iramurphy

Not sure if it was the new Chancellor (who I have some good things about) or the Chancellor and the board. I doubt he would do this without input from the board, but I don't know for sure.

I see the selection committee does not include the CEO of the UND Alumni Assn. DeAnna Carlson Zink but includes Grant Shaft. Shaft was suspended by the N. Dak. State Bar Assn. last year. Google the summary of the disciplinary hearing. He also was primarily responsible for manipulating the selection process resulting in the selection of Shirvani as Chancellor of NDUS. Shirvani was not one of the original names to be considered. Even a cursory google search revealed Shirvani's history of previous incompetence and turmoil with his previous employers. Despite being advised by legal counsel that Shirvani was violating the open meeting laws, Shaft supported Shirvani and also redid Shirvani's contract in the midst of the controversy resulting in the $900,000 buyout rather than simply letting him go at the end of the year. Carlson Zink represents the largest Alumni Assn. of all of the state institutions of higher education yet, was left off the committee for a lawyer who admitted to wrongdoings at his hearing in front of the disciplinary committee of the state bar. This is why our state leaders, politicians and SBoHE lose credibility. Anyone involved in choosing someone like Shirvani has no business being involved with this process.

If I understand correctly you are saying that polls showed that the majority of Native Americans and others supported keeping the name. I agree. If you are saying that the vote to keep the name which was defeated was primarily to protect UND from sanctions rather than how people really felt about the name, I also agree. I'm sure you understand that although I agree with this, I also believe it is no longer relavent to our present situation and where we need to go from here.

But the point I seem to be having trouble getting across is that most of all of that doesn't really matter. What matters is what is best for UND and UND athletic teams. You and I should be able to deal with being slighted now and again if we are going to get into debates on a blog. The only issue at hand is whether or not we chose a nickname. There isn't a name everyone will like and I don't believe time will change that. If we choose a name can you and others live with it and move on? If we have no nickname I can live with it until some legislator or well meaning group resurrects the issue. As a former athlete and coach the name (including our former names) are not, nor have they ever been what is most important.

Appreciate Chewy's perspective and I understand. I can respect that you feel we are best served by remaining North Dakota. I disagree but I can live with being just North Dakota. I disagree on the amount of blame on Kelly except for the fiasco and process used to select the new name. I would never put the issue to a vote of more than a select few but I would include remaining just North Dakota. According to a gentleman closely associated with the final hiring process, Kelly was told by SBHE members the issue was resolved and he wouldn't need to deal with it. Yababy you seem to infer from what others post,that it is directed at you personally. I assume you meant rhetoric when you referenced me. I offered no criticism of you personally but I will reference you now. Look at the difference between your last response and Chewy's. Which do you think might lead to some sort of dialogue to come to a reasonable resolution? If you can't see the difference, then ignore my posts. We have to get past taking every comment being a personal slight before we might bring this to some sort of closure. If we remain North Dakota then we move on and try and do what is best for UND. If we pick some goofy nickname ( almost all schools nicknames are a bit goofy), then we still need to move on and do what is best for UND. Not what is best for Ira, Chewy, 82 or you but what is best for UND.

