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F'n Hawks

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Posts posted by F'n Hawks

    Some Thoughts on UND's FB Program

    in Football

    Posted

    3 hours ago, UND Fan said:

    I was one of the first ss.com members – joining almost 21 years ago.  I won’t be on the site much going forward but will give some thoughts regarding UND football on a few topics first.  I will try not to make this too long and I have no interest in debating my thoughts with anyone.

    Recruiting

    I have followed our recruiting efforts for many years and was the guy doing the Wiki updates for the last 10 years or so until turning the job over to Hardcore Hawk (who is doing a good job) last year.  During that time frame, I followed thousands of potential recruits during the recruiting process.  This included kids who attended our camps, prospects we offered or were offered by other conference schools, prospects listed in recruiting websites (247 Sports, etc.), kids whose dads played for us, etc.  I have followed these prospects during the recruiting process via their social media as well as other teams’ fan websites.

    Our recruiting classes of the last 15 years or so have not been great.  If you look at the limited number of:  signees we get that other top teams wanted, players contributing as true freshmen, players making all-conference teams, UND players in the NFL (or even getting good looks), etc.  We are getting lots of kids without any, or very few, FCS offers.  These are good, hard-working kids with some talent but turn out to be average-to-very good FCS players.  This needs to change - we need more high-end FSC level recruits before we can expect to be truly competitive year in and year out.

    There has been a lot of talk about UND’s location (geography and weather) with many saying that it doesn’t have any negative effect on recruiting.  Those who think that location isn’t an issue are very much mistaken!  Most kids want to play somewhere that their parents, grandparents and/or girlfriends can attend most games.  Although it is improving, the number of talented prospects from ND and NW Minnesota is limited.  When you are recruiting kids from Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, etc., there are so many other FCS schools much closer than we are – including all the Dakota teams.  The two SUs are getting most of the kids they really want.  It’s not just NDSU we have to worry about now, SDSU has been winning just as many battles as NDSU (geography is helping them with some kids).  I would like to see us recruit the Winnipeg market (heck, all of Canada) harder.

    Facilities are improving but are not there yet.  If you had ever seen the offices and locker room under Memorial, they were worse than you can imagine.  It was surprising any talented kids chose UND back then.  In a couple of years, we should have facilities equal to (maybe better) than the other Dakota schools.  That will help a great deal but there is still the distance issue.

    I will talk about NDSU a little later but, as the Fargo/West Fargo metro area continues to prosper and grow, the number of talented FB players in this market will continue to grow.  We need to get a decent share of those kids.  If SU lands the lion’s share, it will be easier for their dominance over UND to continue.

    Bubba    

    Bubba and I are pretty good friends but I truly don’t have a great handle on his ability to lead us to the point where we consistently challenge for conference and national championships.  I certainly have disagreed with some of his decisions at critical times in important games over the last 2-3 years.   However, based on our inability to land many top-notch prospects, Bubba might be doing a hell of a job!

    Athletic Department Funding      

    Funding remains a major issue.  At this point, we are unable to pay our coaches competitively nor are we able to provide many of the “bells & whistles” for players provided by other programs. 

    The latter is one of the reasons I organized seven “Let’s Help Bubba” campaigns over the last few years.  We raised $60,000+ for first class knee braces, Guardian helmet caps, computer equipment for breaking down film, quality cold-weather jackets for outside games, etc.

    I offered to run a LHB8 last fall.  I was not pleased when it did not happen.  It was not anyone in the FB program who dropped the ball.  I will leave it at that!

    I won’t get into details but I have some real concerns about our athletic fund-raising efforts especially related to the Champions Club. 

    It makes common sense that averaging attendance of 10,000+ will create more revenue and a better game day experience – this needs to happen soon.  We all agree that winning and a positive fan experience at the Alerus will have a positive effect on attendance.

    Lastly, on the topic of money, many have stated that the Engelstads only care about hockey.  I have wanted to post this for a few years but understood it was not to be made public.  Just recently, it did become public - Kris Engelstad has written a check paying for all FB players' summer school tuition for many years.  That is not a small check as most FB players are taking classes during the summer.     

    NDSU

    I attended UND when the rivalry was much more intense than it is today.  I dislike the Bison as much as (probably more than) any other ss.com member.  That said, it is ludicrous to continuously put down their FB program as well as the rest of their athletic department.  Now that their womens BB team as back to being good, SU is very competitive in every sport.  That certainly can’t be said for UND.  Their expectations are to be successful and nothing else is acceptable.  They do what is necessary to remain successful!

