homer

I agree. Big difference.

It would depend on how the money from the TV contract is divided up amongst the schools. I don't know the answer. If they decide to add a few more teams and renew the TV deal, that could be a lot of money if it is only split between 4-5 conferences instead of 10.

I'm sure this article with the Texas AD has been posted before. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2012-05-13/texas-william-powers-split-division-i-football/54959996/1

Follow Sic's link- Its being discussed more than on this board. Who know's the specifics but the idea is being discussed by colleges. Georgia Southern's radio guy even mentioned it in an interview with McFeely a few weeks ago and that factored into their decision of moving to FBS- get ahead of the split so your in position to be in Teir 2 when the split occurs.

Three things from the UNDsports update on spring ball practice 4: Thank you for the great coverage. Matt, Tom and Wayne- great work so far this spring. Keep it up. Molberg looks huge in the picture where Coach Freund is working with him in the pocket. He looks the part at 232 lbs. JJ Robertson comes across as a very well spoken guy in the rapid fire segment. Seems appreciative of the 2nd chance. And he looks absolutely huge for a WR. 20 lbs heavier than Hardin and faster. Once he shakes the rust off he could have a breakout season next year.

4 conferences of 16 teams will leave plenty of scheduling opportunities. This idea isn't unique to this board. Someone (either bin or Sicota) has posted links of it being discussed by Nick Saban and an AD or conference commissioner of one of the mid-level teams. They will get wins by scheduling one another.....so Minnesota vs. New Mexico would be replaced by Minnesota vs. Colorado.

Denver brings a nice basketball team to the table but they do not offer the minimum sport requirement of the Big Sky. That is part of the reason an offer was never made. I don't see them being added to the league unless it is ever in the same situation the Summit was in and was is desperate for teams.

Depends what the Summit looks like and if any other offers come DU's way.

Yep, and there is nothing wrong with it. I am calling it like it is in response to a FU fan who thinks DU had a hand full of conference offers and chose the Summit. This will be Denver's 3rd conference in the last 3 years.

Geography is the main reason the Big Sky is stable. You say that like its a bad thing. Its also the largest hurdle that UND and FU face in joining in the conference shuffle party. So until the time comes that either UND or FU is asked to join a new conference, which will be a while, I'll take the conference that hasn't lost a member in 10 years over the revolving door Summit league. Also, Denver went to a conference that was not going to force them to add more olympic sports. Their biggest obstacle in the past has been their unwillingness to add sports. They are a good addition to the Summit league but the Summit was desperate and needed a member. Also, please provide a link of a Big Sky offer to Denver. They would bring 3 sports to the men's side of the Big Sky and 5 sports to the women's and have no interest in adding any additional.

Thanks for the update Teeder.

And you do realize that the State Board of Higher Ed needs to know that the pledges are in place before construction can begin right? UND will need to show documentation that the pledges are there to begin, they don't have to hand Shirvani an briefcase with $20 million in cash inside of it.

That conference would offer no stability. The current Summit proves that those schools would always be looking for a different conference.

Surpassing the $300 million Spirit Campaign was in the news last month. It was one of the major projects for athletics within the campaign. The construction process on this will start with proving to the state the funds are in place. That will have to happen before shovels are in the ground.

My thoughts- A protection that does not involve a diversion may put a halt to Fargo's growth to the south. Any growth west or east is a different city and Fargo is limited to the north as well. There may be other options, cheaper options that help protect from the river, but until the diversion is completely wrote off, "they won't work".

The list of 16 could have been a list of midwest schools who could be interested in moving up. The entire Summit could have been on it. To some that may be an interest list. To me that is a starting point.

Thanks for the concern Dan. Coach Breitbach did some good things recruiting this last season. Brought in the top ranked QB out of Oregon. Had some good ties to that part of the country being from Montana. Best of luck to him in the new role.

Again, if they are really concerned about it, take them to the IPF construction site that is starting next month. Than you can show that same video your so concerned about of the other area schools practicing on a field surrounded by snow. I bet that will mean a lot in an Illinois living room.

Than you show that recruit a picture of the IPF or take them to the construction site (after May) and say see- you don't have to worry about it. You'll get to start spring ball inside one of the nicest Indoor Facilities in the region. Pretty impressive response.

That is my point. Not a fair comparison to compare facilities of hockey vs. other sports.

Compare the facilities of our hockey team with any program in the country at any school. That is not a reflection on how UND treats its other programs. The Ralph is just one of the nicest athletic buildings in all levels of sports. In regards to the other comparisons, the IPF is long overdue. When that gets completed, it will be a major upgrade to all sports.

He would be a nice addition. I have a feeling he is going to be a high level recruit (depending on grades). Normally I would not be high on the JUCO route but Jones may need to bring in a couple the next few years to balance out some scholorships. I just hope they can stay elgible when they get here.

bull$%!#...At the highest FBS level I would agree. You don't see many colleges who are dominant in multiple high profile sports. When it comes to FCS, there is no reason UND cannot be as successful. UND has proven in the past, for long stretches it can be the better program. UNDs mistake was waiting to long to make the transition. The timing wasn't right, leadership wasn't in place, etc. for the reasons we didn't. It took some time to recover from some of the effects of being 2nd in line to make the transition. We brought those on by our decisions but our staff has done a good job working through those rough times and restocking with talent. We have people in leadership positions throughout the athletic dept. who are committed to getting the funds to be successful in all sports, that is also something that was lacking in the past.

You forgot to mention if you come o FU you can throw sandbags in the spring....... If they win games in the fall, no one will care what happened in the spring. This is the second time in memory where players shoveled snow off of Memorial. I do know of one time in that same time frame where snow was shoveled of the field at FU by players. I just walked over to a coworkers cube and asked him....he remembers it well. Both his arms are still attached to his body so you have nothing to worry about.

The start of practice was pushed back until Wednesday. Spring game date has not changed though.