mizzou/sioux

I don't think we have any reason to panic. Furthermore, the loss to NAIA Sioux Falls in time isn't going to matter at all. Please give credit to the University of Sioux Falls as being one helluva football team. Their outstanding recent record proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt. We take credit for playing superby well against a tough Texas Tech eleven that plays in the ever-tough Big XII South Division, arguably the toughest six-team division of any conference in the United State, and that includes the division Florida, Alabama and LSU play in of the Southeastern Conference. Then we turn around and pound ourselves when the shoe is on the other foot (when a team from a lower division excels over a team from an upper division). I think RD 17 made an excellent analysis. However, I may beg to quibble with him somewhat regarding South Dakota State. Before the Bunnies went into a slump beginning in 1964 with the twin rise of the Sioux and the Bison (I believe between 1964 and 1977 one or the other or both of the North Dakota universities were football conference champions or co-champions), the Bunnies were repeatedly in the North Central Conference football race from the 1950s and early 60s, etc. If I recall right from my history, UNI and the Bunnies pretty much dominated the NCC in the 1940s and 1950s. I think SDSU had something like a dozen conference football titles (more than either UND or NDSU had at the time) when they won their final NCC football crown in 1963. As of 1963, I believe UND had nine football crowns and NDSU only three. So there was a time in bygone years when the Bunnies were a perennial threat. The Bunnies aside, I agree with the concept of somewhat up-and-down happenings in transition years. However, it's clear SDSU has been doing a lot of things right in its transition. Give them credit for it. As to recruiting success, I think a lot of it simply comes down to simply "win baby." I think the upset win over Cal Poly speaks volumes. That victory alone, even before a sparse crowd by usual standards, in my mind utterly cancels out any debris left over from the loss to Sioux Falls. It shows the team has resilience, a commodity you simply can't package. I also have faith in Coach Mussman. Having played football at Division I Iowa State, I think he knows what it takes to win in Division I football. Have a little patience. Academics. Don't be fooled. UND has some of the best academics this part of the country knows. I don't know how many athletes are going to sign up for any of our famed aviation programs, but we have excellent academics. Former Sioux hockey head coach Dean Blais used excellent academic reputation of UND to draw in a number of recruits, and he was going up against the University of Minnesota, among other schools. I understand that former outstanding Sioux women's basketball player Jenny Crouse (after contacting former NDSU head women's basketball coach Amy Ruley first) enrolled at UND because of it s outstanding aviation programs. Over on Bisonsportsnet there are attempts to move NDSU up to an FBS conference because on of the posters there feels the Missouri Valley Conference opponents of the Bison don't average enough in attendance to warrant further competition of the Bison in the MVC. Not sure I agree with the reasoning, but the information is out there. It's tough to play second fiddle to men's hockey in terms of interest and attendance, I won't deny that. But let's let some of this play out. I think additional television exposure can't help but pay off in the long run. I was also interested in the Montana comparison of relating to sparsity of population and the number of D-I schools Montana and Montana State have to compete with. If anything, I think we have a population advantage over many of those western schools, considering we have the Twin Cities, Des Moines and Milwaukee to consider. Of course, adding a few speedsters from the South and West would also help tremendously. Take heart, we'll get it done. I'm convinced of it. We've got too many assets such as good venues, outstanding academics and nationwide recognition in any number of areas. Maybe it took NDSU and SDSU to drag us into the future. I don't believe there is any way we can turn back to return to Division II. I see where in some areas in football the Great West Conference is rated second only to the Colonial Athletic Conference in terms of strength of conference football-wise. Cheer up, and let the games begin.

Thanks to all the Bison fans for most appreciated compliments on the UND upset win over Cal Poly. I have to admit I am one of those who didn't really give the Sioux much chance (about one in 10) of defeating Cal Poly after the loss to the University of Sioux Falls. And congratulations to NDSU for its win in snapping a losing streak. I guarantee the Bison will be back in form soon.. And while I'm at it, congratulations to the NDSU women's volleyball team on maintaining its record-setting streak while earning another conference championship. There is also another North Dakota-based Division I volleyball team that is currently leading the Great West as well. Who would have thought UND would be in first place at this point of the season?

UND 20, Cal Poly 17 in overtime. Offense and defense finally come together in a well played game for both teams.

Let the people of Standing Rock vote.

It's my understanding Wisconsin offered UND an opportunity to play at Camp Randall a year ago but Cal Poly took our place. That would seem to indicate the Badgers would still play the Sioux even if the Big Ten hockey conference were establsihed. I know Wisconsin is big enough financially to be able to get what it wants. Is this reminiscent of Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame leaving the WCHA years ago? I would think the WCHA is well enough known that it would still be one of the power hockey conferences in the country. Not saying I want it to happen, but I think we'd survive very nicely. After all, Denver and CC are still very potent teams with a proud history and background. What are the chances if a Big Ten conference is formed in hockey that UND might be admitted as an associate member?

