iramurphy

I attended the Alumni function on Pelican Lake this evening. A number of the alumni staff were in DL yesterday for the Champions Club Golf event, returned to GF last night, then back for this event this evening. Bubba was at todays event as were many alumni office personnel and key UND administrators including President Armacost and his wife Kathy. It was easy to visit with any of these key people. I had a long visit with Dave Hakstol. The athletic department staff, FB coaches and a number of key alumni staff will returne to GF tonight then will be In Minneapolis for the FB function Sunday and Monday. Anyone who thinks for a moment that these folks are “lazy” hasn’t a flipping clue. These events go on around the country year round. These events are not exclusive. Those who took the time had ample opportunity to chat with President Andy, Deanna Zink, Bill Chaves, Bubba and other FB coaches, and other coaches from hockey, golf and tennis. Many Alumni including former Sioux greats from multiple sports and Kraken Coach Dave Hakstol attend. It’s a great time to connect to other alumni and build relationships with key UND staff. It’s a great time to personally witness how hard these people work trying make UND including our athletic teams better and to connect with fans, supporters, donors and alumni.

Going back to previous discussions. I spoke with Bill Chaves, Val Sannes, and Tim Belmore today. They were very accessible to anyone who wanted to talk to them. I passed along the concerns/ideas some of you have expressed regarding complaints of some not feeling appreciated as Champions Club donors, not responding to messages, Emails etc. , some feeling they don’t receive communication from UND officials etc. I also related that I and others offered to coordinate meetings between them and fans or supporters but no one contacted me to set that up. They all would be happy to meet with any of you. I also let them know how some think they are lazy and clueless. I think they would love to have those folks follow them for a few weeks but they were disappointed to hear that. Bottom line: I said I would pass along those concerns/ideas and I did. They have major functions in Detroit Lakes today, Pelican Lake tom Orie and Sunday and Monday in the twin cities. Coaches from multiple sports are attending while also going back and forth between Grand Forks and these locations to coordinate summer camps, a big recruiting week for FB, MBB, WBB, and hockey.

Knutson lost control of his bike and fell into the path of the truck pulling a boat on a trailer. All captured on a homeowners security video. Driver of vehicle didn’t break any laws, no charges anticipated. Sad deal.

Detroit Lakes kicker/punter Nick Bubolz, has been invited to Kohl’s Professional Kicking Camp in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s a National Showcase for kickers and punters. Was invited after a good showing at the Minneapolis showcase camp. Will be a junior this year. His Dad,TJ, walked on at UND when Roger Thomas was coaching. I believe only played a year or 2. Also good athlete. Played QB last season when starter was hurt. Plays BB and tennis. 4.0 student.

On the contrary, this team and staff have high expectations for a successful season. They are excited to move the program forward. Fortunately, the excitement for the new season, the expectations and confidence of our players and coaches is what is most important. What we think as fans ……… not so much.

Thanks. Nice of you to do this.

For anyone wanting direct access to key UND admin, Alumni Assn admin, athletic Dept admin, or coaches, log on to undalumni.org and find an activity near you. The Golf outing in DL on July 13 is sold out but Kim and Nicole Poolman host the largest summer gathering at their beautiful lake home on Pelican south of DL on July 14.

Initially it was $10,000,000 but it included the Sports Med contract. The $10,000,000 was left “dangling “ for quite some time. I have no idea anymore but if I were UND, both issues would be on page one.

I agree.

You have posted some reasonable responses. Don’t start the immature crap that destroys discussions. UND isn’t buying players. Most of us aren’t going to deal with NIL. We do need to improve coaches salaries so funding is an on going issue. NIL is out there so schools, including yours and ours, need to be proactive. Recruiting has improved year to year. I assume you meant competing. While NDSU has the advantage of the National Championships other schools including UND have made some inroads. If this is how you have fun it should be more concerning than UND losing a recruit to NDSU. Spend time with family or friends instead of other school’s forums. Do like I do and waste time on your own forum when you have nothing else to do.

Yup. There is a way to connect those willing to contract with athletes with the athletes.

If the NCAA is going to do this right, at least on paper they should keep schools and coaches out of it. The athletes should need to approach businesses on their own to arrange their own deals. If they wish NIL deals to include association with the University, including wearing the uniform, using school names or logos etc. the University should get a percent of the deal. I’m not naive enough to think the NCAA would consider this, much less enforce it. However before we set up an NIL fund there should be businesses that would be willing to contract with athletes for an NIL deal. The school should know who they are and have appropriate contact info.

