bincitysioux

+++++++ I almost spit coffee all over my computer when I read that someone actually thinks a hockey game between a group of high-school aged kids from foreign countries was the biggest sports event in ND. I assume DaveK means this only because it was an international event, rather than an event that the resident's of North Dakota would take an interest in. The world curling championships were about equally as appealing to average North Dakotans. There are a plethora of Sioux-Gopher events, Sioux-Bison events, and even a Sioux-Jayhawk basketball game that were infinately more appealing to the majority of North Dakotan's.

Former softball coach Sami Strinz once told me that the Alerus required a $22,000 rental fee to hold a softball tournament there. I just don't see how UND could justify paying that. It would be really great if the Alerus and UND could come to more reasonable agreement for such an event. That would really be a positive thing for the softball program to be able to host an early season tournament like UNI does, and I beileve even St. Cloud does the same with the bubble that they put over their football field. The only way I think they'd move any basketball games there were if an NDSU game or a potential Big Sky Tournament conflicted with a weekend hockey series. Although I think if UND ever did host the Big Sky tournament they'd be far better off keeping it in the Sioux Center. Would give them the best home-court advantage.

Gotcha. I thought I read something about a 2 year extension the other the day but then wondered when I saw this. I figured our resident financiers here of the on campus retractable roof stadium would be coming out of the wood-work if signed on to the Alerus Center for 18 more years....................

UND agrees to pay more than half of $3.83 million cost/

Based on last years records for all teams in conference play. Used GWC games for the new members. Here's who was the toughest schedules................. SUU .633 EWU .615 UNC .586 SAC ST. .541 UC DAVIS .533 NORTH DAKOTA .517 MONTANA ST. .490 IDAHO ST. .482 MONTANA .446 NAU .437 PORTLAND ST. .403 WEBER ST. .403 CAL POLY .375 Great West Co-Champ Cal Poly draws the easiest schedule in the league. They could be in the hunt for the title.............

It seems to be a common perception that the Big Sky is a "finese" pass-happy league. Lots of people, myself included, have said that UND's current team is not really suited all that well for Big Sky play. I was just comparing statistics between the Big Sky and MVFC, which is widely regarded as a blue-collar, smash-mouth league. In conference only games: Big Sky Rush Offense: 163 yds/game MVFC Rush Offense: 156 yds/game Big Sky Pass Offense: 231 yds/game MVFC Pass Offense: 206 yds/game Average scoring for a team in either league is 25 points per game. So in the "finese" Big Sky, offenses generate 41% of their yards via the run, compared to 43% in the MVFC. Additionally, the top 3 teams in the Big Sky standings a year ago were also the top 3 running teams in the conference. Two of those teams had the #1 and #2 run defenses in the league. And the top 4 passing teams in the Big Sky had a combined conference record of 9-23. I think my own perception of the Big Sky being a wide-open big play offense league has been flawed. It is an old cliche, but running the ball and playing good defense leads to good things. Luckily UND is solid in both of those areas. With just modest improvement at the QB position and in the secondary, UND could have a chance to field a solid team. Let's face it, last season's secondary had the ability to make some bad QB's look good, and our own QB play could make some average defenses look great.

You're right. Whether NDSU never plays UND, or if they play twice in 4 years, or if they play every single year, it is basically a wash. The point of my excercise was to disprove the myth that is commonly spread by NDSU posters that any agreement to play UND would be a financial loser for NDSU.

Tha't how I interpretted it.

You forget that the Gophers won't play the Sioux.............. Good to know that "Playstation" is your benchmark for success....................................... Answer this without Google: Who won the Maaco Bowl this year? Now answer this without Google: Who won the FCS Championship?

Again, I hope to never give NDSU the priveledge of playing us in football. But, how would it hurt it NDSU? Other than to expose their A.D. for being incompetent?

