ND-fan

My source was on3 looking under the Summit conference they had Sky Volmer intends to transfer. Usually they have information on transfers pretty current.

I see that Sky Volmer intends to transfer sorry to hear that. It will be interesting to see where she goes to she has the quickness and I believe ability to play at this level but she needs to get stronger and more physical if she is going to have success at this level. I could see her dropping down level if she is looking for more playing time.

How long is it before they establish two tier system for basketball small mid major conferences with portal have zero chance of having Cinderella run in the tournament and soon tv won’t want to air these blowouts we have had this year. The small midmajor schools with the portal can never build team to compete and now mid majors schools will be young players just playing a year or two then start moving and following the money. Today top schools in division I is no longer amateur sports but minor league professional sports. I think this has to run the course until scandal and public interest wains until whole system collapses..

You have to be referencing Ava Miller she was not benched in SU game, I didn’t watch the Omaha game but NDSU game she got in foul trouble early in that game and then sat out major minutes in second half with four fouls and then when she entered game picked up her fifth foul. I don’t know for Omaha if was going with your experienced players in tournament or she didn’t match or filt ior he chose to not play her more minutes. Also was she hurt I don’t know but I am not going to speculate but she had played significant minutes all season this is not productive criticism unless you have definite facts. i see we’re looking for assistant coach so must have assistant coach that has left because there was opening posted march 19. I am curious to has left.

I don’t know what’s going on here but this forum is into something that needs to be careful about here because some serious accusations are being made here by supposedly by parents here and reputations and people careers are going to be effected.This seems wrong place for this being discussed if parents have this concern and if I was parent I would have been discussing this with administration not public forum site. Second this whole thread here smells that something is very wrong here and we are only getting story here that somebody has grievance but who are actual parties involved here why is this being even discussed here. I maybe wrong here but where this line of talk smells something out of place here.

The conferences like the Summit have become independent minor leagues of division I basketball players know it and coaches know it now agents feeding of this system really know it. This system is going to blow up with major scandal coming especially with sports betting. There is going to number of schools where Federal government descend down where everyone is going get caught up sports scandal where players, agents, coaches, school administration and organized crime is involved resulting in felony charges. Results will be loss of public support and media backing away from college sports. Presently nobody is moving with any urgency at political level or from the colleges. If my experience from being around long time examples will be set against lower mid majors because they will not have resources to fight this and they will be examples for the top teams to clean this up or face similar punishments. I know we need to get more involved with our NIL support but we need to be very careful putting necessary safeguards so we don’t get caught up in this coming scandal it’s not if this going to happen just matter time when this happens. What is happening now if this was done back 70s and 80s there would have been prosecutions already happening.

I wouldn’t totally use enrollment figures because UND has transition to using tech meaning significant amount of there new enrollment is off campus. Meaning students are doing school online but NDSU has much higher percentage of enrollment on campus which I think is around 95%. I had wondered about this for some time with less dorms but higher enrollments and read article on this few months ago. I don’t think Grand Forks is problem in getting coaches to come here but I do think pay and facilities and money to support programs is the problem presently.

I don’t know who’s coming back and who’s leaving but I think we will see some portal transfers but I think there will be core of returners. That is my guess there are several players I think that probably will be leaving because I think they realize they are at wrong level or have been told they will have limited rolls going forward on this team. I hear you think he is not kind of coach for UND that may be right but I have also watched this team if things were as bad you believe this team would have not played as hard as they did all season. Also number of these players got playing time this year the transfers that came in had just sat on bench for whole year basically being ignored and having little value probably urged to move on. I find that interesting on the assistants they have been with him number of years and chose to come here after he left Mayville. My feeling is there are more personal reasons about him and you maybe correct but then give your inside knowledge my guess you have someone on the team.

That statement above is not correct before Hutter was even hired we had eight or nine in the portal and when we had this mass exodus then Berhard resigned. These players had chose transfer and there was never any public statement they wanted to return and internally I don’t know but usually once you enter portal very players return to their school. After this was when Hutter was hired next coach. Also was hired late in 2024 - 2025 he was not involved with the team structure he was hired as assistant coach. The recruits of Hillesheim, Harvey and reardon were Berhard recruits. Hutter signed six on this team after he was hired to fill out this roster Harris, Ava miller, Hannah miller, Ohnstad, Hughes, and Klosterbuer. The recruits he was responsible especially for the players that number of years of eligibility showed potential to develop into players that could develop into solid role players for the program. Some of the problem number of girls that came in have had injuries this season. Harris, Harvey Klosterbuer, and Reardon were out at the end of season plus Hillesheim, Volmer, and fletcher did have injuries through the season. I started this reply yesterday and see continued discussion about Hutter but I think this needs to be disclosed it gives texture to what we have been thru. Ithis shows his roster build of players with several years of eligibility have shown potential even when this team was gutted before he was hired trying to put together roster on short notice late in the process. Ironically same thing happened to Omaha this year only difference we kept some core players but both just as dismal roster restructures. This past year was never going to be anything but wasted year until we could start to rebuild of this program to be successful now you need core of high school with strategic transfer players fill in weaknesses. This reality of where we were last year and where we are now with basketball program that has many deficiencies facilities, finances, and support from university and this is not just this program but men’s basketball, and volleyball as well other programs that are just catching up now. I think we may actually ahead because number of players on this roster could be core to developing team that least can become competitive in conference but to become contender we need to invest in this program like top five teams in the conference have done we’re not even close now.