Google Louis Tiant. Maybe the way to save your arm is to smoke big Cuban cigars. That guy was fun to watch.

You are correct. Donors will often direct their funds. Our families endowment is for engineering students and for Alzheimer’s research. It is modest and we can add from time to time Alumni staff presented an opportunity to include UND in our will/trust which resulted in an immediate $10,000 to the engineering endowment from an anonymous donor. I believe that is an example of how the Alumni staff are working very hard to entice donors and to reach out. Our post grad relationship started years ago when my wife and I attended an alumni function. I believe we can achieve our goals of being one of the top FCS teams on a regular basis in FB and top teams in conference in MBB, WBB, and VB. I don’t have all of the answers. We need to be willing to think outside the box which is why I think it is a good idea for people to try to reconnect with UND. They obviously have made mistakes with some supporters and can always do better. I believe when building or rebuilding relationships if we wait for the other party to be the first one to reach out, we may get frustrated. Don’t wait to meet them half way, meet them wherever we have an opportunity to reconnect. Our new softball facility along with the ability to play/practice in the Pollard will be a big plus. We are seeing improvements in track and tennis. If anyone wishes to be part of things moving forward there are opportunities that UND can customize to our wishes and ability to participate or donate. UND has a very positive social media presence. 25 of our graduating seniors (12%) are going to UND this fall. (Everyone of them received a scholarship from DL dollars for scholars of at least $1000. We give $250,000 or more each year to our graduating seniors. As president of that group I believe I have learned some things about fund raising, working with the million dollar donors as well as those who can donate $25). UND reaches out to Alumni regularly. They host Alumni get togethers in many locations across the country. I will attend 3 in July. I would suggest contacting the UND alumni office to find one in our respective areas. It is an opportunity to meet and chat with the president, AD, CC staff, Alumni staff and coaches. More importantly it is an opportunity to reconnect with the University and fellow Alumni. That may not work for everyone, but I would be surprised if most wouldn’t at least feel more connected.

I’m not sure that pressing for answers about how you reached your conclusions regarding your claims and accusations is a personal critique but I can understand why you feel that way. I appreciate your thoughts regarding philosophy but I think what you described is your assumption based on what we can see from the outside looking in. Hockey is certainly on a different level than our other sports. I believe it is a direct result of Ralph’s donation. The agreement which certainly sets Hockey up financially, does provide for other sports albeit not equally. The ongoing support from his foundation continues to keep hockey at the top of the priority list. It is where we want hockey to be in order to continue as a perennial hockey power. Some of that ongoing support is based on the wishes of the donor. That leaves major challenges for our other sports. Thus far we don’t have a mega wealthy donor to quickly solve the financial challenges for other sports. Your opinion as to the lack of funding to get us where we need to be included a thinly veiled “personal critique” of UND staff. From your answers it seems you have made assumptions based on observations from the outside looking in. I happen to disagree. Im not sure there is any reason to get angry. I haven’t played or coached for many years so there are many other things more important than my favorite athletic teams. However passionate fans are important for support I have beaten that dead horse too long. I will discuss these issues of philosophy, unequal support, not reaching potential donors, not showing appreciation for present donors etc next time I have the opportunity. My concern for FB right now is recruiting. We can’t afford an off year if we are to move forward.

Maybe I was wrong to think you already knew how many staff members are working with the different sports and the hours spent on different sports because you tell us there are big discrepancies. When have such strong criticisms of the philosophy it stands to reason you know what the philosophy is. I hate to state the obvious but posting your “basic questions” on this forum isn’t going to get you your answers. It’s becoming clear you have made assumptions rather than base your criticisms of time spent, efforts made etc on facts. I can only tell you what I know from experience. The staff involved with CC and athletics work hard. I have seen no evidence of laziness and frankly that’s a cheap shot. I have never had any of those folks fail to respond to my questions. None of them have indicated little or no interest in football. They often have fan get togethers or tailgating at away FB games. If you imply you know all of the answers to the shortcomings of staff and departments but you can’t come up with the details it raises the question of your credibility. So what exactly is this philosophy you refer to that is so wrong? What are the staff assignments and time commitments that you seem to know about? Who would you like to sit down with to express your concerns? I bet a number of folks on this forum would be willing arrange that and even sit in on that meeting to make sure they answer questions. If it’s questions about coaches performance and job security that is information that is protected by the data privacy act.