    Team Makers fundraising efforts pay for 100% of all athletic scholarships at SU every year.  The Champions Club funds less than one-half of UND scholarship needs.  Just think about what UND Athletics could do with an extra $2+ million every year.

    SS.com

    The constant bantering back and forth is getting real old and is one of the reasons I won’t be visiting the site much going forward.  Too often, neither party knows what they were talking about in these “infantile” discussions.  My recommendation – if iramurphy posts a comment (FB or otherwise), you can be confident that it is factual.  He has the most knowledge and experience of UND athletics (and athletics in general) of any active ss.com member.

    Lastly, if you aren’t supporting UND athletics financially as best as you can through Champions Club membership or one of the other funding programs, don’t bitch about our coaching salaries, our bidding for home playoff games, etc.

     

    Reviewing the above, it probably came across a bit too negative.  I think the program continues to make progress.   Hopefully, we will soon be able to seriously compete for league championships and first round playoff spots annually.   The new facilities should help a great deal!

    You will see me posting once in a while but, guys – please grow up and stay away from the juvenile discussions.  Some prospective recruits (and often their parents) check out a school’s fan websites.  Anyone reading ours would not be impressed.  I fully realize that a lot of this is common on fan websites but that doesn't mean we need to follow their lead!

    Thank you for everything you have done on this site, the wiki, and the LHB. This is a very well written post, and I think most of us would agree with your assessments. 

    • Upvote 1

    2023-2024 Season

    in Men's Basketball

    Posted

    57 minutes ago, HoopsFan03 said:

    I know this is going to be a take not liked by many, but I don't like Danielson coming back for a 5th year. I think this could be a case scenario where a guy coming back for a 5th year could actually harm the growth of the team and especially the growth of the talented young guys that we have.

    Danielson returning is taking up 30+ minutes a game that should be going to guys like Eaglestaff, Brooks, and Omot to continue to grow and develop. He had a great year last year, I think that is his ceiling and I don't see him getting exponentially better. It's time to move on and allow our young guys to get those minutes and continue to grow and take on bigger roles. 

    If Danielson is wanted for his leadership, then ask him to stay another year as a graduate assistant and lead that way. I know it would be a tough decision for Sather to make but sometimes you have to make those tough decisions as a coach in order for your team to grow and take that next step. 

    I don’t see him getting 30 plus minutes again. Would think the 15-20 range would be perfect and ideal if they are able to hit on their transfers this offseason.

    • Upvote 1

    2023 Football Season

    in Football

    Posted

    7 hours ago, sioux24/7 said:

    It’s the offseason so there’s always bickering about stuff but this message board used to be a lot more enjoyable, with good conversations before a select few came in talking football and basketball in the last year or so. 

    The basketball threads have been unbearable. It’s the personal attacks when someone has a different opinion that make no sense to me.

    • Upvote 4

    2023 Football Season

    in Football

    Posted

    5 hours ago, Sioux>Bison said:

    Our new blood needs to get a chance on defense. We need a spark if the vets can’t get the job done 

    But supposedly this defensive scheme is so complicated so new players rarely see a bunch of time right away.

    2023 Football Season

    in Football

    Posted

    2 hours ago, forksandspoons said:

    When did they put offers out to summer portal guys last spring? Seems a little quiet on that front. 

    I don’t believe Hoosman committed until May, so there is plenty of time.

    2023-2024 Season

    in Men's Basketball

    Posted

    19 minutes ago, GoodGood said:

    No defiantly, T really improved and is a good player to have. His ability to space the floor allowed us to play other players who couldn't shoot. He just isn't much of a presence on defense. I think they'll have to find a 4 in the portal and I don't think Walters is that. I'm interested in seeing what type of player they go after to fill that spot. 

    If Walters wants to come here I say go and get him.

    UND to cut women's hockey

    in Women's Hockey

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Big Green said:

    I'll never understand the hate for Women's hockey.  It didn't just start after the program was cut.  I enjoyed watching the Women play.  Like every sport it was not as fast as the Men's game, but you need to take it for what it is.  No one goes to a high school game and complains that the game is slower with less skilled players.  However i do agree that checking needs to be a part of the women's game as it is part of hockey.

    UND should have a women's hockey team.

    Brad, is that you?

    • Upvote 2

    2023-2024 Season

    in Men's Basketball

    Posted

    13 minutes ago, ZDosch said:

    Right, I thought it was obvious, but clearly, it rubbed some people the wrong way.

    Yea, I think some people took it as it’s a bad NAIA conference and a bad conference in general. It’s still good basketball, but like you said, obviously way below D1 and D2. 

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