Bison Pride

NDSU moved to Division I because at the time it was in the best interest of the university, Chapman had a vision which included increasing their academic and athletic exposure more nationally. UND stayed in division II because it was not in their best interest, they were in the middle of some important transitions already including the building of the Alerus and the REA, and there were too many unknown financial variables at the time to make that kind of move. Anybody who thinks that both universities were acting out of some other ulterior motive is delusional.

Mayville St. fans now? I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

They'd still have a chance to win the illustrious northdaktapreps.com player of the year as voted on by the members.

Hasn't Grand Forks tried to support more authentic mexican restaurants but failed. I thought that where Grizzley's stands now has been at least two mexican restaurants. I think a TGI Fridays would probably make it, possibly an Olive Garden, but people in the upper midwest like their food pretty bland and cheap. We are a meat and potato's culture. I'm almost surprised that the Bronze Boot has lasted this long, remember how popular Smoky's was in West Fargo? Well it's an eye-sore now.

When do regions start? Where can you get tickets for the state tournament?

Is Purpur neutral ice, or where they both play their home games?

I would think that anything drawing positive attention to NDSU would ultimately help recruiting in all areas. So I would guess they are pretty happy for him, and the University.

In spite of all the crap that goes on between fans of both schools which should be ignored by most fans, thanks for the support. I am one happy fan today I am trying to keep up on all the internet coverage of my favorite team. I am proud whenever a team representing my state does well.

Well their sports editor is McFeely and he's from Alexandria, lives in Moorhead and went to MSU-Moorhead, so he's probably a big Minnesota hockey guy.

Yea, I just read that they played something called their AAA midget club. Does that mean they played a bunch of 10 year olds? Just kidding.

Maybe Shanley's just getting better? Does Shattuck have many prize recruits this year?

The verbal commitments should come faster now as signing date looms. I'm sure the Sioux will grab a few guys that people will say, "I didn't think we could get". Thats the nice part about having a successful program.

I think what is meant by indecision could be summed up in this, as reported in the Bison Media Blog regarding UND "I didn't know if or when they were going to go Division I and if they did, I didn't want to get caught up in the mix." -- Cavalier standout Matt Anderson on his decision between NDSU and UND Right now I think that concern by recruits has to be the frustrating thing for UND.

South will win over Moorhead 3-2 and make all North Dakotans proud!

So is German the only verbal for the Sioux so far? It seems like the verbals are somewhat slow to come in this year for many teams. I imagine that will pick up in the next week or two. I think the Sioux do have a shot a Gratzek if NDSU has limited him to the OL or DL, it sounds like he'd have to put on a lot of weight.

At this point every game for the Bison against a DI opponent is a big game. If you re-read my post, the point was to say that even though NDSU is not playoff eligible, they are still playing in big games, to them, and for the school. Whether or not you judge that as a "big step" or not is up to you. The conversation was directed at recruiting and motivation during a transition period, not merely a boast about beating Alabama.

It's hard to say exactly what the effects on recruiting would be. On one hand if you can schedule some games with big name opponents in BB and other sports you might attract those athletes who feel they have been overlooked and want to play against these other schools. Look at Ben Woodside for the Bison for example, he's probably one of the best players that has ever played at NDSU and there is no way he'd be there if it was still DII. He wasn't recruited by the Big10 schools I believe, but playing for the Bison he gets the opportunity to play against teams like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and also Kansas State and show them that they missed out. Programs may initially suffer because of the emphasis on "loading up" on young talent to be competative when they become playoff eligible. Although the Bison women are ineligble for the post season, it's still pretty sweet when an SEC team like Alabama comes into the BSA and gets schooled by a team from NORTH DAKOTA! My personal thoughts are the the Sioux would do fine in the sports they are competative in now, if people can remain patient.

There is a chance Oksendahl might leave UND according to this story. http://naiafootball.net/article.php?articleID=1108 When asked if Tim would leave UND and play at Mayville State if he accepted the job, Oksendahl replied, "I'd say that's a strong possibility.

The Sioux/Bison game will be the final game of 2008. The Sioux will have grown restless in DII and have found a way to finance a move to DI in all sports by then. Any playoff implications will be put on the back burner because this is the game people are demanding. The bad blood will have settled down somewhat and for the players on the field it will be their first meeting. It will be standing room only and the atmosphere will be electric. THE RIVALRY IS REBORN!! (Nick Mertens throws 4 td's in a 36-7 beat down , just thought I'd throw that in there)

Looks like the point of this one paragraph article is to say there is no high school football talent in North Dakota whatsoever, and they have to recruit exclusively in other states. Yea that's a great endorsement. I found a link to that story on the ESPN NDSU football homepage at http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=2449. The article quoted above is listed in the features section where it says, "Tom Luginbill thinks the University of North Dakota might be ready for a jump to I-AA."

That should keep him off the government cheese for awhile. In response to SiouxMeNow, here is the awswer. A good story about loyalty also. http://www.bisonzone.com/index.cfm?page=ar...e_full&id=89098

What the hell are you talking about?

Bison fans cannot talk smack about the Lennon show because no one can make it through a Pat Sweeney interview awake. Hey look Dale Lennons talk....ing...... ZZZZ.......

Both shows are entertaining, they obviously do not have huge budgets. Phil Hansen is fine, so what if he's not working for ESPN. Lennon's show isn't bad, he seems like a decent person and a good coach. I'm a little tired of Pat Sweeney being the only source of UND info. on tv however. Craig Bohl is one hell of a coach and a class act for the Bison, I find it hard to believe that this thread was not started on the intent of making fun of him.