iramurphy

Thanks for the info. I agree, Kasowski is a player. These three kids and the kid from Stephen would be quite a core of recruits to build on. I wonder if UND's talk of going D1 will scare any of them away. They may not wish to simply play at UND to say they are playing D1AA.

Have you heard anything about Anderson? Usually the bison will try and force them to commit during the campus visit by telling them everyone and their dog wants to go there and they may not be able to hold a scholarship for them if they wait. One of the disadvantages UND has when going up against them is that they can now offer a full ride to kids UND offers 2/3's. That is the big advantage of D1AA and the 63 scholarships. What about Kasowski or Landry? Do you know what schools they are looking at ?

If you think EGF is terrible this year then you must know more than the TRF coach (preseason #1 in class A) and the other Section 8 coaches who recognize that they are a pretty good team. They are obviously on par with Warroad on a given night. That would also then mean Roseau, Moorhead, nd TRF. If you aren't smart enough to know that they are three of the better teams in Mn. then you are not very bright. I gotta wonder what would make some jock sniffer, who probably can't make his own squirt B team, feel better at Christmas time by coming on a board and insulting someone else's kids and state. Most people who know and love hockey, and have a passion for it, will do most anything to promote the game and that includes helping other schools and other states. You don't fit the bill. Obviously you aren't a coach and if you are a player your IQ isn't any higher than your skate size. Why would trying to make someone else feel badly make you feel better? Even if you have a better hcokey team that doesn't make you better. The athletes and coaches with class don't do that, and you don't seem to fit that description. As a former Mn HS coach of the year told his team after winning a state tournament, "Remember, this doesn't mean you are better than anyone else". You obviously have always been on the outside looking in and thus your attitude. Now quit ripping on others and go ring the salvation Army Bell. You will feel a lot better about your miserable self. Before you think I am getting bent out of shape, I want you to know that due to the Christmas season I am being kind as I feel you may need some kindness this Christmas season. Happy Holidays.

Living in Mn. I see mostly Mn. hockey. Should one care to remove their blinders they will see there are many Mn teams who would have trouble competing with the best ND teams year in and year out. Red River beat EGF this year and they have been mentioned in the Mn. polls and just tied Warroad last week. Fargo South tied Moorhead as mentioned by a previous poster. The Gophers wouldn't beat Mankato this year withuot the two N.Dak. defectors on their team. Before I would be dumb enough to make that comment, I would at least wait until after the Christmas tourneys when there is a lot of interstate play. Mn. has more teams and certainly more kids playing so overall, odds are, you will have more good teams in Mn that N.Dak. I think overall N.Dak. may be down a bit this year, esp in the west, but you don't know hockey if you think good N.Dak. hockey isn't on par with Mn. Over the years history will tell us otherwise.

There should probably be a section 8 thread but I agree. TRF and Warroad, the preseason favorites, are beatable. TRF doesn't seem to have consistent goaltending and other than Forney none of the other kids have really stepped up. EGF started tough but got beat by Park Rapids. Detroit lakes beat Park Rapids 8-2 and was 6-0 then lost to Little Falls 5-4. Crookston might be cabable of beating anyone but I don't think could sustain that level of play throughout section playoffs.

Was he the only kid they lost? I still think they had a very good summer team and beat some pretty good teams. They beat TRF who beat Warroad last night and Detroit Lakes who is decent. I thought they would dominate the West and play the East teams tough. Thanks for the update.

Minot had a very good select team this summer. I saw them play in tRF and in Alexandria. How many of those kids are playing juniors? Some time back someone on this thread said there were at least two of their best kids including a coaches kid who were going to play juniors. That is too bad because they were pretty good when they were together.

I would say TJ fits the bill. Great team player also plays both ends of the ice. Congrats. Anyone go to the Warroad Thief River Falls game? TRF 3-2. Its going to be interesting in Section 8 this year. Warroad is not the same without TJ and last years seniors.

I know this is a N.Dak HS site but I was too lazy to start a Section 8 site. Forgive me if you aren't interested, but, Thief River Falls beat Warroad tonight 3-2. I don't know the details. Big win for the Prowlers.

Kracker, UND athletes and fans are not impersonating Native Americans. That is where I think the cultural disconect seems to be. You make this issue so much more than it is. UND has never tried to become Sioux Indians or impersonate them. UND named their athletic teams the Fighting Sioux about 70 years ago with permission from your ancestors. You should be educated enough to know that is all it was. No more and no less.

