The Sicatoka

Analogy? How's this? The NCC is a group of greenskeepers at a semi-private course, call it DeeTwo. A couple of the greenskeepers, call them The Pucks, at DeeTwo also tend a couple of holes over at the larger, "more exclusive" DeeOne private course. The guys that don't tend holes on the side over at "DeeOne" see a lot pretty course over the fence at "DeeOne" and imagine how wonderful life at the well-manicured "DeeOne" would be. The Pucks, having walked a couple of fairways at DeeOne know first hand how tough and expensive keeping that entire course in competitive shape would be. And they know it's a much larger course with bigger obstacles to mow around. The semi-private DeeTwo course is taking a beating from a lot more traffic from "nouveau riche" people coming onto the semi-private course. All the NCC greenskeepers involved want to continue to be known as the best in the area, and especially better beyond compare than those over at the "North Sun" course. The Pucks maintain that staying at the current course and fixing the problems in the turf from the additional traffic is better. The non-Pucks say going over to DeeOne is the solution to keeping that top tier reputation even thought there are some powerhouse greenskeepers at DeeOne already and it'll be hard to outshine (out mow?) them. What's the solution? Better turf management at DeeTwo? Tougher rules on joining the semi-private DeeTwo? Just going to DeeOne and being "on the staff" in small letters behind premier greenskeeper "Duke Stanford"? I don't know. What's all this remind me? I forgot to fertilize my yard this fall and now it's too cold and too late. :p

I must have missed something (analogy?) that was edited out. Your point one I believe is the crux of the issue: The watering down of Division II. But then I'm forced to ask how will the "power" DIs respond to the influx of comparatively smaller, underfunded teams into DI? Comparing MSU-Moorhead to NDSU is like comparing NDSU to Minnesota. In each case, everything at the larger is nearly an order of magnitude larger. They (the power DIs) won't stand idly by just as UNC and NDSU (and assumably SDSU) didn't. I've said this before: I believe the NCAA is missing a level or needs to rework what they have. No scholarships in DIII is a problem. It may be the source of the whole problem. That's why many NAIAs are jumping right to DII. There's the "water down." (See above.) There is a real difference between the Big Ten and the Big Sky. There is a real difference between the Big Sky and the NCC. There is a real difference between the NCC and the NSIC. There is a real difference between the NSIC and the Dak-10. Where do I believe the smallest gap in that list is? Big Sky to NCC. Could the NCC compete against a lot of Big Sky schools in a lot of events? Yup. But could they against the SEC or Pac-10? Nope. Hey, a lot of the Big Sky would have trouble against the SEC or Pac-10 in most things. There's the missing level in my mind: A true, all-sports, mid-major level. It would be the small (DIAAs) and the power DIIs (the NCC). Sure Moorhead and Crookston want to give scholarships. That's great. But they just don't belong at the same level of the majority of NCC schools. Sure NDSU (and UND) are state flagship schools, but should they be at the same level in the "Olympic sports" as the Ohio State's (who spends $80 million annually on athletics)? An all sports, mid-major level appears to be missing. It used to be Division II but that appears to be changing. I believe the problem could also be characterized as the NCAA hasn't changed as quickly as the landscape of college athletics has changed. Many smaller, local to regional schools now have the resources to fund some, a few scholarships and DIII doesn't allow it, thus they move to DII. Thus begins the "watering down." (See above.) NDSU is responding as they deem appropriate. Apparently UND thinks DII can be salvaged by the NCAA in 2004. Who's right? We'll find out sooner or later.

"Because I can score on him." --- That is witty.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. That title is forever Sid Hartman's. I couldn't figure out why Connelly was just standing there until I saw the flash of black and heard the impact (in the upper deck). Matt Jones caught that puck by the length of the blade of his stick. The most important thing I take away from Tuesday night was the level of communication I heard amongst the players on the ice. Yes, from the upper deck I heard Spie, Lundbohm, and Genoway calling to each other for the puck. Actually, I think I heard every line talking out there. Part of that may have been 7100 fans (hey, it's an exhibition) but part of it is that these guys actually appear to be communicating and working together this early in the year.

I-90? I believe someone needs a new road map.

jim: I've heard words about conversations and meetings too. But when it comes to "rumors" or "sources," I've always had a preference for ink on paper.

