iramurphy

I haven’t said he should be extended, nor did I say Chaves has done “a great job”. I have simply brought up points as to why I don’t think either are going anywhere. You and others bring up reasons why you want them gone. Not much depth to either position but this is a fan forum. Fans understand results.

I believe it was pretty clear McDermott understood the team has struggled again and there has been pressure on Chaves. I think that’s why he made the call. Your point is well taken regarding results. I don’t believe we have the experience as either players or coaches (if you have played or coached) to say he doesn’t know anything about coaching so of course his opinion carries weight.

I am not arguing the facts. You don’t seem to be smart enough to understand my opinion is that I don’t think Sather is going anywhere not whether or not he should. What McDermott thinks does matter. What you and I think is what doesn’t matter. Deal with that fact then like it twice.

His facts are correct. I don’t ignore them, there is nothing I can do about them other than try to support the University and UND athletics. I don’t fuss over stuff I have no control over. Those facts have nothing to do with my opinion. It isn’t based on wins and loses. I think winning is important and it certainly was much more so when I played and coached. I don’t play and coach anymore and don’t pretend I could. I have stated an opinion that Sather isn’t going anywhere and why I think that. I haven’t said he should be extended. If you want to argue that he will be fired at the end of the season, I have stated I think he “won’t be going anywhere” and I would take that bet. If your argument is that he hasn’t done enough to stay, the record supports your argument and I get it. If I knew a new coach would turn things around quickly and we would be league champs, I’m with you. Otherwise, I’m interested to see how the end of the season plays out and if we can keep our key players and key recruits.

Great coach, good fisherman and could drink most guys under the table on their best day as long as it was beer.

Yeah but what would he know?

I don’t know who the suits are, but apparently Chaves did get a solid vote of confidence regarding Sather from one of the successful major college BB coaches recently. That probably carries more weight than dissenting opinions from rubes like us, most of whom maintain anonymity so people dont know if we have a background or any experience that may lend credibility for us over the guys “sitting in their underwear, in their mother’s basement “. My opinion is that neither Chaves nor Sather are going anywhere unless they get a sweet deal to move. I may be wrong but we will see.

Tells me nothing I didn’t already know. Why would I care what they think? Why would I care if they feel empowered by mocking UND or even if they mocked me? Heck, guys on our own forum mock me. If it makes someone feel better then I’ve done them a service. I could post it again if that works for you.

I didn’t like the extension but don’t care what NDSU twitter does.

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.