iramurphy

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.

I agree. Belmore has had trouble hanging on to the ball this year, most of his fumbles recovered by UND. It goes back to getting your number two guy quality playing time in the first half. This late in the year Dale probably needs to show confidence in Belmore, but I agree he needs to get Manke in early if Belmore is not playing well. He should have done it earlier this year and last year too but didn't so I am not very confident he will make the change. I still think Belmore has been much better this year, thatn he was last year. Manke's numbers have been better and he outplayed Chris in both spring games but on paper he isn't as tall and isn't as fast. All he does is win, but you can't win from the bench. The other thing (BinCity mentioned a long time ago) was he is a hell of a holder. There have been a few bad snaps this year that he manged to catch and get down. I believe Jeff Glas would echo that.

Fulmer from Detroit Lakes started the season with a torn cartilage in his knee that had just been scoped then broke his ankle in the second last game of the year. He has a great upside and if UND has a little $$ left over he would be worth a small Scholarship or at least recruit as a walkon. I am not sure he had a good enough year to get a n offer though. He had a great year last year and good year this year despite the injury. Eidenshink from Detroit Lakes had a dominating year. Fans and coaches from the other teams walked away commenting on him. He as been offered a full ride at Stanford to wrestle. NDSU had him in last weekend but I don't know if that was for wrestling, FB or both. He has multiple D1 wrestling offers. DL's coach said he is the best linebacker he has coached. He is very smart, very tough, and very agressive. The DL coach said he would rather play FB in college and would very much like to play at UND. He keeps his weight down for wrestling but would likely play at 230-235lbs. 4 yr starter and also started in the O-Line. Team aptain 2 years. High ACT score and 4.0 student. ( I assume that means he wouldn't get in to the AC because he is overqualified). Rocori has a DE 6' 4" 260lbs, very athletic and quick. He can play at this level if not higher. I think his name is Torres. They had a FB NG 6' 2" 205 who was very good but I am not sure he is big enough to play Dline or fast enough to play FB or LB. He might be but I don't know. Sartell has a 5' 10" 230lbs FB who is very good and reminded me of Wistoff.

I believe he would have been complimentary to Manke and said we are lucky to have two fine quality QB's but Belmore will start and has had a good year and he would be comfortable playing either one and the team has confidence in both of them etc. That would have been the correct answer for the media but I wish one of media types would have asked the question and pushed for an answer. Dale is such a nice guy and still not smooth with the media so I don't think anyone wants to put him on the spot. A previous poster stated it best, what does Manke have to do to get a shot? Good luck to Belmore, I think he will have a good day. I still wish Dale would get Manke some quality time early in every game so he has no doubt what Manke will do for him when the game is on the line. Manke has never let him down. I think mussman is afraid that once Manke gets in, he will be hard to get back out!

I believe that is crap. His HS FB coach said the gophers were recruiting him and it was down to UND or the gophs. Forney is also a very bright kid. I think he wanted to play for the best program in the country so he selected UND.

Points well taken. I think some of the language is going to be a bit colorful but I think the perverbial "F word" should not be used. When I was a student we had a bit of fun with the other teams and the refs. I think the Sioux Crew at FB games have been entertaining but I can't hear what is shouted by individuals. I think the students can do it without me leading the way. (If that happened none of the recruits would come here).

Yup. I recruited for UND for a number of years. Gene Murphy was one of the best and he recruited the Mothers. There are mothers out there who will find the fact that the UND student section is screaming "F--- you Denver" repeatedly is not acceptable and enough to lean toward some other school when all else is equal. I do not think UND is the only school where this has occured and I don't think we will lose a lot of kids but it creates a very negative image of the UND student section when compared to other schools where they actually have coordinated, clever cheers. If we were to allow this to be the norm at UND events, I would be willing to bet a lot that some recruits parent or the recruit will be turned off by it somewhere along the line.

Mom, That doesn't excuse the lack of class shown by the UND fans. It means you are a good Mom. I guarantee you that even though we all have heard the word, there will be some recruit with his parents at a game who will hear it and it may cost us a recruit someday. Why should you have to spend time explaining this unacceptable behavior to your kid at a UND event?? I have always thought UND fans were better than that. It is one thing to tell your kids to be aware of that type of language and they willlikely hear it on the school bus or playground, but come on, these are kids who are supposedly capable of getting a 22 on their ACT. We should expect and demand better. They can use their minds to be more creative and it will be alot more fun for us and for your kids.

I agree. Hockey is so much more fun as a fan when your student section is smart enough to be clever. The F--- you Denver chant is an indication of ignorance. If it continues I would ban them to the rafters. They should be forwarned and then sent home. It shows absolutely no class. I like the band down closer to the ice next to the students. With a little imagination, it should be awesome.

Agreed. Berhns pissed off a lot of people when he ran the score up one year when UND was down. He is a very good coach and he is a very good recruiter. He wasn't ready to be a head coach here and he did not have a great staff. When he left here, he knew that was his biggest mistake and he hasn't made it again. Most of them were NAIA coaches and didn't understand the talent level needed to succeed in the NCC. He has outcoached our guys the last few years and it doesn't sit well with us. Condolences to Pat, Suzie and the family.