I am not an attorney either, but it seems to me that the current action by the Spirit Lake Nation validated at least part of the NCAA stipulation. I join those who firmly believe in light of the events the State Board of Higher Education should extend that Octobder 1st deadline.

Graciousness of Tech fans such as yourself have helped make this a most wonderful and memoriable experience for us Sioux fans. Glad to have you on our board. I have a graduate degree from Mizzou, so am most interested in how well the Big XII does overall. Agree that the Big XII South is more competitive than the Big XII North. Will definitely be pulling for Tech in most games this season. Mizzou stunned the Illini 37-9 in St. Louis, for whatever that's worth.

Speaking of the University of Idaho, I have a nephew who is a recent graduate of the University of Idaho at Moscow. According to my nephew, there is considerable disinterest in the Vandal football team on campus. The Kibbie Dome, where Idaho plays its home football games, is perhaps not so affectionately known to a number of fans as Kibbles 'n' Bits. I would think Idaho would be an FBS team where UND is definitely going to be in the ball game. On the other hand, I think the Texas Tech game on the whole is going to turn out to be a very positive experience when all is said and done.

Whatever the score Saturday I think the exposure gained by playing a topflight BCS team cannot be minimized. In one respect one could say this is a bowl game of sorts for UND's football team, the Pride of the North Marching Band and the faithful Sioux fans who are following the team to Lubbock. The final score really shouldn't matter in this one. I predict the experience on the whole will be deemed most positive when all is said and done. The atmosphere should be great. After all, didn't famed sportswriter Grantland Rice once write something to the effect that when the One Great Scorer Comes to Write Against Your Name, it's not important who won or lost, but how one played the game? I have every confidence that the Fighting Sioux football team will represent UND very well on the field Saturday regardless of the final score. I would not be surprised if the Texas heat takes somewhat of a toll as the game wears on. Truthfully, I would be most pleasantly surprised were the Sioux to come out on top Saturday given the odds. Nevertheless, stranger things have happened. I'd be happy with a hard-fought game, hoping the Sioux come out of the game relatively injury free. Perhaps 49-10 Texas Tech might be the final. Years from now, who really cares about the final score? I'm thinking a majority of Sioux fans traveling to Lubbock are going to be mighty pleased by the whole experience, but I do think the team will do us all proud by their performance.

According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the bunny board, the University of South Dakota women's basketball team has scheduled a game this coming season against archrival South Dakota State, a game to be played in Brookings.

Back in the 1960s, especially during a time when Flickertail Follies, a campus-wide variety show, occupied a considerable degree of interest, UND, I believe, was named by Esquire magazine as one of the Top Ten party schools in the nation. It was said by some at the time that many students spent a good deal of time in that second semester preparing for the show. It even drew the attention of Life magazine at one time, perhaps quite understandable in that Edward K. Thompson, the then managing editor of Life magazine, is a UND graduate, Class of 1927, I believe. Getting back to today, whether one likes it or not (on making the list of top party schools), we are in some pretty good company, being listed with these schools academic-wise. I say take it all with a grain of salt. For me, I am every grateful I attended a university that has helped put me where I am today. I had wonderful professors in my major, professors that helped immensely as I went on to graduate school at one of the best graduate schools of journalism in the country. I intend this as no discredit whatsoever to the graduate school I attended, but UND measured up very well by comparison. I was fortunate to attend two of the very best in the country.

Siouxman, you are quite correct. It was indeed World War II. Thanks for catching my error.

No doubt about it, Walter Cronkite is a legend. And for a journalist to be called "the most trusted man in America" is no small achievement. Journalists are frequently maligned, many times for the absolute wrong reasons. It's probably part and parcel of the growing cynicism of the day. Cronkite was a hard-news reporter, having being a United Press reporter slogging through Europe during the World War I days. He also helped recreate history by hosting the CBS show "You Are There" in the 1950s. He also earned his spurs by anchoring national political conventions in the mid-1950s, went up against the vaunted NBC duo of Chet Huntley and David Brinkley and triumphed in the ratings. Perhaps his most spectacular single longterm achievement was his mastery of the nuances of America's adventures in space. No wonder he became so trusted, for it was at a time when a large portion of the American populace was fascinated by our space challenges with the Russians. I don't think it is ever completely possible to shed one's political convictions and be completely neutral in everyone's eyes. Yet, I believe Cronkite was as fair a journalist as anyone could be. His wisdom, his kindness, his drive for accuracy and his unending compassion stood him well in the oftentimes turbulent profession that news-gathering could be at times. He was not afraid to enter the arena. His legacy is secure. May he truly rest in peace.

What an absolutely fabulous women's basketball schedule put together for the Sioux women's second season as such in Division I. It's schedules such as this that are bound to attract some talented prospects that may have passed UND up in previous seasons. This is most definitely a step in the right direction.

