star2city

Bowl games, while not championships in themselves, get certified by the NCAA. The Sugar Bowl/Superdome don't seem to have a problem with its NCAA credentials. Ya, ya, the Alerus is no Superdome, but it is a major step up facility-wise from previous locations. For a crowd of around 10,000, an indoor venue that reverberates with noise would play better than an outdoor venue on television, resulting in higher ratings. This can

From last week's Herald: Stores and housing proposed west of UND Although not near the REA, the most interesting aspects of this development are the "Student" apartments and the New Urbanism aspect (mixing commercial and residential space in the same building). As the article implies, this smaller development buildings could be a sort of trial run for what the University Village will look like. The Excelsior and Grand development in St. Louis Park, a classical example of New Urbanism, may be a sort of template for what to anticipate near Engelstad. UND made it official that they are interested in having a hotel built near the Ralph, which could only help the Betty to host conferences. Some interesting ideas: DEVELOPMENT: 'U village' attracts hoteliers to table DEVELOPMENT: Breaking point?

I think we'll all have to wait until Doug Fullerton removes the anonymonity blanket on the expansion process in December. Within UND's leadership, my gut says no clear consensus has yet emerged, except for the * exceptions. * Reclassify to D-I if the 24 scholarship football limit is enacted (would occur even without a conference affiliation) ** Reclassify to D-I if somehow a $70 million endowment is raised (again, no conference affiliation necessary). *** Reclassify to D-I if the Big Sky offers an invitation.

Ironically, the growth of Fargo-Moorhead area has probably increased the number of generic football fans, who really aren't that passionate about the Bison, filling the Fargodome with silent scarecrows. (Either that or most self-respecting Bison fans don't want to associate with the fervent few.) It would be interesting to get a coaches perspective on how much the home field advantage is worth in the Alerus vs the Fargodome. My guess: 9 pts (Alerus) vs 3 pts (Fargodome).

Wow Bisonfan, a statement I agree with 100%!!! Back to the topic: For UND to create more revenue to finance a DI move, the major answer would have to be basketball. While a bodybag game with a Div I football team will bring in a $200-500 k payday, that really only pays for the annual increase in scholarship money from DII to IAA football. The extra payoff has to come from basketball. Since the number of home dates will almost double (no more men and women doubleheaders), that in itself would practically double paid attendance (although the season ticket base for each would now be different). Two areas at which I’ve been surprised at since their DI moves are (1) NDSU’s ability to recruit in men’s bball and (2) SDSU’s ability to schedule Div I teams for both men and women. Admittedly, NDSU’s recruits are not upper DI level recruits, but they are still higher quality than I expected would be attracted to the BSA and without any conference championship to play for. The Betty/Ralph should allow UND to recruit at an even higher level. On the women’s side, I would expect UND to be well positioned to attract Minnesota’s non-Gopher recruits. For scheduling, SDSU’s ability to schedule USC in Brooking of all places (2006?), leads me to believe that UND, with the Ralph as a carrot as well as better financial backing, could do so also. Perhaps if UND ever won one of those games, scheduling would get much more difficult. But all in all, it would probably not be that much of a stretch for UND DI BB teams to total 100,000 in attendance (~25 games @ ~4000 / game vs. 15 game events @ ~3000 / game).

Dale Lennon's coaching and recruiting seem well on their way to making this a reality. LeClair was not included because he was raised in South St. Paul, and even played two years of JC ball at UM-Crookston before UND. If the list included current state residents, he would certainly be on it, as he is the current mayor of Mayville, N.D.

ESPN: A show on behalf of the disadvantaged

In the Dakota Student article, RT was quoted with these statements about Div I: On further reflection, unless a school knows what conference it will join, why would it ask questions about what programs to keep or drop? Just the fact that NDSU and SDSU have not dropped any sports (or added any, with the exception of women’s equestrian at SDSU) really has probably been an indicator that they have not had a true sense of what conference they would be joining. After all, if NDSU knew with any sense of certainty that a Big Sky bid was coming, wouldn’t it have made an effort to start men’s and women’s tennis? By the same token, if a school is certain of which conference it will be joining, issues around dropping programs will be rather key, as dropping programs can cause serious issues among alumni. Comparing Big Sky sports to UND sports, the only sport the Big Sky “requires” that UND does not sponsor is men’s tennis (Riddick/Agassiz doesn’t count). But UND sponsors several sports that the Big Sky does not sponsor: men’s golf, baseball, softball, and swimming. If UND was invited to the Big Sky, it would probably have to add men’s tennis. Men’s golf would probably be axed. Even if the collegiate baseball season was extended into June, it would seem UND baseball would have a difficult time surviving, especially considering the available facility, weather, and its likely competitiveness in Div I. Softball would also seem to be on the potential chopping block, but Title IX considerations may help it. The past success of the UND swimming program may be the key to saving it. Considering that Big Sky schools typically only sponsor the conference (and DI) minimum 14 programs (6 men and 8 women), UND’s athletics, likely to be at least 18 programs, will be more extensive (and expensive) than rival Big Sky programs (all hypothetically, of course). If a Big Sky bid is more than speculation, there are likely some difficult and apinful decisions ahead.