The Sioux need to recruit the kid very hard. He is a very good player. One of the best HS juniors in the state. He plays on the elite teams and select teams and develps relationships with other Mn kids who put a lot of pressure on him to stay with the golden rodents.

Kracker, I have done my history. UND (in the 1930's) asked and received permission to use the name. Don't get all of your info from the Dakota Student archives. That is only one source. I have seen the microfiche documents from the Dakota student. My Dad was going to school here at that time. He did not look at Native Americans as less than human and neither did a lot of other people. He was a friend to your people years ago and supported them with jobs and financial help. There have been many people who have looked at your culture as no different than any one else and tried to help. Believe me it isn't always easy to help! I am not arguing at that time in history Native Americans were treated as equal citizens. The Fighting Sioux name did not solve the racial prejudice at the time. I believe it was a step in the right direction back then. I have reviewed documents that indicate UND received permission to use the name. In a recent column in the Herald, Doreen Yellowbird who is an opponent of the name, did admit UND asked and received permission to use the name. I saw old pictures of the celebration that took place at Ft. Yates around that time. OK, the past is past. I accept that today the representatives from the Sioux nation have stated they don't want us to use the name. I don't think it is as simple as that. I think it will cost too much money to change the name and I think we will lose an opportunity to use the name as a bridge between cultures and a building block to help kids on the reservation. My opinion is as simple as that but making it happen wouldn't be so simple. Do your leaders not understand how much good will they would get by trying to find a compromise on this issue? Now if you disagree, I don't think you are a coward, or hiding or ignorant or a dumb norwegian. I suspect you have a position of leadership within the UND Native American community and it may be worth your while if you are going to work to get the name changed to quit calling people names who disagree with you. At one time you had mentioned the posssibility of a compromise. Are you still willing to consider one? If not have a Merry Christmas and I hope your finals went well. I will try to look you up some day at the cultural center. Will they know who Graham Kracker is?

I know this is a ND HS hockey site but can anyone tell me how the heck Park Rapids beat EGF last night? They are not very good. Detroit Lakes beat them Tuesday night and held out some of their better kids for a good part of the third period. Park Rapids got beat last week by a very poor St. Bernard's team in St. Paul. I thought EGF was supposed to be pretty good.

Kracker, Are you really under the impression that UND's use of the Fighting Sioux name makes anyone think they are Sioux?? Where did you get that idea? UND athletes and fans are not impersonating Native Americans. That is where I think the cultural disconect seems to be. You make this issue so much more than it is. UND has never tried to become Sioux Indians or impersonate them. UND named their athletic teams the Fighting Sioux about 70 years ago with permission from your ancestors. You should be educated enough to know that is all it was. No more and no less. Because of that, UND probably has more programs for Native American students and is more visable and has brought publicity to the name but it is up to you to bring honor to your people. It isn't UND's responsibility anymore than any other culture. UND's athletes, the UND logo and the fans are all about UND, not about you or your people. Maybe if you figured that out, you would be smart enough to see it has nothing to do with all of your woes and troubles. That is also why you shouldn't expect everything to get better because of the Fighting Sioux name. If you and your pals are as tough as you think you are, then you will prevail. You should prevail over the plight of your peoples important issues. This shouldn't be one of them. In the meantime you could all have a lot of fun with the University, Sioux athletics, and everything good about this association and the college experience. If some jerk calls you a prairie nigger kick his butt. If you need help call me or 90% of Sioux fans who will stand by you and cover your butt. (I wouldn't call the professors or activists who might pee their pants at the thought of actually getting their hands dirty or venturing out of their circle of weirdos. Kracker, it amazes me that an educated man, with enough gumption to have served in the military, is too shortsighted to see the irrelevance of this whole thing to your culture and your people. Is it important enough to raise your kids to hate or walk through life being defensive or angry? I would think you would be enough of a man to handle the few times you face the incidences of ignorance with the pride and dignity of your ancestors. It doesn't have to be such an "us vs them" issue and certainly doesn't need to be culture vs culture. I firmly believe that is a big part of your misunderstanding. Most people don't define themselves by culture or race. When others make ignorant remarks or comments it isnt' the end of the world. I don't think people on this board are hiding or cowards. Why does everything have to be such a confrontation? Where do yo want me to meet you? As Doc Halliday said to Ringo, "Ah'll be your huckleberery". What would that accomplish? Do you want to take me to the reservation? I am on a reservation frequently and maybe as much or more than you are when you are in school. I think I have read all of what you don't like. Tell us what do you like about UND. What besides dropping the Sioux name should UND do for you or Native Americans. I think that is what is more improtant than the Sioux name and should be where we focus our efforts for you and your people. Think about it big fella. By the way, if you tried to take away Bucky Badger, The Fighting Irish, Goldy Gopher, I bet you my next paycheck against a donut you would get a very spirited response at least similar, if not bigger, than what you see at UND.

