star2city

Totally agree with that statement! Maybe Hardin in a year or two.

The dropoff also corresponds to FCS telecasts. Although scheduling the Sioux Falls and the loss took a lot of wind out of the sails. Football really only should be scheduled on weekends without men's hockey, unless a near-capacity crowd is a foregone conclusion (Montana, Montana St).

Minot just had their SLC service dropped, so not sure if Delta will go for it yet. For schools like Portland St, EWU, Montana, and Montana St, they all have access to MSP Delta. Although they would add air miles going east of GFK, it's actually fewer miles than going south to SLC or Denver. Still, SLC or Denver to GFK would be great.

With the Big East announcing that it will add two more football teams by 2012, that may have a significant impact on the MWC, WAC, CUSA, and other conferences. It is also thought the Big East would go to 12 teams by 2014. Big East Expansion happening The thoughts are that TCU is in for sure for 2012, with Villanova (or Temple if Nova declines) for 2014. That means the other 2012 slot is likely between UCF and Houston. A San Jose MercuryNews blogger is expecting these moves: TCU to Big East Houston/SMU/UTEP to MWC Rice/Tulsa/Tulane to WAC That would make schools like Idaho and San Jose State islands in a now Texas/Louisiana/Oklahoma-based WAC, practically forcing their football move to the Big Sky. Montana wouldn't like to move into that type WAC. UND may have the dream conference it has hoped for for years: Idaho/UM/MSU/UND.

With UND's membership in the Big Sky, there has been a lot of concern that Montana is moving up to FBS and the WAC. Montana has an FBS feasibility study ongoing, that should be issued this month. A number of supposedly plugged-in posters are stating that Montana is staying at FCS for now, but will use the study to prepare for a possible move later. Other posters disagree entirely, and state now is the time to move up. Montana's State AD has vehemently denied both that Montana State has any interest in the WAC and that the WAC has informally invited them (as reported by the Missoulian). ESPN Radio Blog - WAC offers coming this week Denver in: Texas State and UTSA IN Montana has a standing invite, but not expected to accept Seattle OUT UALR will stay in Sunbelt - according to the Sunbelt Commissioner On the UALR board, they seem to believe that ORU or UMKC may be invited to the Sunbelt. UALR meets the Sunbelts criteria for offering 14 conference sports, so under the Sunbelt's bylaws, they can't be evicted.

Oregon's sideline signs for playcalling

Football expenditures 1. NDSU

We won't gain the coverage that the other Dakota schools will have in Fort Wayne, Tulsa, and Macomb, , as IPFW, ORU, and WIU all get decent coverage in those cities. We'll probably have the same coverage in Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Detroit (UMKC, IUPUI, and Oakland): none.

