Hansel

stopped by the Lennon open forum today here is my synopsis attendance- I didn't go to the last two but the people around me were saying the first two weren't highly attended, about 80-90% of the seats were full today- with tomorrow probably going to be SRO Lennon seemed pretty happy and relaxed- the first comment he made he ripped LTC for being an ass to work for (j/k had to throw that out there ) Lennon talked about his policy about academics and discipline- which were big points among the attendees-who seemed satisfied with his answers. Said he would basically run the same systems offensively and defensively at MSU which he runs now. Sounded like if he came he would bring surround himself with people he is currently or has previously coached with- when asked if he would have Montanans on the staff- he said there would be "montana presence"- specifically mentioned Breitsbach (sp?) but said he was a midwest guy and the staff would have a midwest feel. Dale repeatedly emphasized recruiting small town kids and in-state kids first- also mentioned that he rarely recruits JUCO kids- doesn't have anything against them but that is not his style. Dale said the Big Sky was a good conf and if you could win the BS you can win a national title- and added that UND and USD would really like to be part of the BSC. Never mentioned the 'Griz once- did make light of several newspaper articles which said he played at NDSU (and mentioned the nametag SNAFU in Florence). Seemed pretty honest throughout the interview which I think scored well with the audience- admitted it was a terrible time to start and leave a coaching job- but said he was in a similar position when he started at Mary. Overall I thought it went quite well (which I think most here would expect of Lennon), what most are waiting for is what will happen when MVD (who Dale mentioned as a friend) interviews tomorrow.

It would have been nice to hear why Lennon thought the job was attractive- rather than he had been to Bozeman once- and that Bozeman/MSU are similar in size to GF/UND- though we should get that info tonight. I also wonder if Dale is liking the temp (high) in the mid 40's today with a chance of snow tonight- gotta love "summer" in Montana

In 03 I would take the MSU job, in 07 I would take the job at NDSU

More money, more fan support, being the "top sport", instantly being in a FCS autobid conference rather than 5 years until FCS playoff elibility. If Lennon wants to coach a BCS level sometime in the distant future MSU would be a better "springboard" IMHO.

USD and UND are not on equal footing- UND has been good for a long time USD has had a couple of decent seasons after UNC, NDSU, and SDSU (who USD went 7-34 against over the last 14 years) left. obviously I am not a UND fan but the difference between UND and USD is that UND is at the point where the program will be OK without Lennon (if he decided to leave of course), they have been good for long enough that they can even "weather" a bad coach even if LTC f's up (again?), the fans alumni etc will demand it. if Meirkort (sp?) leaves and USD has a 5-6 or worse season there is a decent chance they could be in crapsville once again.

this was the lead article in the print edition of the paper- and the negativity surrounding MSU athletics in the community is why Kramer needed to go IMHO. If I have the time I plan on stopping by the Lennon and Van Diest open forums next week and will report

http://www.msubobcats.com/news.php?sid=h&nid=2068 Finalists to Interview in Bozeman MSU Bobcats Bobcat Football News : 2007-06-01 : Bozeman, MT By MSU Sports Information Montana State came one step closer to filling its football coaching vacancy Three successful head coaches and a long-time Division I assistant comprise the list of finalists for Montana State

I think NDSU has always gone by interests and abilities

3 years from today UND will have two seasons left of "transition", while MSU will be in an autobid conference (I am guessing both schools will have the same amount of schollies [57-63]). Bozeman vs Grand Forks = no contest I think a good working relationship with the AD would be the biggest impetus for change- I have heard Bunning and Lennon are not exactly "peas and carrots". That being said I think Lennon stays at UND if offered the job or not USD won't do "jack" in FCS- you heard it here first

Pharmacy

got a number for the total living alumni?

I could be wrong (don't know the stats) but doesn't UND have an unbeleivable record in close games over the last 6-7 years?

my condolences

don't know about the UND stuff by Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana have the WWAMI program setup with the University of Washington where students take the the first year of med school in their home state http://www.montana.edu/wwwwami/

Strollo said that the Gateway Conference is looking very seriously into expansion in the near future, but it will be very selective. Finding the right institution will be the key. "It would be nice [to expand] and it certainly would help out our scheduling problems," Strollo said. http://www.vindy.com/content/sports/local_...35646653240.php

They need to blow up the NCC Southwest Conference Style

just a thought- but UC-Davis played a full conference schedule against their former DII conference foes their first year of DI (after the exploratory year). http://ucdavisaggies.cstv.com/sports/m-bas...sched-2003.html With RT as the NCC commish- I wonder if UND (and perhaps USD as well) will have a similar arrangement to help scheduling on both ends during UND's first year out of DII>

I thought the possibility of UND joining a Western Based Conference was remote due to the lack of West-Bound Flights? I also thought UND was going to convince Horizon League teams to add Hockey and then join the conference with Minnesota Duluth.

NDSU's Alumni Map Does UND have something similar? It would be interesting to see where the alumni bases really are

It appears NDSU was a unanimous choice good news for UND longterm IMHO

listed at 13,500 in 05... maybe they finally counted the seats? http://www.fightingsioux.com/sports/footba...ia/2005/1-4.pdf

not a surprise to all of us Link Just by comparing it to other stadiums that estimate seems about right

its more about non-football sports (especially basketball) jim- there have been many B-Ball coaches from schools which sponsor I-AA football who have complained about being called "I-AA basketball" in recruiting battles with B-ball coaches from schools which sponsor I-A football- and some recruits beleive it- the change in nomenclature may help change that.

not that it matters but.... Box Score (Final) Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score ----------------- -- -- -- -- ----- South Dakota....... 7 3 3 0 - 13 Montana............. 13 14 9 9 - 45

Montana 45, USD 13, 9-4-99 Montana lost in the first round of the playoffs, USD was 4-7, 6th in the then ten team NCC your memory might be a little off