iramurphy

I think that there are a couple of things that are worth while to remember. First of all the SBoHE is taking postive steps again on behalf of the name. (doesn't matter why) Shaft correctly pointed out that Faison testified as he did based on what he was told by his boss. You can dislike him or criticize him but do it for the right reasons. Nothing bad can happen because of this effort and I think this is well worth the energy. If we are going to get the NCAA to move on this issue in favor of the name, this is probably the best shot we have. I think the message that everyone involved is going to go as a team in a joint effort is important. I would not include any of the oppontnets. This is a lobbying effort on behalf of the name, not some "sham fact finding" championed by some of the opponents.

I believe it is called Hail to the Victors.

The "real fight ing Sioux" are alive and well and they are doing whatever it is they are doing. We aren't really Sioux Indians you know. Who are you going to fight with? Most people here want to fight with Faison and Kelly or the SBoHE or for that matter anyone else on this board who might question what the best strategy and plan is at this time. We criticize the Gophers and Badgers but are going to rely on their goodwill to schedule us in the future?? That isn't any smarter than trusting the State Legislators who hate UND to have done something good for us with this legislation in the first place. Who are you going to meet with to educate them on what UND does for Native Americans? Don't you think the opponents won't do the same and contradict everything you might say? Don't you think the people at the U of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa are not already aware of what UND offers? They were aware years ago when I worked for UND. Who are you going to make those few phone calls to? The Wizard of Oz? I don't think even the Wizard of Oz is going to get Standing Rock to vote or give us support on this but I agree with you that is the best solution. At White Earth, when the people don't like what the council does or doesn't do, they throw them out. They could do the same at Standing Rock. I believe if they voted it would be similar to the vote at Spirit Lake but I don't think the "real fighting Sioux" think it is all that important or they would have gotten this done. The people at the NCAA are the same ones who have been inconsistent with enforcement of their policies for years. They aren't going to change on our behalf unless forced to. We can win in court and I am not convinced that is likely unless Native Americans bring suit based on being discriminated against. I don't know though because I am not an attorney. We can get Standing Rock to support the name. We are wasting time whining about Kelly, Faison or the SBoHE. We need to lobby Standing Rock, the NCAA or successfully litigate. Anyone have any other ideas I would like to hear them. Failing that .then we either change the name or leave it and live with the results and sanctions. There is clearly no agreement on which of those options is best.

Minnesota would not schedule us in FB, BB track etc. Not only has Faison and some of our Alumni Office staff stated that, I spoke with Maturi and he said they won't schedule us. Wisconsin said they would not schedule us but when the agreement to retire the logo was signed, they took us off of their no play list and scheduled us in WBB. I think that is consistent with what Faison is saying.They both have stated they will play us and Illinios as long as we are in their conference. I do not know if they play Illinois because they are in compliance or just because they are in the conference but it doesn't matter. Anyone including Frank want to take a chance on losing hockey with the Gophers or Badgers? I don' know if they will play us if we are on the sanction list and no one on this board has any clue either. Their present policy would prohibit it and don't count on anyone from U of Mn. giving a rip what any of us say. Maturi stated to me that they won't play us as long as that is their policy. Maybe they will change their policy. As long as you are willing to give up those games I'll buy you a pizza and beer and you get no arguament from me. I was told that UND had a swim meet at the U of Mn. I can't confirm that but it shouldn't be hard to figure out. The crap about UND staff being leftest PC folks is a bit bizarre. It is irrelevant. They might be right wing conservatives. There are a number of people who bring up some very good points. The biggest concern is scheduling and hosting events. The unknown is are there recruits who want to play in their home state. Roy Williams UNC and former Kansas coach thought so and tried to schedule games in his players home states for them. Maybe he didn't know anything about recruiting. I know for a fact that our coaches in FB are concerned. Frank is correct in stating the majority of UND athletes and alumni are strongly in favor of the name. I don't believe all agree with his insults. This board is a hockey fan board and I understand the sentiment but it is not an excuse for failure to consider facts. Franks reference to Faison's responsibilty for the teams, traditions and success of UND athletics is right on. Faison's primary responsibility is not to the logo nor the name. Whether or not we agree with how Kelly and Faison have handled it the issue, their primary responsibility is not the name and logo. It is to the the people who make up the teams and who coach the teams, to the University and to our alumni and fans. They also answer to the SBoHE. At present that is what we as the tax payers have set up for higher education in this state. Frank states Faison and Kelly need to be prepared to pick up the financial losses if the name is changed. Is he willing to pick up the costs to the University if we are sanctioned? Frank invokes Clifford. I believe he was our best president. I worked for him and with him. He had many years as president to solve this issue and I believe he tried. He and Earl Strinden worked closely with Ralph to put together the donation for the arena. The agreement that gives UND athletics the proceeds from the arena and after 20 years gives the arena to UND does not include any requirement to keep the name. I believe if Tom Clifford, Earl Strinden and Ralph Englestad were willing to risk damage to the rest of UND athletics they would have included that clause in the agreement. I am not going to change people's minds on this board but there are more and more people of sound mind who are starting to consider what hockey will be like in two years and what sanctions will do to scheduling for UND athletics. Nobody knows for sure but there are enough concerns to be careful with this. I was around when UND hockey was down, when MBB was king, when WBB was queen and when FB trumped hockey as the sport on campus. To forget how these sanctions might affect UND and UND atheltics is failing to prepare. A wise coach once said that means you are preparing to fail. Whatever side of the proverbial fence you seem to think you are on, you better keep in mind the possibilities. That isn't doom and gloom it is trying to be smart as we move on from here. Faison isn't going anywhere, he works for Kelly. Kelly isn't going anywhere, he answers to the SBoHE. The SBoHE might be going somewhere but if it is over this issue that would be a mistake. I give Frank credit for writing and putting his name to his email and I give credit to Faison for suggesting they meet. For those who have heard this before skip to the posts that won't challenge you to think. If this is too long click your mouse and you don't have to read any of this. If you get so mad you piss yourself then change your grundies. Go Sioux!