I had forgotten about USD's being a potential travel partner for football, having already plugged USD into the Summit Conference, also forgetting that the Summit as such does not sponsor football. However, since the Big Sky snubbed both NDSU and SDSU, I tend to think the UxDs would likely be shunted aside as well for travel distance reasons. Then again, there's the saying "never say never" to think about.

I see much merit in star2city's assessment. I, too, think the Big Sky has a vested interest in western FCS schools retaining and strengthening their viabilities. I had not considered the possibility of UND's being an associate member in football only. That sounds okay to me. Question is: UND would still need a viable travel partner.

Apparently, according to reporter Jimmy Watson of the Shreveport Times, Centenary is planning on dropping out of the Summit League by the year 2011. Apparently, also, the validity of Watson's report has been confirmed by a Centenary school official. I realize this has nothing to do with repors of Eastern Washington's possibly dropping football in the wake of budget cuts due in part to the slumbering economy in some places. Given a choice between the Big Sky and the Summit if it comes down to that, I would prefer the Summit. I don't particularly like the way NDSU and SDSU were left hanging regarding the Big Sky. I also think both Montana and Montana State may skip out of the Big Sky one day, ostensibly seeking greener pastures. Without the Montana schools in the Big Sky, again if it comes to that, I don't see much advantage to UND's being part of that conference. I think there is going to be more of a shakeup in conferences within the next four to five years, so much for stability.

Amen, MplsBison, Amen. I would be tickled pink as well if UND shocked the football world. I'm not counting on it, but who knows? It's nice to know there will be a number of NDSU fans pulling for us as well. I know the UND-NDSU rivalry is passionate and deep, and I know not all Bison fans will be in our corner, but it's good to know that at least some of you will be pulling for us. Not sure we have the firepower either, and maybe the hot Texas sun will make us wilt over the course of the game, but all in all I think it's a good move for our program regardless of the outcome. Thanks again, MplsBison, for your support.

At one time UND was known as NDU. Sir Sidney of the Minneapolis Star Tribune frequently wrote about North Dakota University in his column. Many former Big Eight (now Big 12) Conference universities were referred to on the sports pages this way. For example, I attended graduate school at the University of Missouri, but instead of being known as the U of M (as is generally the case with both Minnesota and Michigan), Mizzou is usually called MU. Likewise, the University of Colorado is known as CU, the University of Nebraska (where a niece of mine attended graduate school) as NU, the University of Kansas as KU, and the University of Oklahoma, as mentioned above, as OU. I think there are a lot of people around the world who are still confusing UND and NDSU. The Sports Illustrated sports almanac one year had the UND national champion men's hockey team returning home to Fargo. It may take some time to straighten out some of this confusion. Possibly never. For the record, I don't think this confusion is seriously going to hurt either school.

Count me in among those who would like to see Nebraska-Omaha and Bemidji State both admitted to the WCHA. As nice as the St. Paul venue is, I think it's time to maybe spread the venue around, and Omaha is a good choice for it. I believe it's in the best interests of hockey in the long run.

I believe you're right 82SiouxGuy. I am willing to stand corrected.

Must be another classic case of outsiders getting mixed up on UND and NDSU again. That happens a lot.

While at UND Phil was coached by Bill Fitch, who also went on to a sterling career as a head coach in the NBA. Fitch may not have had as glorious a record as an NBA head coach as Jackson, but it was still good enough for Fitch to have been selected as one of the NBA's 10 best coaches of all time. Jackson, of course, made the 10-best list as well. It's also interesting to note that over a three-year period in the mid- to late 1960s under Fitch with Jackson playing a key role that the Sioux men's basketball team, if I recall correctly, posted a 70-16 record over that three-year span, winning three straight North Central Conference championships in the process. I believe the team also finished third and then fourth in consecutive appearances at the then College Division tournament at Evansville, Indiana. Those were some heady times for Sioux sports of that era.

Add my congratulations to a superb NDSU women's softball team for knocking off an outstanding University of Oklahoma team en route to winning the Norman regional. Best of luck in the Super Regional. Notwithstanding all the previous success of Bison teams, be they men's or women's, I think this accomplishment ranks No. 1 thus far in the Bison sports panorama, even greater than the Bison men's basketball appearance in the Big Dance this past March against the Kansas Jayhawks.

The reference to NDU is not at all unusual. Sir Sidney of the Minneapolis Strib has frequently referred in the past to North Dakota University and referred to us as NDU. Similarly, while teams in the Big Ten such as Minnesota and Michigan are usually referred to as the U of M and Wisconsin as UW-Madison and the like, in the former Big Eight Conference of years ago (all of whose members are now part of the Big XII), the general consensus was to refer to the University of Missouri as MU, the University of Nebraska as NU, the University of Colorado as CU, the University of Kansas as KU and the University of Oklahoma as OU.