iramurphy

Points well said. I will PC you about the Seaworth character. I do not believe he was part of the legal team who arranged the settlement with the NCAA, the Attorney General was. He had to interpret the settlementt and report to the board. He also works for the SBoHE and is smart enough to remember that. The Paulsen board had members who wanted to fire him for not covering for Chapman when he lied to the board and to the media concerning Potts. All he did then was produce the records of the meetings and the minutes which showed Chapman had a little trouble being truthful and it supported what Potts had said. I know him pretty well and he is far from the PC crowd but don't forget he is an attorney! The issue with Kelly is complicated and I am not of the opinion there is nothing he could have done to help the cause, but I do believe the best tactic for UND, Kelly and Faison are to follow the instructions of the SBoHE and until they are told otherwise I believe they proceed as directed. I believe that will postion UND to at least have some sort of credibility if they appeal on the basis they did everything agreed upon in the settlement but had no choice once the legislation was passed. The name and logo have never been the problem. There are always those in life, and that includes UND, who need someone to blame for whatever is wrong in their lives. Roger Thomas said a number of the anti-name folks were decent people who cared more about winning one for the Natives than they did about the name and logo. The NCAA taking on the issue that they should have stayed out of, was the biggest problem. If you or others want to file suit on behalf of the Spirit Lake band or have another legal solution I am all for it. If you have something that makes sense many of us will donate to the cause. I don't believe anyone has taken away the American Indians right to free speech but they need to excercise those rights to affect change on their reservations and with their tribal councils. Spirit Lake got it done. If the support is overwhelming as we are told then why hasn't the vote on Standing Rock been accomplished. We may not agree of the impact of the sanctions but I believe it is naive to think there would be no negative impact on UND hockey in the long run and I believe there would be negative impact on our other athletic teams in the near future and it woudln't just be home play offs for FB..

Spoke with Gino Gasparini at the Bemidji series and he stated just that same opinion. The Gophers tend to get many of the best Mn. kids (they should) but many are not physically ready and should play a year or sometimes two of juniors after high school. I always thought Mike Forney would have benefitted from a year or even two in the USHL after high school (I don't believe any kid should leave his home and high school to play Juniors because they can always play after HS). Gino also laughed when I asked if he thought the Gophers would dump Lucia. He said he thought it was funny that the people think after winning two national titles he just got dumb. He also said Lucia's players support him but some of the older pre Lucia guys want to dump him.

The fans have never cared more about winning than the athletes, they just think they do and they talk more. Not sure I quite follow the transition in the comment but neither UND athletics nor UND could afford to lose FB. If you don't like FB no big deal just enjoy hockey. UND athletic teams have been the Fighting Sioux before we had hockey and except for a number of hockey fans who are NDSU supporters for other sports or a handfull of "hockey only" folks most UND fans are fans of all UND sports. Certainly our hockey fans are passionate but that is no excuse to be small minded when it comes to the needs of the University. Josh Morton commented recently that the Fighting Sioux Club support from former FB players and FB supporters is tremendous. I didn't play hockey but I have had season tickets for about 35 years with the exception of my military service overseas. I married a hockey cheerleader and I donated to UND hockey in the pre $100,000,000 donation days when they needed every penny. Prior to leaving for the military I was one of the team physicians who took care of UND athletics including hockey when Jim Leigh couldn't be there. I would daresay there aren't many more loyal hockey fans. My ties to UND hockey are stronger than yelling F--- the Gophers and getting drunk on a few beers for hockey games. Much of the support for the lawsuit and push to keep the name has come from UND FB supporters and those of us who support UND not just one team. Your comments which I hope were tongue in cheek are the type of comments that will cause strife with in the UND family and are not in the best interest of UND hockey or UND athletics. UND hockey and UND athletics can do without those who are small minded more than we can do without FB or any of our other sports.

