iramurphy

Big win for the Sioux. Hopefully we can get the following for VB to continue and be part of the VB success. UND should have the band there for home games if they haven't and try and build on what they had at the NDSU game. Parent of UND Freshman spoke with me yesterday and said their son went to VB game and it was a blast! Also went to first FB game and said the students who went also had a great time. Good sign. The rest of the student popualtion needs to get on board and make these student events. Doesn't matter so much who they play each weekend as long as it becomes the place to be for students.

Hard to say what would make me so benevolent to one of our friends from the south who worships the large, dumb, matted furred, stinky, four legged beast of the plains. I had a cup of Folgers coffee with Equal and a Creamer. You should be able to get that at your local General Store. I also had a caramel roll from Nootzy's in Dent, Mn. That would be the thing that sweetened me up a bit. You could have those flown in to Casper, then put on the next Stagecoach out to where it is you live in Wyoming. They would be a great hit at your next yard party. If you are hosting a pre-game party to watch your game against St. Francis (that is the Catholic College for wayward altar boys that you play this week) then I don't think they will get there in time.

For an NDSU fan you have been pretty reasonable so at least one of us should return the favor. I think you are selling your FB team short. I don't think a FB game would be a blowout. I think you guys could hang with tthe Sioux for at least the first half and the game would stay realatively close this year. Although your first two games are against a couple of marshmellows, so it is hard to gauge, you had a good finish last year and enough kids back that I think the Bison wouldn't get "blown out". Remember UND is still in transition and are still building toward the future. Within the next couple of years, I would say you may see the traditional UND excellence especially with UND being in the Big Sky. The last 13 games where UND won 10 of those 13 games were so long ago that shouldn't influence your opinion that UND would blow out the Bison. Don't give up on them so soon. Scheduling all sports including FB icould work every year if the AD's would make it happen.

Pretty obvious this guy is an arrogant ,self serving politician, doing everything he can to keep his name in the media. If I were on his staff, or were I the state GOP chairman, I would remind him that this is the type of foolishness that loses elections. This hurts UND and our image and undermines the authority of the UND president to do his job. As noted by other posters, Kelly's response was perfect. and showed respect for the legislative process as well as the NCAA ultimatum. Other legislators and the Governor have indicated they will repeal this misguided and flawed legislation. What Carlson thinks he can gain by his recent comments is beyond my simple mind. I believe it does reveal his contempt for higher education in N. Dak. He should not be re-elected, nor should he ever be elected to higher office. He seems to forget the problems they let occur at NDSU occured on "his watch" as a legislative leader and he did nothing. I believe what he is doing now is an intentional effort to hurt UND, Kelly and UND atheltics.

UND is a hockey school in the winter. UND is a FB school in the fall. When UND WBB and MBB is playing well we used to get great crowds and will again. When UND finishes the transition and starts competing against the Big Sky, and FCS teams the attendence will go back up for FB but UND will need to be competitive and will need to compete for Conference and National titiles. UND is a hockey school to the hockey fans. To most UND alumni, UND is UND and we tend to be UND fans whether it is FB, baseball, track, swimming, or aviation competition. We have a good number of hockey fans who cheer for NDSU in other sports but drive to GF for hockey. Hockey fans have their own culture special to hockey starting with mites on up to the pros and UND is no different. IF UND hockey loses its edge we will see the attendence drop. I don't see that happening is the near future but its the nature of the beast and the modern fan. The Alerus can be expanded if necessary, the new indoor track and FB indoor practice facility will be a big boost to the program and to recruiting.

I would agree

Carlson has no authority to demand these folks be arrested. The SBoHE did what needed to be done. There seems to be evidence that the legislature didn't have the constitutional authority to pass the law in the first place, but I think this is Carlson just trying to keep his name in the media for awhile longer. UND will retire the name and nothing will happen to either SBoHE members or UND officials. The SBoHE, out of respect for the legislature, has worded their intructions to UND such that UND will resume the process of retiring the name without actually raising the issue of whether or not they are "breaking" the law. Don't forget, the meeting with the NCAA and everything else the Governor, Attorney General, and the others did could have happened without passing this legislation. All the legislation did was tie the hands of UND and the SBoHE. What happened at the NCAA meeting was what Kelly and Faison had warned would happen when they testified before the law was passed.

