mikejm

I'm not really surprised. Between the Ralph, the Sioux Boosters and the Alumni Assn, my mailbox gets pretty full this time of year. I'm sure a lot of season ticket holders didn't even open the letter than told them they had 3 days to buy their seats for the Regionals. Heck, I almost forgot to phone to get mine!

No, I honestly don't know. Who?

I used to say the same thing, but Jordan is pretty sure-handed when he's out of the crease. I think the team expects him to make a big pass. Prpich's goal last night was a perfect example of how valuable JPar can be when he plays his game. When is the last time a Sioux goaltender got an assist? (Sorry about the hijack)

Doh!

Tardy observations from Section 112:

This simply points out the importance of UND getting out to Devils Lake and meeting with the Spirit Lake tribe ASAP. I don't know if the university is going to have to pay the tribe for its approval or what, but its becoming quite clear that the only thing the NCAA cares about is what the namesake tribes think. Spirit Lake has not responded to the NCAA's requests for input; I'd say they are awaiting visits from Pres. Kupchella and AD Buning (and, perhaps a check) before sending anything to the NCAA. Plenty of

The Herald story points out how imperative it is that UND get with the tribes and work out some sort of agreement...now. I'm going to go back to Jeanotte's statement that there is room here for compromise. I don't see a win in the NCAA appeals without tribal endorsement of the logo/nickname, and the courts would appear to be a brick wall. We've heard here only from the radical fringe (Kracker et al). Surely there are sane people out there who can bring the sides together toward a constructive end to this mess.

Actually, MM, they have registered "Prairie Knights" as a "service mark". That is essentially the same thing as a trademark, allowing them exclusive use of the term Prairie Knights as it refers to "casino services and entertainment in the nature of live musical performances". I suppose UND could attempt to register the term under a different goods and services classification, but I'm guessing the Standing Rock tribe might, ahem, object.

My thoughts exactly.

I'm there Diggler.

The "C" on Smaby's sweater is the culmination of a pretty amazing trip for this talented young man. I was one of the most vocal, and at times vicious, critics of Matt's play last year. He perhaps didn't deserve all of the bad-mouthing he received, but at times Matt was, frankly, not a very good defenseman. Starting sometime in the second half of last year (coincidentally about the same time the team turned up the gas!) Smaby did a complete 180 and started playing with confidence, power and grace, fulfilling the promise he brought with him when he came to UND two years ago. He was the best d-man on the ice (with apologies to Matts Greene and Jones) down the stretch. So his election as Captain this year is not that surprising. What amazes me more though, is the apparent personal maturation Matt has experienced. I remember the first time I met Matt and he was physically imposing (he's 7 or 8 inches taller than I am). But he was quiet, reserved and almost shy. He was with Chris Porter, and Chris was obviously the leader of the duo, speaking openly and candidly about life as a UND freshman. Matt hung back and added little to the conversation, even though I tried to draw him into the exchange. Another meeting, at a brightly-painted sandwich and taco establishment in Grand Forks, did little to change my impression of Matt as a quiet follower. Based on what I saw on the ice late last year, and how he not only played Sunday afternoon, but also his very vocal and demonstrative leadership in the "huddle" and during play, Matt has come of age; both as a hockey player and as a young man.

You sittin' in my seats again? Congrats to Matt, Mike and Chris.

A part of me (the black-helicopters-over-the-horizon part) believes that there is a political move afoot through which our American citizenry is rounded up into little sub-categories (racial, socioeconomic, etc.) with the express objective to disintergrate the republic. I remember when we were all "Americans". Heck, I'm a mutt; my people were tossed out of most of western Europe and came here with their tails tucked between their tails. Yes, they were Germans and Irish and English and whatnot. But once they came here they were feircely proud Americans. I think we all were that way. But in the last 20 or maybe even 30 years, I've seen us start to unravel a bit: now we're German-Americans and Irish-Americans and Anglo-Americans. It is really subtle, but there's a crack opening in the weave of the national fabric. Once we're all divided up, we start seeing how maybe those damn Krauts got a little better deal than the Micks, and all of a sudden we're upset and we want our's too. And we start bellyaching, and crying nationalism or racism or whatever. And maybe some politician comes along and agrees with us and says we can do you better if we only get rid of "them" or what they're doing to us. We start thinking in terms of "me" instead of "we"; and the republic frays a little more. I don't know if this is making any sense, but its alarming to me.

Actually, it is on either 790 KFGO AM or 1280 The Fan. I have asked KFGO to consider podcasting the Coaches show and Bernie Burggraf's new hockey show. They tell me they are "working on it".

So.......what's taking so darn long for the official 23-man rosters to be announced and posted? They were all supposed to be in NHL offices this morning. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning.

But the majority of your own people, Kracker, don't agree with you on this issue.

Would you like people who are interested in learning about your heritage go to one of the reservations in North Dakota Kracker? What would they see there? What kind of image

Some observations from Seciton 112: This is

Therein lies the rub: the NCAA is (at least in theory) an organization of its member schools. So if a school doesn't like the rules, it can either get other schools to change the rules, or failing that, quit the organization. I don't agree with the NCAA, but they are clearly the rulemaker here, and I don't think the courts will find differently. The answer to this is that the issue has become one of pure emotions. There is little logic being exhibited from either side. And both groups are firmly entrenched. Tough to find compromise in that universe. One thing that holds out some promise to me though, is Leigh Jeanotte's quote in The Forum which I posted in one of the innumberable threads here:

I would add a third possibility to your list, which is based on my observations of the "vocal minority": 3) The non-vocal majority who are intimidated into silence by their "brethren" who promise retribution should their opinions be voiced. The issue obviously is an emotional one, but I am struck by the militancy of those opposed to the present logo/nickname. Could it be the majority found by The Forum's polling is simply afraid to speak up?

Great quote from Pres. Kupchella:

Nice comments from Matt about the trip to Iowa. http://www.edmontonoilers.com/news/audio/20050929-greene.wma

I am breaking my own promise not to peruse the Sioux Name threads...but something in the Foolum this morning has me scratching my formerly-hair-covered head:

Perhaps the Sioux will demonstrate they are in a league of their own. But seriously, the second place projection seems a little lofty. All the incoming talent notwithstanding, this remains a young team that will take some time to find its footing in the WCHA. 'Twill be a fun team to watch.