iramurphy

We don't have architecture. UND's Engineering has a long tradition of excellence and won't be traded for something we already have. Aeronautical Enginerring should be at UND because of the Aviation program. UND has a much bigger and better college of business but NDSU won't give theirs up because they were losing prospective athletes and students when they had to sell them on getting their classes from Moorhead State. UND' s Chemical Engineering fits well at UND. Civil, Mechanical and Electrical are good at both places but bigger at NDSU. If anything their should be some sort of compromise to move the programs so they are offered at only one of the two schools. Nursing and Business could be part of the discussions. I don't see Chapman compromising on anything that doesn't give his school the advantage. That is his M.O. Not criticizing, it is just who he has been and I don't see that changing.

They can and should, but Clifford and Loftsgard are no longer the presidents. There is no leadership from the Governor's office. He will do whatever it takes to advance his own and his party's welfare. (no I am not a Democrat or even close). We now compete with each other for not only the engineering students, but nursing students and business students. It doesn't need to be a cut throat competition. NDSU has done a number of very good things and improved not only the public perception of the school and their mission but has improved the quality of a number of their programs. Those kids who look at those programs are the same kids UND is trying to attract.

This is one of the most glaring examples of why UND and UND athletics overall are struggling. Too many people do not understand the inroads NDSU has made in the last 5-6 yrs. If you don't get out much ask those who live west of the Missouri. UND needs to be associated with whatever vehicle will get us the best exposure in the western part of the state. The western part of N.Dak. has many more UND than NDSU grads but the Bismarck Mandan area is growing and there are many new businesses with ties to neither school. We need to make sure the new relationships are with UND. NDSU has done such a good job of marketing both athletics and academics that they could very well be the larger of the two schools by next fall. We have done nothing to couter that marketing and it hurts us. We have allowed the student enrollment in an outstanding College of Engineering to drop while their enrollment in an also outstanding School of Engineering thrives and it is now their largest College with something like 3000 engineering students from what I am told. (better check the numbers cuz I could be way off). We have been the big dog in the state for so many years our Alumni office and our Public relations staff have not done their job in making sure this didn't occur. We have gottne "fat and happy". In athletics, because FB, Hockey and WBB have done so well we have become complacent. We hired the wrong AD and we have not put enough emphasis on our other sports like baseball, track, and VB. We let MBB hit bottom and are still struggling. I have heard nothing but good things about the new president. I have heard he has a lot of the charisma of Chapman but in addition has integrity. We need to solve the issue of a new AD. We need to focus on the person who will sell UND athletics to the non-UND folks and re-establish ties to UND supporters and Alumni. It is a daunting task. That person will need to increase revenues quickly and determine which programs we can support, which we should add if any and which if any we drop. We can't afford to let programs die a slow death. We need to upgrade the staff in enrollment services and make sure that we are getting the best HS school kids in the state and the area. I can't get them to come to our community where only 5 yrs ago over 10% of the graduating class of over 200 went to UND. This year we lost kids who wanted to go there until they made a visit to campus and weren't even shown the Englestad arena nor the fitness center. We must get Kelly on board ASAP. He has a major problem to deal with with the Dean of the MD school and the UND image both as a University and our atheltics. He will need to make the right choice for AD so that he can concentrate on establishing relationships with the legislators, our students, the GF-EGF communities and key leaders in the state and surrounding region. I also think is is a travesty that Bollinger isn't an applicant for the AD job. Whomever we hire needs to have the class, loyalty, work ethic and charisma of Rob or someone like him. We can't afford to make the same mistakes we have in the past. I received a call from a friend when Bruce Smith's name wasnt' forwarded to the State Board. Although it should have been, the right guy got the job. I hope we don't wait until a new AD is chosen then try and derail the process after the fact. Hopefully there is a good candidate in the group.

These are still HS kids. Until signing date they have a right to change their mind. If they verbal it is up to the staff to keep on top of the recruits to try and prevent this. It sometimes happens anyway. That is life.

Not to change the subject but which reservation banned Sioux-cia?

My fear is that he would deliberately undermine the efforts of others who wish to get the best candidate. I wouldn't trust him.

The guy is a high school athlete. It shouldn't matter to him whether anyone on this forum accepts anything he says or doesn't say. Why would he want to even respond to anyone on a forum like this? If you dont' understand how things may be mistated by the press then you have never been interviewed. The fact is he has chosen a great FB program and an excellent University. One of the former FB players (who could probably fund both the practice facility and the retractable roof and remodeling to Memorial stadium by himself) is apparently going to help get the practice facility done. I understand he also told UND to make it a 100yd indoor practice field rather than the planned smaller field. UND would also like to do a number of other things for facilites. There are three UND alumni that I know who have the financial resources to do these things if they so choose so it is not as far fetched as one might think. There are also people working on this type of financial support. You are correct in that I don't think there will be a retractable roof on memorial on campus in the next 5 or even 10 years but who cares? This kid will probably help pay for it when he becomes a doctor in 8 or 9 years.