Is that ever a good idea. What the hell would that accomplish? Kelly is no more resposible for this debacle than you and I. We were here when all of this came down and he wasn't. Cowboy up and admit we just didn't get the job done. This is the kind of crap that will hurt recruiting and make us look like a bunch of middle school kids who didn't get to turn the lights down at their first boy girl dance. Don't suggest we do something that makes us look pathetic to the rest of the world. If you have a problem with him make an appointment and go talk to him.

Are either you or Al are in the inner circle of the Big Sky Presidents??? The fact that anyone at this point in time would put Big Sky membership or scheduling for our athletic teams (including hockey) in jeopardy over this tells me your priorities are mixed up to put in mildly. The Big Sky won't be affected by any lawsuit or injunction. Othere teams won't have to schedule us based on a lawsuit or an injunction. Kelly has always been honest as far as I can see and perception, rumors or inuendo don't change that opinion. Doesn't mean there was no room for improvement but the fact is he was smart enough to see we have been screwing a dead horse. If Al Carlson has nothing better to do and he thinks this will get him a few votes, more power to him. If you want to get in line behind Al go ahead. I always thought the only legal action with some clout would be Native Americans taking legal action against the NCAA because they are discriminated against as a culture in that schools can't name athletic teams after them but can with caucasian cultures such as the Irish, Nowegians, Germans etc. IUND will stay out of it and proceed with retiring the name. If some Native group has success with the NCAA then we can always reconsider, but don't put UND athletics at any disadvantage by wasting anymore time on this issue. We need to focus on recruiting, building facilities, educating our students and winning championships.

That and the problem with scheduling. Have you noticed the list of schools who won't play us gets longer, not shorter.

I have no problem with what Goon says. He didn't refer to Kelly "soiling himself". I think the events recently have shown that Kelly and others (including those at the SBoHE ) who supported the name realized that the NCAA agreement was a done deal and there was nothing that Kelly would accomplish by chasing windmills or waving his sword. Comments that Kelly would "soil himself" is a cheap shot. One might infer from that comment that someone is calling him a coward. He also has no oportunity to defend himself. I believe it fits your definition. Criticize the guy if you wish but if you wish to call him names or make those comments tell him in person. I have seen no evidence that any of this would cause him to "soil himself" nor has he shown cowardice. He works for the SBoHE and they gave him his "marching orders". I don't think he is dumb enough to defy those instructions to placate people on a blog. He has a much more important job to do. The time for the president to act was during the Starcher, Clifford, Baker and Kupchella years. The NCAA didn't waste much time with the Governor, Attorney General, Kelly Faison, Carlson and whomever else went along for the ride. You really think Kelly could have done more by himself? If you do OK and we might just disagree.

That's a cheap shot. He just did a great job with a potential recruit last week when he was getting ready to make the wasted trip to the NCAA. I never once felt he was happy about the NCAA's decision but it was a done deal before he arrived here and he was told that when he got the job. He wore the Fighting Sioux logo last spring. Most of us could see we were screwed unless the tribes stepped up to the plate and one of them didn't. Blame them and their tribal council. It is past time to move on. Once the decision was removed from UND's authority, we were screwed. UND and the State Board supported the name and logo log after it became apparent we no longer controlled the outcome yet UND officials and the board have been ripped and criticized whether they have had any real involvement or not. I guess we all at times need a scape goat to direct our frustrations but it is time to move on. There are an awful lot of people who are impressed with Kelly and want him to be allowed to lead UND for the next few years. Doesn't mean I agree with every statement he has made nor every step he has taken but it is time to let it go. I will never do any business with the Standing Rock Tribal council nor ever set foot in their Casino and I doubt they care what I do but that was that organization that had time and could have made the decision that would have allowed us to keep the name.

Training facility is now a reality. Not sure about one or two phase but watch for news in next month. Hopefully will be able to break ground this fall but haven't heard. There will be no facilities in the area better for FCS level FB and UND will have facilities to rival many FBS teams.

It seems that in the letter from Evans she points out that just because the "victim" is accused of making false statements, and is accused of lying, and doesn't return for a hearing, she isn't guilty. Shouldn't the same standard be applied to Warner? Was he ever found guilty? Just because he was accused doesn't mean he is guilty.

Pretty clear this wasn't said. How you get from his statement to your conclusion is similar to what happens in the media and with blogs. People may infer or conclude whatever they wish without evidence then discussion continues based on a mistatement of facts.

