The Sicatoka

The "Golden Arm" for this week has already been updated.

I just realized that a team with a first-time starter at QB, on the road, at the arch-rival, having lost the turnover battle, won the game.

The closest thing to a play that could be called "dangerous" in the second half by either team was the misdirection fake to the FB and flip to Mahmoud. He went around the left side for about 15. Beyond that it was two arms on the ball or throw it away if it's not open FB. It's about what I expected.

Want my cut at an equitable solution? Team with ineligible player? Win or lose it becomes a loss. Team they played against? If they won, so what. If they lost, the stats are kept, but the game is wiped from their record like it was never played (no W, no L). I'd say the right solution is punish UNC with losses for games the guy played in and let those teams that they faced either take the W or nothing (but not an L).

The offenses looked weak. But all those defenders standing over the top of ball carriers was a large part of it as well. And one team had a first time ever starter at the helm.

UND 12, NDSU 6 Oh shoot. I got the under 34 points right, but I missed the winner and margin. I'm so sad. Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo.

Ah yes, stats as reported in post-game on television: Gorder (NDSU) 19 completions, 30 attempts, 63%, 132 yards, 0 TD, 0 Int. (NCAA QB Rating: 109.293) Bowenkamp (UND) 18 completions, 26 attempts, 69%, 164 yards, 0 TD, 0 Int. (NCAA QB Rating: 122.216) The "three-streak" for Gorder is over. With higher yardage, completion percentage, and ratings totals, starting his first ever game, and in the Preposterous FargoDome no less, sophomore John Bowenkamp of The University of North Dakota wins this week's "Golden Arm" award. That really means something only in the mind of one person. (This reporter provided the information to allow the voices to continue to haunt him.) On the positive side, NDSU was able to stretch one three-streak to a four-streak: California-Davis, Augustana, South Dakota, North Dakota, that's four in a row.

Someone from The Herald must have gotten to the Sioux Fall Argus-Leader. They've joined the conspiracy to work against NDSU as well.

"From column A I'll have the egg roll lefsa and from column B let me have the lutefisk chow mein."

Americanized-Chinese run by Chinese-Americans. Somebody's on their game today. So bad Chinese joints would be run by what? Norwegians? Greeks?

Next thing you know you'll be telling me only Chinese people should own and run Chinese restaurants.

In American culture the American Flag is sacred and should not be misused. It should only be used in ways the majority of the culture deems fit. However, some use it in ways that others may not agree with. Why? We live in the United States of America and using symbols and words is Constitutionally protected. If one can express it, all can express it.

Friday's Sioux hockey game will be on 1280 AM (KVOX) out of Fargo/Moorhead, not KFGO (790 AM). It's because of the start time of the Twins pre-game show on KFGO. The hockey game and that would overlap. Saturday, I'm not sure how they're doing it. I know Sioux football will be on KFGO, but I'd guess baseball puts the hockey team on 1280 AM.

You rarely find 4 to 1 agreement on any issue within any demographic. Great point. It's difficult to believe that anyone would stoop so low as to "exploit a regional culture" for the sole purpose of making a buck. How revolting. Certainly you would never expect the Standing Rock Sioux to do anything like that, would you?

I'll have to warn you. I read somewhere that he may be biased.

Might JBB and I agree on something? Yes, there will be movement from DI(A) to DI(AA). A lot of that movement won't be by the choice of the schools. The NCAA has stated that there are FB programs on the "watch list." These programs have not been meeting the minimums for IA membership. The most common problem is not meeting the minimums for "number of fans in the stands." Total number of those cases? I don't know. In the article I read it was under a dozen I believe. JBB: Legitimate question: You state: "There aent (sic) that many schools left in D2 that have D1 potential." What do you consider to be or what are the factors in figuring Division I potential?

Reading that link again this sentence now stands out: "Cutlip did not make UNC

When 81% of Native Americans say the names should not change, has the culture objected?

Hold it. Just a bit ago this was a ruse to prevent a "quarterback controversy" in Grand Forks. Now it's career threatening. Which voice will be listened to next?

An "interior design" course? No comment.

'bisonguy' is correct. It'd be like the Sports Bubble in Fargo or the Golf Dome in Bismarck. They're fairly cost effective (indoor area gained versus costs) and can be taken down for spring and summer if you want to be outdoors. The turf at Memorial is fairly new. That's part of the rationale. Plus, you'd create throwing space for football, baseball and softball in the winter and a lot of other benefits. As mentioned, NDSU is considering it as well. I believe 'bisonguy' and I have pondered (somewhere around here) if the ND University System will go in as one "face" and try for a two-for-one deal.

"Asked if high school and college teams should stop using Indian nicknames, 81% of Native American respondents said no." Source: Sports Illustrated, March 4, 2002, page 69 Survey: Peter Harris Research Group Methodology: 351 Native American interviewed (217 on reservations, 134 living off). Responses weighted according to US census figures for age, race and gender, and for distribution of Native American on and off reservations. Margin of Error: plus or minus 4% NPR or the Native Peoples themselves?

