The Sicatoka

Folks, if the NCAA were true to its own policy, "Norse" wouldn't work either. Why? The NCAA policy states monikers related to "race, ethnicity, or national origin" are subject to the policy. "Norse" won't fly if the NCAA decides to actually enforce their whole policy as written. Want a Norse (and Germanic) theme? Steal from the common Norse-Germanic mythology: Become the Mjolnir (Thor's hammer*). Logo? Done. Alternative name: The (War) Hammer. Of course we'd need approval from this guy's family. *Thor's hammer is powerful enough to level mountains ... explaining the flatness of ND.

As I've said before the state motto of Minnesota is "L'Etoil du Nord" (the Star of the North). Why in world would the University of North Dakota take on that moniker.

Midcontinent's coverage area is a little bigger than KVLY's. From UND's site: http://www.fightingsioux.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205498613&DB_OEM_ID=13500

What do people want to see? Tom Miller of the GF Herald just Tweeted: UND and @Midcontinent announce 5-year broadcast partnership. Deal includes 45 live games for next season.

Now that the Cup Finals are over July 1 (NHL free agency) is just around the corner. I was of the belief that NJD was the front-runner for Parise ... until the draft. Now with PIT sending Jordan Stahl to CAR I see a bunch of money having freed up in PIT. I won't be surprised to see Parise and Suter both end up in PIT in an attempt to get a Stanley Cup.

That's why I keep saying if you want to play that angle you have to use something from Norse-Germanic mythology.

OK, so I amend my statement to be ... This passes for "journalism" in today's Forum Communications Company. Does that make it better?

1. It's a step out of NCAA transition pergatory. 1a. It's a step out of NCAA independent pergatory. 2. UND will be in a destination FCS conference.

Wow. Just ... wow. This passes for "journalism" in today's Fargo Forum. I thought these "shoe size" measuring contests ended at the gates to the fourth-grade playground.

Oh, I'm quite sure UNO and USD are planning on being Summit doormats for at least the next 50 years. Surely they have no interest in post-season or autobids to the NCAA tournament. Roll over for NDSU is definitely the plan in Omaha and Vermillion.

If that gets UND to where they (Montanas) are going sooner or later (FBS conference), why not? The Missouri Valley is a "destination" non-FBS conference. NDSU hopes to get there. The Big Sky is a "destination" non-FBS conference. UND is there.

The newspaper reported that both Brad Berry and Dane Jackson were in Pittsburgh this weekend.

Better tell the Denver Outlaws of MLL.

Jesse Taken Alive recommended "Rough Riders". Given that, Jesse seems to be just fine with that motif.

Fracking Roughnecks.

No, the key is to attach to the Montana schools and go as a package to where they may go next.

Interesting that Kolpack thought that story needed to be told just days before UND officially becomes a member of the Big Sky.

Neither did UND.

Is it an "insult" to LeBron James to say he knows nothing about nuclear reactor design? When it comes to tribal affairs I'll ask Archie Fool Bear, Eunice Davidson, and Frank Black Cloud. When it comes to running a college athletics program I'll ask Brian Faison and Ray Purpur.

Dear "AlphaGriz1", Good guests do not arrive boisterous and pompous in another's "house". You'd be upset if someone did that at eGriz.

Who was that nut-bag that said ... "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

We couldn't be sure until Al's Traveling Road Show got sent packing from Indianapolis. How dare I say that? The NCAA created a namesake exemption that got some schools off the hook back in 2005. That's "give". The state got three years to seek approval from two Sioux tribes without NCAA interference. That's "give". Seems there was some "give" potential there ... until Al's Traveling Road Show proved there was no more "give" from the NCAA.

The math didn't go "net negative" until there was no doubt the NCAA wouldn't budge (and that the Big Sky was starting to make noise). Once that changed, so did I. More amazing to me is that in all of this the only thing you could create a retort to is Custer's rank. Too much time out in the sun?

Guess what. I do too. I look out for the University of North Dakota first, and above the rest. PCM can vouch for me, but long ago I said (to him), "The minute the moniker becomes a net negative to UND it has to go." Well, NCAA sanctions, risk losing the Big Sky, the damage already out there in recruiting (per Dale Lennon), not to mention the "political football" aspects PCM brought up, the math says the moniker hit 'net negative' so it was time for it to go.

Chewey, will you be helping Soderstrom with his appeal? I suggest you tell him to try the "Chewbacca defense". It'll be as solid as what I saw in front of Judge Erickson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clKi92j6eLE