Here is what we still have going. First of all ,I think we will be in the Big Sky. Either the NCAA will change their mind (I don't see that happening) or we will drop the name. Mollberg and his family aren't stupid. He wants to work with special needs kids. UND has a minor in special ed. NDSU has nothing in special ed. Usually one would major in either early childhood ed, elementary ed, or secondary ed with with a minor in Special Ed., UND offers a masters in special ed also. At NDSU if he wants to major in elementary ed. he gets his degree through Valley City State. His parents are teachers. Unless they and Joe have lost their minds or he has decided to major in Agriculture, Pharmacy or Engineering (I didn't cover everything) they don't have much else to compare with the quality of academics UND offers, especially business and accounting, nursing, Physical therapy, athletic training, medicine law, geography, aviation, etc. and clearly UND offers more to a future educator. His parents are two hard working innovative educators and although they all are likely attracted to the thought of only having to go to Fargo for games, I am sure his Dad (who played at Minn Duluth) sees the opportunity at UND of playing as a redshirt freshman or Soph vs playing behind Brock Johnson, then the Bismarck High kid then Wentz the 6' 5" QB coming in this fall from Bismarck Century. I have been told Bohl talks to the kid frequently (which is a violation of NCAA recruiting policy , unless the kids calls him) and I am sure hasn't discussed much about academics with the kid. They will likely tell him they can offer more than UND can academically and expect him to adjust his major to fit their programming. If he and his folks believe that then they aren't as smart as I thought. I would bet that Bohl has also pointed out to him and all recruits that are considering UND that UND won't have a conference and will be sanctioned by the NCAA. I would too if I were in their camp. That won't happen by the time Joe plays at UND so it is a non-issue for him. He has a great opportunity to step in at QB and lead UND into the D1AA or FCS division and that should be pretty exciting. The tradition of UND QB's is long and storied. He can be one of them and have a special place in the history of UND FB.

Ralph and his family cared for more than UND hockey and this has been generous to UND. He wasn't a fan of college admin types and certainly wasn't one to suffer fools. He did care for UND and the agreement with UND to lease the arena for $1 per year then the arena goes to UND after the 20 yrs (I think). There is nothing in that agreement that requires UND to keep the name or logo. The strength of UND's outside financial support comes from UND alumni. The community support is also important. ( our friends to the south benefit more from the Fargo community as oppsed to thier alumni). The name issue didn't get solved during Ralph's lifetime nor did either Tom Clifford nor Earl Strinden get the issue solved. This has been going on for a long time and now that it threatens UND hockey scheduling and the Bif Sky membership it must go. Fetch, you ever played any sport aboce the middle school level? I'm not saying those who have done so are better fans, but they sure will have a better understanding of the implications of this problem and they certainly prefer winning and championships to the name and logo. You seem to think the name and logo are more important. WE canb't allow UND to become a glorified community college so we can keep the name and logo. The donors like Ralph are important but so are the rest of the donors who give what they can when they can. It would be very unwise to piss off the UND Baseball, MBB, WBB, track, FB, tennis, golf and the hockey alumni smart enough to see the implications of the future problems with the hockey schedule. Anyone who thinks Al Carlson did us a favor is naive. He did this as a calculated risk and for political gain hoping his support of the name and even his disrespectful and unjust criticism of UND officials will garner him votes in the future. He is an NDSU jock sniffer who has been laughing with his teammaker pals at how he screwed us while at the same time posturing his own political future in a favorable light with those of us who would prefer to keep the name.

Good post. Funny how I don;t see Frank's name among the big donors to the athletic department. Maybe he uses a different name or vehicle. Frank took a cheap shot at UND officials without knowing what the hell he was talking about. Disagree with Kelly or Faison but get the facts straight.

The "people and the legislature" limited UND's options and created an untenable situation which forces UND to either suffer the consequences (which we can't afford to do) or else or fight our own legislature. The legislation has no effect on the NCAA and thus has not righted the wrong but has placed the future of UND athletics and especially the Big Sky membership and the schedule for future hockey games in jeopardy. How is any of tha t worth the name and logo? You and I have no influence over the NCAA and neither does our state legislature. This legislation has done nothing to forward the cause of the name but it has caused UND to be placed in a risky position as it pertains to conference membership for many sports and future scheduling for all sports. How much of that don't some understand and how is the name worth the risk at this late date. If we can get the tribes to change position then I am all for it but the rhetoric here does nothing to forward the cause.

