The Sicatoka

Dear Governor Pawlenty, We have received the extra letters (a P, two Es, a W) we needed to complete your specially modified jersey. It will be ready for you to meet your commitments. At no additional cost we have also added verbage to the back. All statements are shown below: (front) Sioux Sweep (back) Gophers Weep Signed, The makers of the shirt on your back

I'd just like to see the "unexpected source" goals continue.

That's only on CBS, I mean Showtime.

OK, now where are the numbers-grinders in this "one week to go" scenario?

Bochenski-Murray-Parise The BMP Line: Out to 'bump' up their points. (The bump line.)

Bochenski-Murray-Parise The BMP Line. (The bump line.) Out to bump up their point totals.

My ideas.

Too bad Jeff "locked himself in the toilet at MSP airport" Finger is gone. The "White Cloud" and "in the stall" (penalty box) references could have been a lot of fun.

The Saturday crowd seemed tired like the dates when there was a home football game the same afternoon. I'm not sure why. However, they did come alive when it mattered.

Brady Murray Brandon Bochenski Zach Parise The Mur-chen-ise Line (pronounced to sound like 'merchandise') because they've "got the goods." Yeah, I know it's Par-ee-zee, not Par-ees, and it just doesn't quite work. "-Ise-Money"? Pronounced: easy money. "-Ise-Bo-Murs"? Pronounced: easy bombers?

Last time I read it, the medical hardship rule said that you can't play in more than 20% of your team's games, and none in the second half of the season, to apply for the medical hardship waiver (commonly called a medical redshirt). If he wants a full season of eligibility next year, hold him out.

DIA Idaho averaged just 1433 more per home game (10931 vs. 9455) in 2002 than UND. They are one of the first candidates to be moved back down to DIAA under the new "average 15000 fans per home game" rule. Toss in the fact that the Sun Belt is losing teams, due to all the conference realignment, and Idaho just might have been wise if they kept the Big Sky offices on speed-dial. That's a tough scenario to walk into.

Image is nice. Performance matters.

Sounds similar to UND at MSU-Mankato and UND at USD. (Half might be a little strong, but there was significant "green" in the stands.)

So DI athletics improves research and academics? Better tell that to MIT and Cal Tech (a pair of DIIIs).

Look, study, evaluate: Yes. Give honest answers to the hard questions: Yes. Follow recommendations of experts (especially ones you hired): Yes. Most importantly, do what is fiscally most responsible for the University: Yes. The last two NCC road football games for UND concern me: at MSU-Mankato - attendance 1888 at USD - attendance 3411 Also this past weekend: NDSU at SCSU (last game ever at Selke Field) - under 5000 That doesn't say good things about the health of the NCC. Alternatively, I'm interested to see the turnout for Concordia-St. Paul at NDSU this weekend. I want to see the turnout when there's really not much to play for. It's probably a good indicator of what would happen with any NCC team's attendance during a transition.

I know this is late .... sorry. Either one sign or three (sequentially): Non-Factor! Three signs would be Non- Fac- tor! Perfect for both the penalty box glass and pre-game intros.

I know this is late .... sorry. Either one sign or three (sequentially): Non-Factor! Three signs would be Non- Fac- tor! Perfect for both the penalty box glass and pre-game intros.

"My dad said this is the nicest facility in North America." -- Brady Murray speaking about Ralph Engelstad Arena. "Dad" is the head coach of the LA Kings. Yeah, I know, in court that's "hearsay" evidence.

Ahem. Who's Truman comment? (Suddenly I feel like Rodney Dangerfield.) BTW - Hoover was the first born west of the Mississippi.

Next he'll be reporting that Truman was elected President.

Personally, I'd say lose "The Superstar" Mike Morris, aka "all Vikings talk, all the time" too. Put "Tim (Hennessy) and (Scott) Swyg(man)" on both KKXL 1440 AM in Grand Forks and KVOX 1280 AM Fargo during their morning show. And how about getting the Sioux Coaches Show on KVOX AM too.

That may well be the case, but it still doesn't refute this

Let's look at 3000 to 4000 people for a USHL game: Those are teams playing in a city with no real "connection" to the population (other than the occassional hometown player). The USHL is drawing 3000 to 4000 without deep roots in the community. Imagine a hockey team with strong hometown connections, like a team wearing the logo of the local university. Des Moines, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City: That's four in Iowa. Toss in "River City" (formerly Omaha, now playing across the river in Council Bluffs) to make five. That's five in a 12 team league and two more (Sioux Falls and Lincoln) are short drives to the Iowa border. But there's no hockey interest in Iowa.