Kracker, That one is easy to figure out. What is hard to figure out is how you are not understanding others cultures and motives. It is baffling to me to think someone as smart as you seem to be, would go to a hockey game or football game at UND and think it has anything to do with defining who you or who your people are. That was never the purpose of the relationship between UND and your ancestors years ago. You, and only you, define who you are and I would hope it goes way beyond being a Lakota. Not many of us look at you and think Native American, UND Fighting Sioux. We may notice you are Native American if you are making that part of your appearance but that is your choice. Your culture should be a big part of where you came from and can inflyuence who you are but I hope you are much more than just Lakota. If you wish, I will go to a hockey game or football with you and you can point out what is so negative to your culture. I and others are willing to learn. Most of us are not willing to accept that God died and left you judge, jury and almighty Warrior representing the views of all right thinking Lakota. You seem to want to insult everyone who doesn't agree with your way of thinking rather than to consider that maybe you haven't made your point clearly enough for others to understand. Consider this. Crazy Horse was a great cavalry officer from what I have read. He was flexible enough to change his tactics if they weren't working. You would be well served to do the same. Your buddy Ira.

Kracker, I had been glad to see you back on board. I was worried you defected to St. Cloud State or some other PC school. Sioux MD said you must have been studying for finals. I hope they went well. I have been entertained and educated by your postings. This attack on another human being is an example of your flawed thinking and hateful philosophy. I took the time to meet the poster known as Yttrium. He is very much Native American and seems proud of that fact. He stands about 6' 4'' and must weigh about 235lbs. Looks like a middle linebacker. I suspect he is very much the " Warrior" you claim to be. I have learned enough about him to know he helps his people, but also helps other people. He is very involved in educating our youth as well as Native American youth. He is very different from you in that he does not try to polarize our Native American youth. His philosophy is so much healthier than yours. You might do well to listen to him. If you are going to help your people and work with others, you will make a lot more progress if you use a little more diplomacy. Ira

That makes sense once you are play-off eligible. I don't know if that is the case until 2007. Once you are play-off eligible, I couldn't argue too much because you don't want to take a chance on missing the playoffs. Same valid argument UND had for not playing you in FB last year. The Sioux wouldn't have made the play-offs even had they beaten you by 50pts had they played last year. No excuse for the two schools not to play in WBB or MBB other than the Sioux women would probably run you off the floor and your men would probably do the same to us.

I agree. UND FB will not be penalized like they would have been in the past for playing you guys. Our new AD made overtures to your Athletic Department about resuming the rivalry and was told to buzz off. Amy Ruley and Bohl seemd to be most adamant. It is up to you alumni and fans to pressure them to play again.

I hear ya. It will take an extra $800,000 to 1,000, 000 per year for salaries and scholarships. UND should be D1 and we need to figure out a way to be successful at whatever level we play. I support the move but where will the extra $$$ each year come from. I wouldn't make the move just for FB so we need to have the $$$ to support the other sports before we move. Hell, come up with enough money, why bother with the D1AA level? There are a number of schools smaller than UND that compete at D1. It will take refurbishing facilities and a big endowment to do it.

I don't recall the record but it was terrible. Delaware which was D2 (there was no Div 1AA) and Wisconsin kicked the crap out of UND and they never recovered. Carl Miller, the AD, vowed to never schedule D1 teams again. I don't think he even wanted to play the better D2 teams. Playing the Gophers, Wisconsin, UNLV and simalar teams were a very good recruiting tool for athletes that might want to see how they measured up to the big timers. We played the Gophers my senior year 1973 and the following year 1974 when the Gophers came from behind to win in the last couple of minutes. I know MKSioux thinks the 1970's were the pinnacle of success for UND football but the 1990's through now are unprecedented. UND has sustained the success without the drought that followed the after the 1975 team. Murphy resurected the program then it died under Behrns. Roger and Dale resurected the program again and it is as strong now as it has ever been. When teams have reunions and when alumni get together no one says we didnt' have as good of a time because we were D2. It is about the relationships and it always has been and always will be. That includes the relationsips with the fans and other students. The St. John's players experience winning the National title was not lessened because they were D3. As UND moves to D1AA we must consider what will happen to the swimmers, golfers, BB players etc. We are ready to go D1AA. D1 for the other sports will not be as good in my opinion but I am sure things will work out if we can come up with the $$.

