siouxfan512

I like Bubba. Bubba's biggest issues to this point is "retaining" Rudolph and his PeeWee football scheme. However, at this point, Rudy's problems are Bubba's responsibility. I hope for both of their sake that Rudy makes some changes this year. Last year was Bubba's chance to adjust staff and find a more adequate coordinator. He stuck to his man (which is fine), but if his guy doesn't work out, he has to shoulder that responsibility). There is plenty of talent out there to win, we saw that two year ago. Some of last year hinged on injuries, sure; but there was plenty that had to do with lack of offensive prep and play calling.

Most BIG schools "big" sport is football which is FAR larger than what UND has. (Mich Football vs UND hockey) I'm not saying UND sport need to all be self sustaining, but you can't slight your most successful program on the hope that you will improve another. UND has managed to provide pretty well for football and basketball (not saying in couldn't be better) despite some less than successful season at the D1 level. 1 tourney appearance at each. Winning draws crowds, crowds fund programs. UND football and basketball need to win and win more consistently to establish their fanbases and earn additional funding. Hockey cannot fund everything, and if Hockey does fund everything, it shorts itself .... do you really want to short your only Cash Cow??

Agreed, I’m not slighting football, and am a big fan. Referring to other sports. I’m a UND fan in general but some sports generate more, and those sports have earned having bigger budgets. I do agree football needs more funding, just not sure where it comes from or how it is all allocated out. my point was that hockey certainly earns their budget. Not trying to slight any other programs.

Have to remember that their fund comes heavily because they put butts in seats. Can’t fault them for that.

So are you saying the Grady Train is warming up to come back to GF?

I thought it was a real class act for UND to ensure all of the local USPS workers got rings to match their outfits. I kid, I kid

interesting. I hadn't put that together. Is Lenny a JUCO transfer? Looking forward to seeing how he contributes.

simple question: Can he do a pull up?

When does Kleven come in?

I guess I've always liked Tortilla Chippas

Yeah, that is true. Though I wasn't even thinking about any individuals. That game as a whole gives me nightmares. Terrible game all around.

The USD game still gives me nightmares.

I don't care, let just win. Nothing will ever look better than the old sioux logo at center ice, but as that is not an option, I don't really care. The logo is here, and I have bought and will continue to buy Hawk merchandise. I wish I could supplement a little Sioux gear here and there, but whatever. I would like to see some additional logos to add variety to the merchandise, and I think eliminating the interlocking ND was a big mistake.

When is the next action for football? Is there anything between now and fall camp?

This would be a very tempting trip. Nashville needs to host the Frozen Four for sure. That sounds like a blast.

I was wondering this as well. When Miller is finding these things out on Twitter and tweeting Woah!, it surprised me a bit. You would think as the reporter for some of these things that he would be a little more in the know of what is goin on. Maybe not though.

Agreed, UND needs to win a big game that we are not expected to win. We actually played well against Utah last year, it would be some much fun to take down a team like Washington, and while I don't expect that, I do think we need to be ready to go into SHSU and look for a win. That would be huge.

link?

It would be fun to hit a big name late. Not expecting this, but it would be fun.

Duluth was the last team in the tourney the night we beat them and they won it all. If history over the past several years has taught us anything, you get in the tourney and anyone can win it.

Typically, I would agree with you. But the contrast of hockey to football at UND is different than most places. I'm not saying it isn't possible to make Football bigger than hockey, but it is highly unlikely give the history and tradition of the hockey program. Now if you know me at all from my posts, I absolutely love UND football and would love nothing more than to see it boom into something huge. But sheer will is not enough for that to happen. First, and absolutely most important, the football team needs to start winning more (something the hockey team does consistently, with the exception of this year) that draws and retains fans, and generates incomes to reinvest into athletics. Now NDSU has made that more difficult for us with there success, it is just harder to win the recruiting battles (maybe we should have gone D1 when they did; different discussion for a different place). This transition won't happen overnight, and simply reallocating funds to the program will not generate wins. There has to be additional funds for the program sure, but the school isn't going to short the most consistent athletic program that they have either; the one that does perform on the national stage, pumps out NHL players, and gets some national publicity (yes, I understand that in the big picture it is a niche sport; but it also needs to be recognized that we are not a Big 10 school). Could UND put all the pieces in place to become an NDSU in football? sure, but it will still be FCS; still something to strive for, but should not take away from your currently successful program to do so. (I'm not cashing in my Google stock to invest it all in a new start up, hoping for the same return; maybe I hedge some funds, but you can diversify without overly risking your cash cow). As for Basketball, this is even tougher. Growing and sustaining this fan base is completely dependent on consistent winning seasons, recruiting better players (more Hookers/Crandalls/ and hopefully Bijiek) who can draw people to watch. To make basketball a big time sport at UND, they would need to make the NCAA tourney at least once every few years, and still be competitive in years that they miss it; not easy to do in a 1 bid league. Look at NDSU a few years ago, when they had a nice string of appearances, and some big wins. Even that didn't vault their program much. Kind of a catch 22, you need fans to generate money, you need money to grow programs, you need wins to generate fans. Football needs to string together some success and I certainly hope they do it starting this year. Get into the playoffs and make a run. That means, win a few games that you aren't expected to win. Yes, UND needs to continue to grow Football, and with increases in attendance they have been on the right track. But the success of football (and basketball for that matter) should be independent (for the most part) from hockey. Can you imagine what would happen if Villanova basketball wasn't getting their due funds, because the school wanted to throw some of that money towards FCS football? Like I said, I am all for growing Football in Basketball; I enjoy watching both, but you're talking about a smaller market school with limited funds (far different from your Big Ten teams). Funds are limited for the school, and for the fans as well. People have limited time, so you can't have the same fan base fully supporting hockey, basketball and football and you also can't tell people which sport they should support. People support hockey because it has sustained success for a long time, and planted roots into the community. Football can do the same, and did very will with this at the D2 level. What you need is more people in general, to hopefully create a football fan base, a hockey fan base, and a basketball fan base .... with some (but not total) overlap between the groups. As for cutting programs, what were they supposed to do? If you run out of money, how do you sustain that many opportunities? I hate that UND had to cut programs, but they did have to do it. You want more money for football, but you don't want them to free up more funds? Its contradicts itself a bit. Limited funds ... you have to do something. I understand your sentiment of wanting football to be the top dog, but it comes across as though you would rather punish a different program for their success because it isn't the program you prefer. Just my thoughts .....

I understand that, but then you could also say she is not entitled to make and donations, or continue ongoing donations. Maybe UND is acting slightly entitled because of the luxuries provide by the Engelstad's? And I would say MISS McGarry is acting like someone in business. They are also looking out for their best interests and that of their business, which generate money that gets reinvest back with UND.

I think it is pretty clear that if you are going to donate (as in give away, for free) your own money, you may want some degree of say in how it is used. If Kennedy doesn't want to play ball, then he is going to have funds withdrawn. Personally, I think Kennedy is being a bit of a moron. When the school and programs are already strapped for cash, you may want to work with your donors. Not tick them off.

Kennedy is no Blue Chippa

I do remember watching the Timberwolves play at the Alerus back when I was in college and the setup was less than impressive. UND has a nice basketball facility in place; if anything look to improve upon. Kennedy needs to shift his focus elsewhere.