iramurphy

Fair enough.

There is a huge difference between what our opponents are doing and what their fan base thinks. We need to continually observe and evaluate what the other schools in our conference and our division are doing. We need to ignore their fan forums.

Results need to be part of the equation that decisions are based upon. I believe wins and loses are important to Chaves but not the only thing he considers. I’m quite familiar with HS athletic departments and have had experience having served on our regions MSHSL regional athletic committee as well as approving budgets, and hiring of our high school coaches. I’ve had exposure to college athletic departments as an athlete, as a coach and later as part of a medical support team and fund raising project. Based on my experience, the claim that UND is run like a HS athletic department is not at all accurate.

I’m not commenting one way or another regarding an extension. However, none of our decisions at UND should ever be influenced by opposing fans bases. None of NDSU’s, SDSU’s etc decisions should ever be influenced by our fan base either. If that ever happens, it’s time for a change of the administrator who wastes time with other fan bases.

No. Why would anyone care about what goes on in other fan bases?

Actually, I believe he is pretty well respected. The improvement in facilities and resources is impressive. He and his staff have their “plates full” 24/7. In addition to facilities and resources his priorities include NCAA/Conference challenges, community connections, interactions with UND admin staff, interactions with alumni staff etc. He does oversee Athletic teams, coaches, legal issues etc. Unless he gets poached by another school he won’t be going anywhere soon.

I don’t believe he is untouchable, I just don’t believe he is going anywhere soon.

Maybe, but he sure seems to be dedicated to his players and excited about the potential to finish the season on a positive note and go into the conference tourney with momentum. I don’t think Northern will be immune to portal attrition. I believe the Bison got Moni from Northern.

Sather isn’t going anywhere, but why would we replace a guy who was successful at Northern and replace him with someone who wasn’t successful? The bottom line is both of these guys can coach. Sather’s job isn’t in danger.

I believe you are correct in that it would be difficult to turn down “big bucks” but it depends on how big the bucks are.

After the game, one of the fans asked Eaglestaff about next year and he said he wasn’t going anywhere, he was staying. That would be big.

I agree that finding new revenue sources is imperative. Thinking “outside the box” is where you and I and others can help. I think you have correctly outlined the challenges. Regardless of what I think, I would hope you keep trying to come up with new ways to raise funds and sharing your ideas with University staff. That’s one of the places new good ideas come from.

I didn’t dismiss the idea, I stated an opinion that it would be very difficult to raise $400,000 using proceeds from use of the trademark, and the reason for my opinion. We don’t run the athletic department. In my experience, the Athletic Department staff members continue to investigate multiple new opportunities to raise funds. There are multiple options for supporters to contribute. Recently, the 701 ( Alston) initiative, naming rights in new facilities for big ticket or smaller items. Meetings with supporters to discuss opportunities for future pledges from wills or trusts from those who aren’t in a position to contribute significant funds now. They are navigating the NIL challenge to coordinate compliance with the law, title IX, team needs and outside sources of funding (1983 initiative). I believe they are always looking for new revenue streams. I have found they are willing to listen to new ideas, especially from those who will put in time and resources to help get things started.

How much do you think apparel companies pay to use a trademark? Depends on the contract of course. For example, one can sell trademark rights to an apparel company or to a second party for a lump sum or a percentage of the profits/sales price etc. Certainly, there can be other options negotiated between the involved parties. Some of our legal experts would know better than I (nothing personal , but if we are upset about the money “we leave off the table” rather than “on the table”, we should have someone else negotiating). Profit margins on sporting apparel is often higher than other apparel, up to 30% maybe a little more or sometimes significantly less. That goes to the retail store owner, not the owner of the trademark. I may be mistaken, but the money earned from this on a “limited time run” isn’t going to produce $400,000 or more. This isn’t the Nike Swoosh. NoDak apparel tends to appeal to a limited regional market. It is only on a portion of UND apparel. If we want to buyout contracts, then we should be the ones to write the checks.

Does posting on a fan forum do anything for the team one claims to be a fan of? Only those on the outside looking in get off on it. College athletes still do dumb stuff and aren’t always the most mature. Unsubstantiated rumors and the subsequent spreading of rumors isn’t going to change the lives of us keyboard warriors, but it doesn’t help the team and in some cases may damage reputations or relationships. Players, parents, recruits, shouldn’t ever read fan forums but they do. These rumors “become facts” that resurface in numerous places including recruiting. If you all don’t believe that then I doubt you’ve ever been on the “inside”. Nick Saban stated a similar opinion recently, but what would he know?

Probably not, but I’m not convinced that it is accurate.

Tell us all about it. Who was on the hiring committee? Who told him who to hire? Who were the other options?

Impressed by the Hawks defense and hustle. Adjusted at halftime and took away open 3’s. Made their big kid work for her 29pts. Doubled down on her for a couple of steals. Minimized unforced errors. Nice win for young team.

Why don’t we have anyone hitting the boards in the offensive zone? Our shooting fundamentals are so bad. Over half of our shots in the paint are thrown toward the basket rather than a confident shot. Only a few times have our girls gone up with confidence and used the backboard. NDSU isn’t playing their best game and we are still down by 9. Do they think we will make a lot of the off balance 3 pt. attempts?

It means ignore them. Canada is an ally, and has been a good neighbor. We have been good trading partners. Their citizens have had to listen to the most powerful country in the world’s leader talking about making them a state. Shortly after the change in administration, they get hammered with a huge new tariff by the United States. This is how their sports fans respond. Regardless of how one feels about the political/economic issues, it’s no surprise Canadian citizens are upset. Hockey players are paid a lot of money to play the game. I believe after Russia invaded Ukraine, Russian players were booed. Let’s play hockey! The discussion regarding the politics of this belong elsewhere. The fans have a right to boo and be disrespectful toward our anthem and teams from the US. It’s their country.

I don’t think hockey players need a “safe place”. Best response to something like this is to win the game.

Improved facilities, increased resources and coaches doing a nice job recruiting better athletes. UND is an attractive option for students from abroad because of academic offerings, an amazing campus, and a number of the athletes are from other countries. Coaches are doing a great job recruiting and have been successful in developing athletes.

A lot for most kids, however your point is well taken. The outside influences including social media, advisors, and agents for some kids can be significant.

Hopefully that will be a strength of Eric and his entire staff. Gene Murphy was arguably the best recruiter in the history of UND football. He recruited the players mothers as much, if not sometimes more, than the players.

UND’s Track and Field team is the best and deepest team we have ever had. They are setting new records, new PR’s, moving onto the top 10 lists, and winning meet events on a regular basis. Congratulations to the coaches, support staff, and all of our men and women athletes.