jdub27

The MVC loses a lot of luster without Wichita State. And if those two schools left (seriously, where in the hell would MSU even go and who would want them?), the balance of power shifts to the private schools (actually 50/50 but a tie is as good as giving them power). What makes you think they want to associate with the XDSU's? If MSU and WSU left, that really tightens up the footprint, what is that they bring to the table that makes them attractive to spread it out that much? They aren't going to bring a ton of fans to Arch Madness or up the conference profile. And SDSU has about as perfect setup as you can get with the Summit tournament in Sioux Falls. Why would they turn their back on that?

You mean they'll drop in some polls?

Must not want what appears to be a 50% attendance bump over their season high. Pretty blunt comments from Pryor: "This is what college athletics is all about," said Pryor. "We should play the Bison home and away every year. It's just a great opportunity for two solid teams to play in two great venues, Bentsen Bunker Fieldhouse and the Betty, twice a year in front of a packed house, and an opportunity to grow the game in the state. The only real loser here is the state of North Dakota (not playing twice). Whether we win or lose this match, I am not going to change my stance on this, and I have been very consistent with this since I was hired in January of 2014. It just makes too much sense for both schools. It's great for fans and the student-athletes."

If it makes you feel better, the fees make the football ticket more expensive. Also a lot more tickets available than tailgating spots currently, though as the season goes on, spots don't seem to be in high demand either. I'm sure it is which is why it makes no sense that they only charge $5. For the record, if given the choice, I'd much rather pay more than have to sleep in that line again.

Reserved spots are $50/spot/year, which is $10/game the last few years. With current demand, do you think single game prices should be cheaper than those? From my experience most people who tailgate more than once or twice a year get season passes and those who only bring setups once or twice aren't concerned about paying a few extra dollars when they do come because they are still spending less than season passes cost. Big difference than in Fargo, you don't have to get in line the night before in Game Forks. For whatever reason, they charge the same for parking whether you tailgate or not. Seems strange but maybe it's too much pressure on the workers to remember two prices.

It is easier than admitting to being wrong.

November 1 was the cutoff date put in place by Kennedy mainly to have any decision on cutting sports taken care of before National Signing Day on November 9th.

Students get something like 300 free tailgating permits per game. Guessing these were all claimed the first game because it was packed over there but it hasn't been as full since then.

Not a big fan of giving tickets away but not opposed to some sort of a promotion. Sell a family pack that includes a drink and hot dogs (though with the issues currently at the Alerus, not sure who would sign off on it). I mean it can't be worse than giving them away for free at Stop and Go after you fill gas? Those football tickets are about 4 days from being outdated inventory.

Didn't look over in that section to be honest. I believe just the game used ones but I could be wrong, just noticed the grey ones on my way out. Didn't look that close but it looks like the number was 1 on them.

Not sure if anywhere else in town has them but the Sioux Shop now has the grey adidas jersey in stock.

They are well aware. A very aggressive first round bid that would was well above the minimum and would have easily secured a game was made last year.

No one deserves the amount of criticism those two have gotten. It has actually gotten to the point where it has become a parody of itself.

Good analysis. Cal Poly definitely got the what appears to be the toughest draw getting UND, UM, EWU and Weber.

I'm not sure you could find anyone that has a bad word about Q. Easily one of the most humble, appreciative and down to earth student athletes I've come across at UND. Regardless of who he is interacting with, kids or adults, he shows a genuine interest. He was an absolute steal on and off the court for Jones and company.

Admit it, you just wanted to fill up your inbox.

The only time that this has been done this year is for football games and the $25,000 for that promotion were privately donated, it has cost UND nothing. There are reasons to keep non-revenue sports. Using the argument that spending an average of $21,500 per student athlete per year in the sports you mentioned to prop up enrollment by 100 student athletes is not one of them. The math doesn't work out on that one.

The only think I can think of is that with the timing of the Big Sky Presidents meeting tomorrow, Kennedy knows something he isn't sharing. UND being a football affiliate had obviously been discussed informally. It was no slam dunk like one would originally think but maybe something changed. Otherwise I am at a little bit of a loss with this decision.

They showed up in the Herald in September because that is when the cases were settled. They occurred in May/June. I don't see him back on the team. Wish him well and that he can get things straightened out personally.

So you are saying that the WAC will change its core sport requirements?

NMSU was grandfathered in because soccer wasn't a required sport until the WAC cut football, long after NMSU was in the conference. No clue why UMKC isn't required to sponsor baseball but I also don't have a clue why they joined in the first place. Other schools were required to add it when they joined, so there is an explanation out there somewhere. So one school has a waiver on one of the 6 required core sports. Somehow that means UND will get a waiver on 2 of the 6, including one that they just dropped even though this plan has long been in motion. Excuse me if I'm having a hard time believing that.

The article from the blog is from recently. The information they are using to cite a Summit site visit and base their claims off of is from 2010 (which UND eventually canceled due to being accepted into the Big Sky).

They might be cut but it will have nothing to do with the WAC, which I want to point out requires men's soccer and baseball. Pretty bold strategy for UND to cut baseball if a move to the WAC was imminent. It is almost like Ed Schafer wasn't aware of this whole WAC thing.

If S&D is safe, soccer would likely be the only other one possibly on the block until any final decisions are made on conference affiliations. Tennis is required by the Big Sky, so they are safe unless UND moves Olympic sports to the Summit. On top of that, I'd be surprised if they cut two women's sports and no men's sports, especially due to participation numbers and scholarships given out. I still don't think this is enough and guessing there is some final decisions hinging on conference affiliations.

Since I already gave my thoughts on a couple of the recommendations, I'll finish out with the list: • Increase ticket prices by 25 percent across all sports for which tickets are required. - 25% is a little steep but ticket prices haven't increased much recently and I was surprised there wasn't any bump this year with season tickets. Season hockey tickets only cost $420/seat before donation so increasing by 25% move the price to $525. Increases in football, MBB, WBB and whatever else would be pretty minimal but you also need to be careful when raising prices without a strong demand. The big caveat with this one is whether it includes Champions Club donations or just the ticket price, which would make a huge difference. • Increase the distribution of ticket revenue from 48 percent to 60 percent. - Not sure exactly how this contract is worded, but I actually do think that if possible, this is something that should be looked in to. I believe that UND contracts with one of the REA entities for this. • Reduce the number of complimentary tickets. - Seems logical on the surface without actually knowing how many tickets are being comped. Likely will make a minimal impact though depending on the scenario could end in a few negatives. • Restructure the agreements with the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Alerus Center. - Likely easier said than done with the Alerus Center, which I think is already pretty UND friendly to begin with, especially considering the amount of time UND actually uses it. The REA is a whole separate issue and my feeling is that any gains now come at the expense of gains when UND eventually takes it over. Doesn't mean there isn't some middle ground to help out right now but likely more complex than just "restructuring". • Add scholarships to fully fund each sport at the allotment of scholarships permitted by NCAA. - A recommendation to actually increase expenses instead of cut them. By my rough count, this would require UND to add ~25 scholarships on the men's side and ~15 on the women's side (plus FCOA as well). I actually agree with the general theory behind this but it should be done only after they have cut a handful of sports. Cut the operating expenses and move the scholarships over. If they did follow through I'm sure that imbalance wouldn't cause any Title IX angst. • Keep all 20 sports. - I've already said my piece. What a punt.