UND Fan

Amen!!

Whether it is appropriate to make a coaching change or not (and it probably is), that decision won't be made until we have a better idea what we may do on the DI issue. If we started looking for a new coach right now, 1) any applicant would want to know if they were going to be coaching a DII team or a DI team in transition for a few years and 2) the list and quality of applicants may be dramatically different depending on whether it was a DI or DII job.

That is what I expected to hear - thanks for your insight!

I follow the women's program closely but seldom get to see them play. The following is not a second-guessing type question of Coach Roebuck as he does an outstanding job but I am surprised that Kimbrough doesn't get more minutes. She is often in the 13 to 18 minute range. I fully realize than we have Langen underneath and that she is having a great year but I still would have thought that Kimbrough would be getting more minutes. Any thoughts on this? How does she look when she is playing? I know she had has some great games - have there been games where she hasn't looked too good?

Disappointing info! Who has the guy? Does anyone know?

I agree with most of your thoughts except your last one. Engelstad money was used to build the Betty and they wanted it done prior to the Jrs. It is that simple. With a set $ amount to spend and a limited time to build it, this is what we ended up with. Is it perfect for our needs, heck no but it is a great building compared to Hyslop and when compared to most DII arenas. We just need to figure how/where to put another 1,000 seats or so. As I have said before, we can debate the past all we want but it won't change things. Therefore, let's talk about how we can make things better with what we have!

Is anyone aware of who has been asked and has accepted to walk on at the Soux camp this fall?

Where would the $8-12 million have come from?

I talked to Thompson a few weeks - he was very excited about the 12 commitments that he had at that time. He was pleasantly surprised how "relatively easy" it was to convince recruits to come to UND. The facilities, the people and the quality of the education impressed the recruits. Having a locker room and a very accessable (not used by too many other teams) weight room at the Betty were also big plusses. It was good to hear this. Thompson is a winner. Hopefully, we can keep him for quite a while.

Guys, I agree with most points being made but.... we are where we are! We have the Betty, Hyslop won't be remodeled and the cost of refurbishing the old REA is huge - primarily due to problems with the structure itself, mostly the roof. The University simply is not going to sink $ into these old facilities! We might as well not waste our time talking about that! There is no question that the proper forethought was not put into the design of the Betty. They wanted to get it up in time for the Jrs. and they had a limited amount of $ available so that is what they spent! If you remember, they did launch a $500,000 or $1 million campaign to finish the building off as they knew they didn't have enough money to do so. The offices weren't furnished nor was the player's lounge, there were no weights in the weight room, the front foyer wasn't finished, etc. I don't think they had overwhelming success in their fundraising. Obviously, much more planning should have gone into the building. That, along with a good, well-planned fundraising effort would have resulted in a much better facility. But that didn't happen - we are where we are. We need to make the best out of what we have rather than worry about what should have happened. The Betty is a nice facility with some faults - primarily it is too small. It would appear to me that the answer is to add large bleachers at each end of the court. There is plenty of room and these wouldn't be bad seats - still close to the court, etc. Not a great solution but it is the only viable one other than moving back to the Ralph!

Could it be that many season ticket holders did not attend due to weather (not a good excuse) or other reasons? The Athletic Department can not sell their seats.

Who was at the games this evening? Apparently it was a sell-out - but the crowd was less than 3,100! I thought the Betty held 3,800. Can anyone explain this?

We have about two full rides available. I don't believe we have any interest in the Goodwin kid - or any guard for that matter. We need size and scoring up front. Looking at a couple of HS kids but will likely need some JC help for immediate relief. Dryburgh may be the big man we go after but he may want to still try for DI. Any idea what kind of year he is having?

This highlights one of our biggest challenges (whether we are DI or DII), this kid wanted to be closer to home. There just are a limited number of recruits within a reasonable distance from Grand Forks. DI caliber athletes are more apt to choose a school farther from home but to the plains and weather of North Dakota, I am not so sure.

Congrats on the big win!!!

It is good to land more local kids. For those who have seen them play, do you think they can contribute at the DII level?

UND's proposal is "waiting in the wings". Along with the DI decision, UND is completing an evaluation of all its facilities. I guess this makes sense, if the decision would be made to make the move in the next couple of years, that would likely have a bearing on how many facility issues are addressed.

Please continue with the updates - I can not get the web broadcast tonight. Thanks!

Thanks for the insight! Yes, Chris has been a great player for us - I am sure he will have great success in the future, whether it is in football or the "real world". I asked you a couple of years ago about whether there were any younger "Kupes" up there who may play for the Sioux in the future. You said there was one or two younger brothers. Are they still playing FB, how old are they, etc.?

You are absolutely correct! I answered that from the context that, yes, he will get another year due to the injury. But, he will be a junior, not a sophomore!

That is correct!

MD - thanks for helping me out with the link!

Interesting article in the Anchorage Daily News. Anchorage lineman catching NFL's eye Jan 23, 2006 Kuper, a 2001 Dimond High graduate, represented the University of North Dakota and was one of two NCAA Division II players in the game ... Anchorage's Chris Kuper, 23, just finished his career as an offensive lineman at the University of North Dakota and could get picked as high as the second round of April's NFL draft. (Anchorage Daily News) I guess I still don't know how to attach a link......

Fully agree - she is extremely talented. I hope she is able to come back!

Athletics has had nothing to do with any tuition increases! If you feel differently, give us some examples!