JackJD

Of course, you're right: the next party and the one after that won't be prevented. That's not the point. It seems to me UND would want to avoid the noise and distraction thrown its way just because somebody decided to throw a party with an unfortunate theme. Why deal with the controversy? With the transition years here, UND will have lots of other issues to worry about. If UND named its teams after an animal, an inanimate object or some concept as opposed to a group of people, a party such as that sponsored by the sorority will not make the news. Oh well, I guess it's your institution's problem. Added later: Incidently, I have some understanding of those who contend the name is intended to honor a group of people. I also am aware of the sentiment that no one likes to have what some would claim is more "PC" run amok shoved down one's throat by the NCAA. It just seems to me this is a no-brainer: why have the fight any more?

TRex's practical, pragmatic comment ought to be the official, announced position of UND: Move on. I think most people do not judge UND generally by the actions of some of those attending the sorority party. But, the fact that the party occurred and involved UND students seems to be a clear warning sign that UND as an institution had better start getting out the word that the name change is inevitable -- apparently some have not gotten the message; or, if they've gotten the message, they persist nonetheless in providing evidence of why, in the minds of many, the name should be changed. If the school doesn't start pounding on the fact that a new name is coming, when the new name is announced, there will be idiots like those at the party who will cause trouble. I know there's the group trying to hold on to the name, advocating the tradition, honor etc. That's a losing battle (just consider the sorority idiots and their friends). The next few transition years can be very trying times but, they can also be some great times. Why remain bogged down with the name fight? As TRex said: get rid of the name and move on.

star2city said: "SDSU was a stronger team last year, but lost their star Vogel (who went in the WNBA draft). This year they did not play the strength of schedule nor did they win against highly ranked teams like they did last year. SDSU also lost to some very weak teams (W Ill and Valpo)...." Just cruising through and noted this thread. I won't participate except to point out that for the first part of the season, SDSU was missing as many as three and four of its top people (hard to say top people when they have at least 10 (could argue the entire squad) relatively interchangeable parts). We had a rash of injuries which affected all-Summit League Warkenthein as well as Oistad, Corneman and others. Once those problems went away, I think most Jackrabbit fans will tell you this year's team was a little better than last year's team. The key: superior bench strength. They should do well in the WNIT. For the future: the Jackrabbits are very young and have recruited exceptionally well for the coming class and have commitments from top athletes in the class of 09.

Was the last question intended to take a jab at USD based on opposition to SDSU's move to D1? Fact is, USD was not critical, as an institution, of SDSU's move to D1. USD was supportive of the proposal that the entire NCC move to D1. There were vocal USD supporters very critical of SDSU's move but I don't think it's fair to blame the institution. My impression is that UND, as an institution -- at least it's top representatives speaking openly -- was openly critical of NDSU's move to D1. The relationship between UND and NDSU does not appear to be the same as the relationship between SDSU and USD. From my outsider's point-of-view, it seems there's real hatred between UND and NDSU while the relationship between SDSU and USD may have slipped into sincere dislike (not hatred) and that seems to have occurred in more recent times. Current SDSU and USD students have no idea about the past relationship so separation of the two schools over the past five or so years has been a cooling off period. Now, with respect to that "flagship institution" comment: I won't speak to the State of North Dakota (although I'm confident the Bison fans will probably share my view), but with respect to the State of South Dakota, SDSU fans will state without hesitation that SDSU is the flagship institution. It is the largest, most diverse university. It is the institution that is foremost on the minds of South Dakotans when talking about higher education in South Dakota. I know that USD fans will argue the point (I think the argument centers on the placement of the word "University" ahead of the state's name) and this has been mindlessly discussed on SDSU's message board months ago (to the point everyone just got tired talking about it).

Hmmm....not sure what to make of those figures. Where does the following fit in your analysis: SDSU 2007 average attendance (6 home football games) 11,218. Brookings is a town of about 19,000.

I enjoyed that one! I gotta say you guys up north do like to scrap with one another and I think moreso than SDSU and USD go at each other. In any event, I enjoy reading your board and am a very infrequent poster...I think I'll slip back to infrequent poster mode. Okay, back to the topic.

Since the day NDSU announced it was moving to DI, I have watched with fascination, the bitterness between UND and NDSU (it's the same kind of fascination one has when one witnesses a car accident). I couldn't believe the rhetoric coming out of Grand Forks. Of course, I recognize that it would be inappropriate to lump all UND alums and fans together.... Anyway, why don't you just leave SDSU out of your bickering with NDSU? Comments such as the ones above (prompted by the sarcastic 'why don't we hire Craig Bohl' posting) convince me that the extreme nastiness between the two North Dakota universities may be more the fault of UND fans than NDSU fans and it's certainly understandable why many NDSU fans have no interest in having anything to do with Sioux fans. How about leaving SDSU out of it so that someday you may have a school in the region who is willing to schedule you?

What does the loss of Coach Lennon do to your plans for the 25,000 seat football stadium with the retractable roof that I keep reading about? I assume a capital improvement like a stadium moves along irrespective of coaching changes. When is the ground breaking?

That idea is not very appealing to me. If that concept found some acceptance at SDSU, you can bet any games in SD would only be at SDSU's Frost Arena and not at Sioux Falls.