SooToo

I understand it's difficult to see with all that pent-up bitterness but come on, Tony, take off the blinders. The original budgets, as I recall, were for $900,000 for construction costs and $100,000 for furnishings at both schools. By your accounting, we've got 8.8 percent over budget vs 80 percent. Accuse UND of poor budgeting if you will, although I doubt an 8.8% overage is uncommon in construction. But what is 80%? Clearly Joe Chapman, as per the norm, thumbed his nose at the SBoHE and did whatever he pleased. The board now will fall in behind him. That's the kind of arrogance that keeps the county known as "Imperial Cass." Your VP for Finance had a classic answer a couple of weeks ago when this came up. One of the causes, he said, was that they hadn't decided on a house design before the budget was determined. . Aside from willful disregard for direction, why does anyone care how much private money ol' Joe spends for his estate? Probably because the state will pick up the tab for maintenance in perpetuity. The Ralph? As I recall, UND was required to privately fund all upkeep before the state would accept the building.

Got 'bitches'?

Sometimes it takes time for players to blossom, but I think that example of depth-chart progression fell into the category of what you might call "sand-bagging".

OK, so what's with the new avatar?

Kudos to you for your defense of Mussman's comments yesterday on Bisonville. You're a welcomed guest here (IMHO) and certainly deserve to sling **it a little if the mood seems right.

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?