iramurphy

You have never been involved in recruiting college athletes have you? Frankly they (“nattys”) don’t matter to me because I am no longer playing nor coaching. While I cheer for and support UND hockey as well as UND athletics and the University, UND’s success has no benefit for me personally. I hope that our coaches and athletes are successful and will win National Championships. I also don’t think UND’s success equate to personal success for me. My point was that I disagree that UMD or Denver are head and shoulders above UND right now.

Not sure I would agree. We swept Denver this year and took 3 of 4 from Duluth. We won our 3rd Penrose in a row. Last year UND was arguably best team in nation except for 5 OT loss to Duluth. 2 yrs ago again possibly top team in nation but lost chance for run at title to Covid.UND has great fan base with top attendance. Great facility. Great University. Outstanding coaching staff. Outstanding resources. There isn’t a program in the nation head and shoulders above UND’s Hockey program.

With the present format for spring wrap up I would leave it at Pollard. It’s more intimate for fans who attend. What might be worthwhile is to create the tailgating and party atmosphere that might attract more fans. I would suggest food trucks, food tents, contests between dorms, contests between fraternities/sororities, faculty, staff and make it part of a “Spring Fling”. Put some worthwhile prizes for competition winners etc. Cornhole competition, 3 on 3 BB, VB etc. Work in your MBB, WBB, VB, Soccer, Hockey teams/coaches as part of your spring celebration. Set up free food with a Chili or BBQ rib competition between dining hall staff. Invite Native Students to dance etc. Get a Local radio station to provide a DJ and music. They could make it an event but I would leave it on campus. Anything that can be done to draw students to an event where they might interact with our athletic teams/staff/faculty etc would be good for athletics and the University. Start with AM breakfast and go all day. Just a thought.

Not true. He and Tim Belmore came to DL and we had supper and a beer. They did a great presentation of their plans and vision for Phase 2, FB resources, on campus softball facility, support for track teams etc. They are reaching out and if you were missed, let them know. They have lots of opportunities for support. If you are sitting at Judy’s waiting for them to find you, you might get overlooked. From what you have posted about your W-2 I’m guessing you are someone chomping at the bit to give a huge donation and I’m sure they would love to meet with you.

Neither of those guys know much about FB

UND minimizes contact in an attempt to avoid injuries. Although a spring game would be more fun, spring FB is geared toward evaluating players to get them in the best position to help the team, improve fundamentals, correct weaknesses, reinforce and fine tune strengths and continue to improve strength and conditioning. You can more effectively utilize your spring with repetitions of what you have improved on rather than standing on the sideline waiting to get a few plays in. The scrimmages are your measuring stick as to how players are progressing and necessary but when you have a number of key players still recuperating from injuries, I would argue not as important as your work with your position coach, and improving speed, strength and fundamentals. Team schemes and scrimmages are also important for your coaching staff to evaluate schemes/plays and how your personnel fit your plan. Can’t do that as well if guys are hurt.

Old coach friend was there. Said tough to tell cuz of format. Said Schuster didn’t have great day. He thought Feeney looked good when given time. He thought Klein kid from Mandan made some nice plays. Didn’t notice RBs. Said Receivers looked good.

Watched. They are very good and very young.

She was best HS girls player I have seen in this area. Kid from Crosby looks similar but only an 8th grade. Not as polished yet.

You can find that by googling whatever school -hockey facilities. Maybe start with with Penn State. Many schools have a YouTube video tour.

You are correct. My point is the facility is no longer the big advantage we had over other schools at one time. Many other schools have wealthy donors who can throw together the resources for a 5 million dollar upgrade over morning coffee.

First of all that is down on a list of priorities for recruits. Coaches, teammates, location, opportunities to play all trump the arena. Many schools have new or updated facilities since the Ralph was built. Even though the arena is probably still at the top of the list many schools have locker rooms, player lounges, and training facilities that compare well to the Ralph. It’s a plus but it isn’t why kids come here.

The Crosby kid is a very impressive 8th grader. Needs to continue to develop and get stronger. She put up 21 pts in first have against Det Lakes but didn’t do anything in second half.

Depends. There are quite a few CB’s who run 4.5. Most are 6’1” or bigger. In the years I was around NFL you might be surprised at how many 6’ 1” players were 5’ 10”, how many 240lb LBs were down to 215 or 220 halfway through season etc. The guys who ran 4.4 at combine are sometimes running 4.6 4-5 yrs later.

