The Sicatoka

If you're inside the Grand Forks flood protection area you should expect to be "in Grand Forks" (meaning more city than country setting) at some point. The spot I recommended for a Red River crossing (Merrifield Road near the GF Country Club) is in the protection zone*. *Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I was told that Merrifield Road is the south protection line and the GF airport road extended south to Merrifield Road is the west border of the flood protection plan.

I never got a good vibe from Mussman when he'd speak publicly in place of Lennon. He didn't carry himself as "head coach material". Honestly, I had my doubts about Bubba as a head coach too until I saw that he could do it (UMD). The guy who carried himself like a head coach to my eyes was Mike Mannasau.

The metro with a shot at surpassing Fargo is Bismarck-Mandan

Sonny Milano has told the BC folks he's going to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. So, so sorry for Jerry York ... not.

FIFY.

Choosing a new moniker finally kicks the soapbox out from under Leigh Jeanotte et al. They can't allow that as complaining about UND's moniker is the only trick their pony knows. Until a new moniker is chosen events like t-shirts at the recent Springfest are the gift that keeps on giving to the (as Scott calls them) bedwetters. As far as respecting the indigenous peoples, UND had more indigenous students than any other university in the region, yet, they didn't come to UND's rescue in a time of need. That tells me all I need to know: We had a good run; thanks, but see ya later.

Did he just basically state by not adopting a new name UND is fostering an environment that perpetuates the old name?

When has the NCAA ever worried about negative publicity much less looking thuggish and exploitative? The NCAA could claim "no moniker" is de facto allowing the old moniker to stand. The "wink and nod" here is UND claiming, "Oh no, we don't have a moniker."

We had a name that was “powerful,” “inspiring” and “recognizable”. But no matter, now we can get by with nothing. Does that make sense?

So they went bowling? SO WHAT!!! Apologies to Hanson; someone had to do the lane-bounce in this tale.

I'm waiting for the NCAA to see through this "no moniker" obfuscation for what it is: it's a way to keep saying the old moniker. I'm waiting for the day the NCAA sends a letter that says, "By not selecting a new moniker you're facilitating and perpetuating use of the old moniker; thus, you are in reality allowing usage of the old moniker. A 'no moniker' solution is not acceptable to the NCAA and as of now you are under sanction until you define your new moniker." Wild? Crazy? Impossible? Uh, that's how we got here.

If you have Midcontinent Cable for your internet you're good for ESPN3.

The last numbers I saw (six months ago) said that only about 1/5 of the wells in the Bakken region (to get the Bakken and Three Forks oil) have been drilled. Yes, about 10000 of an expected 50000 wells are drilled.

They either need to put the ramps on the Merrifield overpass or to put in the proposed exchange at 47th Avenue. Honestly, I'd say "Merrifield" because they could put a bridge over the Red on that road. It would go past the GFCC and not through an existing neighborhood.

How's Mayville State's field?

Never, never, never, never be upset when developers are willing to build residences in a community.

The NCAA policy, as announced, declared the target monikers to be those based on: "race, ethnicity, or national origin" * Minnesota's policy is based on the NCAA policy. Actually, I'm pretty sure the NCAA declared Minnesota a "model institution" in the implementation of the (NCAA based) policy. Irish is a national origin. Troy (Trojans) and Sparta (Spartans) were city-states (nations). Vandals is an ethnicity. Seminoles and Chippewa and Utes are races (ethnicities?) of people ... like Sioux. Yet Minnesota has scheduled some of these teams. Can this inconsistency be explained? To be fair, I'll take care of one: The Spartans of Michigan State are in the Big Ten. But the rest should never be on the playing surface with Minnesota (save for the post season). *I remember it by RENO.

So "the U" does not have the ultimate, final decision of when and when to step onto the playing surface? Really? Really? Put the phrase "Minnesota Gophers cancels game" into Google: https://www.google.com/#q=Minnesota+Gophers+cancels+game&start=10 I see cancelations of football contracts, cancelations due to weather. I see "the U" exercising their ultimate, final decision of when and where, under what conditions, to step onto the playing surface.

Uh, no. Not one rationalization. No emotion; just facts, like: Fact: You handed your scheduling power over to the Big Ten but did not ensure they followed your scheduling policies. Fact: "The U" has the ultimate, final decision of where and when to step onto the playing surface.

De facto, yes, you did. You handed your scheduling power over to the Big Ten; thus, you scheduled it as the power, the choice, is yours. Saying "the Big Ten did it" is disingenuous as the ultimate, final power and decision is still held by "the U".

If "the U" had any true volition about this issue they would ask the Big Ten to not put them in the position; and, if the Big Ten wouldn't, "the U" would not step on the playing surface. Until then, talk is cheap. "The U" is an educational institution. Practicing what it preaches, not coming to the playing surface, would teach everyone watching. Instead, the lesson is the color of money.

The real world walks the talk, practices what it preaches. "The U" isn't there. I know the real world: UND is living in it right now because of policies like this. How about "the U" joining us by giving up something instead of just giving out empty policies and hollow platitudes.

There's always a choice: don't go on the playing surface; get the conference to agree to not align you with "those" teams in cross-overs There's always a choice. "The U" chooses money over the tough choice. And you know what's the most fun of this? Having dropped "that" moniker, I can now be as indignant and holier-than-thou as all the rubes and jamokes were toward UND when it still carried it.

So let me get this straight: Your priorities rank as (1) making the NCAAs, clearly for the money, then (2) worrying about disservice to "the U", then (3) the players, fans, and conference, and finally (4) your principles regarding this issue. I dare say this because what "the U" does, who they step onto the surface with, is fully and only in the control of "the U". Putting all this another way: Put your money where your mouth is. Disclaimer: Mariucci, understand I'm one of the guys who accepts that UND's moniker needed to be retired. What I don't like is the hypocrisy of "we can't forfeit because it'll cost us money". Yeah, your money; our 80 years of history, turmoil to our University and fan base, and State, plus the fiscal impacts of a change. Tell me again your woes about one game.

Is it?