You are right but, I can understand the frustration with bringing an opposing view. As I have said (apparently as nauseum) we must consider what all of this does to UND. He obviously supports UND but I don't think UND hockey created the problem. There is no reason to stop supporting UND hockey just like there would be no reason to stop supporting UND athletics if the name had to be dropped. Doesn't help anything. So much of this is out of our control. If it comes down to keeping the name or hurting UND and/or UND athletics then we need to move on. If there is a way to keep the name then we have very little time and I am, not so sure very many options. The one sure option is to get standing Rock to vote. Our Native American friends need to get that done within the rules of their tribal Government. If they are getting bullied by the tribal council there must be some recourse, but I am not familiar with their laws so I woudln't know what it is. My frustration is that even with the NCAA's inerference and threats of sanctions they have had ample time. Spirit Lake got it done, why not Standing Rock??

This board sometimes gets pretty entertaining. Having spent the weekend in GF for Sioux Hockey I was surprised at how many people there were very concerned about what this legislation does to UND. First of all, those of you who continue to call people names because others raise issues you may not have thought about, remind me of middle school student council. (Don't let anyone disagree and if they raise questions or issues shout them down). Telling DlSioux not to let the door hit him in the butt is pretty immature. I don't agree with his decision but I believe he understands the importance of the other sports and of the University as an entity What is good for hockey is good for FB, BB, VB, soccer etc. What is good for FB, BB, VB etc. is good for hockey. What is good for athletics is good for UND. The Englestad arena is good for all sports and don't forget that Ralph stated his gift was there to allow the continued success of UND hockey but also for UND athletics. The Betty Englestad Arena is another example of the vision of the Englstad family and the importance of the entire athletic dept to hockey. Some on this board don't seem to understand that. Whatever we do on this, we need to continue to work to get the Standing Rock band to vote in support of the name and then much of the problem is solved. To sit back now and think this legislation is good for UND, for hockey or for UND athletics or even think it changes anything with the NCAA is a mistake. No one knows what the NCAA will do. They won't kick us out, but I don't think they will change their previous directive. That directive would preclude us from hosting FB playoff games. What some of you neglect to mention or discusss is that would also mean our other sports can't host regional playoffs in other sports either. That could affect track, baseball, WBB, soccer, swimming, Women's hockey etc. Men's BB is not likely to host. UND has proven a good host for events in the past including Men's hockey, WBB and FB. The NCAA has recognixed that in the past. Those of you who say it would only mean we can't host FB are wrong. You are correct in that no one will be able to wear the logo or name on the uniforms for playoffs. I agree that is not an issue because THE NAME AND LOGO HAVE NEVER ONCE WON US A GAME NOR AN EVENT. EVER!!! I have no trouble understanding those who disagree and want to keep the name. I can't believe those who say the name is more important than hosting playoff games for FB or the other sports. Don't kid yourselves to think if UND FB, WBB or MBB have great success there won't be overwhelming support. This is a hockey board. If you wish to see how fast the so called "hockey is king concept" lasts, take a look at where the Gopher hockey media coverage has gone when they lose. Also don't forget where Gopher hockey coverage was when the Gopher BB team was winning. If the Gopher FB team is ever resurected you will see exactly where hockey fits in the the so called State of Hockey. I am not stating it isn't the #1 sport at UND right now. What I worrry about is where will UND hockey be in 10 years. Chewey, if you really are an attorney, check with some others and see if anyone thinks you could force U of Minnesota, U of Wisconsin, or anyone else to schedule us if they don't wish to. If that is the case, then we should sue them now to get BB, FB, VB games etc. I appreciate some of your insite, but were you sober when you said that?? By the way I would love to see you take on the SBoHE attorney. He seems to be a lot smarter and even though he is a UND supporter and name supporter his opinions are sound and they are based on his legal rather than his personal opinions. A lot of folks on this board won't like that but there are many of us who would like to keep the name and logo if it doesn't hurt UND or UND athletics. I believe the biggest threat to UND hockey is the formation of a Big Ten Hockey league. Games with the University of Minn. or Wisconsin are preferable to games with Mankato, Alaska, Duluth, Bemidji or even CC and Denver. The hockey landscape is changing and getting shut out of a Big Ten hockey conference will not be good. Some seem to think that those schools would play us because of the good crowds UND helps draw. Don't kid yourselves, The Universities are not run by the athletic director nor the hockey coaches. The University or board of Regents hire and fire and direct those they hire to do as they are told. Those decisions are going to be made by non UND people! If the sanctions remain, then we will no longer play those schools. The last time the U of Mn. president and Maturi were asked, they stated they play UND only because we are in the WCHA. If the Gophers move to a Big Ten Conf., unless they change their directive, we won't be playing them. You may think keeping the name is more important than a FB playoff, but would hurt hurt hockey too. Since Ralph gave his donation, UND hockey has been one of the top teams in the country year after year. It gives us a real advantage with recruiting. Since then, other schools are building arenas that are also attractive to recruits. The Gophers, the Badgers, the Bulldogs and now the Beavers all have new arenas. The differences are not as great as they used to be and we can't afford to lose our edge. I don't know how what will happen but the Big Ten hockey without UND is a real threat and if we don't factor that into this equation then we are not very smart. The name calling (takes a lot of courage when they aren't here to respond) against Faison or Kelly or the SBoHE does nothing to help UND or UND hockey. Doesn't matter anymore what happened in the past. They have no choice but to follow the direction of the SBoHE until told to do otherwise. If you don't understand that then i don't think I can convince you. Most of us at work answer to someone and unless you own your business you do what you are told or either quit or get fired. Kelly and Faison are no different. I believe that the present course by UND officials is the best way, (short of the Standing Rock band voting to approve the name), to get the NCAA to change the agreement. If Kelly and Faison can show that UND has been complying with the NCAA directive and agreement and are now handcuffed by the state legislature, then they have a case for the NCAA to reconsider. They might consider that if UND did everything they were asked to do then were forced by legislative action to keep the name. The sanctions would only hurt the athletes and teams who have nothing to do with the legislation, I think they would at least have to consider an appeal. In the meantime, we need to keep this from being UND hockey vs UND. If it gets that way UND and UND hockey will lose and I believe would take a long time to recover.

