star2city

When NDSU moves to Division I, there will be no Division II wrestling programs remaining in North Dakota. This, in my view, would be an injustice, as top high school wrestlers would have few meaningful choices in-state except for the very few exceptional athletes who can wrestle at Div I. With new athletic offices set to built near the Old Engelstad, and the Old Engelstad itself to be refurbished, this would seem to be the idea time to relook at reinstating wrestling as a program. If Title IX requirements are eased (see thread in hockey), the legal situation changes entirely from the 1990

Until February 5th (and really, until five years from now), it is difficult to make any judgements, other than NDSU is ahead in skill players. Trends that are clear: - UND seems to own North Dakota grads. - NDSU is moving strongly into the Chicago area, with even more Illinois signings likely. Key factors before Feb 5th: Will Babich's impending move cause 'SU to lose any verbals? How many of the athletes waiting for a Div I opportunity will UND sign? Key question after Feb 5th: Will NDSU have a public relations problem if no North Dakota athletes are awarded even a partial scholarship?

Updating the Sioux Verbal Commitments: Alan Sundby RB Cavalier, ND Drew Thomas LB Grand Forks Jeff Richter LB 6'4" 240 St. Cloud Mitch Braeggleman TE 6'2" 265 St. Cloud Brett Bauer OL 6'6" 300 Dickinson Aaron Austin WR 6'3" Hallock Preston Stewart FB/LB 5'11" 208 Flasher/Carson Michael Hegg TE Thompson, ND Rick Presthus WR 6'4" Edina, MN The following almost certainly have had or will have UND visits, with considerable interest by both sides: Brian Dykema LB Strasburg, ND Drew Hysjulien WR/P Grand Forks Andrew Pratt OT 6'6" 280 Roseville, MN Barrett Anderson OG Rochester, MN Andy Colburn LB 6'2" 215 LaCrosse, WI Kyle Gearman WR 6'5" 200 Alexandria, MN Matt Holland RB 5'8" 180 Eden Prairie, MN Dan Roscoe OL 6'6" 300 Wayzata, MN Luke Swan WR 6'0" 175 Fenimore, WI Jayson Winterfeldt 6'2" Hortonville, WI Andy Soll OL 6' 3" 280 Fond du Lac, WI Chris Schwantz WR 6'3" 181 Becker, MN Andy White DE 6'?" 2?? Hartland, WI A number of the above are probably waiting to see how DivI scholarships shake out. For comparison sake's, NDSU's verbals are as follows: Bryan Lanzy TE 6'3" 220 St. Paul Tony Stauss QB xfer- N'w 6'1" 215 Racine, Wisc Allen Burrell WR xfer - UNK Aurora, Co Adam Tollefson QB 6'2" Thorp, Wi (revoked/reneged ?) Nick Jackson QB 6'1" 185 Cleveland, OH Cinque Chapman RB 5'11" 190 Chicago, IL Mike Dragosavich WR 6'6", 195 Oak Lawn, IL Alex Wiese RB 6'0" 200 LaCrescent, Mn The following have visited or will visit Fargo: John Majeski DB, WR 6'1" 185 Hastings, Mn Marcus Fitzgerald RB Richfield, Mn Adrian Henry LB 6'3" 200 Mundelein, Il Dominique Sims S Xfr - UMinn Tom Conboy DL 6'2" 260 Rosemount, Mn Andy Thoreson QB Fargo North

Attention NDSU trollers: The Great UND/Grand Forks Conspiracy against NDSU continues? Herald Editorial: Let NDSU decide on Division I I agree with the above quote from the Herald. As has been stated many times here, the risk is way too high for UND without a conference affiliation in hand.

The following letter to the editor from Todd Berning, General Manager of the Ralph, was in the Herald this morning: Attractions must work as a team A quote from the letter: I hope and pray the opponents of the Canad Inn would at least attempt to envision a future for Grand Forks vastly different from its past. Just as an aside comment about motel shuttles: it is a common service in other cities for a hotel/motel (above Motel 6 level) to provide its customers pre-arranged transportation to or from key locations within a few miles, such as an airport, a university, or a convention center. The expense is one decent van, a name on the side, and employees flexible enough to drive. The main point was, however, that there are many creative ways to adjust in a changing marketplace.

On the MinnesotaPrep board, it was reported that Rick Presthus, 6'4" WR from Edina, All-state selection, has verballed to UND: Verbal

Is NDSU a private institution? What

This is kind of cool: Background for Rep. Rod Froelich, D-Selfridge, Sponsor of House Bill No. 1356: Ranching. Bismarck Junior College. North Dakota State University.National Guard 6 years. County commissioner 1994-98. North Dakota local brand inspection. North Dakota Stockmen's Association. American Legion. Past member of Knights of Columbus. Elks. Married. 4 children. Wife's name Kathryn. House since 1999.

