GeauxSioux

The difference is that UND plays and beats Minnesota and Wisconsin in GF, Minneapolis, Madison and on neutral ice in a sport in which the Gophers and Badgers are considered to be in the top 10 in the country every year. These games are televised and sold-out. Minnesota and Wisconsin baseball and softball are not top teams. There is no way that the baseball or softball games against Minn or Wisc will be televised and sold-out.

Do you have a conference??

The decision gets harder. I read recently in Sioux Illustrated that the baseball alumni have put together the Pinky Kraft Endowment. In the article Greg Cascades says "Our goal is to raise enough money to ensure the program is endowed for it's future ...." and "As the Division I issue continues to linger at UND, the baseball program will need an increased level of support from its alumni to ensure the transition is successful if/when we make that jump." Looks like baseball will be around for awhile.

I've been reading in a number of places that the board is responsible due to inequitable funding. I don't live in ND, so don't know the whole funding battle situation, but it would seem to me that there would have to be more than one school that feels that it was underfunded, but Potts claimed that his fight was with Chapman. Are the remainder of the schools funded above where they need to be and NDSU is the only school underfunded? The would be the only situation that I can see where the funding being "the issue". It seems to me it has to be deeper than funding, as Potts has said on more than one occasion that Chapman refuses to accept Potts' authority. I agree with you, insofar as oversight. This shouldn't have gotten this far, where the chancellor resigns.

Okay, I'll bite on this one. The word promote. Once again Webster's: "to contribute to the growth or prosperity of" Does this say require? The words "every person" jump out at me, also. How in the world can an organization of any sort protect every person from being offended? I'm sure that you have been to a few Sioux/Bison events where fans have gotten out of hand and respect and dignity were thrown out the window. Should the fans then also be banned for being "hostile and abusive"? Is the NCAA supposed to create an atmosphere where the sports events are held with each side just watching. No cheering, no emotion. Just sit there and watch. Welcome to the Fargodome. Sorry, I had to throw that one in.

I couldn't find "core issue" in Webster's but here is the definition of "core" from Webster's "a central and often foundational part usually distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature". Does the executive committee also get to define what core issues means? How is this part of the foundation of the association? How the NCAA could identify mascots, nicknames and imagery as a core issue for association as a whole is beyond me.

I think you're mistaken as to whom I was responding. I referenced Bison Dan's post. I do agree that the campus visit is probably a formality and that an invitation will be forthcoming.

I'll change my post to congratulations to "some" Bison fans and also the Jacks. There always has to be one wise guy who when he gets good news will tell you how bad his good news is for you. There have been many trials and tribulations for NDSU over the past couple of years over conference affiliation. Do you really think that "if" NDSU, SDSU and IPFW all get into the Mid-Con that there will be no conference openings for the foreseeable future. The only reason that I say "if" is because no invitations have been handed out yet. I sure wouldn't start gloating over things that you can't control. The Big Sky may decide to expand in their fall meeting. Centenary or Oral Roberts may decide that the Mid-Con is not for them anymore. Who knows what could happen in the next couple of years. As for whether UND is going to go through with the move to Division I, I don't think there is any question. The only ones I have seen question it, are a handful of Bison fans who don't UND to move to Division I.

Congratulations. It looks like the invite should be coming later this year.

Hear, hear. Very well put.

If I may add to your list... Corporate giving. I keep hearing that it tapped out, but with a change to Division I, I believe there is room to grow.

That's the first time all day, someone has agreed with something that I've said. Ahh the life of a contractor.

Not to slice and dice this more than it already has been, but if you refering to what UND announced this week Yes UND did hire some A/E firms to perform master planning. That's a whole different animal than having an architect to design a new building or the renovation of an existing building. While I'm not up on the CPM schedule for the BSA renovation, I do know that NDSU hired an architect recently for the BSA renovation project, but didn't they already have some concept drawings or plans prior to that? A plan of this type would be almost required for fundraising. It appears that is what UND is doing at this time

The only way that my "could" would work is if they had a rule change. I neglected to put that in my post. I agree that the current rule does seem punitive and the increase in teams would probably just allow more teams from the power conferences to get into the tournament.

Nick Coleman gets ripped. http://anti-strib.blogspot.com/2006/06/str...ts-go-wild.html

Another blog regarding nickname issue. The first blog references a second blog page, which was written about the Sioux last week. Kupchella has become a hero to some. http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/?p=2204

Haven't there been college games played at Arrowhead in the past? The name of the stadium alone should send the NCAA into a tizzie.

I heard yesterday that the NCAA may go to a 128 team basketball tourney. What would that do for an auto-bid? Would this be the time to start a new Division I NCC with the thought that the conference "could" get an auto-bid if put together prior to a change to 128 teams? More on the 128 team tourney. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13538918

I agree with Wyo. DI in Fargo. If you don't care, why are you here. This is Siouxsports.com.

Thanks for the info. I'll be tuning in.

I think a museum is a great idea. I would visit it when in GF. The classes that I had in Indian Studies at UND were very informative.

http://www.slangsite.com/slang/A.html Combination of Nickle and Fifty.

Men's and Women's and swimming and diving would be my choice to move up first. Since the Big Sky does not include it anyway, why not find a home at the Horizon or Mid Continent. Not all of the Horizon member have S&D teams, so they may be open to new members and UND has been competing with some of these teams in recent years anyway.

I think that IPFW is a lock. Douple's recent comments and commitment to the Great West lead me to believe that he is pushing hard for NDSU and SDSU, but he doesn't get to vote. He needs to convince the presidents. I still voted that all three get in. I wouldn't be suprised to see NDSU try to put in an escape clause in the event that something else transpires in the next year.

Congratulations to the UND Med School http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/14884307.htm