UND-FB-FAN

Oh boy …

He should have enrolled/committed to the flagship North Dakota public university… Of course, this is mostly satire, but not entirely …

The Utah State second half collapse - given it was technically a loss to FBS - was quickly overlooked last season given the big upcoming game vs NDSU. In retrospect, it turned out that the 2021 UND team lacked “killer instinct” the entire season. Blown leads/late opportunities against Utah St., NDSU, SIU, Missouri State, South Dakota St., etc. would end up being the norm and haunting UND the entire 2021 season. Turned out the Utah State game was telling for the entire season; the whole FBS/FCS thing got overblown. The point here is simple. If UND loses at Nebraska, they can still have a successful season, but getting “destroyed” at Nebraska should not be overlooked as UND just being outmatched. Rather, it would be concerning for UND not being ready to be a competitive winning team in 2022. Need to at least keep the Nebraska game competitive for 3+ quarters or there will be some concern. The UNI game is important, but the whole season isn’t wrapped into the first two games; remember 2016 season?

If UNI turns out to be overrated, like they are most years, then this likely scenario isn’t as great as it sounds. But, as mentioned, it is most likely.

Well, of course, but just going off the data available/reported, the UND football budget is not that far off. Additionally, given the entire spectrum of information available, it’s also obvious that the REA holds a ton of revenue that could help UND football increase it’s budget in short order. The sad morale of the story here is that the agreements suggest it is UND hockey (backed by Engelstad/Mcgarry) vs the entire UND athletic department. The nickname change and the new logo’s abscence in the REA/Betty is just a microcosm of this. Despite these concerns, folks have of course been bought over by the REA and the resultant hockey product; thus, this crowd will argue otherwise, but this conflict has been publicized previously and is relatively established. With all that said, there really is no likelihood of anything changing before [maybe] 2030.

According to the Dept of Education data posted above, UND is only behind NDSU in football budget by a little over 400k. Sure looks like REA could get UND football over the hump all the while by maintaining UND’s tremendous hockey spending and facilities. Sadly, it sure seems like there is hesitancy by the hockey-only crowd for this to happen, though. Stubbornness and selfishness by the Engelstads/Mcgarry was certainly evident in the past and it didn’t help when they were approached previously by UND staff. Bottom line: If Ralph Engelstad Arena could be a true asset for all of UND sports, and not just a tool to advance Engelstads/Mcgarry’s personal agenda, then UND hockey and UND football BOTH could be top funded programs. Unfortunately, UND has limited autonomy within their own athletic department; hopefully 2030 will truthfully change that.

No, it would not be destroyed, but it would be hurt. The main game will be the FCS opener vs UNI @ Alerus Center on 9/10/22.

Yeah, everyone wants that, so how do you propose they do that? More financial support from their institution is the obvious answer to win more/be more consistent, but curious what other brilliant ideas people have. Of course, since this is a facilities thread, I will highlight the progress being made with phase II of the football facilities, scheduled to be done in 2024. Having that completed will help take UND football to the next level.

For NDSU being a “football school”, UND isn’t too far off. UND could be #1 if a bit of reallocation occurred. Again, selling away autonomy within their own athletic department is not something I agree with. Previous UND staff members have noted this as well but the culture in place by the $$$ has booted them out.

Oh, it can be enjoyed, but it also can be improved.

I agree with most of this, but adamantly disagree with your point on 500K annually. The UND football department could desperately use that addition to the budget. Ask the families of UND football coaches/staff if they could use that money for their loved ones’ salary. And without going too far down the sentimental pathway, by purely looking at the UND football budget, which includes coaches salary, you’ll see the budget is destitute. UND football deserves more of a cut from the athletic department, but the ticket revenue agreement with the Engelstads has skewed the spending in a unfair way. Not to mention, the agreement doesn’t align with any other national standards.

Sure, they’re hockey fans, but again, the agreement with the Engelstads hurts UND as the school lost autonomy with their own athletic department. The priority to hockey is not shocking or a mystery, due to Ralph’s connection as you stated, but is it right? Plus, do you think any money towards “hookers and blow” would be publicized? Of course not, only the items that enhance image will be. The legal trail that their money has created is immense and credit to those who have the time to trace it but even more credit to those who have the ability to assess the situation objectively. UND’s athletic department was bought by a major donor’s family and foundation. The department has lost crucial autonomy because of it. Previous attempts to argue it or reposition have led to publicized arguments, disputes and ultimately staffing changes. The relationship led to some nice buildings in Grand Forks, but it’s not a good long-term relationship for UND, at least as is. That much I’ll maintain.

