mikejm

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.

I am beginning to see just how broad your wisdom is, Diggler. I, too, am sick of the whole thing. This is the last time I will read the "Sioux Name" thread. I am tired of the NCAA; tired of the name-change crowd; and, sadly, tired of reading yet another reason why the NCAA is wrong. I don't want to see the "Sioux" stripped off the uniforms of my favorite hockey team. But this is a losing battle. They are the NCAA, and as long as they make the rules, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says. There is no logic involved in this decision, on either side. The issue is a personal, emotional one that won't be settled on logic, nor on a point of law.

Better than that.

Had lunch with a very well respected hockey watcher...he said the Sioux are absolutely LOADED! He's watched several of the incoming freshemen skate over the last year or two and assured me this will be a very, very exciting team to watch. Lots of goals. He also said Mr. Finley will surprise most of us with his skating ability; a force to be reckoned with in the WCHA is how he summarized things. Hurry up and drop the freakin' puck!

UND Ad Tom Buning spoke at Fargo Sioux Boosters today. What a fireball! This guy is going to lead Sioux Athletics to new heights. He spoke directly to the name/logo issue by saying it has been kicked "upstairs" to the President's office, where Dr. Kupchella has a team of people working daily on it. The team includes Buning, he said. He explained they are waiting (obviously) for the NCAA to rule on UND's appeal. This is just the first of three appeals steps UND will take through the NCAA process before the issue is taken to court. He said UND will not hesitate to go to court to seek injunction, initially, to allow the West Regional to take place as scheduled in an un-altered Ralph in March '06. Buning sounds like he is ready to fight right to the NCAA. He also said the Attorney General's office has called to say they are ready to join as soon as UND requests. This could get interesting!!!!!!!

redwing, I admire your optimism, but the NCAA has more money than (obviously) sense. If UND sues after their appeal is rejected, the NCAA will just open the $$ tap and win a war of attrition. They bought the NIT fer cryin' out loud! Unless UND can find a sugar daddy to bankroll what will surely be a long, long court battle, the NCAA can afford to let this thing slog its way through the courts and appeals and more appeals for years.

Regardless of how this thing comes down (and I'm still betting the NCAA rejects UND's appeal) Kracker and KTF have already won: they've got BB and ESPNInsider fighting with each other. Sad.

Well, at least one sudo reporter came to visit me in my section in the lower bowl, and the string of groupies and hangers-on was so large that security made them all leave!

And you, Kracker, still don't get it. Respect is not a given; it has to be earned. A good way to earn respect for yourself is to respect others. One might even argue that a person demonstrating a good deal of self-respect would be deserving of reciprocal respect. You seem to have more than a little difficulty with this concept.

You know Kracker, for someone who decries racism, you sure play pretty fast and loose with epithets.

From the NCAA release concerning the latest exemptions: That's pretty straight forward language.

I continue to hope you're right, Diggler.