He won't be a nose guard period. He will play linebacker or RB, but likely linebacker. I don't think he is as big as Kleinsasser was at that age either. I am not sure what he runs the 40 in but I think he ran a faster 200m than Jim did. There isn't a coach in the world who would play him at noseguard. He has great speed and size for a linebacker.

I agree Kuppy isn't very personable. I agree he has not communicated well with the UND community and that includes GF. I have been to functions with both of them and wouldn't disagree with you. I am not a big fan but he has a reputation for speaking the truth. Chapman has a reputation for making statements that need to be verified. I think Chapman has out hustled Kupchella and is a better politician. He has done a pretty good job for NDSU so far but I wouldn't trust him to do much for any school other than NDSU. Clifford and Loftsgard were not like that. I have no knowlege or criticism of his community involvement but would believe what you say. I believe his meeting attendence at the presidents meetings can be verified. I think he missed another one in Bismarck this week. I would think four of the board members would be supportive of him especially Paulsen who communicates to the board he will control Chapman. I believe the facts are, it is Chapman who controls Paulsen.

Read the posts closer. Most of them are not unjustly critical of anyone. If you think just because UND's coaching staff is a great staff that they never make a mistake, I would respectfully disagree. I think what baffles a lot of people is that there is a guy on the team that many players, former players and even some former coaches think is a better QB. Manke has better numbers and has always performed well. Many people close to the program can't understand why he doesn't get a chance. Belmore had performed well until the last two games. Manke is that good that we should have had him in there when Chris struggled. These are legitimate questions at any level. This website is a vehicle for that discussion without having to meet at your place over a beer in order to have the type of discussion that goes on here. Without the fans and their interest we wouldn't have this discussion. I think there is very little inappropriate criticism of the coaching staff and Belmore. Some of the criticism has also been supportive of Belmore at the same time calling for Manke. I said the same thing this week I said at the start of the season. Both QB's need quality playing time. Manke didn't get it despite the fact that we were 9-0 going into the UNO game. Because of that we are in a pickle now and the staff doesn't seem to have the confidence to put Manke in in a situation where Chris is struggling. I think it is as simple as that and not disloyal to the program, the kids, or the staff. There are a lot of defensive players who want to go to UND because they know they will play. UND will start losing QB's if they are never going to get in the game unless they are the starter. I don't mean mop up duty when we are up by 40 points either.

On a somewhat related topic I was told by someone who knows that Kuppy is respected by the State Board and Potts. They trust him and when he says something, they know he is telling the truth. Not everyone on the Board likes him however. They said the opposite is true about Chapman. He is self centered and self serving and will mistate the facts in order to get whatever he wants. He will screw and other schools including UND and doesn't see any point in helping the other schools out. The other presidents don't care for him because he is trying to dissociate the AC from the other Universities. Chapman frequently skips meetings and sends one of his subordinates instead. He remains aloof from the other presidents. At one of the meetings in Bottineau he flew at state expense to Bottineau for the late afternoon portion of a two day meeting, then rather than stay overnight in the "hick town" he flew back to Fargo for the night. He flew back to Bottineau in the AM for the rest of the meeting. Taxpayers picked up the tab. He uses John Q. Paulsen as his boy and Paulsen (who at times, as a supposed neutral board member refers to NDSU as "we" when discussing issues) does Chapman's bidding. I doubt the Fargo Forum would ever do a story on Chapman's relationship with the other Universities or his use of state funds. On a distantly related topic, there is nothing in the Englestad Arena contract that would cause the Arena to be closed or the contract changed if UND changed the Fighting Sioux name. The Arena is leased to UND for 25 years and then will be deeded to UND. It can happen sooner if the controlling board decides to give it to UND. There are no bombs set to blow it up or arragements made to tear it down if UND changes the Fighting Sioux name.

I know they know about Fulmer and Eidenshink. They take their time and the kids ask if UND is interested in them but DL has some alumni who are very good about babysitting anyone UND is interested in until they finally get on them. We also do so in a manner so that we don't break any NCAA rules. I know Eidenshink told the DL coaches he would like to play at UND and that information was passed to the UND coaches. I assume the Sartell and Rocori kids are on their radar. Fergus Falls has a pretty athletic QB who could be a good free safety.