There is no e in Cory

Corye Lof, UND WBB , is considering giong out for VB next fall. Might be good addition. Hasn't played since HS but very athletic, quick and jumps well. Was very good HS player.

I wasn't aware people were as much against hiring Idalski as they wanted Steve Johnson. I believe he is doing a good job but we still have a ways to go. I think Steve Johnson would have done a good job as well. IF he didn't have his degree then he should not have be hired but at this point they are getting better. Yes I can imagine cheering for the mens team if they finished 6th. We cheered for them when they were a lot worse than that. Sat and Sun the crowds weren't that good and that includes the student section. If I dont' use my tickets I give them away to someone who will use them. Can't the students do the same? The turnout at Sat basketball from the students was pathetic. We seem to be the self proclaimed best fans in college hockey. If that is the case we will support the team if they are 6th. I read comments on this board is that some won't cheer if we lose the name and logo. Now some won't cheer if we don't win enough games. I believe that would be called a fair weather fan. I think it also confirms my point that the logo and name (which I like and would like to keep) really is not as important as winning. The college athletic events are a great part of the college experience. You won't look back on your college experience and wish you hadn't attended these events. Cheering and (when appropriate) booing your own team and harrassing the opposition and the refs was always a blast. We did it at hockey MBB, WBB, and baseball games. Don't forget the Animal House reference to going through life drunk, dumb and fat. Have fun, go Sioux!