Agree to disagree. Just because they’ve given money to continue along with Ralph’s actions doesn’t mean they still actively care about UND. Has it helped UND? Sure, but not as most think The “other sports” contributions you mentioned is just pocket change for them and it is done as it just puts up a nice image. It doesn’t change their outdated morals … UND made a deal with the devil and that much is clear for those gleaning the big picture. Some are bought easier than others at UND, that’s for sure. Providing some $$$ for scholarships to sports that are way down the totem pole while still upholding their selfish values is not as scholarly as you may think. It’s been made abundantly clear over the past decade that Mcgarray and her foundation do not care about UND or North Dakota at its core, but rather that they get their way and if providing some scholarship $$$ along the way keeps most of Grand Forks bought, then why not. The REA was and is of course the main selling point for GF and UND. But it has been well established that the REA/foundation ticket revenue sharing agreement with UND is one that essentially turned UND into a semi-pro hockey program while mitigating all other sports. Football is especially screwed. Hockey is #1 for her, as you said, but it’s also #2, #3, #4, etc. Many overlook this skewed agreement though because of the surface image Engelstad has created with donation and the ongoing scholarship $$$ that gets thrown around. UND has less say in their own athletic department than some woman in Las Vegas who loves hockey and has her daddy’s money to play with …

The folks behind the REA (e.g., Kris Engelstad Mcgarry) don’t care about UND at all; at this point, after all the drama, that much is abundantly clear. The Engelstads and their foundation only care about themselves and their personal outdated views, which includes the logo. But they do have money and they do like hockey... All in all, their relationship for UND is not a beneficial one unless all you care about is the tangible item they gifted: the Ralph Engelstad Arena. 2030 can’t come soon enough, although I’m not holding my breath as I’m sure some loophole will be revealed.

Overall, your point is taken. If there was natural light in the Alerus Center (more the better), it would only enhance game day by leaps and bounds.

Don't sleep on Romfo. Doing well thus far and he is a 3-time ND FB state champion (2018-2020). His pedigree is under the radar given Feeney had the big Minnesota accolades, but Romfo can get the job done potentially. Morale of this story is UND needs to keep recruiting good football players from North Dakota at all classifications.

great move!

If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterback

Not sure that is even in his game, unfortunately. Just not who he is as a FB player. Some things you just can't develop. I am hoping Quincy Vaughn, Simon Romfo, or Trey Feeney can push him for the starting job, but that is questionable. I think the season win total is capped at 7 games with Tommy at QB; just not explosive enough to take UND to the next level.

The exciting part about football this time of the year is you can think that and only "thy holy bizon fans" will tell you otherwise ... Now, come 9/4/22, I might object as well, but I have no problem giving Bubba and company an opportunity to show what they can do on the field first before I pass judgement.

Appreciate the coverage, but that was a whole lotta’ words for a whole lotta’ nothing.

https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/football/mckewon-ranking-nebraskas-easiest-to-most-difficult-opponents-in-2022/article_990450f8-11f0-11ed-9b51-a36296839022.html UND not being completely overlooked. Given Nebraska plays in Ireland the week prior, UND will have an opportunity to do some good things if Bubba does his job and has the guys prepared.

Gross. PJ will flee MN before NCAA ends up sanctioning that clown’s program.

Nebraska 1995 team probably best team in college football history. Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium is one of the most fabulous places to watch college football in the entire country. Nebraska has had several top 25 ranked teams over just the past decade. For what it’s worth, bizon owe their DI success to a former Husker in Craig Bohl. Also you won’t meet a nicer, more polite fan base than Nebraska Husker fans. Comparatively, ndsu bizon fans are absolutely petty and pathetically embarrassing when it comes to discussing UND football (case in point, see simple Dan’s post above). I’m absolutely confident that NDSU has far more delusional psych ward-destined groupies than Nebraska ever will.

Probably was talking about hockey while there …