The postings on this blog if nothing else prove how devisive this issue has been. 82Siouxguy posts his opinion and cites facts and is accused of belittling people. In a debate like this you shouldn't feel belittled as people try and express their views. We have derailed this debate back to whether or not UND had proper permission to use the name and whether or not the majority of the people on the reservations support the use of the name. It no longer matters. I believe those who wish to either keep the name or remain nameless believe that is best for UND and are loyal UND fans just like those who want to select a name. We derail the whole issue by trying to insult those with opposing opinions. If someone's post makes you mad then counter it with some semblance of intelligent discussion and counter their facts with facts. Nobody really knows what people on the reservations want or don't want or what they wanted back in the 1930's. I believe most supported the use of the name then and do now but none of us knows for sure. Really it no Longer matters. As I said before the fact is that the people on the reservations and the tribal councils had years and ample opportunities to turn this issue in the favor of keeping the name which I and I believe the vast majority of Sioux fans and Natives supported. The fact is that unless the NCAA completely reverses their stance on Native names and imagery, that ship has sailed and UND athletics is on shore and we can wave goodbye . The whole naming issue has been a fiasco. The people on the committee are doing what they think is right for the University and includes people who wanted to keep the name wanting to adopt a new name because they think we need a name and need to move on. No reason to insult them. I don't know how they can come up with a way to vote on this issue because there is no way to define your voting constituency. To me the only question that remains is what is best for UND and UND athletics. From what I have read, having a name allows us a brand and identification that allows us marketing opportunities that remaining North Dakota doesn't. Remaining just North Dakota leaves this debate open and decisive for the foreseeable future and doesn't resolve anything, it postpones what even many who wish to remain just North Dakota is inevitable. I and others understand the emotional and historical ties associated with the Fighting Sioux name and the wish and inclination that we will never give up. Beyond that, what is the value to UND in remaking just North Dakota? Forget what the name was, and the heavy handed way the NCAA dealt with the issue here and elsewhere. The name for athletic teams allows an identity that eventually gets back to the University and the teams and just like the Gophers, Cornhuskers, Cobbers, Jackrabbits, etc. we will adjust and be fine. If we get a cool logo, we will adjust faster. More importantly than the name is that our fan base at this level has resorted to name calling and threatening to pull donations or stop supporting UND. That issue is more important that what name we eventually choose. Convince me we can do the same thing without a name. Leave out all of the debate about what the tribes wanted or who is to blame. The issue is simply name or no name. The University and our athletic teams remain the constant. Attach any of these names or many of those dropped and we will be fine. The time to adjust will be shorter with a name than without in my opinion.

How would you do that? Who decides who participates? There is no way to get all of the right people involved anymore than getting the name right. A small committee assigned with the task and given a couple of months would have worked better. You didn't answer the question posed to you. What name do you want? How about the Barons? Oil barons, land Barons you decide. Satchel Paige once pitched for the Bismarck Barons. Doesn't matter to me. Oilers, Bombers, Flyers, Roughnecks, Drillers. Design a great logo and we are in business. How much more time do you need? I should say how many more years do you need? Give us a name. It has been how many years? I have no issues with people protesting or disagreeing but what is the purpose? What does it accomplish? Who am I to say you are wrong? Who are you to say I am wrong? I just believe there are more good reasons to move this along than delay any further.

The nickname issue has divided our own fan base. We have fans who claim they will quit donating to UND. We have fans who claim they won't come to games. We have fans insulting each other rather than opponents. We are dividing between "hockey only" vs UND athletic fans. That is what opposing coaches will tell recruits. They will tell them fans are divided and won't support our teams. You are probably correct in that the Ag School FB coaches would focus on their successes rather than the nickname. We are no longer the Fighting Sioux and our Native American Tribal Governments across the state weren't unified enough to clearly communicate support to the NCAA. Native leaders at UND lobbied against the name and Natives claimed racism and discrimination based on the name. You have to remember the NCAA administration is made up of University Administrators from across the country, mostly PC types. They were not going to allow facts to confuse the issue. Having a name allows us to move on and I think a new logo will do more for the issue than the name, just like the Brien logo was the best part of the Fighting Sioux name and logo. It allows the University a brand for marketing and allows us to put the issue behind us. Having no name allows the decisiveness and debate to continue to be a distraction for a long time to come. Those resources and energy are better spent helping our athletes and coaches be successful.

Who has time to waste on kicking this dead horse? I don't believe we know whether or not " the vast majority" of people want to remain just North Dakota. The vast majority of selected groups want no name. We have dicked around with this issue way too long. With all due respect to the Natives who wanted to keep the name, it is too late to protest and complain. That ship sailed repeatedly years ago. Why blame Kelly? Pretty shallow thinking. Starcher, Clifford, Baker, and Kupchella had more opportunity to solve this problem than Kelly. Kelly's failure is to have allowed this to drag out for so long. To call for his immediate resignation over this issue is cowardly and stupid. That said his successor needs to have a clear understanding of the culture of this University, the importance of intercollegiate athletics to our public image and marketing and the relationship that success there leads to increased donations and enrollment. Who cares what name is chosen? People have gotten used to being called Gophers, Beavers, Badgers, Cornhuskers, etc. we can deal with whatever comes along. Our focus needs to change from a pissing contest with the NCAA and the PC crowd to finishing our move to D1 by finishing our facility upgrades and improving our coaches salaries. We also need to upgrade our marketing for the University and Athletic Dept. We need to remove any coaches who don't have a vision for success at this level and aren't willing to actively work on connecting with supporters and Alumni to make up for any shortcomings in the overall athletic budgets. That means, golf, baseball, swimming, track, cross country, tennis, soccer, in both men's and women's sports as well as FB, Hockey, VB and BB. Too many of our leaders, and administrators don't have that vision. We need to maintain expectations of success in all University activities and programming. Time, energy and resources wasted on the name issue are better spent elsewhere.

