nodakvindy

Star2city, Some interesting thoughts on potential conference affiliations. I think that you romanticize the Big Sky somewhat and underestimate the potential of the Mid-Con. I'm not sure that the makeup of schools is that different in the two conferences. In the Big Sky, only Montana and Montana St. truly fill the role of state flagships. Also, in terms of rivals, I think it is really a stretch to call them that, since we have had minimal contact in the last 30 years. I also think the reorienting you speak of is unrealistic. The Big Sky schools are truly western, Mountain or Pacific time zones, located in the Rockies or west Coast. They have little in common with the eastern Dakotas, where UND, NDSU and SDSU are all located. Now to the Mid-Con. I think this league could have great potential with a few moves of existing teams and a couple of extra moves from DII. Centenary is leaving soon and Southern Utah will continue to look for a more geographically appropriate league (likely the Big Sky). The following set up could fare quite nicely West - UND, NDSU, SDSU, UNO, UMKC, Oral Roberts East - Chicago St., IUPUI, W. Illinois, Oakland, IUPU-Ft. Wayne (current independent) and possibly Northern Kentucky of Grand Valley St. Grand Valley would be a nice rival for Oakland, Northern Kentucky would bring the Cincinnati market. If you could get Grand Valley, you would even have six football schools and could have a Mid-Con football league. Such a grouping of schools would give the league stability it has never had and lead to a brighter future. You could even do like the Horizon league and change the name to rid the demons of the Mid-Con. Perhaps the Heartland Conference or Great America Conference. Finally the current Mid-Con has swimming, the one non-revenue sport where UND could possibly be competitive.

I posted the Kupchella letter in the original thread about Marshall, but having had more time to think and carefully reread the letter, I wonder if perhaps there isn't a different interpretation. Kupchella's words were "Most of what I will be able to accomplish here has been accomplished." I don't think he's saying that there isn't more he could or would like to accomplished, but that it simply isn't something that he can do. This may be a thinly veiled shot at the State Board of Higher Ed and also the "old Boys" network of people tied to UND like Earl Strinden and even Tom Clifford. The president's position certainly doesn't seem to wield the power that it did when Clifford was there, despite efforts to make decision-making more autonomous at the various campuses. The letter may also serve as a warning to other administrators that UND doesn't want a decision maker, but merely a puppet that answers to self-appointed influential alumni. The handling of the nickname issue and Engelstad Arena certainly do little to counter that opinion. I think someone needs to start answering these questions. Since Clifford's departure, two presidents have served and it appears both will leave with some clouds of uncertainty hanging over their heads. This despite the first being enormously popular among the student body and ably guiding the University through the devastating flood and the second leading the school to unprecedented research gains and increasing enrollment at a time when Grand Forks and the state as a whole have seen population drops. What's wrong with this picture?

This was pretty interesting. If the president believes his work here is done, then perhaps it is time to move on. New president, New AD. Would think a DI move might be imminent in that event. http://www.marshall.edu/presidentialsearch...hellaLetter.pdf

There used to be display for Casey at the Old Engelstad, along with one for Dave Christian, Tony Hrkac and the friendship broom. However all of these items seemed to have disappeared when the new arena was built. There should most definitely be a banner for Casey's #12 much like the 23 banner. Another interesting tidbit about Casey is that he came from the hockey hotbed of Great Falls, Montana.

To me the interesting thing about the story is that the WCHA is dropping the ball on the Lambeau Game. You have to put either Minnesota or North Dakota in that game. Putting Ohio State in now makes it a Big Ten event rather than a WCHA event. And to think the member schools gave McLeod another 3 years on his contract. Just baffling.

USIU actually beat the Sioux during the 86-87 season, and disbanded their program not much after that. They were in a short-lived conference with Northern Arizona and the Alaska schools.

Not a problem, should have pointed out that clarification in my initial post.

The countries listed can't use the service because they will have television coverage. It can be viewed in the USA.

But it is quintessentially North Dakotan. Quietly standing resolute, its stature a not so subtle symbol of the vitality of the state It's also cool on New Year's Eve. And of course on the inside it is beautiful and the view from the observation deck is quite spectacular. It's not like the dime a dozen capitals with domes and rotundas, and it's all the more impressive considering it was built during the peak of the Great Depression. I would have liked to see a walleye from Lake Sakakawea. Can't recall any state quarters with any fish.

I'll take the geese. Kansas already has a buffalo for their quarter and there is also the new buffalo nickel. I'd also lose the cheesy sun and add some slogan, like "Natural Wonders" or something. These babies will be in circulation for 40-50 years, might as well get some good promo out of them.

There is a ton of truth here. Too often people value style over substance. I think Wanless was a victim of this. I worked in the Athletic Department during his tenure and had a lot of respect for him. You certainly can't argue with the direction he pointed the department prior to his ouster.

Dump Drexel, add Villanova and you've got it. Villanova actually had a varsity team, but dropped it when they forced DI schools to play at the DI level. They could have been a player in the MAAC/Atlantic Hockey. Penn also had a DI team into the 70s. Their rink is supposedly better than that of many of the Eastern teams.

San Antonio is also among the bidders. It's a great city, but the bid is being made by U. Texas-San Antonio, which has no connection to hockey that I am aware of. It would be interesting to see UND join in on their bid and assist in hosting, providing the hockey expertise. It would be great exposure for the school in the Lone Star state, and would help the credibility of the San Antonio bid. The creativity of the bid, much like UAAs Anaheim bid would likely bring in a lot of media exposure, which is never a bad thing.

I'd say Serratorre is a dark horse. Guided the Beavers to their first ever NCAA DI tourney and in hindsight gave the NCAA champs their toughest game of the tourney.

I have a feeling we will get a quick strike like we did on Ryan Miller in the semi's in 2001. It will be someone like Fylling or Massen. Wonder if any enterprising Sioux fan will try to smuggle in an octopus.

He can't be Bourque, cause little Chris never got a sniff of the Frozen Four

ESPN has seen the light

Baylor just won the NCAA women's basketball championship. Their road to the title has a lot of similarities to what the Sioux face. Beat a #1 seed to reach Final Four Beat three #1 seeds to win title Lone #2 seed joining three #1 seeds in Final Four Beat tournament's overall #1 seed Beat Minnesota in the tournament Hopefully the Sioux can follow path blazed by the Lady Bears!

You need to make a fix. The Minnesota bracket and BC bracket are paired in the semifinals, as are the DU and CC brackets.

In light of the Tyler Hirsch situation, thought this merited a bump. There is some fairly ugly stuff being posted on USCHO, but I know most Sioux fans here are above that. I hope that Hirsch is able to find some peace, with or without hockey.

Yes, they are the host in Worcester.