dakotadan

As of Tuesday August 2. there are: 25 Days until the first game against Central Washington (Aug. 27) 32 Days until the first HOME game against West Chester (Sept. 3) It's coming quick...

I think you would see the biggest impact by advertising more across the rest of the state. There really isn't that big of an advertising campaign in Grand Forks (except maybe radio) let alone on the west side of the state. I know there are many people on the western side of the state who follow UND athletics but don't really attend very often. I think it would be cool to be driving back home and see billboards along US-2 and I-94 in Minot, Bismarck, Dickinson & Williston. I think we would see more out of town fans bring their family over for a game. Or possibly advertise special ticket packages to out-pf-towners. Maybe something like a friday night BB ticket and a saturday FB ticket package at a reduced rate. Or a free weekend VB pass with a FB ticket purchase. Or even women's hockey. It would help their attendance numbers, introduce the program to new people, and with hockey being so popular across the state it might perk some people's attention enough to draw them to GF for the weekend. I would just like to see more statewide advertising, bring in more out-of-towners. Or the casual fan who doesn't necessarily have a dedication to a particular school's athletic program. It would not only be good for the athletic department but for the University overall.

1. The NFL 2. The chicago Bulls 3. University of Sioux Falls 4. U.S. olympic basketball team Don't you guys agree?

For anyone who may not follow USCHO.com or InCH.com very closely... This is an article from InCH.com about Kennesaw State starting play in '06-'07. Still no official announcement by the school but there are quotes in there from Atlanta Thrasher officials who have been working with KSU. They expect an official announcement around Aug. 15. Kennesaw State Hockey...

Just a quick question... Have you ever heard of sentences? Maybe next time you could try a period.

I did know that one.

There is no way in HE!! that NDSU vs. SDSU should be ahead of UND vs. UM!!!! And the Fargodome doesn't even compare to The Ralph.

I completely agree with you that the money should be in place before a move ever happens. I am glad that UND did not make a reactionary jump when the 'SUs moved. That is why I mentioned the scholarship endowments. These are the most reliable source of finance as they contribute every year, as compared to a one time donation. Whether we stay DII or move DI, I would still like to see a capital campaign to raise money for athletics. No matter what level we are at, UND athletics should be fully funded. I was suprised to hear that UN-O had a higher budget than UND. But if I'm not mistaken isn't this because they sponsor more sports? BTW, I saw a lady driving around GF the other day with a UN-O hockey sticker in her window. I thought it was kind of neat, you don't really hear too much about UNO hockey yet.

Everyone knows that it is going to take more money if a move to DI is to happen. Kupchella has stated from the very beginning that a move would have to be funded by a large increase in scholarship endowments. At one point he threw out that an increase of $70 million in endowments would be needed. I am one who does support a close look at DI. But I also understand that there are things that need to be in place before a move can happen, most importantly a source of money. Scholarship endowments would be one of the most obvious and reliable sources. Also, I don't believe that school prestige is a large reason that people are interested in a move to DI. I have no dreams that 5,000 additional students from around the nation are going to flock to Grand Forks to attend UND just because our football team now plays DI-AA football. The main reason that I am interested in a DI UND is competition. The NCC has always been one of the top conferences in DII as far as nationally competative teams. Unfortunately we have lost 3 very competative teams from our schedules within the last few years. If there were other Universities around that were fairly similar to UND, NDSU, SDSU, and UNC it would be one thing. But there are not too many schools similar in size/competativeness/fan bases in the region that are not already in the NCC. Now just because the 'SUs, UNC, UC-Davis have all gone DI is not a reason just to jump to DI immediately. But at some point you start to say to yourself "If all of these schools believe that they can make it in DI, maybe we should at least look at it." I don't enjoy replacing these schools with UM-Crookston, MSU-Moorhead, UMary, and possibly Minot State. I do however get excited about the possability of playing Montana, Montana State, Northern Iowa, and even Minnesota and Wisconson on a regular basis. And especially about playing NDSU, SDSU, and UNC again. I think it would be amazing to go to the Ralph on a saturday night with 8-10,000 other people and watch UND take on UM or UW in men's basketball. As far as the report done on DIIs moving to DI, I believe there are some good facts in there and some real concerns that would have to be looked at. But I also acknowledge that this report was done by those in charge of DII to "encourage" more schools to stay in DII and not consider a jump to DI. I realize that there are alot of issues to deal with if UND were to move to DI. There are alot of pieces that would have to be in place. But I also believe that with alot of planning/time/patience/commitment, UND could make the move successfully. Those in charge at UND are there for a reason and I believe that they will make the right choice for UND.

I also agree that having hockey would be a positive in a move to DI. I don't believe it would have any effect as to our competativeness in other sports. I do however agree that the connections that UND has in place with DI programs would definately help out in scheduling during a transition, something that would be very important until becoming a full member of a conference.

One point that I haven't seen anyone bring up is the fact that hockey is such an east coast based sport. Hockey has definately exposed UND to many people east of North Dakota. Being in the Big Sky would expose UND more to the west coast, something I would think the administration would like to do. Being in the Great West for FB would also do this but not to the extend that an all sport conference would. Even though the BSC has been so tight lipped about discussing the Dakota schools publically, I could almost guarantee that there has been much in depth discussion about the schools. I feel that UNC was added now to solidify the conference incase a school decides to split, but is taking it slower with further additions. As the 'SUs get closer to being post season eligable, I truely think that the BSC will be more open about the possibility of the 'SUs and possibly UND becoming part of the conference. I also would think that even though those in charge are not able to say too much publically, they know more than what they can say. I am sure there have been some behind door discussions and private phone calls between the higher-ups that would at least give some sort of feeling to what may happen in the future. Only time will tell.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like that idea. See what you can do!

They sure gave alot of options in that poll Where was the "None of the above" option? Why did they even stick Moorhead on there? Was it just to give NDSU fans a smart a$$ option to choose?

I could get into arguements with everyone else about what has been said in this thread but all I am going to do is point out what Sic said and say "Thank You"

Article from the Herald: Bye-bye Tacoma, hello Ralph

I'm not a blind birdie... But I also have probably never been called the brightest birdie either Good call.

I was expecting someone with a little more inside information to post something here but the new GM for the Ralph was hired today. There was apparently 60 applicants and they hired a man from Tacoma, Washington. He had worked at the Tacomodome(?). I didn't catch his name on the six o'clock news but they said they would have more on him on the 10 o'clock news. I would assume that they would be releasing some sort of announcement to the media very shortly. Anyone else that knows more please let us know.

They had some stories on the news last week about the head honchos of Canad Inn being in Grand Forks to finish finalizing things. They claim they should still start construction sometime this summer.

Marquette University had announced last week to officially change their name from Golden Eagles to just Marquette Gold. It didn't last very long... Marquette Story I had seen an article a few days ago about the change and also found it rather strange. Apparently I wasn't the only one. I just don't understand why they don't go back to the Warriors name and just use a new non-native american logo, such as a knight warrior or something along those lines. There are plenty of different warriors in history to choose from.

I did. I just thougt you might want to fix your link, for those that can't figure it out.