I don't know if the Fargo BWW is owned by a UND Alumnus. The CEO of Buffalo Wild Wings is (or until recently was) UND Alumnus Sally Smith. She is a graduate of UND College of Business with a degree in Accounting. I don't believe she "owns" the Fargo restaurant. It may be owned by another UND alumnus though. Sometimes people have confused the issue.

Wahsington Redskins apparently have agreed to drop embarassing name. They will no longer be called Washington!

My brother watched the Badlands Bowl. Said Krebs from Bismarck St. Mary's, and Tristan Hartness receiver from Davies were 2 best players on the field. Krebs had a pick 6. 10-12 tackles, 1 sack and pressured QB on blitzes. I thought UND missed on him and should have recruited him as a d-back. Kid is also a hitter, they had him at LB. The Hartness kid had a "highlight reel" TD catch over 2 defenders and caught everything thrown his way. Had 11 receptions. Elijah Grady's brother, who is going to U of Mary, also had good game. Was double teamed most of time and had a sack and tackle for loss. Elijah didn't play. Sounds like U of Mary got a couple of kids who should be studs at their level. Sounds like the Hartness kid is a great athlete who good be a great posession receiver.

Unfortunately you were by yourself the whole time.

For those who seem to think it is necessary to "kick a dead horse", there may be a health issue. Rumored, not confirmed.

Worked out in DL over Memorial Weekend. Moved well can make all the throws. Continues to strengthen and rehab but can participate in summer workouts and will be ready for fall camp.

Look, none of us are "satisfied" with anything less than the National title. Doesn't mean we can't and don't appreciate the efforts of the coaches and players and we can't appreciate the journey. I'm not "satisfied" with not winning the NCAA FCS FB title or the NCAA VB title or the NCAA MBB or WBB titles either. Certainly it's more realistic to expect the hockey championship and with every sport we should be pushing to keep getting better in order to reach those goals. We have to have coaches who also expect to win it all and in hockey we do. Let's hang in there. First order of business is to keep the underclass men and get ready for next year. Championship will come. Go Sioux.

I get that. You win or you lose. There are many factors but thus far Hakstols teams haven't won a title. I don't happen to believe that is necessarily because of the coach just like winning it all isn't just because of the coach.the fact that Marv Levy's teams or Bud Grant's didn't win a Super Bowl doesn't diminish their accomplishments nor mean they weren't excellent coaches. When Levy left Buffalo how did that work for them. When Grant left Minnesota how did that work? Changing coaches especially when you have an excellent coach doesn't mean things will improve. Sometimes you get beat by someone you maybe should have beaten. I think to get teams to the playoffs every year and frozen four most years means your are doing things right and the championship will come. Do you believe the opinions of the players present and past might trump the options of us as casual fans?