I don’t know what’s happening internally with the team but I will put this into as simple as I can say Hutter inherited team that was gutted by mass transfer after last season , program that has poor facilities so far little improvement on that front, no NIL money available for the program and you want a coach produce winner out the gate. I watched more games this off season than number of people on this site and I want to see what I saw of this team. Presently we had no elite player at this time on this team who can take over dominate the floor. What we have group of freshman and sophomores that got lot of playing time this year that showed improvement this year but majority of them also have been injured through the season. I believe these player were not ready physically to play significant minutes but several of these players improved to point they were playing effectively now to compete at this level. I think these players can become effective players but we still need to add some high level talent to this team and you will see how these players will develop into very good players. Hutters coaching style is more old school but I don’t if that will be successful here or not and if he can’t keep players and he looses the team this will show up shortly going forward past history hasn’t shown this but I don’t know for sure on this point. What players say they like team chemistry and have adapted to his style of coaching. I think his coaching style to military drill instructor not something a lot of people like and not politically correct but we will see if players want to play with this style and he can get team to play together and win. if UND needs to improve infrastructure if we’re going to compete we need division I basketball court and practice facilities, better resources for NIL money, and finally improvement in game time resources to improve fan experience going to basketballl game. The latter is getting corporate sponsorship invest in basketball experience for the fan and also getting media involved in selling basketball in Grand Forks as well North Dakota and Minnesota. NDSU has gone through this and now only getting this program back to top conference and this has taken their present coach seven years to get to this point and still they may have not reached the Dance. The top four in conference semifinal all have updated facilities, put money into recruiting players while we have let our program to where we are now..

I agree he needs another year to develop and get stronger he’s guaranteed playing time here and we would still two years of eligibility left if they don’t change eligibility rules again.

That’s sad part of it because before when we were division 2 when we won hockey championships that was division 1 and we played against a lot big schools that were in big ten and back in the day Big East so it made us more big time. Now when we’re D 1 basketball getting to the dance is bigger than hockey in national attenttion but locally people haven’t realized that because our local media just haven’t recognized this because harder to sell than playing championship. Hockey is important but it has grown here where it has taken away from other sports plus killed number other sports here at UND over the years.

I sure like it we could get buy them be also payback for last year. Also probably then get another shot at NDSU and win the one that counts and then hear fargo media also have to eat it too,

We have come long way from beginning of the conference season we are basically playing with best teams for three quarters until we now run into fall trouble. Saturdays referees didn’t swallow their whistle but pretty much wore them out. This was pretty much old time home call even if we’re straight up in block you got flagged especially against there star. We still were making young team making mistakes but also at times dictated play at times. We’re still short on that dominate post player who can score inside with traffic. Miller is going to be good with that post player I hope we have recruited because she will be able to score inside but, her ability to move out and shoot the three will open whole floor with this group of players. We will miss experience of Hugh’s but Hillesheim and Harris are going to develop into very good guards. Plus I see we have several good recruits also coming in next year. Then Piekney I think has turned the corner into player they hope she could become and she only has big upside yet. Mathern has just forced playing time because of her hard work. Volmer could become next point guard like Hugh’s but she needs to get physically stronger and fundamentally stronger defensively which she has shown at times. Several others on this team hard to know their future but have talent to develop into role players. Finally Ohnstad a player that has offensive talents and size to make impact but needs to work on her defense but I wonder if she has bought into what Sutter wants big question for coming season. These are my observations but I see beginning of what Hutter is trying to build here it will be determined in next couple of recruiting classes either from high school or in the portal. Then all depends who stays and who leave through the portal.

I would not be in favor of playing them unless we got home and away game plus fair amount of money to go there. That will never happen to big of ego blow for them. I see mountain West didn’t give them much of schedule for home. northern Illinois, Utep, Nevada, and finally Wyoming not one top team of conference coming here these would have been teams they could beat on road. If we take care of business this year we could capture local media coverage as they sit home and not playing until following fall. They don’t think that’s not going to hurt them and then upping ticket prices for this home scheduled I will be curious who they get to come here I got feeling it’s going to be difficult get somebody good know one wants to take risk to new FBS program where they could loose. I don’t feel sorry for them and we’ll see how this turns out.