My family and I were killing time in the UND Bookstore before the hockey game on Saturday. On our way to REA we had to pass by the area where the petitioners were trying to gather signatures. As I walked past (sporting a Fighting Sioux hat, jacket and jersey) I was asked if I would "sign to save the Sioux". I firmly hollered out while passing, "no thanks, the students and athletes are more important to me than a nickname!" The guy collecting signatures turned and followed us for about 50-75 feet screaming, "yeah, because it is all about some game"...................... Just thought I would share my experience......................................

"Spreading fear & negativty"............................... How about spreading the facts FOR ONCE of the consequences of NCAA sanctions? Tell the people the facts, and then let them decide.................................

I just realized that the numbers I've been using are assuming that there is a North Dakota-NDSU football game on an ANNUAL BASIS. So over a 4 year span, each team would get two home games. Now I know what the average Bisonville poster feels like............................... So here's what I came up with now: If North Dakota and NDSU NEVER played over a 4 year span: With an attendance of 18,000 @ $20 per seat NDSU would gross $1,440,000 in revenue They would incur at the very least $500,000 in expense for guarantees Net profit for NDSU over those 4 years would be $940,000 If North Daktota and NDSU played EVERY OTHER YEAR over a 4 year span:NDSU would host North Dakota one time (19,000 x $25) $475,000* NDSU would "buy" a non-confence game (18,000 x $20) : $360,000 Cost for guarantee is $125,000 NDSU would travel to North dakota for the cost of bus-fare. NDSU would "buy" a non-confernce game (18,000 x 20) : $360,000 Cost for guarnatee is $125,000 Net profit for NDSU over those 4 years would be $945,000 If North Dakota and NDSU were to play every single year: [*]NDSU would host North Dakota (19,000 x $25): $475,000* [*]NDSU would ride a bus to Grand Forks [*]NDSU would host North Dakota (19,000 x $25): $475,000* [*]NDSU would ride a bus to Grand Forks' [*]Net profit to NDSU over those 4 years would be $950,000 * This all assumes that NDSU's administration will someday understand and adopt the "dynamic pricing" structure that most colleges around the country have already transtioned to. The point is that the argument that NDSU playing UND is a "money loser" for NDSU is hogwash..............................

I get what you are saying..................................

Yeah, North Dakota was also on ESPNU for a basketball game this year. And last year. Would you rather be "filler" for them in a body-bag game, or be playing for the DI title in the most popular sport in the country?....................................

Depends on you perspective of "small"......................... DI National Championship vs. Hawaii/New Mexico Bowl? I know which one I would choose......................

Probably because the top 3 or 4 sports at North Dakota attract the best talent from around the country.............................

As many as it takes to get the message across that the "Fighting Sioux" is slowly killing the University of North Dakota..........................

If North Dakota ever has a chance to be a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, it will look nothing like the MVC that we know of today. The MVC is a border-line high-major basketball league. They get 2-4 bids to the NCAA tourney already. If ANY Dakota school ever joins the MVC, it will likely look alot more like today's Summit League rather than today's MVC.............................

Agree........... I believe he also spent time at South Dakota St. early in their transtion. They've done pretty well.

I believe that NDSU reserves 3,800 (20% of seats) for students, while North Dakota reserves 2,600 (21% of seats) for students. Pretty much a wash if I have my figures straight........................right?

Personally, when you're already a member of the Big Sky, I wouldn't view potential membership in the MVFC as an "opportunity".............................

Don't see the problem with that. Much less the pattern really...................... Hakstol: Longtime assistant Mussman: Longtime assistant Brewster: Longtime assistant Parsons: One-time assistant Dodson: No ties to North Dakota Hardee: No ties to North Dakota Idalski: No ties to North Dakota Jones: No ties to North Dakota Oakley: No ties to North Dakota

Bad deal. My sympathies to the families........

Apparently not for Weber St. As much as everybody is looking forward to building football rivalries in the Big Sky with Montana and Montana St., I personally am hopefully looking forward to challenging Weber as a basketball power in the league. We'll never rival your attendance numbers, but I'm optimistic that eventually North Dakota will be consistently fighting with Weber and Montana for the Big Sky Basketball championship each year........................................