Just like me, there is a reason no one asked our opinion about an extension.

It’s always difficult to discuss on a fan board. Your points are well taken about fan support which is also a measure of how the program is progressing and certainly winning in today’s world is the bottom line. I’m not sure I blame anyone. There are so many factors going back to the slow transition from D2 for all sports. There are always a core group of supporters who attend for whatever their reason or like basketball and can appreciate the play of the opposition. The group you describe is essential to building the program.

You are correct in your comment on building a fan base. I wouldn’t expect you to recruit but you actually support my opinion that you don’t understand recruiting. Your comments indicated an opinion that Sather’s recruiting successes didn’t require much recruiting. I disagree. The majority of us fans will judge good team vs bad team based solely on win/loss record and that makes sense. Judging the coach and program must go much deeper and is more complex. The record is an important part and ultimately, the deciding factor. I may be wrong but I believe Sather will get this program back on track.

I’m not sure I would say “we” move on. Those who are waiting for success before further engaging in the program are less likely to meet the coaches, players, their families and understand what it takes to move a program forward. I am not close to the program either but I have been involved in turning programs around. From your statements I don’t believe you have any idea what recruiting involves. I think Sather was a great choice and we need to be patient. I wouldn’t take any college coaching job with less than a five year guarantee. No one is talking about 10-15 yrs. If we aren’t moving forward after 5 yrs ok.

If we push coaches out after 3-4 yrs we will add another challenge, along with low salaries to hiring coaches. Sather has been able to recruit Bruns, Eaglestaff and Omot. He obviously has been able to evaluate talent. How many schools missed on these guys? Mid major schools just like FCS FB teams face new challenges with transfer rules, NIL and COVID. We have work to do and it isn’t easy but I think Sather can get us there. The band wagon fans will jump on in time. I may be wrong but I’m betting he gets things turned around.

You raise good questions. I feel any coach who takes over a struggling program is crazy not to ask for a five year contract especially at our Level of sports except hockey. After 5 years all of your players are your recruits. If there is no significant improvement then a change may be warranted. As for Sather my opinion is no more valid than yours or others but in answer to your question, 3 more years unless something egregious happens.

My happiness doesn’t depend on where we are in the Summit, NCHC, or MVC. I am no longer playing or coaching. I know where we finished in each conference. I’m not happy with any failure and I get satisfaction with success. I still want our teams to win as badly as other fans but UND athletics is entertainment and doesn’t define me. The only thing I can do is try to attend games and support UND financially. I don’t believe our fans or even the media with few exceptions know enough to be involved in hiring or firing coaches. That frankly includes you and I. Even those with inside info only know a little more than the rest of us. My opinion is based my own experience as an athlete, coach and fan at multiple levels, and I don’t believe I have seen anything yet that would indicate a need for a change nor any evidence we have a solid succession plan in place. Just my opinion.

He deserves? The guy is working his tail off to bring in the best players he can, bring in the best assistants he can with a limited budget and a lukewarm (at best) fan base. What always amazes me is how many fans only answer to a teams struggles is to fire the coach. A fan base is best served by all of us trying to figure out what we can do to move the programs forward. Butts in the seats is a top priority. I realize winning solves that but supporting programs as they rebuild with whatever we can afford will move programs forward faster than firing coaches. Very few fans including former players understand the complexities and challenges of coaching at this level. Coaching youth FB, BB, VB, or Bantam hockey doesn’t mean I could coach at the HS much less college level. As you move up, you realize how much more you need to learn, but especially managing the players as they mature (or fail to). There are a lot of naive fans who think patience and rebuilding a program means those folks are satisfied with mediocrity. That is far from the truth but usually comes from those with a very shallow understanding of everything involved.

Except HS hockey players aren’t getting college credit. Similar case, but I’m not sure I would advise a physician (if that is her goal) to be in a hurry. Students usually benefit from time spent with their peers and the social growth is important. Many physicians would be better served by taking advantage of the opportunities aside from pre-med studies to develop interpersonal social skills. Playing a college sport should fill that void.

Simple. I don’t believe public sentiment was an issue in that case.

I kind of think $100,000,000 donor with a say in the management of the Ralph had a lot more to do with that than public sentiment.