SooToo

48-10, (relatively) bad guys (with a nice check)

....and up to the athletic department to do some marketing. This is great news for sports fanatics -- that'd be all of us -- who frequent this board. But it's also a great opportunity to pique the curiosity of casual fans and draw new interest both for the university and all of its teams. I hope we have the foresight (and the resources) to advertise all the TV games across the FSSN coverage area. Too often in the past, the broadcast schedule has been like a state secret.

Fair 'nuff; Positvity noted.

Wasted effort, '92,96; Bison Dan is incapable of accepting or even comprehending the words "fairly good" in any post that contains "Grand Forks" or "UND." It's a Pavlovian thing.

He'd claim otherwise, but Kolpack is always shilling for all things NDSU. A family tradition. (See the writings of father Ed.) You'll be waiting a long time to find a positive tone to anything he writes regarding UND. Return game or not, this is all good news for the Sioux.

Isn't this a bit like trying to quantify infinity?

I don't know, but I'd be happy to speculate; First-year players (and the nomenclature always gets confusing for me because we used to call first-year players "red-shirt freshman" and now just "freshman" -- or just "first year" in the wonderfully gender-blind state of Minnesota, but I digress) are eligible to play anytime the coach wants to "pull their redshirt." Murray, on the other hand, is not an eligible player and probably cannot be listed on the roster. It's my understanding the rules allow an academically ineligible player to continue to practice with the team in a "red shirt" year, but we may need a rules geek (cough, Hammersmith, cough, cough) to verify.

I understand Mussman was on with Dan Hammer the other day and indicated Murray would red-shirt this year (he played as a true freshman). That allows him to continue practicing with the team and, hopefully, increases the chances he will return next year. I believe he would have two years of eligibility remaining. As I recall, Chappell either could not or did not remain with the team and virtually disappeared.

I always assumed it was a given. When Brewster left UND for SDSU, then returned to UND that he did so with the understanding -- as far as these things can be promised -- that he would be the head coach in waiting.

How about the NDSU football player with the marijuana posession charge (not the football player who is charged with dealing), or the handful of Bison DUI offenders. ... Have they gone to trial yet? How long should we continue with this senseless point-counterpoint?

Bobby who? I can't seem to find that name on any recent roster. Of course, I don't work in the news business so I may be wrong, but I guess I would expect more press coverage of on-going investigations/prosecutions than of incidents from years gone by. Enjoy.

Ahem .... offers? Anyone? Anyone?

Uncle Joe. CAPS, man, CAPS. Show the proper respect! You don't want to get him riled up again!

Whoa, now. Not so fast. ... Did anybody run this by Uncle Joe?

And this would benefit your alma mater in what way? Or is success of the DI move -- and of UND -- not your concern. Whether you love the nickname or not, the game was over when the NCAA membership confirmed the executive council's authority to make policy about anything it likes. The lawsuit settlement included all we could get. The issue has only a tangential relationship to the Summit League. If you flout this "edict" and keep the name you can bet tougher sanctions will follow. Basketball, baseball, etc. might lose out on a conference home now, but hockey would be affected sooner or later. The affirmative vote at Spirit Lake was encouraging, but the agreement seems to require formal action by a governing body, at least at Standing Rock. Where have you seen any indication that will be forthcoming any time in the foreseeable future?

Is it just me or are Bison fans really the only ones talking sense in this thread?

Excellent post.

Interesting comment. In his blog, Wayne Nelson said McKendry would be on O line starter if the season were starting today. I suppose that may take into account Bondy's injury, but hard to square that observation with Mussman's comment. And where's McGurran? Oh well, a lot of time and practice to sort it out befor the season opener.

Did anyone who attended the spring game and received a roster notice any losses/defections/additions from what was expected after last year? Was the JUCO transfer LB there?

Drew Daggett had a few catches. I've assumed, given his size and track accomplishments, that he'd be a candidate to start or at least see considerable playing time. And was Chris Anderson, previously described by Mussman as the "other speed guy" to go with Bamba, on the field today? I don't recall seeing him.

Well said. Couldn't agree more. Always refreshing to read an honest give-and-take conversation here, regardless of the background of the contributors. Anyone who prefers smack-filled banter where no dissent is tolerated can ALWAYS get their fill at Bisonville.

Supposedly KVLY reported tonight that Jordan May is transferring from UND to MSUM (Moorhead State). Any confirmation? Is UND suddenly in the market for a late '09 signee?

Haven't seen the Grand Forks Herald, but today's Forum carries a prominent ad on the back page of the first section promoting activities around the spring game -- tailgaiting, kids' activities, autographs, FSC party and, of course, the game itself. Great at long last to see concrete evidence of a plan to actively market football. And great to see it extending beyond the Grand Forks city limits. Aside being home to at least hundreds of alumni, I would think Fargo, as the state's largest city, would be huge in attempts to grow the fan base. I hope some outreach to Bismarck and Minot is planned, too. Brian Faison said last year he was disappointed in the lack of promotion for the spring game. Glad to see he came through this year. I hope this is just the opening act in a more aggressive plan to sell ALL of UND's DI sports, and the university itself. Nice to see at least somebody "get's it."

....and what about IPFW and UMKC. What are they doing? Didn't Joe Chapman -- er, I mean Tom Douple -- tell them that Summit League teams are prohibited from playing UND?

I wonder what happen to a Montana home game.