JackJD

As one would expect, when the SDSU men went into the tank in the early transition years, some fans started the customary "fire the coach" talk. I always thought Nagy's job was very secure as far as the administration was concerned. He had an excellent record in DII. When SDSU left DII, Nagy was snake-bit: we lost an outstanding guard who transferred to DII, we lost the NCC freshman player of the year to serious illness, a top recruit from Illinois had a season-ending injury (he then transferred out and played at U of Illinois); one player was accused of sexual assault and a second player was implicated as an accessory so they were both dismissed from the team (the guy charged took it to a trial and was acquitted, then played for a junior college in California followed by a couple good seasons as Kansas State). In the 05-06 season, Nagy had eight players so he begged four athletes from the football team to join the basketball roster...good idea but didn't amount to a lot. I was impressed that Nagy didn't fire SDSU by moving on. I think SDSU's transition was "unique" and probably cannot be used to shed any light on the experience of any other school. Man, it was tough going to Frost in those years. On Mike Daum: Daum had an offer from Wyoming and from several DII schools but he clicked with Coach Nagy's staff. His parents were college athletes -- I have been told his mother still holds scoring records as a basketball player for Wyoming. He spent his redshirt year in the weight room and it really paid off. We've watched him improve each game this season. He is still working on his defense but if he can keep on anything close to the current trajectory, I won't be surprised if as a senior, he'll be called the best ever at SDSU. I really like Daum's press interviews. He is very articulate and doesn't talk in the usual cliches that most athletes seem to use in interviews. Added: I understand Coach Nagy thinks highly of your coach Jones. (Yeah, there's a reason for that: UND gives SDSU fits on the hardcourt.) I've heard him in conversations be very complimentary of Jones. Nagy doesn't say stuff like that unless he is sincere about it.

I thought SDSU's facility has A/C but I did a little searching to see if my recollection is accurate -- can't substantiate it. So, I don't know if the SDSU facility has A/C.

The "field" in SDSU's facility is shorter than UND'S. SDSU's has an 80 yard field with an end zone on each end for a total of 100 yards. SDSU has jump- and field events areas outside the turf but inside the track (much like many 400-meter outdoor tracks). I understand UND'S facility has a total of 120 yards--100 yard field with an end zone on each end; and UND'S facility is so large that all field events areas are outside the track. That's a unique and very nice feature for an indoor facility. The endzone corners at each facility are rounded because of the track. The corners are clipped just a little at the SDSU facility (but, again, it has a total 100 yard field surface compared to UND'S 120 yard surface). I haven't figured out how the tracks are configured but there may be some slight differences on turn radii etc to fit the UND track around 120 yards while the SDSU track is wrapped around 100 yards. I think one would need a photo from the ceiling of each facility to see how they each fit. If I am recalling correctly, the UND facility is considerably larger than the SDSU facility -- maybe as much as like 30,000 square feet? I think SDSU's is about 150,000 sq ft while UND'S is 180,000. Those are big buildings! (Our old west-side grandstands at the football stadium, including the press box on top, would easily fit within the SDSU building. Another poster asked when the SDSU facility would be finished. I detected a little snark in the question but I'll respond as though the question was serious. The facility is essentially finished and was opened for use a year ago. The facility has a lot of natural lighting because of the ribbon of structural light-permitting panels that can be seen in the pictures. If you are inside the facility during daylight hours you will appreciate the natural lighting. We have a nice Daktonics board installed which gives near-instant results for the track and field events.

Congrats to UND! Very nice facility. I like the two-toned track surface. I will make a point of driving up to Grand Forks some day to see the facility. To give some who have not viewed a 300-meter track a little perspective: lane 8 on the 300-meter track is about the same as lane 1 of a 400 meter track. A 300-meter track has corners that are closer to a 400-meter track. You can run a 100-meter dash on one of the straightaways of that track! I ran track and I have long legs. I resented the way some real short tracks (while 200-meters is the common indoor track length, there are lots of oddball sizes like 11- and 12-laps to the mile tracks; many 180-meter tracks etc) gave an advantage to short guys who could hang on those corners better. Many of those guys faded in the outdoor season. Served them right. Damn runts. A 300-meter track is a great length. Your facility is larger than SDSU's. SDSU's facility is configured a little differently -- maybe wider and shorter. SDSU's facility has seating for something like 1500 to close to 2000 on the start/finish stretch of the SDSU track (I think it'll seat between 1500 and 2000). For those who want to take a look, here's a link to SDSU's site with pictures of its SJAC: http://www.gojacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209449532&DB_OEM_ID=15000&DB_OEM_ID=15000 I'm very impressed by UND's ability to get that facility in place for $18 mm (I know there's a phase two coming). SDSU's facility cost $32 million (like UND's HPC, all donated). We badly needed to upgrade weight rooms, athletic training facilities etc. so that was included in our price tag. Looks great...from this former college runner (SDSU) and the dad of two college runners (also Jackrabbits): thanks for investing in track and field.

I admit not paying a lot of attention to hockey...until the Frozen Four. I admire those who are the best at what they do and once again, UND has proved they're one of the best. Congrats and I hope the national championship trophy comes to Grand Forks!