They have done so, and that is why we have the settlement we do. The NCAA would have lost the initial lawsuit because they didn't follow there own rules but then would have won the second round. The settlement gave UND enough time. It was based on the feeling that 70% of Native Americans supported keeping the name and logo and the settlement gave them ample time to get their tribal councils to document that support. They obviously did not have this as high of a priority as we thought.

That is clearly a false statement. Kelly had nothing to do with it. Kelly was told when he interviewed the stettlement was done and he needed to deal with other issues. Get your facts straight! You can dislike him or criticize him but do it for the right reasons.

Read the forums on the Sioux name regarding the recent legislation and the Big Sky warning UND the name could be a problem.

"to date the Big Sky has not enacted any....". Are you serious? Would you really wait until they do?? it will be too late then! What the hell are they teaching UND students these days?? There was nothing "arrogant" in Sicatoka's post. His other posts on this subject are also spot on. The few of you who still don't see the threat to UND, UND athletics and even UND hockey just don't get it. UND's admission to the Big Sky is at risk. That is a fact. The Gophers and Badgers and now possibly the other Big Ten hockey schools may not play UND. The league is ultimately controlled by the presidents of the respective schools not the coaches or even AD's. The college preseidents basically run the NCAA. That is one reason the NCAA is hypocritical and inconsistent. These guys are PC types without the courage to solve the real issues of kids taking money, drug use and academic fraud. This is an issue they can and will win unless the Standing Rock Tribe saves the name. Maybe that is how it should be. The real Sioux can step up and fight for the name and logo or maybe we shouldn't be calling our athletic teams the Fighting Sioux. Are the supporters the feared fighters our announcers claim they are before our athletic events, or are they not interested enough to get things done. Some of you insulted those on this board who warned we would lose the Gophers and Badgers on the hockey schedule. That has come to pass. Some criticized those who were crazy enough to suggest our Big Sky membership might be in jeopardy if the name issue wasn't resolved either with NCAA approval or by complying with the agreement. That has come to pass. Write this down and see how this turns out: Hockey East and the other Big Ten hockey schools consider not playing UND if the issue isn't resolved. A few hundred people with a snootful of booze and the logo on thier shirts and hats have zero influence with the NCAA nor the college presidents who control these conferences, Dave Hakstol convinced enough people to lobby the state legislature but he won't be able to schedule some of the traditional hockey powers because of a name and logo. How smart was that? Which would you rather have: A great hockey schedule with no risk to our chances of winning and losing on the ice, or being able to sit at the end of the bar and shout to anyone who listens that we sure showed "them"( whomever them is). We will have all of the home and home series with St. Lawrence and Ferris State and maybe soon St. John's or Concordia. Quit wasting time criticizing UND officials for what you think but don't know about. Al Carlson is an NDSU guy who could care less about UND and in no way should he ever be elected to congress or the senate if you are a UND fan, He has helped create a disaster for UND and UND athletics and insulted Kelly. Doesn't matter if you like Kelly or not, Carlson is a jerk who is using the logo issue to try and position himself for future political gain. Some of us have been working to get support for the name and logo before some of the rest of you were even born. We have had plenty of time and the time is out and we didn''t get it done. During those last forty years we have won National and league championships in hockey, FB, WBB, and been a power in swimming in addition to the other successes. The name hasn't won one game, scored one point, nor blocked one puck. I think it is a great name and logo but our athletes, coaches, and the University are more important than the name. I can't tell you what all the other schools and conferences will do over the next few years but I can say with conviction that if we are sanctioned by the NCAA and the name stays we won't be getting any teams who will come calling to get us on their schedule because the name stays. You want to win games or do you want to win a pissing contest with the NCAA and the PC crowd? Frankly I don't hang with those types when I can help it. I would rather associate with those who are on the field, the ice, the courts and are competing. We need to quit screwing a dead horse here and move on because soon it will be too late. We need to support the board and UND officials who are trying to get this dumb-ass legislation reversed. It has done nothing for the name and has put UND athletics and the University at risk potentially for years to come.

The Big Sky fiasco may have doomed our chances. This kid would have been an ideal fit if he doesn't go to Iowa or N. Illinois. No way any kids commit if we don't have a conference and some stability with very few exceptions. The delay in our practice faciltiy is also a hinderance. NDSU will be sending a big thank you to the state legislators who screwed up the name issue for UND. I would guess they are giddy down in the cow pasture.