Valid points and I agree with concerns. I’m not under the impression change is imminent so I may not raise all of concerns on this forum. I’m hoping we have done enough to see improvements in FB, MBB, WBB and VB this year. Time will tell.

Good points, good ideas.

No one on forums like this have to provide any information but I wonder about where you are coming from because it seems you feel able to judge someone’s work ethic, their strategies, their abilities etc on regular basis. I’m no better connected and probably not as well connected to UND than many on this forum. I have suggested ways for those who feel left out to get the information they desire or improved connections with UND. Maybe you could suggest to me how I can learn about this “philosophy” and the inner workings, including where the emphasis is regarding the different sports and especially your personal observations of this poor work ethic/laziness you keep referring to. Like many others on this forum I “do something about it” already. I find that is a better way to help than the whining, and criticism founded and unfounded.

I never said I ignore NDSU I said I don’t pay much attention to what NDSU does. If you continue the nonsense about lazy, disinterested, clueless etc then you will need to explain what your background is, your training, and your experiences that have made you such an excellent judge of their work ethic and incompetence. Have you played or coached? Have you been an AD. Have you hired, supervised, and promoted or fired employees? Have you owned your on business? Have you sat on the board of directors of a corporation, civic group, not for profit organization etc.? If you know so many people who feel disrespected or ignored why aren’t you willing to be part of the solution? What are you basing your claim that you know how much time staff spends on FB, Hockey and other sports.? I don’t consider myself a large donor and I’m not personally contacted often. Although I believe there are supporters out there who could and maybe would do more, why aren’t you willing to help give UND staff the opportunity to fix the problem? Why aren’t these Champion club members getting the same emails with opportunities for events etc that I get? They are invited to the Chsmpions Club pre-gaming tailgating tent that the rest of us are aren’t they. There is free food and UND coaches from other sports, athletes from other sports and other UND often address the fans What is it these fans would like UND to do? I’m not going to waste my time looking at Champions Club lists to discern who donates to which sports and whether or not they are happy or disappointed If you aren’t willing or able to answer these questions then you have zero credibility and it is easy to understand why your opinions are ignored and you feel left out. It isn’t just because you are usually bitching about coaches, staff, administrators etc . Many will give you the benefit of the doubt, unless you show yourself to be lacking in the knowledge, experience, intelligence and social skills to participate in a manner to affect positive change

I don’t pay much attention to what NDSU does and I’m not disagreeing with your points regarding areas where we need to improve/fall short. My initial disagreement was with reference of lazy, clueless, disinterested etc. I think they work hard and spend a lot of time and effort to improve things and increase resources. I don’t disagree with those whose contention is we need to do better I don’t believe hockey is the problem. I still think hockey is where it should be. The point you and others make regarding the number of people UND hasn’t reached yet means that before we look to hockey we need to get to those people you and others have identified. There are staff dedicated primarily to hockey, to FB etc and others who go where and when needed. I can’t answer your question regarding when will things improve. I can’t see how it will hurt if we reach out to UND staff for our own wishes as well as identifying other potential donors. I will raise concerns regarding people who haven’t been contacted or especially those who fell ignored or even slighted. PM me with names or details and I will do what I can to help. I believe we agree we have a long way to go to where we need to be. I believe we have good people working hard. Maybe the little things we can do to help will add up to a significant contribution.

Well said. You and others would be a better source of information regarding UND’s efforts in NDak, especially the western part of the state. Others have also raised the issue of not being contacted regarding opportunities to be involved and also the communication piece. It’s obvious to me that needs to be a priority for UND and especially athletics. I would agree NDSU is doing a better job especially west of the Red River Valley. I will speak with The UND folks at the upcoming UND events that I attend. You and the others are correct in that regardless of the challenges, UND needs to do better. Do you have a preference as to what method of communication works best? I would also recommend emailing or calling Tim Belmore, Steve Brekke or others in the Alumni office to forward your concerns and suggestions.

Second choice was Won’t. Go figure.

Good points. I know coaches and players from different sports have done that in the past. I’m not sure how recently. Some sort of promotion or contest between dorms and or Greek organizations might help.

Dave is willing to make a significant contribution. UND staff has been working hard to make something work. Dave has been in the jungles of Guyana on one of his mining projects so it will take time. I’m not involved so nothing more to tell. I haven’t talked to him since before Thanksgiving. I haven’t spoken to Mark in over a year. He had previously said indicated interest in supporting UND but it was just a brief chat. UND has been in contact, but there are others close to Mark who would have current info. regarding level of interest and timing.