Last half of last year and this year Frattin is one of the all time greats to play at UND. Good size, strong fast and wicked, fast, , accurate wrist shot. Tough kid, doesn't get knocked off the puck and plays both ends of the ice equally well. Grinds it out in the corners better than most pure scorers. Frattin is worth the price of admission. This team as a group cycles very well and they grind in the corners All four lines can score and they play both ends well. Defensively we have three strong pairs and they can all score. Would help if we knew exactly what to expect from our backup goalie but there is comfort in the fact that he has experience and has played and won pressure games. That might be your trade. This team plays well together and I am not sure what an addition of what may be a "better player" would do to the team chemistry. Remember that was always one of Woog's problems. Lots of great players but didn't gel as a team.

Don't know UND's interest, just think he is a potential recruit because of his speed and athletic ability. I have not seen him play FB.

They have. Mollberg scored 24pts in 4 point BB loss to Bemidji tonight. Woods kid (also a jr.) from Bemidji is very quick. I believe was a DB.

Detroit Lakes has another kid who is very athletic. Outside Linebacker Brain Labatt. 6' 1" 190 lbs he will be a Senior next year. It will depend on how he develops between now and next fall. Perham Mn. has a Soph BB player, FB player who is about 6'2" and 190 lbs. He is going to be an excellent HS FB player. Very strong and athletic BB player for Perham BB team will be their QB next year and should be LB, DE or strong safety.

I wouldn't expect the same donation to UND but UND needs to upgrade its outdoor track and needs the indoor FB, baseball and indoor track facility they are presently raising money for.

I don't believe there was a lot Sanford asked for from NDSU. Sanford outbid Innovis for the Atheltic training contract. In return they recieved some naming rights. Sanford physicians provide the physician services to NDSU and Sanford is going to work on building facilities in the Fargo area for Sports Medicine, speed and strength training and research in these areas. They would like to do some things with the UND med school, the athletic training program, physical therapy etc. with regard to Sports Medicine. There are funds available for research and developing athletic trianing programs, physicians and athletic trainers for rural areas. There is nothing requiring naming rights for the med school. I couldn't tell you what the "strings" might be but a number of UND guys have said Sanford has been "great to work with". I have asked what if anything UND alumni who work for Sanford could do to help and I was told nothing was needed and they were very complimentary of the Sanford folks. I am not sure why anyone would object to a clinic with operations in EGF, and N.Dak. wanting to establish a relationship with Sanford.

Frankly, I am not sure what Sanford asked for in return. I know they wish to establish a similar relationship to UND med school that they have with USD med school I am pretty sure they also wish to provide the sports medicine coverage for the Sioux athletic teams. In Fargo they hired the previous team physician and have taken over from Essentia or Innovis or whichever name they prefer. Definitely an upgrade with the combined resources of Sanford/Merit Care and the former Orthopedic Associates. It is one of the five areas of excellence that Sanford wants to focus on. There are opportunites for training, research, and bringing an organization with substantial resources into what could be a very mutually benficial relationship between the largest rural health care provid rin the US and THE University of North Dakota. Sanford has a clinic in EGF. I was told but am not sure that they have shown an interest in Altru. Sanford has resources they are willing to make available to develop a long term relationship with UND. Kelby Krabbenhof told UND alumni in Detroit Lakes this past summer after golfing in the UND Siouxperswing that Sanford wanted to be part of the UND Campaign, the new UND FB practice facility and part of UND atheltic scholarships. Drs. Mann And Greek have done a great job for years and I would guess would be welcome additions to Sanford if interested, but again I don't know for sure what Sanford asked for. These are the partnerships necessary to succeed at the D1 level. The Englestad donations and facility virtually guarantee UND hockey will be financially stable but the other UND sports and the medical school could benefit from this relationship. I was told the donation is still on the table, but Kelly and the Dean of the Med School wanted to wait until after the legislature completes the budget for UND.

Sanford has offered a $10,000,000 donation to UND. That has been placed on hold for now by UND.

