iramurphy

Where did you hear that? He is a hell of a player and will play a lot. He will be an all conference player before he is done for the Sioux and likely an academic all-american. (he is a 4.0 GPA student) and they like him. They play two sets of DB's so he gets a lot of playing time. Why would he give up being a stud and having a good shot at two National Chapionships in the next two years to play for the Jimmies? He had a hell of a spring scrimmage.

I think they have 3 pretty decent candidates. I would prefer Bollinger and I liked Buning. Molde won't be around that long. Any of the four will have the ability to say no. The mistake that Wanless made was that he didn't feel it was his job to raise money and therefore did not ahve a good relationsip with enough Alumni and former athletes. He did some things very well at a difficult time. I liked Roger but he may have been such a nice guy that he had difficulty dealing with the previous REA guy (when that guy wasn't in the back seat of some car in the parking lot with a Bimbo or making off with REA profits) and difficult subordinates. The new AD would be smarter to assign the admin duties to his staff. The leadership duties and team building will be his top priorities and that will include fundraising. He will need to solve the REA dilemma, improve the relationsip with the city and UND students, work with Kupchella and his staff to improve their relationships with students, Alumni, and the regional businesses who support UND. If you are doing a good enough job raising $$$ you won't need to make your teams operate on shoestring budgets and wil be able to reward them at times with an overnight instead of an all night bus trip. Bollinger has raised millions of $$$ and has a strong backing among those who have thick wallets. Buning seems like the type of guy who has the personality to eventually do that. I don't now anything about the other guys. It will be interesting.

I am not positive what you mean. I was in Grand Forks and had heard from a number of people from Grand Forks that Harmeson was making it clear to some of those folks he felt Bollinger didn't have the AD experience that he felt was needed. I was also led to believe that that opinion in view of Harmeson's position as acting AD and search committee member was potential stumbling blocjk to Bollinger. These were people who have been strong UND supporters, not necessarily Bollinger supporters. I do not believe that is appropriate for the committtee members to be voicing these opinions publicly. That belongs at the committee discussions. The public comments are for wags like us who have our own thoughts and opinions. I am not here to lobby. I sent a letter to the appropriate people with my opinion. I have no comments to make about anyone's family and haven't. I wondered if what I had heard was true and other posters seemed to provide evidence that this was so. If I am convinced there is anything in-appropriate I will speak to Harmeson and Kupchella myself. I may know more about Harmeson than you think, but this isn't about him. It is about the AD candidates. I think it is valid to question how committeee members, working for the tax payer, conduct themselves during the course of their job. I wanted to be clear on exactly what his job and title are and was given a nice reference. I believe it is relevant to know someone's background and how they might view UND and UND athletics. If a person went to school here, I believe they are more likely to develop loyalty to the school and athletic programs than if they didn't. I agree it is important to be careful what we say and keep it from getting too personal. I will keep that in mind. Thanks for your thoughts.

Dowzak's birthday is March 1988 so he will only be a senior this coming year. I would think he is big enough physically and whomever gets him may need to promise he can play right away as opposed to playing Jrs for a year. I have no knowledge of what he is thinking and have no inside info other than I know how old he is.

It is my understanding that he doesnt' feel Rob has the necessary administrative experience. I heard the same comment that someone close to Harmeson had made comments that were not complimentary to Bollinger. It is probably best to leave it at that. I also heard that Harmeson was very excited to have Purpur apply and seemed to be a supporter of Purpur. Those of you in GF may know more. I believe Buning was in Columbus to meet with key UND people. I do not nor did I ask specific questions. I visited with him for about 5 minutes. He is a West Point Grad, articulate and seemed like a nice guy. I hope Bollinger gets the job and this guy could be his assisstant. For what it is worth I would not say that about Kupchella. I do not find him personable. Kendall Baker and his wife were at Columbus for the frozen four wearing their Sioux apparel and greeted me and others warmly. I hdd not seen him since he left UND and I was out of the country for about 5 yrs. Yet he still remembered me and others. I have met Kupchella on a number of occasions and have had dinner with hem and he still wouldn't know me from Randy Moss. Not that I am anyone other than a loyal UND alumnus and will do what I can to help UND or UND students, but somehow Ken Baker remembered and Kuppy has no clue. Kuppy is bright but it tells me something about his priorities and personality. Therefore I would not have then, nor would I today, compare him favorably with Tom Buning as far as his demeanor. By the way, what exactly is Harmeson's position other than acting AD?

Word at the Sioux scrimmage Saturday was that the committee gave Kupchella two names and he told them he wanted three. If they bring in another candiadate, I would think it is the guy from West Point who is an assistant AD there. He is a West Point grad. He was in Columbus at the Frozen Four talking to some key people. Seemed like a nice guy. Grand Forks folks were also saying Harmeson seems to be hurting Bollinger's chances. That is what I would expect from an administrative type. I would hope he is smart enough to know that the Alumni will remember that and when Kupchella moves on he will be moved out quickly. I would hope Harmeson and those close to him do not continue to say anything about Bollinger that isn't complimentary. Rob is a great guy and would be an excellent AD. If there is someone better they can should hire them. I have no problem if someone prefers another candidate but I would hope they would support their choice based on that person's merits rather than Rob not having AD experience. Being the faculty rep doesn't make Harmeson anymore of an expert than any of the rest of us. Being Kupchella's gopher doesn't make him an expert either. I would wonder if he was ever an athlete or coach. He is entitled to his opinion, but I hope he understands many people are disappointed by what is perceived as undermining Bollinger's chances. Bollinger has excellent experience in some of the key areas especially fundraising and team building. Maybe there is someone better, but Rob is an excellent candidate as well and I think thus far would be the best choice. My opinion is not anymore than that but I have nothing bad to say about the other candidates and Rob qualifies based on his record not what someone else did or didn't do.