Tony, Tony, Tony: HB1356 - Bars the Board of Higher Education and North Dakota's 11 public colleges from spending student fees or tax dollars for anything "related to an institution's designation" as an NCAA Division I school. The bill is aimed at North Dakota State University, which is seeking to move from Division II to Division I. Sponsored by Rep. Rod Froelich, D-Selfridge. Have you ever considered that NDSU's Div I decision is not at all popular with rural North Dakotans, especially in the western half of the state? Is it possible that legislators want their say in decisions made by employees of the state, including your dear President Chapman? If you have a problem with this bill (which many do), go complain to your 20-odd member Cass County legislative group. And relax, they've got the power to take care of it for you. The vast Sioux conspiracy against NDSU's Div I move is centered in Sioux County, not Grand Forks County. Why should any Sioux fan conspire against a move by NDSU's athletic program that will result in the Thundering Herd tumbling down a cliff?

People on a budget will not stay at the CANAD Inn (or the Hilton Gardens for that matter). The Hilton is actually more of a threat to local motel owners because it won't generate new traffic, it has the same tax benefits, and it has already siphoned off the 'high-end' traffic. The local motel owners don't have much of a voice at UND, so their complaints weren't heard when it was built. The motel owners need to get a grip on what's best for Grand Forks (they, more than anyone, knew this hotel was in the long-term plans for Alerus), and use their 'business skills' to take advantage of the market niches that will be available to them: buy a shuttle for the water park/Alerus or make a deal with King's Walk. This kind of fear of change has held Grand Forks back too long.

Summarizing the UND signees so far: Alan Sundby RB Cavalier, ND Drew Thomas LB Grand Forks Jeff Richter LB 6'4" 240 St. Cloud Mitch Braeggleman TE 6'2" 265 St. Cloud Brett Bauer OL 6'6" 300 Dickinson Aaron Austin WR 6'3" Hallock Preston Stewart FB/LB 5'11" 208 Flasher/Carson Michael Hegg TE 6'3" Thompson, ND The following have (or had) received offers: Brian Dykema LB Strasburg, ND Drew Hysjulien WR/P Grand Forks Andrew Pratt OT 6'6" 280 Roseville, MN Barett Anderson OG Rochester, MN Andy Colburn LB LaCrosse, WI Kyle Gearman WR 6'5" 200 Alexandria, MN Althought there are probably a number of other southern Minnesota and Twin Cities athletes being recruited, other more local footballers of interest may include (just my speculation): Colin Reynolds OL Crookston, MN Joel Skalet OL Climax/Fisher Zach Stafford O/DL Fergus Falls, Mn Nick Beiswenger QB Climax/Fisher Tom Dostal DL East Grand Forks, MN Jeremy Christensen LB Otter Tail Central Brandon Deckert LB Fergus Falls, MN Justin Marquis LB Fosston, MN Nick Bonnet DL West Fargo (wrestling?) Jake Caufield WR Minot Nick Reinish RB West Fargo (hockey?) NDSU signee's so far have not included anyone from the area: Bryan Lanzy TE 6'3" 220 St. Paul Tony Stauss QB Xfer- Northwestern 6'1" 215 RacineWI Allen Burrell WR Xfer - UNK Aurora, Co Adam Tollefson QB 6'2" Thorp, Wisc Nick Jackson RB 6'1" 185 Cleveland, OH Although 'SU has stated that they would need to expand their recruiting geography for Div I-AA football, you have to wonder if their signees even know what they are in for: what with no conference championship to play for and no chance of post-season play in their careers. A track star like Allen Burrell (10.30 speed) will not be able to compete in the Div I track finals in his career. I'm sure the local athletes are not ignorant of these issues.

Two or three days away from this board, and the landscape has changed incredibly. To answer Tony's questions without sarcasm: Yes. I did post such a message about a way in which to obtain membership in the Mo Valley or Horizon League at least 5-10 years in the future. It is always wise to have multiple options. Neither of these conferences would be ideal, unless a Gateway football conference berth was also obtained. I have also posted messages with my belief that it would be almost be negligent for UND to move to Div I until Grand Forks

So what's your point, SDSUFAN? Would you actually consider bussing your Jackrabbits to all Big Sky locales? Hey, I would imagine you making a big mess.

What is the source of your underlying insecurities about the Div I move? Isn't your goal to leave UND in the dust? Don't you trust what Chapman is telling you? Or what the Forum is writing? How could you not believe Gene Taylor is the man for the AD spot? Babich certainly will deliver the Herd back to their former glory, won't he? After all, Tulsa really was serious about him.