Watching Sioux Hockey for 40 years. From the time he returned last year and his start this year, Frattin has impressed me as one of the all time best. Passes well, physical and one of best shots I recall. Also has come through with big plays at critical times.

For those who have nothing to do until the Hockey game starts, you can still go to NFL/probowl.com and vote as often as you wish for Mat McBrair the Cowboys punter. His wife Erin is a former UND student and is on the NFL wives show. She wore a green t-shirt with the UND logo during one of the episodes but they made her turn it inside out. She and her husband Mat recently donated $10,000 to Detroit Lakes High School for new hurdles for the track team and the rest of the money she earned from the NFL wives show is being donated to Muscular Dystrophy. McBriars mentor was Darren Bennet who punted for the Chargers and Vikings and has a son with Muscular Dystrophy. McBriar leads the NFL in punting, (both gross and net yardage) but still trails Graham from Arizona in the balloting.

I expected them to hang with the Bison. Every game, every year, and every sport. Having said tha,t Bison Dan and others have it right. We need a "go to guy", shooting guard, and need to get more athletic up front. I thought NDSU was the better team and it is another reminder of how much better we need to get to compete at this level. Compare these two teams to the NDSU team from a couple of years ago and that should be closer to where both teams should strive to be year in and year out. If either program thinks those are the teams that come along "once in a lifetime", then that is likely how often they will come along. Good to have the rivalry back. UND has a decent group of young kids but missing too many pieces of the proverbial puzzle right now.

Sorry pa,l but that was a cheap shot and uncalled for. He wrote a column and criticized NDSU fans for not supporting their FB team better in the playoff game at the dome. Reasonable criticism and should have come form the guys at The Forum. I was surprised it wasn't sold out. That is what Sportswiters do, report on things, comment on things and creat discussion and controversy. Say you don't like him or criticize his column and even puke on your spider man jammies but don't call him senile or comment on his waterworks. That shows a lack of class. You have had a number of pretty reasonable posts but this is in fact an older guy. Ignore him, criticise his column but even an AC ggrad should know better. Hope you were able to get to the FB game yesterday. Thought they had it won.

Make iit " River Pirates" and you can tie it to the area. Tough to have a name that long so it would be shortened to Pirates. Thanks to all for the votes of confidence. Didn't wish to tie up this Conference blog with whether or not the NDSU guys thinks someone here has credibility. I'm to old to be offended and he has a point in that I am probably full of hot air. He could have made fun of me for spelling cite with an s in a previous blog but only my former UND roommate sent me a text pointing out my spelling error. I would state he is a District Judge in North Dalota but my friend from NDSU might "call me" on that too. Anyway, this should get back to the Big Sky blog. Thanks again to the Fighting Sioux family.

I spoke with John at the recent Sanford dinner. Which part of the converstaion did you think was BS? There was nothing controversial about that conversation nor with what I stated whcih was accurate( unless you disbelieve he stated he had told the NDSU guys they should resume the game). He was our clinic administrator for years years until his retirement. He gave me crap when UND lost the UND-NDSU games and I gave him crap when UND won. We had a bit of fun with it. I didn't hear him talk to the NDSU guys I just stated what he told me. Knowing someone you worked with isn't a big deal kid. Nor is it inside information. I didn't realize you were "calling me out".( I had to smile),That isn't what I would consider calling someone out. Stating you don't believe someone because they won't reveal a source isn't really calling someone out. I say it one more time, do your research you can discover everything I have commented on is pretty accurate. I stated you had a point with the Sanford donation. I happen to work for Sanford and I did indeed speak with Sanford officials. I don't attend negotiations with Sanford and NDSU nor with UND. TheSanford donations to UND and to NDSU are well known to many within the organization. I thought the NDSU donation would not occur as soon as it did and I stated so. I obviously was wrong. I did know there would be a donation but not when and I did know there were administrators who had questions about the Chapman mess. Not sure what else you got your grundies in a bundle over but these blogs are not the bible and they are meant to share info and thoughts and ideas and should be fun. I can't for the life of me think I would waste my college years fussing over a blog from a former rival school. Go find some women or ring the bell for the Salvation Army. You are starting to remind me of a guy called Graham Cracker. At least he was a study in psychology of the people going through life as victims. I am not sure shat your problem is. You aren't hiding Joe in the sheep barn over there are you???