Ok I get that point. I have no issue with the opinion we don't extend Hakstol yet. There is no "in Hak we trust" cuz the outcome of any game isn't a life changing experience for most of us. The fact the most of us can understand you can have an excellent coach and not win a title yet doesn't mean we are blind to the fact we haven't won a title under Hakstol or are necessarily "Hak lovers". When you mention the Oshies and Parises and Toews and Stafford, you guys still can't explain why a coach that those same players respect and trust should be replaced cuz a handful of fans think the only important measuring stick is the national title. I look at this past year as one of his better coaching jobs. No super star forwards but a group of lunch pail guys who blocked shots, ground it out in the corners and busted their butts all year. A group of talented defensemen and talented goalie who happened to have an off night last game out. I look at how he handled the Frattin issue and Frattin ended up returning to the program and excelled when he returned. I listen to former players talk about how they think he is a great coach and how they respect him. Based on those issues alone I would not be willing to jeopardize the stability of arguably the best college hockey program in the country right now. The good thing for our hockey program is that neither my opinion, your opinion, gfhockey's opinion or others on this blog means a thing. The opinion of Toews, Parise, Oshie, Matt Greene, Chris Porter, Commodore and that long line of former and present players does matter. That is why Hakstol will remain our head coach. You mention that coaches and players shouldn't read this blog and I agree with that too. You might also remember that recruits and their families often go to these blogs not knowing that for the most part we all spew BS. Some might even believe Hakstol is on a short leash and the fact is he is much more likely to get that extension you spoke of than a coaching change. The guy can coach, he can recruit, and he has done a good job of handling his players. I disagree that anyone could get the same players here and then get them to the Frozen Four every year. I also know enough about coaching to know a change when you have has this much success doesn't always improve the end result. I believe the titles will come. It won't improve my status in life nor did it hurt me a bit when we didn't win it all this year. I enjoyed the journey. I believe the majority of Sioux fans also enjoyed the journey. Doesn't mean we are satisfied but it means we are confident we have the correct pieces of the proverbial puzzle to regain that championship that had eluded us recently. Hakstol doesn't lose these nor does he win these games. The team does, the program does and the University does. Until the former and present players clamour for a coaching change I think we are still on the right track and although you may not think so, it seems the players present and former disagree with you. Go Sioux. I guess I should apologize ahead of time for those whose feelings get hurt when others believe change for the sake of change is stupid.

Don't think so they are both deceased. Thanks for asking. How about taking the personal stuff to the PM.

Because it would serve no purpose other than to disrupt a very successful college program. I get your frustration. Same as many of us. Eades isn't going to get the job even if Hak were to leave. Nothing against Eades but it won't happen. At this level we don't "try someone else". We need to have a direction and purpose for those decisions. Put yourself in a room with this team next week or the former players from the last 11 years. What you tell them about making a major change like that to a program and dumping a coach that has the respect and confidence of his players? I'm pretty sure they expect more than we want #8. That's a given. I'm curious.

Great comeback Sparky. I'm not holy much less holier than you or anyone else. I have stated none of us are better or worse fans than those of you who have a different opinion even those who give lots of money. There are always similar comebacks to anyone who doesn't see things as you. Ok for folks to call players chokers or a coach clueless but God help us all should we dare challenge those thoughts. You may wish to send PM if this is going south.

Nope, not closer to the program than anyone else. Haven't been in game time locker room since the 86-87 team. I have enjoyed meeting and visiting with former and sometimes present players over the years. I always ask them their opinion about our coaches and every one speaks positively and with respect about Hak and his staff. They all want us to win National championships. So do you and I. Im not the guy who started calling for someone's head. Read your other posts. You and the others don't have solutions other than we have to win a title. With your next post, tell me why your opinion should carry anywhere near the same weight as the guys who play the game at this level and in the NHL. What do you know that they dont? One poor soul admits he loses sleep over these games. Some feel that if they donate money it makes them more relevant as a fan than you and I or the poor family who only can go to a game when their boss gives them her tix, or the student who gives up beer money once a month to see a game. You have no clue why,you just think your lives will be better with a new coach. That doesn't make sense. We are the Fighting Sioux family and when someone unfairly attacks our family then many of us will defend them. Conference titles and conference playoffs are great but we all want #8. The biggest difference as I see it is that I want that title for the players, coaches, state and University. Some of you guys seems to want that for yourselves. I happen to think that is a bit goofy cuz we aren't playing and in some cases it isn't healthy.

Hak wasn't "handed" anything. He was given a very difficult job with plenty of pressure and plenty of support. Maybe I'm getting old or maybe I don't like people who hide behind a blog and call for someone's head when they themselves don't have a stake in this program other than to tell Gopher fans we won 8 and they only have 5 or whatever they have. When Ralph made his announcement that he was donating $100,000,000 there were a handful of people invited to a meeting room at Hyslop after the ceremony. Ralph was there. I was there. Where tf were you and don't pretend you have the faintest f'ing idea what Ralph would say or do. Ralph would give Hakstol and his staff a cocktail and tell them they did a great job and keep it up. He would tell them he appreciated the effort. He would tell Hak he prepared well and did a hell of a job. He would probably tell a story of one of his failures and how there were dumb asses in his life who had no faith in him or his dreams and ideas. He would tell Hak don't worry about the pissants he has his back. Then he would light up a cigarette and have another cocktail. Then he would say "Dave is there anything else I can do to help?". He would never do the chickenshit stuff you and a couple of other Pee Wee B guys are doing right after a game when these guys laid it in the line for you and I as fans but mostly for each other and the traditional of this school and program. Ralph would throw your sorry ass out of the room. Hakstol would still be coach cuz Ralph understood as well as anyone that in the end the road to success has ups and downs and you don't let the failures or setbacks keep you form accomplishing your goals. He would measure a man like an old soldier does. He could go to war with Hak. You sir, would not be in that band of brothers. Knock off your whiney I deserve a Natty and we haven't won won since Dean bull$%!# and do some self reflection as to why you have never been nor ever will be one that people would go to war with. The moderators may boot me but they allow you to say dumb ass stuff about others and they should. But then you need to accept that the overwhelming majority of people with an IQ above 80 and or know something about hockey are tired of your shtick.

