FSSD

I think that is true for anything given to a single foundation. SF97 is asking about two separate foundations: 1) UND Aerospace Foundation and 2) UND Alumni Association and Foundation. Here are the latest 990. NOTE: I think the Wiki page has the 2024 data for the UND AAF. I don't think it includes the UND Aerospace Foundation totals. I used to have the same understandimg as you but I was corrected a couple of years ago.

Summit League 4 R1 schools - UNO (234%), DU (194%), UND (170%), StT (149%) and UMKC (87%) all saw above average growth and UNO, DU, UND and StT with significant growth over 150%. All four R1 schools have healthy research budgets over the $50m cut line. SDSU is currently in the middle of a campaign to increase doctoral program enrollment with a initiative called "R1 Our Way". Given that R1 status is clearly a goal for the school. I would expect SDSU to be fifth R1 school in the near future. The two other R2 schools (UNO, USD) in the conference are on two different courses. UNO has seen considerable growth over the last 10 years and they could be looking at R1 status within the next 10 if this growth is maintained. But, USD is a very different story. They have basically flatlined over the last 10 years. And I am not sure why, I know some of it is structural. South Dakota has 4 research universities (USD, SDSU, SDSMT and Dakota St) and the State has put considerable resources into SDSMT and Dakota St. recently and they are closing in on R2 status. Here are the numbers: By the way, quick plug for Neutrino Day. If you are in the Black Hills during the summer months. It is a one day festival and it is a great. I think UND should do somthing like this for the Aviation / Space Programs maybe a weekend event with an Air Show out at the Base or Airfield. Show off Cirrus aviation / General Dynamics, talk to Sanford he appears to support these types of community events. One of UND biggest problems has is that nobody knows about what is going on.. Get the kids from the region into the area and show them. I think it would be huge success. Sanford Lab also hosts public outreach events, including Deep Talks Science for Everyone series and a city-wide science festival, Neutrino Day, which draws 1,500 attendees annually. While public tours of the facility are not available, in 2015, Sanford Lab built the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center Back to USD, I don't know what they are going to do. How much of the medical and law schools have gone to Sioux Falls I don't know. But, USD has some challenges if they want to move to R1 status. Maybe they are fine with R2 and they are concentrating on undergraduate growth. Maybe that is the opportunity. I know that we have some Yotes fans that post from time to time - any thoughts? The remaining schools, the Dakota Land Grant schools have very steady growth around 20% for both schools. The only school left is StT. Which direction do they go - Drake or Denver? Personally, I think StT is going to be very aggressive and move into the research area. What area are they going to specialize in will be interesting.

Big Sky 4 R1 schools - NAU (145%), UM (143%), Poly (137%), UNC (117%) and MSU (102%) all saw growth over 100%. All four R1 schools have healthy research budgets well over the $50m cut line. NAU and UM are both growing quickly and I was surprise to see Montana's numbers versus MSU giving it's a land grant school and you generally hear more about MSU growth. Idaho had a growth rate of 42% which is surprising given that it is a land grant school. I wonder if UI is feeling some pressure from BSU. Boise State is close to the R1 metric points ($50m with 100% growth) and now that they are in the nuPAC is there going to be even more pressure. Cal Poly is really growing and they could be R2 soon and with a 137% growth they could be pushing R1 in 5yrs. PSU is going the wrong direction on many fronts. It will be interesting to see what they look like in the near future. ISU is also seeing reduced research numbers and it has always been number 3 in the State. The only positive is that ID has a population over 2 million and growing very quickly. Can they carve out a space for themselves. UNC saw some nice growth but they are just managing things. They really need to take advantage of the local market to see if they can get some momentum (Greeley, CO MSA 369,745 growth 14%) In general most thing look good for the Big Sky but there is clearly a difference with the Top 3 or 4 Schools. And it was interesting to hear a change in tone about Utah schools from Hell No to Yes. NOTE: Utah Tech no research dollars.

I am not sure that you can just look at the schools current status. Here is some additional information: Overall Increase in Total Research from 2014 to 2023 was approximately 62% Green - Increase > 62% Yellow - increase < 62% and > zero Red - decrease in funding MVC 2 R1 schools - ISU is the only school with above average increase in funding at 72%. SIU is a concern with overall net loss in funding. It's R1 status could be in question in the near future. And with the cuts coming in 2025 at the federal level it will be interesting. UNI had a net growth of 23% they are struggling in Des Moines.