IMO, the most interesting quote from Herald article: O’Keefe’s position allows him to speak more freely than RT or Phil Harmeson, who do not want to antagonize current NCC schools. O’Keefe’s statement has this implication: UND is in the position to be NDSU’s Division I saviour, as the Big Sky will not admit NDSU/SDSU. This may be why UND and NDSU have been in talks, when on the surface one would not expect NDSU to be helpful to UND’s advancement. After all, the Fargo Forum and many other bison boosters want NDSU to be North Dakota’s exclusive DI school for non-hockey sports. So the question: why would the Big Sky expand with NDSU and UND, rather than an NDSU/SDSU combination, which O’Keefe comments implies will not happen? This is rather puzzling, as the travel is not that different, and the media from only one small state (rather than two) would be added to the Big Sky footprint with the SDSU/NDSU combo. IMO, UND brings some large advantages over SDSU, notably a stronger football program, better facilities, and more financial $’s, but are these enough to overcome SDSU’s headstart? Perhaps the answer may be found in the longer-term goals of NDSU and SDSU. NDSU would be perfectly content being in the Big Sky as long as Montana and Montana State are in it also. Even if SDSU gets a Big Sky invite, the BSC would not bring its alumni the satisfaction Mo Valley membership would. Long term, SDSU lusts after Missouri Valley membership, and would jilt the Big Sky in a second if so offered. IMO, NDSU so values rivalries with Montana schools, it would still prefer the Big Sky even over the Missouri Valley, in spite of the higher prestige of the Mo Valley. If NDSU/SDSU were admitted to the Big Sky, in 2011 when SDSU somehow wrangles an invite from the MO Valley, the Big Sky will be in a poor position: one school in the Upper Midwest isolated from the rest of the conference with horrible travel costs. Also, the Mid-Con (which is a queue of schools wanting entrance to the MO Valley), probably will take SDSU within a year or two with much less financial (no upping of football scholarships and fixing up Coughlin) and other travel demands on the Jackrabbits. Most bison fans find the idea of the Mid-Con revolting. So the solution: NDSU and SDSU go their separate ways with NDSU being a reluctant suitor of UND as their Big Sky travel partner. The Big Sky will not risk expanding east unless there are firm long-term commitments of fidelity, which it will receive from UND and NDSU. As a side note, on the d2football board a U Mary fan states that Mary will not join the NCC, but rather the NSIC. What is the sense of that, unless UND is no longer is the NCC? Mary/UND games would be huge draws in Bismarck and bring U Mary a lot more prestige, much more so than a Mary/Northern State game, it closest likely potential NSIC rival. The NCC would almost certainly take U Mary, but if there is no NCC stability, why should Mary administrators take the chance? If UND leaves, perhaps both UNO and USD may gain admission to a 12-team MIAA, while the rest of the NCC would be forced into the NSIC.

One more point: If the Big Sky goes to twelve schools, any western I-AA program left outside its umbrella will have major problems with scheduling. Since there are eight Big Sky programs, six Great West programs, maybe San Jose State, and maybe UND, two-four I-AA programs could be left out as independents. Schools like Cal Poly and Cal-Davis would almost be forced to join the Big Sky if they want to keep their football programs viable. If they don’t join, they’d only have each other and maybe Southern Utah to play. Of course there would be out-of-conference games with Big Sky teams, but these would almost exclusively be in September, leaving the bulk of the schedule to I-A teams, D-II teams, or cross-country trips with eastern I-AA teams. By going to 12, Fullerton may be attempting to force Cal Poly and Cal-Davis into the Big Sky, so that a Pacific division can be formed. This would keep Portland State, NAU, and Sac State placated, cut back on travel, make certain Dakota schools palatable, and give Montana schools renewed rivals. The Big Sky might then consider adding baseball/softball or swimming to its offerings and Cal Poly / Cal-Davis would have to seek affiliate membership for its other programs. For UND, this might be the one and only opportunity this decade to move to Div I with a conference affiliation in hand. If later UND decided D-I is the way to proceed, there would not be a Great West I-AA option. It really seems the Big Sky is forcing everyone’s hands, so it gets the most desirable schools on its terms. For UND, the next two months may define its athletic future for the next 10-15 years.

Is it possible that Fullerton's mouth was slightly ajar last week when he toured the Ralph and Betty? Would he have the same response touring Frost? If UND men's basketball had a coach like, say, UNI's McDermott, who would have a better D-I program? Also, maybe in Fullerton's mind there were thoughts like: "Wouldn't this be a great arena for the Big Sky conference tournament", or "Hey, the Big Sky could host first round and regional women's BB here". Or "The Big Sky could host volleyball regionals here". Not sure those thoughts would occur at other school venues.