A couple of things I noted last night. The Sioux came out fast and sharp. Their passes for the most part were stick to stick. They aggressively brought the puck out of our zone and certainly played with BU the whole game except for the second have of first, the second and the parts of third when we dominated the play. Our kids busted the asses all night. Even after the fans quit, the team didn't. That is one of the key things in evaluating a coach. These kids never quit. When Zane wasn't having his best game, no one on the team did anything but play harder. The penalty on Poolman where he barely hit the BU guy was bogus. It led to a power play goal. These kids were well prepared. Dumped the puck when they needed to, tried to bring I across blue line when they could. I realize some of you experts who played 4th line on your Bantam B team when you were 10th graders think a coaching change should be made but if so, it isn't cuz we were out coached or not ready. A number of you geniuses whine when anyone sticks up for this coach or staff. The only reply is that anyone who disagrees with you or dares criticize is a Hak lover or doesn't want a "natty". One of you even suggested he isn't flexible or he is too business like or he should tell the guys to just have fun. You know what goes on cuz your friend had a beer with someone who knows . "I want to win one". This " fan base settles" for less than a title cuz they won't fire the coach. "I will never accept it". One insinuates Hak needs more time to figure it out. Listen Sparkies, none of you geniuses have ever once explained how your esteemed opinions of a subject you have demonstrated you know little about cuz you have never been in the locker room means more than the opinions of all the players present and former who have played for Hak, and Dean, guys in the NHL and minors, guys coaching in college and the pros. Every single one of those guys to a person understand what it takes to get to the college level and play for championships and they have nothing but respect for Hakstol. They think you guys are douchebags. I believe if I read correctly one of you were smart enough to inadvertently admit it in a previous post. I doubt that other than your game for 4th place in your PeeWee B tourney that you have had to buckle up and lay it on the line. If you did you might have some insight on the leadership and coaching talent it took to keep this team from giving up when we were down 4-1. Our self proclaimed best fans in the world quit on this team but the coaches and players didn't quit. That's what you look for in a coach. He and is staff recruit the mentor, they teach and they win. The National Title will come. I've been watching them for 45 years. Wg have the staff in place to get this done. This isn't about you and your life should be no different today than yesterday. It would have been great to see the guys and their coaches rewarded for their hard work and effort. What we get is to say we support the team that played and they are the ones who won or lost. You guys didn't lose squat and you wouldn't have won squat. The coaches and players win and lose. Lastly I'll comment about a couple of fans. One couple with their baby girl drove to MSP to fly out of their when the flights out of Fargo were delayed and canceled. Another chartered a private jet and then let other Sioux fans ride along in the other seats. They would not take any money to help pay. Another despite a traumatic brain injury that kept him hospitalized for months flew in by himself cuz he couldn't make last years when he lay comatose for 11 days fighting for his life. These folks and the majority are Sioux fans who appreciated the effort and excellent play and coaching of this team. We expect to win National titles. If the team and coaches stop putting forth their best effort and can't be competitive then the former coaches,former players and fans who have an understanding of the pride and effort these kids and staff have put forth on behalf or all of us fans, our University, the state of North Dakota will affect the necessary changes. You geniuses that have never had to "knock on wood", or face a bullet or make a save or shot in front of 20,000 people can then take credit and say you knew it all along. You don't need to be a Hak lover to see, this was a well coached team and they had a great year. We has fans had the opportunity to come along for the ride. Go Sioux.