I'm up to the challenge (with my arms in a well, the following was typed with my toes): Four highly respectable things about NDSU: Bucky Maughan's coaching Don Morton's coaching (however painful it was) NDSU's polymer science department NDSU's agronomy department It is your turn, Tony, bisonguy, and JBB. Can you ever type anything positive about UND without being 'UND'erhanded about it?

Tony: I think you are finally close to getting it!!! This is precisely my point about NDSU President Chapman's left-hand / right hand reasoning. Throughout this whole Div I issue, I have taken issue with the Fargo media and how they have given Chapman a free-ride. There is never any serious questioning of Chapman

SDSUFAN: As is normal, you have not gotten your facts straight. Kolpack began publishing this Big Sky stuff, with the land grant errors, on Dec. 21. Kolpack Dec 21 article - Big Sky Seems to me Dec 21st comes before Dec 23rd. Apparently you have not been enjoying D2 events, even though you have been going to them for 40 years! That's a pretty sad statement on the human condition. When SDSU does not find a conference, the whole SDSU athletic department will be focused on 'The Road to Grand Forks' even if the thought sends a screech down your spine.

Actually, I see SDSU as having placed themselves in a better bargaining position than NDSU originally did. The SD Board of Regents position forces any conference that may be a serious suitor to pony up a ring of matrimony five to ten years before they otherwise would, otherwise the virgin daughter stays home (in the NCC). NDSU's position is more like some floozie insisting she's gonna make it to the big time, and all the while she's showing what she's got to every Tom, Dick, and Harry. By NDSU hanging out with SDSU, NDSU may actually benefit by SDSU's 'hard to get' routine. How could anyone actually think Chapman and the NDSU administration would reverse their decision at his stage? The egos are just too big.

Oh really? Have you considered looking in the mirror? Funny, I see UND and Grand Forks as the trailblazers and NDSU leadership just taking a well-worn path to Division I oblivion. Before certain people get all bent out of shape, let me explain: Over the next few years UND/Grand Forks are the confirmed hosts for the following national and international events: 2003 Div II Men's Women's Swimming Championships 2004 Men's Hockey Western Regional 2003 WCHA Women's Final Five 2005 Div II Men's Basketball Elite Eight and the biggest: 2005 World Junior Hockey Championships. Other events on the radar screen for hosting would probably include: Div II Men's Football Final Div I Women's Hockey Frozen Four World Curling Championships Div II Women's Elite Eight Women's World Hockey Championships more NCAA Men's hockey regionals more Div II Men's Elite Eights other Div II championships (swimming, soccer, volleyball, and maybe even wrestling) and even, with Winnipeg or Minneapolis as co-hosts, the World Hockey Championships. Is a path discernible here? Utilize world-class ice facilities for maintaining Div I prominence and obtaining international awareness. In Div II, UND will become even more pre-eminent (it still needs a Div II national men's basketball title) and Grand Forks' facilities will allow it to host even more Div II championships. Why ruin a good thing, when UND, Grand Forks, and North Dakota will receive so much benefit from both. In the meantime, over the next ten years, NDSU will probably host conference tournaments in volleyball and women's basketball. If UND went Div I, they would likewise have limited hosting options except in hockey. Although non-hockey people in the USA have probably never heard of the World Juniors, check out Canadian or Northern European sports web sites. The following is a quote from a Canadian message board on Grand Forks hosting the World Juniors: Sporting News.CAnada With the UND athletic department serving in a host capacity for all the above events, why should it concern itself with the haphazard travels of the Jones' eighty miles or eight hundred miles down the road? Its own trailblazing will be so much more rewarding, creative, and beneficial to its community.

JBB: You start a thread on this board entitled

SDSUFAN: In your giddiness over the South Dakota Board of Higher Ed's allowance of SDSU to move to Division I (which you swore up and down would be disallowed because of the politics of USD graduates - so much for the anti-SDSU conspiracy!), you seem to forget one 'tiny' hurdle that dear President Miller and AD Oien have yet to clear and have expressed considerable concern about: what will be SDSU's Div I conference? Who will invite SDSU to the palatial mansion you're looking for? Only a fool would set fire to the prairie rambler he's now living in. Apparently UMinnesota-Duluth has more than enough confidence in the future of the NCC. In a year from now, on a cold blizzardy night, when no one has invited SDSU to any party, SDSU's leadership will come to the NCC door, with frostbitten faces, tails between their legs, hats in hands, and ask for a hot meal and a bed to stay in. Its a cruel, cruel Division I world out there, and President Miller, AD Oien, and SDSUFAN will be heartbroken when all their big-city wanderings yield no Division I hospitality. At that time, they'll take immense comfort in the NCC, which will still be standing, like a lighted fortress in the prairie night, for the prodigal sons and daughters gone astray.