I think johnson pretty much committed to Sdsu was once almost left and came back before he started his new position. The places he would consider probably just few and may not be offered for above reason. I think Jory would be much more willing to move if good opportunity did open up.

Enjoy it this year I willing to bet there will be big changes next year probably new coach Jory will be gon and Koenen also will be gone also. If Jory leaves could see couple more that could leave the program. If this happens take year or two get the program settled again and could see Schiller also movin

I have to agree that we should be 2-3 loss team but I would love it if we were one loss team it would guarantee we would be one or two seed for the playoffs. I hate it that all tough games are at the end of season because late season loss very likely will cost top one or two seed. There is very little then left to recover from a loss with committee for seeding. If we can claim top seed in the playoffs and long run in the playoffs is going to put the program front and center for state and region to promote UND Football. This where NDSU even if they are successful with winning record there season will be done before December. Local media and regional media are going to be paying attention to FCS playoffs especially in North Dakota and will continue as long as other Dakota schools continue to be part of FCS. I have my doubts Dakota Schools move up near future if they have to pay costs NDSU has committed to going into FBS and not getting much in additional revenue right away. Mcfeely latest article continues to put forth the numbers for additional costs to run FBS program there looking at 17.5 million to just to get in then another 8 million to.compete in the program plus additional scholarships costs, no figures for extra staff, travel costs are going to be huge traveling from eastern Illinois to Hawaii. Then costs to bring in FCS team that will draw and then giving away home date one of three years to get quality program and if they should be one these teams see how it goes to get home game after this. I have watched number of opinions consensus for smaller schools FCS has best playoff system it gives these teams maximum of exposure for these teams and also for number of players. This our time now to build this program nationally and I believe conference that NDSU went to with top teams in FCS will be put back together probably after FBS playoff formatted is completed and end of Bowl system reduces down to just few games for Holiday viewing and even that may not survive with new FBS playoff system.

For me it’s not the school only it’s also Fargo they are using The school to grow there Fm metro area on tax payers dime and in process consolidating power at expense of other regions in the state. The ag school was created to educate and improve agriculture through whole state but in my lifetime this hasn’t grown but has been concentrated in Fargo serving more agri-business that has concentrated in Fargo then rest of state. UND has also done some of that as well but they also had programs in there various fields to get professional staying in North Dakota like rural medicine initiative, majority of lawyers from the law school, and now aviation teaming with air force bases, defense, contractors, and getting planes being built here in North Dakota, and finally also working with oil industry develop people to stay work here in the state. These initiatives have been spread out through whole state su have research centers around the state but they have not grown since there inception back in 1950 s the growth if anything been done on campus in Fargo. I am not saying NDSU done important things but in last 25 years concentration of efforts have been right in Fargo. They as university my opinion they needed to be out through North Dakota helping develop other value added businesses through out whole state working with various ag businesses to invest through out the state. This my opinion now like I said several of my posts investment now in football program is for very few businesses in Fargo and it will come at expense of tax payer dollars and students now into the future. If state law makers we’re going to spend this kind of money and this was all done by few behind close doors think how people and media it would be front center with a lot of tough questions. I may see other opinions on this but this my opinion.

The beginning of next step by people pushing this move and now question is general public of Fargo going to support this all out funding to move of football forward. I think we’re going t see if group can sell this to general public of Fargo or will they meet resistance . If general public goes all in then football move will work until general public find the costs to high and want changes to be made. if they can’t sell this to general public and support for football continues remain about same and attendance gradually becomes steady average but not back when people were bidding to get into building. Then FBs is going to become anchor around the university financially I believe with deal they got going into conference play with not getting media money and not sharing NCAA money for number of years is disaster. I think NDSU is going to be in serious trouble with the state and large number of people in the state on there financial management of university will no doubt come under scrutiny with this latest amount spent on football. When you have FM area that has gown substantially in last 10 years but enrollment has declined significantly in same period of time are figures hard to sugar coat write off. The money spent seems to me has been directed to sports and but little has been done to upgrade the academic side of the school and at same time the costs to go there have put them in one of more expensive schools to region excluding private schools. I am not saying they are isolated among schools having this happening to them. They have invested to heavily sports brand not enough in all over brand for the school. I have friends who are big Bison supporters but have stopped supporting them financially because of increasing costs and demand for money for athletics but see core things that NDSU was established not receiving resources they need greater North Dakota but more emphasis on spending in FM area. So I think this move has many more legs that are going to surface because this move.