Bollinger has experience with athletics at UND and fundraising at UND and Bemidji State. Both schools have D1 programs. He has been successful at all of those positions and he has a lot of support among many of UND's biggest supporters. The hockey coaches I spoke with are supportive and especially if Blais isn't interested, Bollinger should be the guy to beat. I hope to hell we don't get a weenie who can't lead and communicate. It could spell disaster for the D1 move and the facility master plan. If Purpur is interested he would be a good candidate and I think Blais would be a good candidate but Bollinger is a proven leader and would do a great job. I hope he will apply.

Seems like a strong candidate but didn't mention athletics and the importance of athletics to a school of our size. That was a huge mistake. It is an important part of the marketing that needs to be done. He was correct in that UND's marketing is poor at best.

Can I still call you guys the AC if I capitalize it?

Mussman should bring stability to the program and should mean that we keep the kids who have committed. He will need to make sure he meets with every coach still on the staff and communicate to them his philosophy, goals, plans etc. They need to immediately finish what seems to be a strong recruiting class. It is his job to sell his ablitiy and style to his coaching staff and team. Might have been interesting to see who would have applied but it is a done deal and it is important for the entire UND community to get behind the decision and support the team and athletic department. The present staff needs to either get behind Mussman and support the decision or move on. The decision has been made and we have a good staff. We also need to get on with the AD and president hires.

Hell of a coach, superb as the first director of the Fighting Sioux club. Driving force behind uniting former UND FB players and expanding that communication beyond FB to include alumni and friends of UND atheltics. UND athletics is much better off because of Rob's work. He was one of the best recruiters UND has ever had. I am not saying he would be a candidate for returning to coaching or not. Don't make the mistake of underestimating what Rob has done for UND athletics. The Fighting Sioux Club got off the ground and grew so much faster because of the work Rob Bollinger did. For those hockey fans who think he is a FB guy and the hockey coaches wouldn't want him, I spoke to two of the assistants last summer at one of the Siouxper Swings and they said he would be a great AD. (Doesn't mean Blais wouldn't be good also). The fact is Rob would be a great AD. He was a great coach for UND during the transition period which set the platform for the success we have had for the last 15 years. His work with the Fighting Sioux club has benefitted every athlete, program and coach at UND. He could be an excellent Head Coach if he chose to or an excellent Off. Coordinator. I haven't heard he wants to return to coaching but don't underestinmate either his ability to coach, his ability to communicate and recruit, his teambuilding skills and fundraising ability. If he flunked you in your phy-ed class when he was teaching you should have gotten your butt to class but don't make derogatory statements that aren't backed by facts. There are others who would be a good AD or coach but he would be an excellent choice at either job if he chose to do either.

Dean would be a very viable candidate. I think Rob Bollinger would as well, especially with his proven ability to fund raise. He is very well liked and highly respected by almost everyone who has worked with him. He has proven he is supportive of UND and UND athletics. He has an excellent working relationship with most of the "heavy hitters" which he developed as the moving force behind the Fighting Sioux club. He was also a very successful coach and has the administrative experience now to enhance his resume. He and Blais, if they are interested, need to be on UND's short list.

I don't think this has anything to do with Dale's values. He has a long record of being of good character and a class act. He was approached by SIU while on a recruiting trip and asked to meet with the AD from SIU. They were impressed enough with him to ask him and his wife to come for an on campus interview and to offer one of the highest salaries in D1AA FB. There are a number of challenges for him and opportunites he may not have access to at UND for a couple of years. He didn't leave because of any administrative issues as such. He has dealt with those over the past few years and weathered the storm. UND football is left in good condition with a great recruiting class last year and a great start on recruiting for this year. If he steals some of the recruits committed here then criticize him. Otherwise thanks Dale and Godspeed. Best wishes for great success for Dale and his family except when they play UND. Then I hope he gets his butt kicked. UND FB isn't Dale Lennon. It is much more than that and the program is positioned for the transition with an excellent group of athletes for success next fall. UND will hire a good coach. Dale thinks we can hire internally and we should be able to do that. There should also be great candidates outside of the program. Whomever we hire should be the best coach to keep the UND tradition and success on track for the future.

UND wasn't recruiting the Chicago or Illinois area and was not D1AA. That would be more of a deterrent to recruiting the area than the coaches. NDSU's success started when they made a committment to success in the early 1960's with Mudra. That allows Bohl, Hager, Morton, Earhardt and the others to be successful. It sure as heck isn't because they hired a coach with no ties to NDSU. You need to hire the best person for the program. If that is someone of the staff or hiring from within is best for the program then the hire should be done ASAP. I would want to know who else is interested in the job, and the AD (if we had one) should be making contacts to prospective coaches similar to what SIU did with Dale Lennon. I will bet a lot of money Dale and his new staff will have no trouble recruiting the Illinois area. What NDSU did and does, is of only passing interest.