Wanted to start a different thread to focus more on how UND's athletics will be different, now that it is separate from other Dakota schools. First off, it is clear that we will be dependent on Montana schools for rivalries and fan interest. If they leave, that creates a major conference issue. We need the Montana schools to stay in the Big Sky. But, if the move to DI is all about marketing and placing UND's name out there in the college sports world, isn't separating ourselves from the rest of the Dakota schools a positive statement that we are different? Not joining a psuedo-NCC creates anxiety, that is understandable. With UND in the Big Sky, the coverage that UND will receive will vastly increase compared to other Dakota schools in the western US. UND will be perceived as the bold institution, the one that takes risks, the one that is innovative, while the other Dakota schools would be more likely viewed as stodgy Midwestern schools. If NDSU had had an opportunity to jump to the Big Sky by itself in 2005, it would have taken it, no questions asked. With UND actually having that opportunity, we doubt ourselves and our institution. What's the effect on the potential success of each sport? Football - UND now becomes the only Dakota school that plays regularly in the west. UND should be able to out recruit any of the other Dakota schools in Arizona, Colorado, or California. - UND now offers MN and WI recruits the chance for meaningful travel. May be a negative for certain recruits that want relatives to travel to all games. But now, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UNI, WIU will all be going after the same recruits in the same locations. UND will offer something different. - UND would have annual games vs Montana and Montana State. Huge impact in western ND. - If the indoor practice facility is built, UND facilities will exceed most FCS schools. Overall very positive for football. Basketball - Again, UND will offer a vastly different travel experience for Minnesota and Wisconsin mid-major recruits that NDSU, SDSU, and USD can't. - Jones and Roebuck have to start gaining mid-major Minnesota and Wisconsin recruits. That hasn't been happening yet. - Travel issue will likely be used very effectively against UND in recruiting. - Facilities are excellent. Games against Montana and Montana State could be "Ralph" games. - Pre-conference scheduling would be very regional Overall neutral to even negative Volleyball - Again, UND would offer a vastly different experience than the other Dakota schools. - Volleyball talent is very good in the west. - Travel isn't in the winter. - Pre-conference scheduling would be very regional Overall positive T&F and CC - Dependent on practice facility more than conference Swimming - Tremendously positive as it would be affiliated with a higher league than the Summit Tennis With new Grand Forks Wellness Center, the facilities will be top of the line. Huge new recruiting area. - Very positive Golf - Drop men's golf. Not worth it with no conference. Softball The recruits come from the West. They have to travel early anyway. A practice facility would help immensely. Big Sky will start softball - Very positive. Soccer Expanded recruiting area. A practice facility would help with winter conditioning. - Positive Baseball No meaningful conference. These would be my major goals for the UND athletic department: 1. Establish and continue rivalries with Montana and Montana State, even if it means FBS eventually. 2. When Minnesota and Wisconsin leave the WCHA, ensure that a hockey conference relationship with Notre Dame is established. 3. Drop baseball. Start men's lacrosse and begin a conference with Denver, Air Force, USC and Stanford. We don't live in the NCC world anymore.

Apparently, Sac State was talking with the Big West / Great West to move it's football to the Great West and rest of it's programs to the Big West. Such a move would likely have given the Great West an autobid eventually, if UND and USD went to the Summit, and SUU didn't have a Big Sky invite. By adding Cal Poly and UC-Davis, the Big Sky killed Great West football and effectively "forced" Sac State, SUU, UND, and USD into their arms. Fullerton certainly was well aware for some time that the MVFC was not interested in adding teams. USD has been a member of the Summit for nearly 20 months, but the MVFC never showed the slightest interest in them. The Big Sky could have left us all hanging, but they didn't.

Looks like the Missouri Valley might be having more important issues on it's agenda: New York Daily News: TCU comtemplating Big East One of the rumors is that the Missouri Valley would add St Louis and TCU, with only TCU football going to the Big East.

Farley doesn't have a vote. Neither does Montana State's coach Ash, who was against adding teams. This is more concerning, but I highly doubt new President Engstrom will make a decision so soon in his tenure to move up. To move up with a financially able athletic department, Montana has a whole lotta fund raising to do. Missoulian: Give them a Super-sized Sky Welcome

Some Sioux Falls interests are likely totally miffed at USD, as Sioux Falls has big plans for a new arena that would be the annual host of the Summit League. With three or four Dakotas, the Summit would have held that tournament in Sioux Falls most years before near sell-out crowds. Now, if USD goes, and new teams come into the Summit, Sioux Falls as the host won't be the slam dunk they were hoping for. Ironically, if USD could end up hosting the Big Sky tournament (regular season winner hosts), Vermillion - not Sioux Falls - could end up hugely benefiting. In South Dakota, a USD decision is supposed to benefit Sioux Falls, much like a UND decision should be made to benefit NDSU. Would be interested to hear a USD perspective on this.

Now that we are officially in the Big Sky, it would take a whole lot of movement to affect us. The Big Sky has effectively earthquake proofed itself in the event of major conference shakeup. Worst case is Montana, Sac State, and Portland St (if the WAC is totally desperate to survive) all leave, but the Big Sky would still be standing strong. That can't be said for the Summit. Omaha has to have a place for it's football to land, and there is absolutely no way that Creighton would ever allow UNO to have the MVC brand associated with it. The Big Sky is really the only option for UNO if it moves up. The problem with the MVFC has always been that that the MVC schools don't want to lose their majority in that conference. The MVFC can't become a superconference like the Big Sky: the MVC won't allow it. Illinois State was thought to be a school that might leave, but the MAC is now only looking east. Talk is also about Youngstown State leaving the MVFC for the Colonial, but Youngtown's admission standards are basically JC/remedial level and almost all the CAA schools pride themselves in academics. There's now talk that more schools in the Colonial will start football (Virginia Commonwealth and UNC-Wilmington and maybe even George Mason) + Charlotte and maybe Kennesaw State are joining, so it's not like the CAA has to look far to backfill schools that might move football to the MAC.