While I agree that the Big Sky conference is football-oriented, expansion is a necessity to protect their basketball bid. There are at least two schools who are more basketball focused than football: Weber State and Idaho State (who once made the Elite Eight). In the Portland Tribune, there was this article: Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton says the conference is exploring expanding from eight schools to as many as 12 in the next two years. Earlier, Fullerton has been quoted as saying that they would expand by from one to three schools. Now they are talking of adding four schools, to twelve. Why the change? The Portland article also mentions Cal-Davis, which wasn't previously in the scene. At least four current BSC schools are known to have ambitions to play I-A football (Sac State, Portland State, NAU, and Montana). Geographically, Sac State, NAU, and Portland State aren't all that pleased with the concept of adding schools east of the Rockies. Curiously, a month or so ago, Phil Harmeson of UND was quoted as saying something to the effect of going I-A in football, rather than just I-AA. Harmeson also mentioned about adding a horseshoe to the Alerus so that there would be 17,000 seats, which would allow the potential for 15,000 attendance, the I-A football requirement. So what is a solution that makes all the schools happy: expand to 12 with east and west divisions with the intent of being I-A in football sometime in the early 2010's. Here is a scenario that make geographic and strategic sense: Big Sky South: Sac State/Portland State/NAU/Weber State/Cal Poly/UC-Davis Big Sky North: Montana/Montana State/E Wash/Idaho State/UND/NDSU Add Cal Poly in 2006, Cal-Davis in 2007, NDSU in 2008, UND in 2009 (admission dates vary because only Cal-Poly is fully eligible) Cal Poly, Cal-Davis, and even NDSU all have aspirations of playing IA football someday. The schools that would have difficulty would be E Wash and Idaho State (and UND without the expanded Alerus - hence Harmeson's comments). Flame away

Aff: Maybe you need to take your argument to Kolpack and the Fargo Forum. They're the ones putting out the "crap" that you find distasteful. Here's Kolpack's quote from yesterday:

IowaBison: Don't kid yourself. There have been major changes within the last six months to change the situation: First, the NCAA probation period for basketball was reduced from thirteen (13) years to 5 years if the school is accepted into a qualifying conference - that is huge and removes one of the onerous requirements that Kupchella was concerned with. Second, the ripples from the Big East expansion finally affected the West. The Big Sky's existence is threatened by the WAC, if it takes more teams. Until the WAC took Idaho, the Big Sky had the Vandals in their back pocket if they needed them. Until this past summer, the Big Sky had no stability concerns. Now the Big Sky will be wobbling if it loses one team and dead as a qualifying conference if it loses two teams. With San Jose State's I-A football status in jeopardy, the WAC will take at least one Big Sky team (and maybe two - Montana and Sac State being the main candidates) if the Spartans are forced to drop out of the WAC.

With the SSI changes, it seems both RT (in the Dakota Student) and Dale Lennon are now open to renewing the UND/NDSU series. This quote by Lennon in the Williston Daily Herald confirms the possibility: BTW, the article includes alot of good info on two Willistonites: OL Andy Hoffelt and volleyball's Jamie Skadeland: Hoffelt finds himself in key role on UND line

Article from St. Cloud Times: The biggest game in the young history of Husky Stadium -- and perhaps the biggest St. Cloud State football game in 15 years -- is three days away.

IMO, the Dakota Student article was just the beginning of what will be a well-organized "discussion" of UND and Div I with the public. After all, who should be spoken with first? The answer is rather obvious, the immediate University community, and that is the exact readership the Dakota Student reaches. Sometime around Homecoming week, this story will begin having mainstream media play. If the Betty can be paid off and construction begins on an indoor practice facility, facilities-wise UND would be better positioned than nearly any school making the D-II to D-I transition, ever.

For a new indoor training/practice facility, I would suspect that locker rooms, offices, weight rooms etc would be in a traditional building, but the 300 meter track/indoor practice field would be a bubble-type facility. Much cheaper that way. BTW, only the best DI schools have anything approaching the Ralph and the Betty.

From RT

It was rather surprising to see Grand Forks written up in the Travel Section of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Grand Forks, vital and open .What to know - Grand Forks The Manitoban author places much emphasis on the flood and the "resulting renaissance." I think Grand Forks residents really are unaware of just how well the community and its recovery is viewed from afar. From the perspective of Mobile, Alabama, where I currently live, there is much to be learned from Grand Forks' flood aftermath. As a side note: Mobile is doing surprising well. I know of no one from Mobile whose housing suffered signficant damage. Best of all, utilities are available in most of the city, some grocery stores are open, and gasoline is freely available. The same can not be said for much of Baldwin County (county east of Mobile Bay) or the Pensacola, Florida, area, which bore the brunt of the Ivan's most distructive winds. Please keep the people in these areas in your prayers.

Thanks ForenceFan!! Your link worked. Score: 0-0 at end of 1st Time of possesion: CWU 9 minutes , UND 6

I work in an industry where scale-up issues are major concerns. Just as in my industry, a "ballpark" estimate of stadium construction costs can be interpolated using costs of existing recent projects (adjusting for inflation, # of suites, real estate cost, marble, labor rates, leather seats, etc.).

Wow, the Gopher football team is coming to the Alerus? That might be a cause for concern for the Sioux continuing their winning ways (but the Al would be sold out ). Gopher hockey teams coming to Engelstad should be concerned with their own survival. BTW - Gophers trolling here are not welcome.

Article in the Ellensburg Daily Record: CWU football faces tough task