was it, A or 9-man. Get with the program and keep with the same spin.

Did I mention that you can't sign an LOI until you've completed your junior year of HS and then can only sign during LOI signing periods? The media (GF Herald) has reported that Taylor Chorney has verballed to UND (as has Brian Lee, as reported in the Fargo Forum). Taylor Chorney is a HS junior right now, as is Brian Lee. (No LOIs possible.) Tim Hennessy may have made a report about a Chorney verbal. And remember, Tim Hennessy is media (Clear Channel North Dakota - KKXL-AM) and can report whatever he chooses. Yes, this sounds like word-mining, but that's how the NCAA operates.

Let's make this simple and clear: A coach can not talk about any recruit until they have signed a National Letter of Intent. (A verbal commitment by a high school athlete does not count.) Be smart: Don't ask questions that Blais, Hakstol, or Berry, or Lennon, Glas, or Roebuck can't answer. There's a clear distinction here that people need to understand: The Grand Forks Herald (for example Virg Foss), the Fargo Forum, KKXL-AM Radio (for example media members Tim Hennessy and Scott Swygman) can talk about unsigned recruits or recruits after they've signed. They are not UND coaches. It's all just more of the NCAA's (how shall we say) interesting rules.

Let's compare 2003: Weston Dressler (to UND) Bismarck HS (ND AAA) 2100 yards 40 TDs Tyler Rohle (to NDSU) West Fargo HS (ND AAA) 1269 yards 25 TDs Who had the big school big stats?

See what being too close to too many Starbucks will do to you?

They missed the ND Museum of Art on campus at UND? Shame on them. I've long believed that a North Dakotan can move away to a big city and move back to ND and be just as happy before or after. It's just that folks used to that "big city" can't adjust to the more relaxed pace in ND.

It must have been a black and orange Moorhead cap that just faded over time to look maroon and gold. Chip Ammerman? Is his son the defenseman on the MHS team that was on the US U-17 team with Chorney and Lee?

Mens hockey battles a long season and lots of travel and can still show a good number for grades. When mens hockey starts with a "3" any sport that starts with a "2" should be really embarrassed.

Mr. Lee (welcome on board) was apparently involved in a most interesting game last night. 1 hit, 119 minutes- Moorhead wins penalty -laden matchup with Bemidji Moorhead's Brian Lee to UND

I thought I'd never see the day of a UND mens hockey player with a 4.0 GPA! Ack--gasp--(clutches chest)--aaacccckkkk .... (Insert loud thud-on-floor sound here.) Clear! (Insert sound of defibulator discharging here.) To whomever it is: Great job! PS - Congratulations to all the hard work of all of UND's outstanding scholar-athletes. Keep up the good work.

.... or (gasp!) academics for that matter. Trust a PR guy when he speaks of things like projecting a good public image. With the Fighting Sioux Sports Network putting games on satellite, everyone in The Ralph Engelstad Arena becomes a first-line ambassador for UND. What do you want to show the world?

I stop at two words. And trust me, I have a vocabulary that could make a sailor blush. I just choose to use it when I'm sure exactly who is listening.

Tomorrow the rubber hits the road.

Forgive me, but I won't chant along with what the students chant, "Who's he ...," today. I would, however, readily go along with something less graphic. I suspect there are many others sharing this view. Maybe 11,406 is optimistic, but you'd easily increase your 1000 number.

Wisconsin fans are great. They have a great time. And they do none of the things Dr. Kupchella is raising the issue of. So, do we have to go to R-rated language to have a good time? (I'd give Wisconsin a PG-13 at most and that's on a harsh day.) And the standing thing? Students didn't stand at the old Ralph in the late 1980s and that place roared. Not standing (for the whole game) is a courtesy-thing for the non-student neighboring sections. A reminder to students: You'll be in those sections one day. Will your story change then? However, power plays, goals, critical situations, sure, stand. You bet. Again, be a good neighbor. Know why you are standing and if it's for a good reason get those who aren't to "Stand Up and Cheer." As far as new chants (someone brought this idea to me once and I still like it): Scott Hennen on the PA: Starting at center for Docile State, number 26, John Doe. 11,406 Sioux Hockey Fans: Non-factor!!!

redwing77: Wasn't the deal that UND and REA would use all that technology (ring, the Daktronics boards) to help with student and crowd conduct by - putting up the song lyrics (Fight on Sioux, Stand Up and Cheer, etc.) - having a synchronized "SIEVE!" chant - (other stuff here, ask Dirty or forecheck or anyone involved back then) Maybe you want to ask Dr. Kupchella where that side of the "good conduct" deal is.

It was about a week ago that the Fargo Forum ran a story on how NDSU officials would be changing how they handle the crowd at the BSA for the UND at NDSU games. Now, just days before NDSU at UND, Dr. Kupchella rolls out this issue to Sioux fans. Me-thinks this is far from coincidence. Me-thinks this issue extends a level beyond either UND or NDSU. I'm not sure if it is the NCAA (remember, fans at a Michigan school were recently chastised) or if the ND State Board of Higher Education is behind it. Either way, "Who's he ...." has been around longer than most students today have been alive. Come up with something new and creative. You're not shocking the players any more. I'm sure the students could come up with something newer and catchier. I loved the "Martha Stuart" - "Martha's sister" creativity. It can be done. Who's going to step up and lead?

I recall the $8 MM number (because it was what The Betty was estimated to be as well) from the Forum. The link (on page 345 of 403) does show the $15 MM request. I also noted the recommendation on the request: $0. That reads like Bismarck (the ND state treasury) isn't going to help on the renovation. I also noted these words next to UND's request: "Non-State Funded Projects." Translated? UND is asking to build $53 MM worth of new facilities on campus .... with monies from outside sources, not from the ND state treasury. ($8 MM of that is The Betty. I'm not sure what the rest is.)