iramurphy

I have no negative feelings toward what the FB team is doing. It seems many judge virtually every program and coach on wins. When you refer to the recent success of the FB team, I would think we have to wait. You must have missed the part where I said I like what they are doing. I don’t always defend UND’s decision makers nor the coaches, but so can recognize what they’ve done well. I haven’t seen a post on this forum where anyone has claimed the current hierarchy is meeting everyone’s needs. One’s ability to recognize high standards, turning failing programs into highly successful ones beyond just “ meaningful improvement “ is better measured by deeds, rather than words on a fan forum. My opinions are no more relevant than anyone else’s. The fact that I point out things people have done well doesn’t mean I can’t see where mistakes have been made. If we want to discuss the status of a department or program we need a thorough evaluation of what’s working and what isn’t. What I post on a fan forum isn’t going to affect change in the athletic department. You urge a shift to one that champions possess. How would we know if you have any idea about what it takes to be a champion?

With all due respects, the LB number would be #54. Jim LeClair.

Yet you claim that I and another poster defend how UND hierarchy thinks. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t know how they think so I can only defend their right to think and I don’t think they are all of the same mind nor should they be. Your ideas are clear? I hate to point out the obvious, but the success of the FB team is to be determined. I like what they are doing so far, but we won’t know if that will be successful until next fall and beyond. UND has been working on new ways of funding including encouraging contributions to the NIL/collective. Prior to that they started the Alston701 initiative. They have had initiatives for locker replacements, scholarship funding levels and endowment opportunities. For $25,000 you can start your endowment. They have lots of ideas on how to start an endowment even if you don’t have it all right now. The will also help arrange opportunities to include UND in your trust or life insurance beneficiaries. They have been raising coaches salaries. It’s hard to build the brand when we still have a divided fan base (Hawks vs Sioux). Better hires, forward thinking, big vision, bold action, competent execution, etc. The guys in their Mom’s basement in their underwear and Darth Vader slippers can do that well. Basically, you want them to do everything better. What specifically are your new innovative ideas? New fund raising ideas? What experiences do you have that would give us confidence you have more to add than criticism, and at best, a shallow understanding of the cost and complexities of running an athletic department.

You have no idea how I feel about UND’s strategy. You have no idea what my experience and relationships have been with UND. You assume a lot. You haven’t really shown, other than bitching about the failures of the athletic teams and the athletic department, that you have anything worthwhile to offer. Anyone who follows UND athletics can read the game results. Nobody on this forum has said UND is perfect. Leave others out of your stupid posts and see if you can come up with specific ideas to improve things. I’m not going to contribute money, that could go to scholarships or NIL, to fire coaches a year before their contract is up. When I have gone to UND staff with ideas, I have found them receptive. One has raised money, the other has saved money. What are your alternative ideas? Be specific.

Only if he earns it and Schmidt and Freuchte think he gives them the best chance to win. He can prove himself during spring ball, his summer work and continuing to prove himself next fall. The same opportunity is there for the other 3 QB’s. Johnson appears to have the skills schools are looking for, but whoever starts will need to earn the job.

I guess maybe because we claim to be the best fans in college hockey. If you and I don’t do it who will?

I would include continued progress over the summer going into fall camp.

I’m confused. You mean the “best hockey fans” in the world can’t pony up $600,000 to $1 million to buy out a contract? Tell me it’s not true . Reading the posts on his forum, virtually the entire fan base wants a coaching change (I don’t doubt many feel that way). So what is this passionate fan base waiting for? Won’t 10,000 fans toss in $1000 apiece? Do the math. Wouldn’t that take care of the buyout and NIL? How about $100 apiece? Wouldn’t that take care of the buyout with some pocket change left for unforeseen expenses? I would bet some of the “cotton tops” would toss in more than their share. Some folks seem to think Berry is doing nothing regarding NIL. I will take that bet, but why do “the best college hockey fans in the world” need to hear from him before donating? All college programs, including our program, need help so what are people waiting for? We can’t wait til we lose guys in the portal. The NIL collective is already there. Some guys probably spend $10,000 per year on booze. We could give half to the NIL collective and still have more than enough left over and would probably be better off. Just some thoughts.

The Albrecht gift made a huge difference and was the impetus to move the timeline of the project ahead. I would be surprised if the softball coach would be so unaware of what a project like this involves to have made such a stupid comment Read Sicatoka’s post. If anyone doesn’t understand how this can involve University Buildings and Grounds, VP for Finance the Alumni staff, and the athletic staff to work with attorneys, bankers, city officials, construction entities to name a few. HockeyHawk Do you think you have any clue as to what this project involved? Your “understanding” of who paid for it is as inaccurate as your understanding of a multimillion dollar building project. The University Community has every right to be proud of this campus including this project. It took a lot of work and coordination from many people involved including the athletic dept staff.

From the beginning of the project until the dedication, UND attributed credit to the Albrecht family. I never understood anyone from UND to say otherwise. With the request to move the project ahead so the Albrecht girl would get to play on the new field, it took a lot of work by UND staff to get the project completed on time.

