NDSU grad

Are you two coming to a consensus? If so, this very well could be a first in internet message board history.

I think that can be attributed at least in part to the fact that UND and NDSU athletics are big time here. I would guess most people in Arkansas could care less about Central Arkansas. I for one think it's great that UND/NDSU get the coverage they do for not being high-profile DI programs.

I personally think Southern Utah would be the odd man out. I also think SDSU is more attractive than UNC, as I don't think the Bears will make the commitment to football (this is just my opinion). I think the Big Sky would have taken SUU already if they had a legitimate chance. Here's how I see the future Big Sky (if in fact UND does go DI). NDSU-UND SDSU-UNC Montana-Montana St. Eastern Washington-Idaho State Weber State-Northern Arizona Sac. St.-Portland St. The only problem with this scenario is that there are 4 provisional schools in one of the divisions. Also, with UND being two years behind the SU's and three behind UNC this would have a negative effect on the Montana schools RPI (I'm thinking basketball) moreso than the Eastern schools since the Bobcats and Grizzlies would play these 4 schools twice.

I applied for a USDA job at the end of August and they said it would be about 6 months before I was even contacted for an interview. Of course that does give me time to finish this stupid dissertation.

Yes, it was quite vague. As far as hurting the fundraising for the BSA, of course it would be approximately 1MM less for the BSA if those funds were use to cover existing athletic department debt. The main point I was trying to make is that it's silly to talk about a 1MM deficit that was reported about 6 months ago. Erv's been out fundraising and that could be gone by now. And I think comparing fundraising for an athletic facility and a beef processing plant is comparing apples and oranges. How much did Ralph give to academic facilities? I'm guessing it wasn't anywhere near 100MM.

No, I wasn't talking about the locker rooms. I'll try to find but I think it was 6-8 weeks ago. I'll see what I can do. Ask and ye shall receive. From the story the money was seemingly donated toward the expected BSA renovation, but it may have went to offsetting any estimated budget deficits.1MM donation The part about the donation is at the very bottom of the article

If the money is coming from private sources, does the public really deserve to know?

Didn't the Forum report an anonymous 1M donation a couple of months back? I think some of that was used to purchase K-State's basketball floor, but some may have been used to offset any budget shortfalls.

I never saw any of UND's advertising, so I can't answer that question. However, it does appear there could have been better communication between the two universities.

I think what ruffled people the most at NDSU was how it was marketed, and not necessarily it's existence, but that's pure speculation on my part. IMO, I don't care if UND has a distance education center in Fargo, but I don't think they should offer a classroom curricula in courses that NDSU has.

Absolutely, and I think Fullerton is now on record as saying expanding to 4 teams is a possibility. Let's say UND is interested and joins the Big Sky. The conference could look like this: North NDSU UND SDSU Mont. St. Mont. Eastern W. South UNC U. North. Ariz. Sac. St. Port. St. Weber St. Idaho St. Other people have speculated UNC to be in an eastern division with the SU's, UND, and the Montana's. Either way, it would be a pretty cool conference

Intelligent post. I'm sure President Chapman is shaking in his boots at the thought of feeling the wrath of the UND alumni.

In my mind the formation of two divisions is a no-brainer. It would kind of suck for football because every team wouldn't play each other in a given year and a conference championship game doesn't really make sense at the I-AA level. It would be great for other sports though, especially basketball.

Who's being the weasel? "The second part of Potts' letter aimed to patch another rift that arose when UND's telemedicine program contacted Sen. Byron Dorgan -- without NDSU's knowledge -- about a collaborative project with NDSU's telepharmacy program." Also, contrary to what ScottM said, NDSU was already offerring a doctorate in education when UND moved in, so we were taking the lead in that area.

This kind of thickens the plot. Does this come as a surprise to you guys? I sure wasn't expecting it.

I think that's odd too. They could have filed by December 1 if they knew in August the BSC was interested, making 2004-2005 their explatory year. I'm pretty sure they would have known the Sky's intent in time to remain in DII, but alot of this is speculation.

The Big Sky decides on December 13 whether it wants to continue with its expansion plans. I see no other reason why Thomas would impose the 12 day deadline.

I agree with PCM. I don't think there's anything new here. As far as the Big Sky inviting UND to inquire about membership, that would have never happened if NDSU and SDSU weren't already showing interest in DI.

Scott was a sophomore in 96, he started as a true freshman in 95.

Does anybody how many scholarships Florida Atlantic is allowed to give out in their first year of I-A. NDSU was only allowed to increase scholarships by 18; does the same rule apply to a team making the jump from I-AA to I-A?