I have some serious questions on this for all public universities the money involved now especially at both UND and NDSU is becoming huge dollars how is this being monitored by state how money flows from outside interests to universities. I am wondering if there are auditing procedures and risk assessments in place other than at university level. The reporting on this it was small number people on discussion when this deal was done even reported by Fargo media. Yes, it will be paid privately but we also this does not mean rhere are outside parties benefiting from this in business deal for the athletic program. Also all talk athletic program money coming from charitable gambling to me that has implications this has gotten away from intent when charitable gambling was first set up by the state. What I remember was to help fund charitable organizations that either state or local governments were unable to fund but now seeing now this has been used to fund university sports and I know of it happening also at high school or parks recreation in smaller towns. I have to wonder if push back could come when state budgets get strapped need grows for general public and most people probably were unaware money of this magnitude was funding NDSU athletics. My gut feeling this sooner or later a scandal is going to develop when you mix gambling and high level sports together. I wonder what risks are to universities and to state this contract that was signed which longterm commitment with millions of dollars and done by tight group individuals in sports department and out going president and interim president not fully in place and who else that was involved this decision. Some points I am raising there very well be save guards but this discussion needs to be aired to public before the deal was done not just signed and spun to public after they have committed.

Fargo media Izzo and Mcfeely way overboard it will be interesting if this fails because this could to be huge financial risk for university the amount of resources to football when they needed to improve infrastructure on the campus get growth in enrollment. This is not to mention this going put other sports programs on hold there because I have to believe they are tapping into those dollars. I will also bet next president coming asking for funding from state is going to see some resistant especially looking at both down turn in ag and oil industry. I hear they say this was risk to stay but risk was NDSU falling from dominating FCS to just be good and Fargo only claim for success is football. My analysis is costs are only beginning for University for this move we will soon here first how imperative to update Dome but it will need to be studied then cost will be too much to remodel they will need new stadium so they can compete in FBS. Then they will need more facilities for the players village complex to house the players and all functions in one area close to new stadium. I would also like to be mouse in corner with other coaches at NDSU what they think of cost to just move football to this new conference. This may sound like sour grapes but it isn’t the university I believe has lost touch with there major vision educating our youth and helping our state to grow by helping one major industries to compete in this highly competitive world.

Team is making progress these younger players are starting to handle more mature players and starting to take advantage of defenses they are encountering. There is talent on this team but like tv announcer said other night UND is one of youngest teams in the Summit. We need now player that can look too now become player we can count on to get points from when they are being denied by other team that will make some of our present players even be better. I would bet Sutter if could.get off record discussion he is finally seeing improvement he was hoping for build on for the future.

The other big question is all sports or is it football only. I can see how they fund it if only football but if it’s all sports cost of moving up will bury them financially between travel and amount of money needed to make them winning football in FBS will drain all other sports. Just look at need to come up at least 1 to 2 million to cover coaching salary increases. If they move all sports you’re going to add another 2 to 3 million in coaching salary increases. The money of guarantee money from tv and other money coming needs to be huge. The state is not going to fund extra money to su with present cycle in state finances agriculture and oil industry is major recessions so state finances are going to be strapped for next 3 to 5 years. Even money in Fargo and state is not endless plus there administration is transition. Will out going administration going to secure funding from state leaders. Local media how much will they promote this because going forward very unlikely to for future access they have now in all sports but is different than there reporters are supporting a move up means it becomes like there following of professional teams followed here now. Just some things to think about especially for bottom tier FBS conference is economics there I do agree that FCS is becoming division II but bottom tier FBS conference will get very little national attention and very unlikely getting any exposure future playoff system just like we have in basketball now.

I would disagree on some of our young talent. Some of you two years ago saying same thing about our young talent and look how that talent developed to where they were scooped up by schools that play in higher level conferences. Our players went to schools like Baylor, Dayton, San Francisco, and NDSU ( now 40 something school in NCAA) and couple playing small midmajors. Playing freshmen and sophomores these players are going to look not ready or capable of playing at DI level. Especially when we have been playing 3 to 4 at time. There are very few freshmen and sophomores that can be above average. Finanlly number of these sophomores had very little playing time sitting on the bench the year before they came here. South Dakota has some success with there transfers but looking at there roster they will be looking again next year starting over and they are going have difficult keeping there young talent recruited. Yes we have at least 5 graduating after this season. I also think we will see few transfer but if they go I believe they will moving down to game playing time. Some of them if they are not happy will be okay to loose if they can’t buy into program but I see players like this in long run will never reach level of play they desire. There are several players on this team have talents but you can see they need to work on there game to become more rounded player because you can’t have big wholes in your game. I still think we’re rebuilding right way to build this program but we also need things to sell this program to attract top talent look what improvements in football and softball has helped move needle. Basketball is long over do on facilities the Betty should be solely home of Volleyball and we need whole new facility for basketball that looks like division I facility.