iramurphy

How many of you rubes have ever coached or even played college athletics? The coaching fraternity across the country has a lot of respect for Hakstol and the UND coaches. I would guess that is a better measure of how he has done and his abilities rather than those of us who don't strap on the skates or grab the clipboard and either play or coach. 2 six packs and season hockey tickets don't make us better judges than the college and professional coaches across the country. Hakstol's players who have gone on to the the pros have also complimented the coaching they have had here. He has had the team in the Frozen Four for four years straight. He has done a good job of recruiting year in and year out. If you think he wasn't directly involved with recruiting when Blais was here, you don't know anything about college hockey nor UND hockey. Remember, Blais gave Hakstol his endorsement as his replacement. Blais was not going to let UND hockey down with a poor recommendation. He has a very young team again this year. He has had nothing but success in his years as head coach. The kids are going to have to mature and put the puck in the net and get better as the year goes on. Recruits read these blogs and everytime we say stupid things about the program and the coaches, it is read and you folks do a lot more to hurt recruiting than anything the coaches do. If UND's program was sinking or not successful then that is different. Most of these comments would be of the type I would expect from the foul mouthed fans who swear at the 70 yr old fans sitting behind them who ask them to sit down so they can see the game. The coaches job is to put the kids in a position to have success. It is the players job to take it from there. Hakstol has done a great job for four years. He should at least be given the chance to fail before you call for his head.

Big mistake by UND not to announce anything. The coaches and athletic department need to make the move to D1 and this shows someone doesn't get it. Same goes for the women's team. Missed an opportunity. GF media needed to get something out even if it was they are delaying announcements on X number of kids until they get all emails/faxes or what ever they are waiting for. To do and say nothing is a mistake.

Doesn't matter what the Bison did nor when they did it. Until we can play them again or we are eligible for playoffs who cares? Shouldn't make a lick of difference to them what we do nor when we do it. None of what we do makes them any better nor worse and none of what they do makes us any better or worse. We need to get better. We need to improve the fan base and see if our students can upgrade for all sports with attendence and participation esp for BB and FB but hockey could be better also. Community support needs to improve and we need to support the band to increase the numbers and make it a bigger part of the overall experience. Get to some real D1 games and see what a difference it can make. We have the tailgating piece pretty good. We have to deal with being off campus. No excuse for the poor turnout Saturday and students leaving early. That isn't the first game they have done that. I would hope we can see better from them in the future. As far as the team we are OK. Poor game Sat by the O-line and QB. Lack of discipline with fake punt and personal foul. No excuse for that. We need another good recruiting year and we need to retain the kids we have. Chapell will help if he gets his act togehter and returns but I don't think he is in school and thus won't be back. We have some good kids coming up but need to get bigger and keep getting faster.

Look at the Englestad Arena seating chart. 101 is at center ice to the left behind the visitors bench. 116 is at center ice to the right behind the Sioux bench.

I have 4 tickets for both nights for this weekend. Section 101 behind the visitors bench , first row below concourse level. I think it is row K. Face Value. Prefer to sell all 8 but have someone for Saturday night if someone just wants Friday tickets.

Where in heck do you come up with the conclusion this was a rant?? It was simply some comments and observations. Just cuz someone questions $4.50 for popcorn? Besides this guy is from Minnesota and has no need for money. He can well afford $14.50 for popcorn if he wishes, but not every one can, especially if you bring your kids and their friends and the "missus" Other than the popcorn comment and the observation that his butt was sore after running the marathon, what was the rant?

It would be interesting to compare what the Herald had in today's paper for the season FB opener vs. what the Forum did for the Bison. The Bison had a great pregame spread and pregame coverage. The forum also ahd a great VB story. I wonder if the Herald has the ablility or willingness to provide D1 coverage for FB and for the other sports. Based on past performance I have my doubts. The Forum really improved their coverage when the AC made the move.

How about televising the away games? Many of them are better games this year anyway.

On the other hand maybe it shows there is no botterness toward Dale from those of us with an IQ below 60 either. I know better, but have to admit I didnt' give the label much thought. Thanks for the correction.