Dean Blais as an AD would support FB. Too many people think someone's previous backgound will limit their support of other athletic programs. They will be evaluated on the athletic department. Sioux hockey is in very good shape financially. We need to get the University leadership structure squared away and that includes the role of president as well as AD and FB coach. The AD must then quickly do what needs to be done to evaluate the coaches and programs and get to work providing the necessary resources to keep the good coaches, dump those who are not good, and then provide those coaches with the resources for success.

I was told UND doesn't plan to open the job and will appoint Mussman. I was told by the same source that Tibesar would be interested. I wonder if Bohl will apply. He may wish to upgrade.

I don't think he is even looking unless someone would offer a better situation with a boatload of money. I think he and is staff are excited about the new facility plans and the support for the D1 move. The Sioux are having a very good recruiting year already from what I understand. I would think our friends from down south may want to counteract the fact that the coach at the AC is looking elsewhere.

I have never understood why because someone has done a lot for UND and had outstanding success at UND that if they were ever rewarded by being appointed to a new position that it is the "good old boy system". UND is a an excellent University. Look at the CEO's and senior executives at businesses and corporations all across the country. Look at the number of successful attorneys, doctors, nurses, pilots, engineers, educators as well as coaches across the country with UND ties. Being an Athletic Director first and foremost requires the personality and passion for UND athletics that will sustain that person through the next years as we deal with the stresses of the D1 move, the change of the Fighting Sioux name, a new president and the new facilities. Whomever takes the job needs to be a leader with vision and they will need to be a fund raiser. They need to oversee the busget but if we are looking for a numbers guy before someone who can "work the crowd" and generate support it would be a huge mistake. Who cares where the candidate comes from. There are CEO's out there with no athletic admin experience who would be a great AD. Purpur, Blais and Bollinger are all qualified candidates. If one of them is the best choice that's who it should be.

Penalty on Finley was a terrible call. Wheeler skated in late and pushed a UND player in the mask with his glove. Finley skated in, grabbed him by the back of the jersey and yanked him out of the scrum. Wheeler turned as if he was going to fight, saw who it was and backed off. He stood quietly with Finley and watched. Finley just held on to him until the refs cleared the other players out. Campion saw the entire move and must have been the one who made the call. Finley did nothing to get that call. UND should have the league look at that. Finley pulled out a guy who was initiating more contact nothing more. He didn't hit him or push him around once he pulled him away from the net, just held on to him. (might have scared Wheeler a little).

Great Crowd, Great atmosphere. Whomever sits next to the loser who threw the pop on the ice needs to drag him out of the arena and toss him into the snow. Real lack of class. Not many Gopher fans at the game. Hakstol said he thought we stood around in the first period, didn't play well in the first two periods. His was happy with Lammy and thought Malone was one of the guys who played well all three periods. He was happy with how they kept their composure and played well in the third. He also thought the guy who through the soda was a loser with no class but didn't say it on the radio.

One of UND's alumni recently gave a large chunk of change to the AC in honor of his father. I believe it was over a million dollars. There are no strings attached. I understand there is a very large donation planned for UND from this same Alumnus and I am not aware there are strings attached other than I believe it is to go to the College of Business. He has also given generously to Concordia College. This UND alumnus likes to meet those students but I am not aware there are any other strings attached. He has pledged to help UND raise $500,000,000. I am not aware of any strings attached. I don't know who nor how much is pledged for the athletic department but it does happen and will continue to happen at UND. Ralph's donation other than it went to UND and it was built under his supervision to avoid the red tape associated with all of the government constuction and bidding requirements etc. No other strings attached that I am aware of. The facility will go to UND at the end of the lease. Specifically the donation has no provisions related to the Fighting Sioux issue. There is a contract and there is nothing in the contract requiring UND to keep the Fighting Sioux name. My guess is that contract is public record. There are many extremely wealthy people who give very generously to others and there are many UND alumni who have done so and will continue to do so. Plain and simple it does happen and will continue to happen.

Adam Theilen, 6'1'' receiver has been in for a recruiting visit and made another visit on his own. Most Valuable Receiver in the UND FB camp last summer. Turned some heads at UND's 7 on 7 passing contest last summer. Great hands. Catches the ball as well as any HS receiver I have seen. Great position receiver. Physically still maturing. If they offer, he will likely commit. Other NCC schools and I think SDSU looking at him. Bubba really likes him. If he ran a 4.5 he would a big time D1 recruit. Will likely average 20 ppg in basketball this year, great shooter and will get some JC and small college interest in BB. Varsity golfer shoots low 80's to mid 70's and played baseball last spring.

thanks, will check it out if i can't get a sat feed. How 'bout those Cowboys!!!

Thanks, otherwise would be at the Grand Valley game again. If Sioux are healthy enough they win by 10 if not they still might win. I am guessing Mat or one of his teamates will have satellite and will try and watch the Sioux Sat.