OK, I'll play. Posit: NDSU has a conference affiliation all signed, sealed, and delivered. Why not announce it? NDSU doesn't want to admit who they have the deal with? The conference doesn't want to state they've added a team? Why not announce the deal?

Brian Canady said nothing .... nothing! "Yeah, but you should see what Greene looks like."

I only know what Gene Taylor told the State (via television) at halftime of the Sioux-Bison game: Taylor said that NDSU is still looking for a conference. If they had the last piece of that critical Carr/CSL action item list (mission, market survey, strategic plan, conference), why in the world wouldn't it be shown off?

It's nice to see that Mr. Massen is beginning to understand: 1. He's bigger than most and it's OK to use it as an unfair advantage. 2. You have to work and take to be successful in the WCHA. They'll give you nothing. If Lundbohm, Massen, and Genoway play like that all season, the defense continues to introduce opponents to the boards between the blueline and the dot, and Blais' comments about his Z-Q-B line are anywhere near close, this could get really interesting. I'd side more with PCM on Hale's goal (physical effort more so than shot). When I saw the replay of how Ryan hit the boards I flashed to how Potulny hit the boards and broke his leg. I was very happy to see Ryan skate away with a smile.

You get a purple what from Viagra? Oh, Niagara. Purple Eagles. It all makes sense, sort of.

The report to NDSU from CSL: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/news/divisi...I_MarketRes.pdf My favorite section:

Proudly sporting t-shirts that say "Sioux (self-censored)!" when a "Go Bison!" or "Go NDSU!" t-shirt would do. Threats made against, and damage to property of, the "10% Society" (a gay-lesbian-bisexual group) on the NDSU campus last academic year. The most recent situation as claimed by MSU-Mankato's football program against NDSU fans at the FargoDome. You know what they say about living in glass houses. I'll ask again: Will the USOCR be coming in for a visit?

Is Genoway eligible to play tonight? I know he didn't play in the two in Buffalo. Is he now completely eligible?

The Mankato coach. The Mankato players. Now UND fans (who would have been at NDSU's homecoming and not their own). Anyone else you'd like to press the blame onto besides those fans in the NDSU stands? And yes, these still are allegations, but you sure are willing, almost rushing, to point a lot of fingers in any other direction for simple allegations.

Careful. A lot of those words are just waiting to spin back and bite you. PS - Thanks for warming up the engine in the "also ran" car for us a couple of weeks early.

Let me help JBB and his illustrious awards panel out again this week: Passing Att-Cmp-Int Yds TD NCAA Rating Graig Gorder 19-7-1 158 2 130.91 John Bowenkamp 47-33-2 363 2 140.62 Seven for nineteen? Remember: When two no-conference-wins teams meet, one has to win; when two one-conference-loss teams meet, one has to lose.

So the Mankato coach and players are responsible for what is alleged to have been uttered by one or more NDSU fans? Will Mr. Taylor be bringing in the US Office of Civil Rights to follow through on this investigation?

NDSU Homecoming: 8541 UND Homecoming: 11300+

Sounds like a very specific accusation to me.

" ... is he better than Klosterman too?" Yes, and Gorder also. I was so looking forward to the "Golden Arm" update this week.

Check out: http://www.fightingsioux.com/sports/whocke...RELEASE_ID=1467 They want to set a new womens hockey attendance record. Why not? You have to start a fledgling program somewhere!

If that's the case, I believe the QB of VCSU has probably been ripped-off all season long.

Yes, the game was a sell-out. No, the place did not fill. Yes, you can choose to not believe me or a friend (and box owner, excuse me, "corporate client") of mine. But yes, the local media reported on open seats. (You don't believe Jack Michaels, or do you?) Sorry, I don't have a dog. Again, yes, they sold 19042. No, they didn't all show up to fill the seats. Filling a stadium doesn't seem to help NDSU's on-field performance of late, why would it matter up north? It's all about on field performance to get the Ws and Ls. And so what if Roger goes to games? He's the AD, he's supposed to. And so what if he becomes an honorary member of the Green Hair'em and dons the quaff. They've also come up with a solution to the viewing problem as well. (Ask your dog about it. He'll give you all of the details.)

Stretching for something to protest about? Welcome to our world.