iramurphy

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.

That is not an opinion that is a fact. Kelly may have been told the name issue would be gone and he wouldn't have to get involved but he certainly was not brought here to get rid of the name. Anyone who actually believes that has no clue on the hiring process of the University Presidents. I reference to other comments. It was made clear by the NCAA, UND officials and the representatives of the SBofHE all along that UND did not have to drop the name. Failure to do so would mean UND could not host any post season tournaments or games and would not be allowed to wear the logo during post season play. Some folks have been involved in trying to keep this name for 40-50 years. Written letters, met with people, written to the NCAA, talked to UND officials or SBoHE officials and donated money. The issue must be pushed by the tribes and native peoples or it is not going to change. Wringing hands calling people names and fussing won't make a lick of difference and neither will insulting UND officials or SBoHE officials. It would be great to keep the name and logo. It is not worth the sanctions. Would be interesting to know if the Big Sky and any stipualtion on the name.

Ya but he helped the UND punter one summer and he is the leading punter in the NFL right now. I need an excuse to go to Hawaii and I went to UND for a lot of years. That should count for a sympathy vote..

Really don't care what you believe. I spoke with John,( I used to work for him) and he certainly said that and I countered with "we aren't very good this year". I told him he needed to push NDSU to resume the rivalry and he agreed and said he was trying but couldn't get "those guys" to agree. Those guys included Taylor. He reminded me that I and one of my partners sent him a dozen black roses when UND broke their 12 game winning streak against NDSU and we had a good laugh. There are very loyal NDSU alumni and fans who are smart enough to see what Chapman did and the mess he made. I don't believe you are one of them. I would never betray a friend so I wouldn't discuss where I learned things about the Chapman mess but it is all information available to you if you put your beer down and make the effort. I suggested you go talk to Dick Hanson. I don't know him but my guess is that he has put that mess behind him. Try looking into leases for buildings that NDSU has for buildings that still sit empty. The Chapman issue is over and NDSU wll recover. A UND grad gave your school $1 million to build a home and another more than that to finance the business building. You ought to do the same. A couple of other corrections. The Big Sky is a good fit but does not cover all sports. It doesn't have baseball and I don't think( but I can't remember for sure) swimming. I never "claimed I knew a student who had an in with the NDSU administratioon". When you accuse someone of something you need to keep your facts straight. I don't hang out with students, I simply passed on information available to the public through the open meetings and information open to the public about the financial mess Chapman left at NDSU. I also never said Hanson covered up anything and in fact he did a good job. Chapman and his lackeys did the cover-up. I also said Hanson should have been given a shot at the presidency. He would have done a good job and he will do a great job with Bemidji State. UND did not apply to the Big Sky in 1978. I was still on staff at that time. I can't speak for what NDSU did then but I believe there were discussions in the media and within the institutions. There is a big difference between that and applying and getting turned down. The NCC was still a very good conference at that time.

The way the point system worked for D II UND wouldn't have made the playoffs had they played NDSU those first years. We should have still played them in all other sports.

Good point, but I think they will resume regular season play within the next 5 years.

Received a Thanksgiving message from Erin McBriar and mentioned I asked Sioux fans to vote for Mat McBriar for the Pro Bowl. She said in Sunday's NFL Wives show they have a flag FB game and she wore a green UND Tshirt with the Fighting Sioux logo but they made her turn it inside out because they don't allow logos on the show. Too bad. Would have been a reason to watch.

Notre Dame is an excellent University. This poster is going to an excellent Agricultural College south of us. I also believe that if you are a good Irish Catholic ( I am an Irish Catholic so I am not picking on someone else) and make the right donation to the proper place you have a better than 50-50 chance of admission as long as you aren't a complete doofuss. Similar to a lot of schools. The competition is between the hockey teams not the math departments or FB teams etc. Somehow this got sidetracked by some poor soul left in Johnson Hall for Thanksgiving who has nothing else to do but jump on the Irish bandwagon and bash UND. (unless you count the sheep deal).

I agree, but they also need contributions and votes. Somewhere along the line the right people will tell both sides to grow up and resume the game. If John Q. who has been huge in the last 10yrs for NDSU doesn't get them to resume the game, it may take the Gov. or the big donors. The schools should be able to figure this one out but if there is enough political pressure Taylor et all will be reminded they work for someone and that someone will tell them how it is going to be. The politicians should have more important things but it won't be the first time they get involved with stuff they shouldn't be involved in.