Therre is no bitterness towards Dale from anyone with an IQ above 60. Dale was a class guy and won a titile and was the runner-up once. No one else has done that. He didn't pursue SIU they pursued him. If you want to move up in the coaching world you go when you get the opportunity. The five year hiatus from the playoffs would have hurt his chances. This was a good move for him. When Bohl goes, you will say the same. They are both good coaches and if you can make >$1million in the business at the D1 level you have to go where the money is. If someone still thinks what UND and NDSU are doing is D1 FB, read Sports Illustrated this week. The college FB preview doesn't seem to include the Class B (BCS) teams.

I received an email from Marty LeClair that Bonnie Klipfel, the wife of Bryan Klipfel, (former Sioux FB center and former Supt. of the N.Dak Highway Patrol) died August 2nd . I don't have any other information but I believe she had been ill for some time. Please remember Bryan and his family in your prayers. Bonnie was a UND grad and worked for the Bismarck Public schools if I am not mistaken.

I would agree.

In answer to the initial question. No, UND isn't doing anything. Schedule doesn't matter, you sell the program. The AC did a great job of marketing for their atheltics and fans bought into the experience no matter who they played. They then used the same marketing firm to sell the school. It has worked and they have good crowds at FB no matter who they play and they are getting kids to go to school there no matter what the major is. Two things that I would not agree with. One, although I am a UND hockey fan, UND's hockey should have nothing to do with whether or not marketing of all sports wouldn't be successful. The AC marketing would have done well and been successful even if they did have D1 hockey. The other is whether UND and NDSU are really D1 in FB. D1AA or BCS is not big time FB. They should both be going one step higher so they are both really D1. The Bison guy is right in that we are behind by not moving when they did, but we were both late. We both should have moved back in the 1970's when they started D1AA. UND needs leadership and needs to get off the schnide (whatever that is). The failure of UND to market atheltics is a reflection on the leadership in athletics, the presidents office and the alumni office. The failure to market the University is a reflection of the leadership in the president's office and the alumni office. When all is said and done, it is very clear to me more is said than done.

I am not sure anyone played well in that game. It is a team game. We laid an egg. There was good talent last year and we will have good talent again this year. We have good coaching and if we get good goal tending should be able to make another run. It isn't rocket science it is hockey. All you as a fan need is a goofy hat and a beer and show up on time. The rest will take care of itself. UND will be lucky if Finley is back. He has improved year after year and will likely be ready for his best year yet. Too many people let their goofy hat get in their eyes or too many beers if they think there isn't a team in the country that wouldn't love to have him.

What a load of BS. Ask Cedric Benson if that is the case.

Great post. TJ's Dad and family have a lot to be proud of. TJ was one of the very best college hockey players I have seen in the 37 years I have watched college hockey. He was a complete player and was a great team player with superb individual skills. He was unselfish and created plays when there were none. He will be an excellent NHL player. When a player chooses to leave is really between the player, the coaches, his teamates and his family. I would guess they all had a pretty good idea what was going on. The public has learned in due time. We have an excellent group of recruits coming in. The Blues got a hell of a player. The timing of all of this is irrelevant to us as fans. Best of luck to TJ and his family.

Yes you are. Unless you are also going to say the Gamma Phi's who dressed up like Native Americans are Native American lovers then you can't say people who dressed up like Nazi's are Nazi lovers. Most of todays mondern day Nazi's are associated with the skinheads and white supremicist movements and don't dress up in WWII uniforms. In this day and age it certainly was thoughtless. I dont' think they gave much thought to whether or not it was disrespectful. There have been similar western parties at HS and Colleges across the country over the years and those schools don't have NA logos. I would hope you don't define who you are by your ethnic origin. That is only a small part of it. If so, you will continue to ge bent out of shape over things that aren't that important. You will also limit your opportunites for success. Too many people use their culture or ethnic origin as their excuse for anything that does't turn out well. I think over the years you will learn that is a waste of you time and emotional energy. We can be much more than an Italian or Irishman or Native American. I would hope all of us want to be known based on our own success and accomplishments rather than limited by just our ethnic origin. It should be enough that you are an American and a UND graduate. That should take you a lot farther than being a Native American, Irishman, Italian or even Norwegian. The logo issue is no longer an issue for most of us and we can't change it even if we wished. It really doesn't need to be an issue for you either. As you say, you won this one. Your focus now should be how are you going to use that "victory to make a better world for you and me, your family and your community. Good luck.