(I screwed up the quote...here's my response): I think you're right, UND 92,96. Austin Hansen was a great guard for the Jackrabbits under Coach Nagy (and Asst' Margenthaler -- now the Mankato head coach). Austin was the top assistant at SDSU and then went to Northern Colorado for a couple years followed by USD this season as the top assistant for Craig Smith. (THAT didn't sit well with some SDSU fans who haven't lost any love for USD!!) Hansen is credited for landing Nate Wolters at SDSU. Hansen is a good coach and a good guy. He'll be ready to take over his own program and will be a good hire.

Any consideration to "Thunder?" (I haven't read the entire thread...sorry if this has been suggested). Good name...representative of when a big thunderstorm rolls across the ND prairie. (And, some may recognize a side benefit -- a jab at NDSU and its mascot by stealing a little of Thundar's thunder. ) is there some deadline for having a mascot? I was in Scheel's in Rapid City, SD over the weekend and some some UND gear...the ND logo looks fine all by itself.

Dave Letterman had a humorous bit this evening about the Washington Redskins. He figured out a way the team could preserve its name: he had a picture of a Washington helmet with a picture of a redskin potato in place of the actual Redskin logo.

The new facility at SDSU is 82'2" tall -- outside. Inside, the clear height at midfield is 61'8". The SDSU facility does not have a curved roof like UND...the SDSU facility (the field / running track are east/west) slopes from 82'2" on the south down to 70'6" on the south. When the UND facility is completed, 60 feet will look plenty high. I suppose the scale of the UND building may make the roof seem closer compared to the SDSU facility but UND's facility will be 30,000 sq feet larger than SDSU's. I've been in the SDSU facility a number of times and I can't imagine how big the UND facility is going to be. Did I read correctly that UND is getting that building done for a little more than $13 million? If so, that's a bargain.

Do you think such a plan has been discussed with SDSU? I would be surprised...I think SDSU's vision is pointed east, not west.

Final SDSU 74, UND 72. Not sure the best team won but we'll take it.

Hit rim...scramble for the ball and it goes out of bounds off UND. 2 seconds left, SDSU ball under the UND basket. This is like a chess match on steroids.

UND's Tyler to the line. Makes one. 3.8 seconds on the clock. SDSU 74, UND 72 UND timeout.

SDSU's Bittle for two and a foul. SDSU 73-71 5.1 seconds left Bittle on the line. He hit the free throw. three point game. SDSU time out. 5.1 second left, UND ball. Wow, wish I was there.

Tied at 71...shot clock is off...

SDSU's radio guy says the T was on Coach Jones. But, the Argus Leader's report (online chat) said it was on a player.

UND gets a technical!! Very bad timing. UND just tied it up at 69 with 1:09 left.

Gentlemen, we have ourselves a ballgame. SDSU takes a time out. Tied at 67. 2:02 remaining. You guys have a very scrappy team and you're going to have fun watching them this year.

SDSU's Bittle hits a three .... tie ball game at 65 with 2:30 left

65-62 UND with three minutes remaining.

Geez, guys, take it easy on the Jackrabbits. UND is pretty-much dominating this one. State has had a couple of runs but keeps getting beat back by UND. SDSU is young and our hope is by the time late December comes around, we'll be playing okay (guard George Marshall, transfer from Wisconsin where he started a number of games before an injury, is eligible when 1st semester ends).

Your point reminded me a little of Glen Mason when coaching the Gophers -- he seemed to appear to smile at the wrong time in post-game interviews and it ticked off some of the fans.

Maybe you're on to something there: I've heard Coach Glenn be tough on the Jackrabbits but it seems he does it with humor. Maybe it's time to bring out the link in which Coach Glenn, when coaching Wyoming against Utah, flipped off Utah Coach Wittingham for what most would agree was a jerk-call by Utah (onside kick when Utah up by 43 points over Wyoming)-- the Utes were absolutely killing the Cowboys. I remember seeing that on TV and laughing my butt off -- the Utah coach kinda earned the single-finger salute. go to about 2:02 on the following clip: http://thewizardofodds.blogspot.com/2007/11/wyomings-glenn-flips-off-whittingham.html I understand UND is playing USD next season (or maybe it's the following season, 2016).

Read what I wrote. Your record -- plain for all to read -- is what I referred to. I also stated that your statements, which you had presented as factual, are wrong. I posted comments on the Joe Glenn video. You attacked 89. I have no reason to debate that with you other than to point out that your assertions of fact are wrong. I see in your latest post that you're now modifying what you earlier wrote. I have no idea why you have a bone to pick with 89. Turning your attention to me is a waste of your time. To those on this message board who get tired it this kind of sniping between posters, I apologize for whatever role I played.

Yep, Luke Schleusner, TE coach. I didn't know about the UND connection. I had only read the bios in the game-day program and they are quite short. The game-day program boil does refer to him as "A former national champion as a player...." The expanded bio on the website has the right info including his resume as a player and coach for UND. Luke is new this year, hired in February. Good he knows the Chicago. We pull at least a couple of great players out of Chicago every year.