NDSU grad

They had little choice. The DAC was imploding and they were looking at life as an NAIA independent. i think they thought going DII and being in a stable conference such as the NSIC would be a better alternative than what they were facing in terms of cost and perception.

MSU club hockey plays in the MAYSA, which is a terrible facility to watch hockey. I've heard the new addition is a little better, but still not great.

I'm an ISFJ, which apparently means I get to chill with Beyonce. Cool.

The MAC does not impose football scholarship limits.

I explained it poorly in my first post. Case Keenum lost two years of eligibility for reasons out of his control. That's how the NCAA defines it. If Clive can prove his initial redshirt year at UA was because of medical reasons then there's a chance he could get a 6th year, but like I said the NCAA granting 6th years is rare.

DII yes. DI you 5 years to play 4. There's some exceptions, but that's basically the rule. Zach Vraa was granted a 6th year because the same injury kept him out for two years, but like I said 6th years are very rare.

Looking at his bio it looks like he redshirted at Arizona, so unfortunately his career would be over if he is out for the year.

Just my .02 but I think he did to try to illustrate the parochialism that exists in this state, and because of this parochialism the current system will never truly work.

I don't think this is out of the realm of possibility, but I think where the problem comes in is 1) finding two other western schools interested in FBS, and 2) getting the XDSU's (and possibly USD) to go along.

They're not expanding the stadium, they just sold the naming rights for a renovation. All the mayor of Edinburgh said if UTRGV decides to add football they would love to accomodate them and expand to 24k. This link is a couple of weeks old but I couldn't find anything more up to date. http://riograndeguardian.com/edinburg-leaders-we-are-ready-to-house-utrgv-football-program/

They're not expanding their stadium until UTRGV decides what they're going to do, and that front hasn't been too active for a while. I just don't know why anybody would start a G5 program right now, unless they can be heavily subsidized.

Football with KVLY is worth about 400k a year. I'm not sure what Midco paid for basketball or what the radio rights are.

No.

No I get it. And I think pretty much every university across the country could realize substantial savings by cutting administration, but at the same time if a university seriously shows a need for improved facilities (e.g. UND's medical school) the state has a responsibility to fund it.

Two completely different funding sources. North Dakotas' universities can't bond for academic buildings or maintenance on those buildings. Dorms are self sustaining sources of revenue.

I've always thought it would make sense to move the school of mines (and it's associated programs) to NDSU and pharmacy to UND. Seems like more of a natural fit for both institutions.

This is seriously some impressive work.

I think a big issue is what to do with the current WAC members. They would have to 1) agree to admit 6-8 new football playing members from the Big Sky. These additions may or may not have the same philosophies regarding DI athletics as the current members; 2) possibly agree to leave the WAC (see the latter part of statement 1) and join the Big Sky. This would require the current basketball playing members of the WAC to unilaterally agree to kick themselves out of their current conference and would also require the remaining members of the Big Sky who will still be playing FCS football to invite a bunch of non-football schools, who may or may not have the same philosophies regarding DI athletics as the current members. It would take a political genius to make that work, but its possible.

I don't think Mark will return my calls.

What happens to all those basketball schools currently in the WAC? It would be extremely difficult to make it workable.

How about conferences that still exist, such as the Missouri Valley? It sponsored football at the highest level for most of its existence.

So if the WAC can indefinitely exist as an FBS conference, can other defunct DI conferences do the same?

From what I understand the break with the All Seasons Arena happened over concession sales. As stupid as that sounds, it's typical small-minded Minot politics.

Nope. At the Maysa. I'm not a 'hockey guy' so hardcore fans probably don't mind watching games at the Maysa, but the current arena is not a great place to watch games. It's basically a set a of metal bleachers running along the boards on one side. I don't know if there's a seat in the place where you have a decent view of the entire ice. I've been told the new sheet will be more of a true arena with better sight lines, but we'll see.

There hasn't been a hockey game played at the All Seasons in years. Maysa's getting a new sheet of ice that will be used as the main arena. Tauros, Minot State, and Minot High will all use that sheet for games.