Discussions and plans at the location for a softball field at the present site started before the generous Albrecht gift. What that did was fast track the facility. The Albrecht family gift this essentially got this done quickly, and it likely would have taken quite a few more years otherwise. Not sure why anyone is looking to find fault. The College of Business Building was in the plans but came to fruition after the generous Nistler family gift. That is not atypical for many campus projects at UND and campuses around the country.

You may not be referring to my post, but I did post my thoughts on what I would consider a more effective way to communicate with admin. I included a recommendation to bring your checkbook but if that wasn’t a way we could contribute, a then ask what we can do to help.

Best D1 start and best overall start since 2000. Great going girls!

Really? You must be pretty special to be able to have all of the answers and know what others think. Good for you.

I’m not sure how to gauge that but fair enough.

If you reread my post you will see that I said the majority of fans “may not” agree with our opinions, maybe they do. I don’t know what the public perception of UND athletics is and how that aligns with opinions in the athletic department. I don’t know why they extended the contracts they extended.

Nothing wrong with your comments except assumptions. I don’t have a beloved anyone at UND athletics. I believe the decision makers take into account opinions of ticket holders, fans and alumni. The majority of them may have a different opinion than you or I.

I’ve been to one game in the last 3 yrs. I don’t live in GF. I haven’t said how I feel about either retaining or getting rid of any of our coaches or Chaves. I’ve said I don’t believe either Sather or Chaves are going anywhere this year. Earlier I said I thought it was time for Mallory to move on. Since that time it looks to me like she’s probably staying also. I don’t believe UND should spend the money it would take to buy out Barry’s contract. I wouldn’t know if our coaches are “nice in the community “ but I would hope so. I don’t have white hair. I’ve had no discussions with Andy or Chaves regarding our programs. Why you think any of that has any effect on the future of our programs is crazy. What I think should be irrelevant to you. I have had some experiences that I base my opinions on but this fan forum provides comic relief.

The problem with many of your comments is that you seem to think you know what people do or don’t do based on something you don’t understand or don’t agree with. There is nothing in my comments that say anything about holding “ UND to a higher standard “ or not. I don’t take comments by any of us on a fan board too seriously. We aren’t the ones with the authority to make the changes you seem to want. I can donate or not donate but that won’t change things. You have no clue who I speak with at UND, the subject of the conversation. My opinion is no more important than yours or anyone else’s. Someday you will realize yours isn’t either. The nonsense about holding an organization to a higher standard is keyboard warrior jargon. I think it was the motivation speaker Matt Foley said that and a nickel will get you a cup of “jack squat”.

None of them are untouchable. I don’t see the Athletic Department as mediocre. Our major programs have been mediocre at best. Hockey is in a position to still be successful but accomplishing that doesn’t seem likely with how inconsistent they have been this year. The athletic department has had major improvements in facilities. The $500,000,000 Alumni fundraising initiative has millions of dollars earmarked for athletics. It’s a recent initiative and it’s a work in progress. There is nothing mediocre about that. Go in and talk to Chaves or staff and their enthusiasm for the future of UND athletics can be contagious. There are people who still will complain. I refer to them as energy vampires. They can be a cancer to any organization. They are the teammates who don’t respond to any coaching or leadership style and always find someone else to blame. They tend to drag others along with them when the “going gets tough”. I haven’t read any suggestions for any of our major sports that would be something they and our coaches haven’t considered. I see no reason for me to be sad. Our athletes haven’t performed as well as expected and most of that is on them. They shouldn’t be sad, they should be motivated. just my opinion, probably no more accurate than yours or anyone else’s.

Maybe

The success or failure of our programs doesn’t affect me at all. For the sake of those who have “skin in the game” I feel bad for them when they struggle and sad for them when they lose. I still like to watch our teams and have gone to games when they were terrible and when they have been national champs. Doesn’t make me a national champ nor a failure either way.

Good way to hurt our programs and the University. Going to Chaves or Andy demanding change usually doesn’t work well. No one likes complainers. Try going is with your checkbook open and ask what they think of the state of the program. Ask what is working, what isn’t, and express your frustrations. Ask them what is frustrating them. Ask them what their vision is for the future of the program and express your ideas. Then if you are able open your check book and contribute what you can. If that isn’t something you can afford right now , ask how you can help. It may be a more effective way to move our programs forward. Just my opinion.

I agree that UND isn’t going to buy out 3 coaches. Chaves doesn’t think we have had a successful hockey season unless we are in the final four, but Confrrence Championships and Tournament wins are part of the evaluation. If someone steps up with a blank check that changes things. We can’t afford $600,000 to $1,000,000 buyouts when we have to navigate NIL and the portal. I’m not commenting on who should stay or who should go but I will take that bet regarding nothing will improve as long as Chaves is here.

Wasn’t GF Hockey asking about their sewing class. Gosh, I must have misunderstood. Tyree has an A in sewing class. Omot taking his sewing class pass fail.