Unless they have some sort of Native American logo or reference they can call themselves the Braves because that isn't necessarily Native American.

Genoway is an excellent defenseman. In four plus years how often have you seen someone take the puck around him, past him, or over him. He is excellent with his stick and he sticks with forwards as they come across the blue line forcing them outside or else poke checks the puck away. I think that is waht he is supposed to do. He doesn't knock them over but he knocks them off of their route and you don't see the opponents get good shots because he either poke checks the puck or ties up their sticks. He gets the job done as a defenseman but his offensive skills are so much better than most defensemen, we overlook the fact that he is an excellent blueliner. I think if you told coaches from around the league or scouts people here think he is a defensive liability they would laugh. Most coaches would take 6 of him in a minute. His smarts, speed. quickness and stick handling skills tht make him so good offensively are also what make him an excellent defenseman.

Behrns wasn't "terminated" here. He was taking a lot of heat and the program was struggling. He took an assistant job at a D1 school (with Utah State I think). He was not popular here at the time with fans. It took quite a awhile for Roger Thomas to resurrect the program. There certainly was pressure on him and the administration at the time. Since that time he was respected as a good coach at Utah State and he did a great job at Omaha.

It happens a lot. When our pal Chapman attended the SBoHE meetings he flew to Bottineau for the meeting, then instead of staying over night like the rest of the presidents did, he flew back to Fargo for the night, then flew back the next AM. Bottineau didn't have a single hotel that charged even $500 per night much less$1,500 and he and the missus weren't about to slum it up there. Besides, Bottineau HS are the Braves, or they were , and isn't that just as hostile as the Fighting Sioux?? Frankly, this happens a lot for whatever business UND officials have in Bismarck and other places. I'm not sure there is much here. There is nothing illegal about flying employees or students to Bismarck to testify. You might argue they should have driven or you might argue they should drive off of a cliff, but this isn't the $25,000 Chapman trip with friends and family for entertainment. It doesn't take much to get rumors going and get people in a tizzy about nothing. Great entertainment and sometimes interesting exchanges. Don't anyone leave the blog. I wonder what Graham Cracker and Windyboy (or whatever his name was) are doing. They must be in a tizzy too. Maybe they were the co-pilots or the stewards (flight attendents) on these secret lobby flights. . Anyone know if this was a champaign flight??? I wonder if I could hitch a flight to this weekends Final Five. I would even bring the booze!! Anyone think Kelly got a Nicholson (watch the movie Bucket List) on this flight from one of the PC women from the Womens Center or English Dept?? Now that should be in the Herald! Good stuff folks, keep it coming and go Sioux!

The NCAA represented the NCAA and no one else. The SBoHE represented the University and the State of North Dakota including Native Americans who support keeping the name. I believe the professor from the AC is one we used in our school district to give a talk on diversity to our staff. I understood she was from UND and I was going to srite a letter requesting they fire her until I learned she was from the AC. She did a power point presentation and for the most part sat on her butt then told the audience they could read it themselves. Occasionally she injected stories of how terrible the Indian Schools were for her grandparents and how she has inheritied that hurt and how painful it is for her. Her stories were the same kid of stuff we got from the nuns in Catholic school. Pulling your ears, washing your mouth out with soap, kneeling in the corner on a hard surface, getting whacked on the hand with a ruler or in the butt wiht a stick. For some reason she couldn't understand that was what some nus used to do and it was the same for the Catholic kids. She also said giving a presentation was so painful for her she would have to take time off for a few days to recover. She was an embarrassment to NDSU, and an embarrassment to her own culture. We had numerous complaints about wasting our staff time and she will never ever be brought back to our district.! This is type of rhetoric that has been used for 40 years by these people and they present all of what they claim as fact. including the misinformation that we have a mascot. I will be attending the Native American Caucus at the National School Board Convention instead of the Frozen Four and I will be wearing my UND gear including the logo. For what it is worth we are changing the facts a little here. There was no agreement in 1969, there was a ceremony affirming the Elders support of the name that UND received permission to use the name back in about 1938. It came from a group of elders though, not their tribal council.

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.