SooToo

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.

Thanks for the correction. IIRC, UND has no additional scholllies remaining for '09-10.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't we in/nearing the early signing period for '10-11? News soon?

I might be biased, but I'd say the ratio of crazies -- Bisonville vs SiouxSports -- is about 6 to 1, tilting heavily toward the AC. How that relates to the overall fan base is anybody's guess. As frequently noted here, UND threads continually pop up all over Bisonville. Saw Denny Walacker wearing a Sioux hat this AM as a form of apology for his "joke" about the Sioux; even in the midst of a 500-year flood, still obsessing over a university they refuse to play.

Clearly, its up to Joe Chapman. But let me offer what apparently is a minority opinion here: I welcome your input on SiouxSports. May not always agree, might get exasperated with your stubborn positions, but I appreciate that you've been responsible for generating more SS traffic than anyone recently in what might otherwise be a rather slow period.

You don't have to cheer for the Bison to respect what they've accomplished. NDSU didn't blaze the transition trail to Div I/FSC (programs have been doing it for years), but they've done it as well as anyone has in years. They certainly exceeded my expectations through great planning, solid coaching, excellent marketing, strong fan/administrative support -- and a little luck along the way. I've heard more than one UND coach compliment their strategy and execution. As to the financial rewards, I believe I heard Gene Taylor say today that the AC (can't let the lovefest go on forever) forfeited any NCAA tournament income (which I believe flows through the league) for three years as part of the price of admission to the Summit.

And kudos to you, too. You've never missed an opportunity to take a cheap shot at the university you supposedly support. Keep up the good work.

I don't want to pile on (because -- call me crazy -- but I actually enjoy your input), but where do you get the notion that only "NDSU haters" prefer that UND get into the Big Sky? The Sky would offer a single home __ and a familiar set of rivals -- for nearly all of UND sports. The league has enjoyed a much higher profile in the area than the Summit. (That may have changed some recently thanks to the wall-to-wall coverage of the Bison-oriented, Fargo-based media.) The MVFC is not a bad gig, but there's no guarantee of entry there if one joins the Summit. That leaves football with the Great West, an unstable position to say the least. Of course, annual games with the Montana schools would be a big draw. UND may never get into the Big Sky -- and the departure of the Montana schools would make it less appealling -- but there's every reason to believe the FCS/I AA world will change dramatically as the end of the moratorium draws near. If you want animosity, slouch on over to Bisonville and see the endless stream of fanatics who hope to avoid UND at any cost. Or check with your administration, which is stalling competition in every sport.

Info, anyone in DL?

I'm guessing Kate Sharkova, currently a second-year, 6'5" post player at Lake Region in Devils Lake.

Transitional schedule, no advertising and still in top one-quarter of FCS schools in attendance -- Cool !!

Nothing to do with following. Everything to do with a sense of self-importance and an inflated ego as big as all outdoors.

Heard Mussman say today he was hopeful they would have a schedule to announce within a week or so (although I know we've all heard that before). He seemed to be indicating an 11-game schedule but wasn't very specific.

Only if the president at Minnesota gets one first. Gotta keep up with the Joneses.

I hope Virg's latest installment, replete with the standard vitriol from some AC faithful, helps quell this outbreak of paranoia in Bisonland. As for the letters "supporting the move," well, I'll leave it to you to decide whether they "aren't as misinformed' as those printed in chapter one. Finally, I too have to admit I agree with Bison Dan on this one. And now I've thrown up im my mouth a little after confessing.

Playing your big rival and you're still here? Always this obsessed?

Hey, I'm not making accusations about "Imperial Cass," just pointing out the perception exists. (Little confession here; I live in Cass County.) Stating publicly that NDSU doesn't need the game and implying it will only happen in Fargo probably rubs a lot of North Dakotans, many of whom already view Fargo/Cass County as elitist, the wrong way. As for "people trying to impose their will," this issue has been neck deep in "politics" for years now on both sides.