I would say what I told you before," don't get your info from a blog". There is nothing I said about Chapman that hasn't turned out to be accurate. I stated I had obtained information from a former NDSU student. Some people on this board know who that is, but I won't share that with some character from a rival school who has too much time on their hands. I obviously have no reason to trust you,. There is nothing anyone with UND ties would be able to say about the Chapman issue that you would believe and it is a dead issue. I don't need to site a source to you. I have sited the source to a few that would not betray that trust. I suggested alternate ways for you to get the same info. The meetings and the information between the state universities and the SBoHE is public information. Call a SBoHE member and ask them the details of the financial mess Chapman left. Do some research kid. You may need to get out of Johnson Hall. This stuff isn't CIA intelligence. I don't claim to be anyone other than an old guy called Iramurphy with an interest in UND and UND athletics and I am OK with that. Most people don't use their names on these blogs so we don't have to put up with insults from someone miles away who can hide in cyber space. I don't go on rival blogs and get bent out of shape with what they or you might say about UND, the FB team, the hockey team ,the BB teams, the former AD's or the former presidents. Again I will remind you this blog was about UND moving to the Big Sky. You have managed to focus now on me and past posts. I would suggest you PC me with that crap so this blog can stay on subject. No one else cares about Iramurphy, Chapman or what the heck Ade Sponberg and the AC was doing in the 1970's

Good lord, you spent a lot of time on this for nothing. Read my posts carefully. I never said I knew an" NDSU student" who had inside info. I do know a "former NDSU student" who knows details of the Chapman scandal. I beleive I also suggested that anyone who felt Chapman was being picked on and that the media and the devil did him in, make an appointment and get the information from Dick Hanson rather than this or any other blog. .Having said that, Chapman is gone and I understand that the new guy is sharp and should do a good job for NDSU. I said I didn't know what NDSU was doing at the time frame you referenced, but UND did not apply to the Big Sky and get turned down. Though subtle, those differences change the message. I don't think anyone here cares what NDSU was doing in the 1970's. You have a point in that Sanford gave more money than I thought they would and sooner than I thought they would. In May of last year the donation that was discussed then went to the YMCA and some of the Sanford officials did indeed have concerns about the Chapman mess. There is also a $10,000,000 donation to UND on the table that I thought would have been done by now but likely will not be done until after the legislature does their budgeting. My comments intitially were to comment that I think the Big Sky move is a great move for UND and NDSU did what they thought they needed to do at the time. I believe the Big Sky is a more attractive choice for UND and for future recruits.

When he was hired, while he was still in Wyoming, he took my phone call and was very respectful about listening to my opinion about the name. I understood that he was told he would not have to deal with the nickname decision but would need to deal with the transition. I don't think that is in wiriting either. I alos spoke with him since he has become president and he has always listened and been very respectful. I believe he doesn't see anyway he can change what has happened without the tribes making major statements throught their tribal councils. I also would have liked to see a vote by the tribes and then the councils abiding by those votes, but whether we like it or not it is up to the tribes and their people to decide how they wish to run their governments and tribal councils. Kelly, Faison and the SBoHE can't force them to do anything. I do not believe the NCAA will change their ruling unless the tribal governments petition and convince them to do so. The only thing I can think of otherwise is a class action lawsuit by Native Americans challenging the NCAA not allowing Universities to honor their people similar to how the Irish etc. may be honored. ( yes, II understand the argument about whether or not it is an honor). MAke an appointment with Kelly and let him know how you feel and hear his side of the story. I think you will be impressed that he is a UND guy and will do what is best for UND.