jdub27

In a nutshell, yes. They are finally going to put full focus on branding, something that hasn't been done for at least a decade because there was no true identity to get behind or any sort of actual focus for that matter. It's been stated a handful of times, UND spent way too much time and effort fighting losing battles the last decade instead of focusing on improving itself. Now that all of the nickname and (hopefully) budget cuts are in the rear-view mirror, they can finally refocus and start concentrating on areas where focus has been sorely lacking. With what I have seen so far, I am cautiously optimistic that it will be very successful. Kennedy's strategic plan is a giant step in the right direction.

They want people to buy into the new logo and brand identity and to ensure that happened, they eliminated all other options. If they didn't "retire" it, the usage would continue and and not only cause confusion with Notre Dame but also the new brand they are focusing on building. The new logo/brand identity now has a clean slate for the time being. While I'm not positive, I believe this line of thinking was confirmed with the branding study/survey results. I also assume there will eventually be a secondary mark that compliments the new primary one as there was supposed to be originally but it was scrapped.

Welcome back Dave!

We've invited groups of them over to help us finish our food and they've always been incredibly grateful. In fact they are more in disbelief for free food than anything. Simple gesture that's a win/win, no food wasted and happy students.

Out of what was left to pick from, Fighting Hawks was the equivalent of getting a pepperoni pizza. Everyone in the group wants their own thing but in the end, people's ideas of unique are too different to come to any sort of consensus on, so you end up with the most predictable/generic thing on the menu.

And considering this isn't UND's first brush with some of this stuff, I feel even more confident they will have everything they need to show that their ducks are in a row.

Careful, you're going to confuse people who don't understand how numbers work and need to balance out.

Looks like there was also one other team. Queue the "we didn't really want him" and "his offer was pulled"....

Agreed. He didn't quit in the middle of the semester last year, finishing out his classes. He kept up with his schooling this year, meaning he should be eligible to play right away. Credit to him, would have been pretty easy to just walk away from it all. Hope it all works out for him.

Tell me more about these Olympians, this is the first I've heard about it...

I'll give you credit, this is actually very plausible.

If that was the case, you'd think they'd be looking for ways add women's scholarships instead of cut them....

Yes, they have a right to be angry, frustrated or disappointed. However, the problem is they continue to sling vague accusations with no factual backing because they know people won't check into what they are saying. They have refused to address hard numbers or present any viable alternative solutions, instead choosing to throw out half-truths that they know will get uninformed people riled up. Had they stuck to facts instead of alluding to "shady" dealings or playing the sexist card immediately, I don't think people would be as critical of them.

From a few things floating around social media, I have a hunch that the Title IX lawsuit was filed by a player and/or a family member of the women's hockey team. If that is correct, I am more likely to believe it was a pure reaction to the decision and based on emotion, not facts. That clearly doesn't mean UND is in the clear because you never know how something like this can turn out, however it does add some comfort that it likely wasn't based on any hard facts, particularly when UND had experts in compliance come in before decisions were made while the lawsuit seems to be have been done with little to no research.

Poor Simple Dan, so clueless on what his own athletic department is actually doing that he has to troll a UND message board. How's the volleyball team doing with their lame duck coach? Anyone else in their way out of the men's basketball team? And how about that dumpster fire of a women's basketball team? Any other football players get DUI's that didn't make the news? Can't wait to see the cuts announced next month...

Complaint was filed 3 days after the sports were cut. This was a predictable knee jerk reaction that was fully expected. Not surprisingly, they mention how many scholarships were cut (and do mention some will be reinvested) but leave out how scholarships previously were over-favoring females. Maybe while while they are up here looking around, they can take a look 75 miles south and see how out of whack those numbers are (I know, but surveys....).

Tough to believe that's the only problem when 1/3 of your roster has quit the team at one point. But if you'd like to put your head in the sand and think there isn't a trend, then go for it.

Is ndsu looking to save money by running off their whole men's basketball team? Four players have left the program since the season ended including the starting point guard. That's on top of one of their players quitting in the middle of the season last year before being let back on a week later. Offense must be to high tempo for them and they can't handle it.

Wait, how did UND get a transfer when Jones hasn't signed an extension?? It was made pretty clear by some that it wasn't possible.

Because Idalski seemed to think that the amount of required cuts announced and the number of what he thought his hockey budget was being nearly identical was nothing more than a coincidence. I do agree though, seems like a lot of entitlement on their part.

Why would the private schools want to give more power to the public/football playing schools?

I know that and you know that. That doesn't mean someone who has an agenda does (or cares). I think UND is more than covered if someone decides to take up the cause against them. Just pointing out that I wouldn't be floored if they found someone to take up their cause, facts be damned.

Did she mention if she has ever donated any money to UND to help pay for any upgrades?

I agree with you on all the facts. However I think you might be underestimating the thought process of some agenda-driven lawyers who will look at facts as mere minor nuisances in their rush to go after any University that dares to cut a women's sport. Title IX has enough grey areas that would lead someone to think there is a possibility of a winning lawsuit out there. I don't agree that there is, but I don't have an agenda clouding my judgement. From what has been made public, UND obviously is prepared for it and clearly someone has been feeding the narrative, which is further fueled by people's actual lack of understanding. Unfortunately the bad publicity and a waste of time and money would likely be an equal opportunity result, not just for whoever would file it, but also for UND. Chipman is also a pretty successful businessman. Being disappointed or displeased in a decision does not mean he doesn't understand the decision or even agree with it. But of course there is no context to what was said in the letter, leaving people open to spin it however they want.

What does that have to do with some of your fans showing their ndsu class and going after the kid after he talked about his experience?