You want comment? Try these: The NCAA is meeting in 2004 to relook at classifications in athletics. Do we know what will come out of that? Does anyone? What if they change nothing? What if they change everything and because of it create "open enrollment periods" where the probation periods are waived? Do any of us have an idea of what the NCAA has in store? How could we when they probably don't. UND has the student body vote (last spring) that gives UND the funds (via higher student fees) to convert the Hyslop Sports Center into a "campus wellness center." That phrase sound familiar? A campus wellness center is a requirement for a Division I university. (NDSU could transition now because theirs is currently built. Now NDSU must evaluate their BB/VB facilities which they are doing. Some reports say they plan to off-load the problem onto the City of Fargo by asking FargoDome to build a neighboring arena that they'd be primary tenant of.) Under the plan, old Engelstad Arena would be converted to the new home of BB and VB. Swimming and diving would stay in Hyslop. Coaching offices would move to a new building in the parking lot between old REA and Memorial Stadium and a sports bubble would go over Memorial. The new building would also have athletic training facilities. UND has over 500 student-athletes on campus. They are training space crunched now. Travel expenses and lack of a league are two spectres that still exist were UND to move, and even for NDSU right now. UND appears to be very quiet on this D-I topic lately but everything I've heard them say includes the disclaimers "for now" at the end. Yes, they probably are waiting to see SDSU's decision. Why? Logistics. Travel. Costs. Conference. If there were more local/regional D-Is most of the problems cure themselves. Has a school in ND ever turned on a dime regarding athletics? Why, Bison hockey was going to happen not that long ago if you believed Bob Entzion. Now, it's off the radar (according to Gene Taylor) until the existing programs are (re)established at the Division I level. I believe I heard Taylor say NDSU hockey won't even be brought up for ten years minimum. Could UND turn on a dime regarding Division I? There is precident based on the above. UND has the 2005 NCAA Division II Mens BB national tournament at Ralph Engelstad Arena. I believe they have a 2003 national (?) swimming and diving competition at Hyslop. If UND were to jump now, would those awards be re-evaluated by the NCAA? Would the NCAA hold D-II championships at a provisional D-I site? I don't know. (Is there any history to look at on the subject?) UND is taking a very tentative, measured, patient, publicly negative sounding approach to this. But not all of their actions (wellness center) match their words. It seems that they are "positioning" themselves. That's not an uncommon approach. They waited to build an indoor football arena until after the kinks were out of the neighbor's. What'd they learn? Build your football arena at grade. It's cheaper than pumping out 12 feet of water. Roger Thomas has said he's patiently watching to see what happens to NDSU during this transition. Yes, NDSU and UND are different as Dr. Chapman says. NDSU has the wellness center so it could announce and transition, but faces other potential facilities issues. Those will come at the same time that the Athletic Department needs to raise $2 million additional annually for base costs. UND has to finish its wellness center in concert with modification to old REA. Then they will have not one but two BB facilities of over 6000 seats, and one is the best arena Kansas coach Roy Williams has ever seen. UND will have the facilities in place. Then the struggle is just to raise the additional operating revenue. It looks like two different approaches. It also looks like UND is trying to learn from the struggles of its neighbors and risk-manage them ahead of time. Patience, "for now." There's a lot to play out from now until (I'd guess) 2004.

Blais was on KKXL this morning. At the risk of causing more havoc .... He kidded Tim and Swyg about baiting him last time. REA is just another arena now and that's a good thing. Less of a distraction. (It was more of a distraction than we understand I guess.) He wants to get the team on the road because he believes that's where a team comes together. An "us against the world" mentality comes about when you travel. It's "Meet the Sioux" hockey team night. He went to the Sioux/Bison VB match over the weekend. He said that he didn't realize that those could be so much fun. He'll be at Fargo at Sioux Boosters at the Kelly Inn today. That's where people eat lunch and the coaches stand up and make excuses. He said they normally get about 100 at those but it's Sioux/Bison this week so there may be more. He's going to fill time because Dale Lennon may be a little busy this week. The hockey team was young last year and there wasn't enough (what they had was good, but not enough) leadership to go around. That's not a problem this year. He figured the team is at least a month ahead of where it was last year in that area. He figures the defense is solid. The forwards are going to score some goals and provide offense. He sounded concerned with goaltending. He said that no one (Siembida, Brandt, Sofie, Marc Ranfranz) has established themselves as the top guy. He also said he figured Siembida and Brandt were the most in front right now but that seems to change day to day. He also gave the best job description of a goaltender that I've heard: Stop the puck. Mostly he sounded like he wants to get this team on the road so it can completely focus on the job ahead.

Nice form, JBB. Do you always question the injury status of student-athletes? Let's try this instead: Are we sure Klabo and Murphy are hurt? I heard a rumor that they were embarrassed to come on the field with that team. That's not my normal form, but I feel it appropriate to read a page from your own book to you. How do you like it? Nice, eh? PS - That photo that Diggler uses is Grand Forks Red River graduate and Fighting Sioux defenseman Andy Schneider. http://www.fightingsioux.com/sports/mhocke...p?PLAYER_ID=488