These are great recruits for the transistion period. These are exactly the kids you want to be the core for the transition. You need good kids who will attract local support and make the team more competitive. These kids will. They aren't going to be playing in the NCAA Final Four. These are the kids who you want to bring their lunch pail to practice everyday and will be grateful for the scholarship. As other kids come in to the program, they are going to have to be better than these kids to play. Before we worry about beating someone else we need to get better and set the tome for the type of kid we want and the work ethic it will take to play here. When these kids graduate, they will be the guys who will be writing checks for the program down the road and they will be kids who the fans and younger kids can look up to. Jones knows how hard it is to recruit to this area. If they were walk ons at another DI school, they would still be great additions to any program becasue of the type of student athlete they should be. They should be fun to watch develop and they aren't likely to get homesick or leave school before they graduate.

I would think because Mr. Foolbear's letter was articulate and factual. Was there something that wasn't truthful? If so, dispute it with facts. He referenced the permission given by your elders for UND to use the logo and later reaffirmed. He referenced your own culture and how to rescind this permission now after all of these years, dishonors your elders. He seems to think his culture is more important than the activists and those who are most concerned about being politically correct. He also seems to be able to see opportunity in the relationship (which I agree with) and you seem to see the opportunity to stick it to someone. (Whitey)? I understand your thinking and I am well aware you are not the only one who needed to "win one". That was something the previous athletic director, Roger Thomas, had mentioned in working with those who oppose the logo. He said there were some "very good people who opposed it and they really didn't care so much about the logo issue, they just needed to win one". You either are unaware or don't care about the UND alumni all over the country who are doing things for Native Americans. There are UND alumni who have sent kids to the Castaway summer camp on Pelican Lake in Minnesota. There are UND alumni who are helping Native American Business people. Is this because of the logo? There are people in my community who are UND alumni who have helped NA kids. Is it because of the logo? If you are going to blame things on the logo you need to look at both sides. There could be a lot of good that could come from continuing and expanding the relationship between UND and our states Native Americans. At this time if Native Americans don't want it to continue then lets retire it. It isn't worth fussing over. Mr Foolbear does not condone mistreatment to human beings because of race and he does not dismiss that there is racism. There is racism and it does exist at UND, NDSU, Dartmouth, Stanford, Harvard as well as other communities. It exists on reservations too. There are many white, black, Native Americans, Hispanics, Jews who are racist. Most are not as dumb as the students who put up the Nazi graffiti recently, but they are out there. There are also a lot of us who will stand beside you and help defend you against racism. The UND logo has been on campus for about 70 years. I don't believe it is the cause of the racial incidents and I disagree with Weinstein (as does Barry Belhoff) that neither Englestad nor the logo caused the anti Semitic incidents recently. Englestad wasn't a Nazi sympathizer. Most anyone my age had fathers who fought in WWII and there were very few vets who didn't have uniforms and Nazi souvenirs. There were Nazi theme parties thrown by vets who did it for the hell of it and had fought bravely against the Nazi's. That didn't make them Nazi's nor anti-semetic. Nobody cared about it back then but now it is considered poor taste. Englestad isn't and wasn't the enemy of the NA people. The fact is the Logo and Fighting Sioux name is going away. I think it is a mistake for your people to lose this oppotunity, but at this point in time most of us don't care anymore. It was never who the athletic teams were. They were never meant to represent your people. UND simply honored your peple in a way consistent with our culture. You seem to think others need to understand your culture but you have no obligation to respect ours. If you wish to dishonor your elders who saw it for what it was and choose to rub people's nose in it feel free. Before you take too much credit remember it was the NCAA who made the change not you and you the activists. Lastly, some of your references about what occured in the 1970's with the snow scuptures is not factual. Iwas there. I see you conveniently left out the facts about the AIM folks who ganged up on the single fraternity guy who was sticking up for the women the AIM guys were harrassing. The distortion of the facts over the years in order to convince people back on the reservation how terrible things are at UND for NA students is not consistent with your culture and their respect for truth. That dishonors your people more than the UND logo. Your Alma Mater is going to change the name. The only way it won't happen is if you and others on the reservation convince the tribal councils to ask UND not to change the name. I don't think that is gong to happen. It seems to me it is time to cut the ties and move on. We have spent too much money on the issue already and we have more improtant issues to deal with. By the way I did get your reference to the trailers and beer and it was a good comeback. Best wishes.