Northern Arizona has a killer of a cross country team: NAU is ranked 7th nationally. The 7000 ft altitude and cool nights make a rather ideal training ground. Montana State appears to have a Top 40 squad.

Women's Soccer RPI 111 NAU 175 UNC 194 Portland St 239 Sac St 253 Idaho St 281 Weber St 285 Montana 290 SUU 291 E Wash 299 UND 300 USD Montana State apparently has an exemption from offering women's soccer: they offer women's skiing instead.

NCAA volleyball RPI 88 UNC 105 UND 143 Portland St 162 Idaho St 169 Sacramento St 201 SUU 203 Montana 229 N Ariz 241 USD 246 E Wash 268 Montana St 294 Weber St

Sacramento Bee: Will Sac Stay or Go? So, looks like Sac State is still interested in moving up. Other schools with bigger stadiums were just more compelling for the WAC. Today, the Big East announces it will add two football teams at season's end. With the candidates being TCU, Houston, UCF, Villanova, and Temple (if Villanova says no), the trickle down could effect the lower leagues. If Sac State goes to the WAC (as a results of TCU going to the Big East and the MWC backfilling for TCU from the WAC), the natural addition for the Big Sky would be Nebraska-Omaha. There's also reports that the MAC wants four eastern teams (UMass, Delaware, James Madison - plus Temple which is already in).

Big Winners: Lakesbison - email campaigns to the Summit and MVFC trashing UND were highly successful Summit League schedulers - with only 14 instead of 18 conference basketball games, job security is assured. One of Chicago State/UTPA/Houston Baptist - heading to the Summit! On a serious note, a couple of coaches will experience a lot more pressure. With a true conference, there would be a lot of interest in those positions should they become open. Winning will create winners.

7. "We are working on some television initiatives." Markets being brought in have tv interest. Everything will soon be online. 10. (It) Wasn't a mistake not to add the other two Dakota schools previously. Things have changed since that time. 21. Basketball will likely involve 9, 10 or 11 conference home games. The CAA, ACC, Big East and now Pac-12 have uneven scheduling within the conference. 22. Want to leave enough OOC scheduling room for teams like Montana to have well-attended home games and other schools to have FBS money games.

Bozeman Chronicle Blog on how to have Big Sky Championship Game on the last weekend of conference play Spokane Spokesman-Review blog: Help Big Sky set up new divisions

Schlossman Tweet: Big Sky announcement was also on All Saints Day, a day of grace.

UND will be sponsoring 21 sports with men's tennis (indoor and outdoor T&F are counted separately), which is a lot compared to may schools. Most of the Big Sky schools don't have many sports beyond the Big Sky required sports. A number have softball, but here are the others: Portland State used to have wrestling, but seems they dropped it. NAU has women's swimming (not men's) - and are in the WAC for that. (NAU had men's hockey back in the 80's) Montana State has M/W skiing Southern Utah has women's gymnastics (in the WAC) and need to find a home for baseball No Colo has baseball (Great West), women's swimming (Mountain-Pacific), men's golf (?), wrestling (Western Wrestling) Sac State has a lot of sports outside of the Big Sky: Baseball - in the WAC Gymnastics - in the WAC Women's rowing - in Pacific Coast rowing Men's soccer - in Mountan Pacific Federation Men's golf - independent?

After USD "left" for the Summit, pretty much had given up hope on UND being an all-sports member. UND and USD's TV capability and academics certainly helped make a difference in the end. USD just being engaged, rather than married to the Summit, helped too. Work? Who works?

Thanks, JFR!! This is absolutely huge news to all sports, except of course hockey.