I agree with you on all counts. An entire rethinking of the complex and what can it be for all of the sports. And as you noted, I don't think it needs to be drastic changes. But, with the idea of moving basketball to a higher D-1 experience. Hosting a NCAA preseason tournament ie (Pentagon) - with a local corporate sponsor. Can you host volleyball tournaments? Not sure of the timing, but the REA hosting D-II NCAA basketball tournament finals. It seems like there are opportunities for GF and UND to collaborate on special events to keep things going. Even expand on the idea of Edina dabeautyleague https://dabeautyleague.com/ in Grand Forks for all the local college/NHLers.

Over the past decade, discussions about merging the top FCS teams with the G5 conferences have surfaced repeatedly, and it feels like this idea is gaining traction. When comparing conferences like C-USA, MAC, AAC, and Mountain West, their competitive level seems increasingly similar to the top FCS programs. The strongest FCS conferences, MVFC and Big Sky, house teams like the Dakotas, Montana, and Idaho, which could seamlessly form a competitive G5 conference. Recent events, such as Sacramento State's situation, may have sparked renewed interest in realignment, particularly for Montana and Idaho. The Big Sky's addition of the Utah schools could signal that more significant shifts, beyond just UC-Davis and Sacramento State, are on the horizon.

After finishing outdoor track and field facility, the extra practice courts attached to the Betty and a permanent reconfiguration of the seating in the Betty should be the next priorities for the Athletic Department.

Missouri State departed the MVFC, and the Summit League lost Western Illinois, leaving it with nine teams. The Summit League likely aims to reach an even number of teams to simplify travel partnerships and scheduling. Neither conference is at risk of dissolving. However, opportunities to add schools and markets like UT-Arlington are rare and worth pursuing when they arise.

Youngstown is near the border of Pennsylvania? I think they would stay with the MVC schools, OVC or look toward MAC. It would be great if St. Thomas went scholarship. I think that is farther down the road. But, they are a football school and that is what got them kicked out of DIII. And if they have a big donor ready to step up it to could be done. They have a couple of facilities they could use: - Allianz - seats 20,000 - outside the stadium is a mess. But, the staduim itself is very nice with around 5,000 seats going to suites, club areas, and a beer hall. - Vikings TCO Staduim - little smaller but very nice - seating varies from 7,500 to 10,000.

Summit Football would have needed both Texas and Utah schools to work. I don't think tSL had any interest in UTech/SUU without UVU. And even then I am not sure how much interest they had.

The Utah Tech/SUU don't really fit the tSL/MVFC profile: National Research University/Urban or State Flagship. The only school that does not fit this profiles is ORU. Both Utah schools are Regional Universities and No Research. Right now the tSL doen't need to make a move. They went after Utah Valley and the Texas Schools because they are a better fit. I can see why Utah Valley went to Big West and the large mormon population is CA. And the Texas school already had a working relationship with the UAC football schools. Those were good options for those schools. I would have liked to see the Texas school join tSL. The fact that the tSL was in the conversations is encouraging. The positives are they have a confirmed agreement between MVFC/tSL and a seat at the table which are steps in the right direction for future expansion. I don't think things are done yet, you have newPac - Texas St/Sac St?, MWC Tarleton St/UC-Davis movement, SoCo was rumored to be interested in WGA/UNA/Austin Peavy/EKU. More moves to be made out west. And it is crazy to think of all the football schools in the West - that Sac St might have jumped all of them to the newPac.

Announcement of SUU Joining WAC: The Thunderbirds will be joining the WAC ahead of the 2022-23 season, leaving the remainder of the current athletic season and the 2021-22 season to be played in the Big Sky Conference. “The opportunity to become a member of the WAC is very exciting for us,” SUU Director of Athletics Debbie Corum said. “We believe that the future of SUU Athletics as a member of the WAC will provide exciting opportunities for our programs. “Southern Utah University is honored to join the WAC and help lead the resurgence of this great conference,” said SUU President Scott L Wyatt. “We join a group of universities that is growing in enrollment and a conference that is poised for the future. Now, was AD or President the person that caused all the problems and burned bridges with the Big Sky. I don't know.

According to sources on X it sounds like: 1) WAC is kicking out the Utah schools (SUU and U-Tech both Big Sky bound). New Big Sky: EWU, UI, ISU, UM, MSU, PSU, Weber St, UNC, UNA, SUU, U-Tech. Cal Poly UC-Davis football only - 11 schools/13 football 2) All ASUN football schools moving over to the WAC with a rebrand to UAC. 8 schools/7 football UAC: UT-A, Tarleton St., ACU, UCA, WGA, N. Alabama, EKU, Austin Peavy I wonder what happens when Tarleton St leaves?

Air Force and UNLV are the only thing holding the MWC together. If things don't go well for MWC, I can see AF going to AAC to join Arm and Navy. But, what does UNLV do? Big XII or Bust?

Great Season - Ethan!! Looking forward to next year. Any chance you can play DT too?