Mertens is a stud and has a chance to be better than Walker.

Great Sioux crowd. Going to Denver for the Frozen Four was like going to a wedding and the bride, who is you favorite niece, doesn't show up. It was like UND wasn't in this year. Too bad but it happens.

Bison 101 is perceptive and gives a very good endorsment of Rob. Those who know Rob and work with him have been very impressed. He isn't a yes man but he will voice his opinions at the proper time and in the proper forum. He will be loyal to the president and has always (and is to this day) very loyal to UND. The committee showed a lack of leadership by not asking him to apply in the first place. The word was that Purpur was going to apply and was the frontrunner. That may have kept others from applying. According to what was published, the job is open until filled. To me that means it is still open. Why the committee would not want to interview a viable candidate at this time, tells me they need others on this committee. No matter who the candidate is, you should be looking for the best person for the job. As to another poster's comments that Bollinger would be circumventing the process, if the job is open, I don't see how. It may be inconvenient for the committee, but if that is the case, those who are put out should get off the committee. I would never make decisions at UND based on what McFly or others at the Forum might say. This is too improtant of a job for our athletic department to make another mistake.

He has and I have also spoken with him. He was very gracious. He is a bright guy.

Phil isn't on the committee. Look at the others who are. I believe the biggest problem now is Ralston and I believe she has lobbied to close the applications. I have been given pretty good info that Phil is not opposed to Rob this time but either way he isn't on this committee. Her time to move on is long past. She was a pain to Coach Lennon and his staff and should not be part of the UND family. No matter how this turns out I will lobby the new AD to get rid or her and President select Kelley to get rid of her. She seems to be devisive and does not show she has the best interest of UND nor UND atheltics at heart. The committee chair also should be helsd accountable.

I believe there is a person of interest who would make an outstanding AD and has all of the necessary experience and qualifications. The reason someone may be reluctant to go through this scam of a process has more to do with how some on this committee treated one of the applicants last time. One of the applicants was told that his experience at UND. Becasue his work experience was mostly at UND, it basically ended his application process. This applicant of interest probably is concerned that if these committee people would treat a loyal and talented UND applicant like that, what would they do to an outsider. Most outside applicants who have good jobs don't wish to subject themselves to this type of low class mistreatment by the power hungry "jock sniffer types" who are trying to enact the revenge of the nerds by their role on these committees. If Rob Bollinger is the "person of interset" Rob Bollinger has excelled at every job he has held and is a proven fund raiser and team builder. His role in rebuilding the UND football team to a national power was huge. He is the man responsible for building the Fighting Sioux Club into what it is today. He is respected and liked by virtually every person who has met him. He has contacts in the college and professional athletic circles from his years of coaching, his years as Director of the Fighting Sioux Club and in his tenure as an asst. AD at UND. He thinks outside the box and has a great vision for the possibilites of what not only UND athletics could be but how UND athletics can enhance the status of the University of North Dakota. He is loyal to a fault and will back the decisions made by his President. He will fight to improve the budgets of his coaches and will actrively assist The Fighting Sioux Club and the Alumni office in fund raising. He will have the back of the president and his coaches. He will be a great supporter of all UND athletics including Women's atheltics and the non revenue sports. He is the type of guy you would go into combat with, want at your side in a dark alley and be the god parent to your kids. If there s a better candidate, I would like to meet them and that is who should be hired. If this committee has not sought his application or won't accept it, then those who oppose that whould not be working at UND. Had Rob Bollinger been our AD last week I would bet anything, Rob would have found the funds to get the band to Madison. He understands how those are no longer the "little things" that are improtant in our move to D1 Athletics.