UND Fan

Please explain your last comment.

Very interesting - where/how did you hear about this? I have no clue who it may be.

I am not sure what you mean by "UND calling on those programs to get recruits". I am not arguing your point, I just don't know what you mean.

My opinion: 1) I don't believe Kupchella has officially made up his mind. He has meetings scheduled with a variety of people who have strong feelings about the move (both pro and con). I would guess the "pros" will need to provide some very compelling reasons for making the move to convince him but I think it may happen. 2) Apparently Jones wanted the job either way. As you know, he has a lot of background with the NCC and was excited about the opportunity - DI or DII.

I started this topic with some critical remarks. After doing a little research, I have changed my mind on the topic. UND utilized the on-line by-laws on the NCAA website for any info regarding policies, procedures, dates, etc. This is just the way the process works! The NCAA simply had not updated the website - no big surpirise! I can't fault UND for their handling of this. Due to their oversight, today the NCAA did extend the date to July 1.

As reported this morning, the deadline for committing to DI is June 1 rather than September 1. This change was made in October of 2005 - how in the hell didn't we know that? Supposedly the bylaws still indicate June 1 but someone in the Department (Ralston) should have verified this! I would guess this means there is no chance that we will make the move this year!

Did you actually send this to the three decision-makers? If not, you need to do so. Posting it here does no good! If you have sent it to them - great! If not, you should do so along with anyone else who shares concerns about how this is being handled.

For those of us who agree with this comment, make sure you are communicating with Kupchella. It doesn't do any good for us to just vent about it here! If you are one who are able and willing to start donating or to donate more than you have in the past, Kupchella really needs to hear that.

Each of the candidates will meet the public at the Betty at 6:30 of the day of their interview. I am a couple of thousand miles away so I can't be there. I would certainly welcome comments from those who are able to attend.

I hope everyone reads, then rereads your post - that is absolutely what needs to happen!

Ralston's primary job is to oversee compliance issues. I am sure she is the one handling the process administratively, doing the background checks, trying to assure that none of the top candidates have any skeletons in their closet, etc. I would very seriously doubt that she would have a "real" vote in determining the next coach.

I agree that Smith should certainly be considered. He has a great track record, has recruited the Upper Midwest, is a UND grad, etc. However, unless I am interviewing all of the top candidates, I certainly do not believe that I can make any statement regarding who should get the job. There may be a candidate, hell, there may be 10 candidates better than Smith OR he may be the best. Unless I was part of the interview process, I have no idea who the best man for the job is. AND that is what we need, the best man for the job, whoever it is!

A rumor is usually just that!! A leak usually has merit!

Where is this info coming from? Has the list been published? If not, how do we know who is or is not on it?

I hope you and others who support the move have communicated your thoughts to Kupchella! I don't recommend you complain about the validity of the survey - just endorse the move and state that you feel alumni would step up to assist with the financing of the move (and any other factors that you feel are pertinent)! His e-mail address is: ckupchella@mail.UND.nodak.edu

I guess I need some help! Tell me how what SU fans think about their teams of the 90's has to do with UND. Their responses may or may not be interesting but why should it be discussed here?

This is definitely a topic that should be discussed in a Bison chatroom, not here. This has nothing to do with UND athletics.

Thanks - I can understand and appreciate needing something positive today! Pics/drawings look good! Apparently they haven't decided on a name yet. I had understood that they weren't going to call it a Canad Inn - thinking that it wouldn't be appropriate for a hotel in the States. Anyone know anything about this?

I have to retract my above comment. I am very disappointed to confirm that this rumor is fact. Very unprofessional!!

You make a very good point. If I could "waive the wand", we would have the two SUs, UND, USD, UNO and maybe another school making up one division of an existing conference. I fully realize that it is extremely unlikely. However, it certainly would help contain costs, maintain current rivalries, assist with scheduling, etc.

After talking to various inside sources, I am quite sure that Randall was not offered the job.

As many of you may remember from earlier posts, I have been against UND's move to Division I. I felt the cost and Grand Fork's geography would prohibit us from being competitive in DI. Over the last few months, I have given a great deal of thought to this and talked to a lot of people around the country and in North Dakota and NW Minnesota (as well as many within UND's Athletic Department). I now am a strong advocate of the move. The following are excerpts from a letter recently written to Dr. Kupchella. My guess is that he will elect not to make the move - feeling that it isn't fair to the President following him to saddle him with the challenges of the move. While Kupchella may have already made his decision, I would recommend that those of you who are proponents of the move contact him via letter or e-mail in the next few days and give him your thoughts. My letter...... Dear Dr. Kupchella: Until recently, I was either

I am curious - what are some examples of Buning blaming Ralph for our problems?

I am sure this topic was discussed a great deal over the weekend. Part of the reason for the reunion was to reunite players and try to get a financial commitment to support the team. I think it would be in the form of an endowment where the alumni commit to "X" number of dollars a year for the next five years or so. The funds go into an endowment that would help fund the program for years to come. Various sports at UND are beginning to do this. A great idea - getting help from former players in any sport!

You are absolutely correct in your assessment - I appreciate your honesty and candor AND your lack of "smack"!