So let me get this straight. Are you saying Rohde quit or what? Is that on the new poster for for 2005? Someone asked how many werre at the scrimmage. About 1200 fans maybe. Some stayed only for part of the scrimmage and some came late. Defense looked pretty good. Greenwood had a good scrimmage and a nice pick and made some run stops. Longe had a nice pick on Belmore. Alexander is fast and also covered pretty well. Belmore missed an open receiver for a TD and seemed a bit frustrated with his poor play in the second half of the scrimmage. Freund isn't ready yet and Carney was OK. Manke moved the team pretty well. Pick on the goal line that he tried to force a bit but other wise scrambled well and had a nice TD pass he laid right on the receivers hands. One of the guys who has been to all of the spring practices and scrimmages says he is playing better than Belmore but it is close. As long as Mussman is there he will need to grow 2 more inches before he gets a break from him. He should come out of spring ball ahead of Belmore. He did last spring and they moved him down to three when Bowencamp got hurt. A number of receivers made nice catches (3 diving) but on two of the picks they need to knock those down so the DB can't get to the ball. Receivers also blocked well at times. O-line usually gets knocked around in the spring scrimmage but they did pretty well. Teams looks quicker. RB's had a good day. Overall good depth. Save your frequent flyer miles for Florence if they stay healthy.

Franklin had surgery on his shoulder.

He won't move ahead of either Belmore or Manke. Carney has had a good spring. If Freund continues to develop he will be the QB of the future, but he won't be for a couple of years yet. That is also why Groeschl moved back to wide-out.

You are right. A couple of observations. This group, however small, really needs to "win one". I think they see this as winable because there are enough politically correct Admin types, politicians, and campus liberals who will feel more comfortable with their evening bong if they jump on this issue. It is easier than getting to the real problems of poverty, education, violence, unemployment etc. It is near impossible to try to help as an outsider. We often are looked at as the ones who caused the poverty and destruction of culture and Native ways. Maybe you and I didn't but we must understand how many feel. I still think the use of the Fighting Sioux name can be used to help Native Americans. It could be used to bridge cultures. There are many Native Americans who agree and like the idea that the Sioux name is published across the country in a positive manner associated with UND athletics. There are also many narrow minded enough who refuse to see the possibilities because some opposing fan yelled "Sioux suck" or some drunk, rednecked peckerwood showed their ignorance by making racially insensitive remarks. Those people who can't get past their anger seem to be unwilling to have any discussion on how our culture felt this was an honor. They do not see interseted in diversity and I have expressed that point ad nauseum on earlier comments. They have a double standard when it comes to cultures. Ours is not important and they have no respect for what our elders tried to do even though their own elders were wise enough to understand and see the potential for collaboration. There are also many who have enough self confidence and cultural pride to share their culture with us and see how we can work together to make things better for us and Native Americans. UND should continue to work with them and expand what we can do around the state and region to make a positive difference in the lives of the kids on the reservation, so 50 years from now UND would face litigation if we dared drop the name.

I am in. I will buy you beer. Will be at the Crowne Plaza and taking my UND daughter. I told her I expect a sign: UND Tuition and costs $9000. Charter to Columbus $975. Taking my old Dad to watch the Sioux thrash the Gophers on our way to #8. Priceless.

It's what all of us old guys at the nursing home are stuck with. Ourselves. I don't wish to get in trouble with the administrator so enough said. I am bringing my sign to the Frozen 4. Nursing home cost per month. $4250. MediVan trip to Columbus $1250. 2 extra large boxes of depends for the weekend $17.50. Watching the Fighting Sioux bring home #8, Priceless.

Geez buddy hang in there. Don't do that. Pretty soon you wil be doing other things "by yourself" if you know what I mean.

Nice summary and a good example of how the name can benefit Native Americans. I have been wondering what the heck happened to Graham Cracker. I was hoping to get an answer and some dialogue on this issue. Whenever I have seen someone raise what I think are legitimate questions and thoughts, those who oppose the name somehow either disappear or refuse to address the specific issues raised. I believe Native Americans have a choice to accept a gift from another culture and make it work for them. Isn't that part of diversity? There are so many things this could lead to such as outreach for kids on the reservations for math, science, fine arts and athletic camps and clinics. If I were in a leadership position at the tribal council level I would bring these thoughts back to the reservation and consider the opportunites. That is what leadership is all about. Graham are you still at your senate meeting? Some one wake him up or he will miss finals. Help me out here.

The hockey goal and damage to the boards. $750. Forgetting your hockey stick at center ice. $197 A rink side seat to watch the Sioux pound the Gophers. Priceless. If I wanted to be an ass, I would have inserted Psychiatric consultation. $250. (Don't fool yourselves.)

Isn't that an All-star team made up of seniors who have either not commited to a college or signed with a Junior team? Check todays Fargo Forum because I am pretty sure that is correct.

I am one of the ones who thinks we should let Hirsch suffer in peace but I thought this was pretty funny. Good thinking. Not in poor taste.