UND-FB-FAN

Certainly both the scholarship number and the salary differential are controversial.

Extremely damaging to UND athletics as a whole; successful athletic departments around the country do not prioritize like that.

Faison is complacent with his position on the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey committee (http://www.uscho.com/ncaa/mens-division-i-ncaa-tournament/). He is the perfect example of a lazy athletics director on the borderline of retirement who gives no attention to non-hockey sports at UND. He's exactly what UND does NOT need at this point in time. UND needs advocates for the sports that have the most potential yet need a few more stimuli if you will, such as football and men's basketball.

They need to continue to provide FCOA to the main sports, such as men's hockey, football, basketball, and volleyball. If they can't come up with the finances to at least do that, then they need to cut more sports (such as women's hockey; work around the Title IX issue).

Ultimately, that's all I see with this whole situation. Faison didn't handle this situation properly, and it's frustrating that he does just enough to garner semi-favorable reviews whereas he should be retiring and/or moving on from UND. The athletics situation at UND is a unique one with hockey being the main sport followed by the urge to resurrect and eventually maintain a top football and basketball program; I do not think Faison is capable of raising the funds and/or support for that tall task.

Spring game officially moved to High Performance Center: http://www.undsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=210889492

Not sure how UND football being poised for a playoff season following UND hockey's national championship is supposed to hurt... If anything, the entire Grand Forks community will get UND Fever.

Yes. Bad deal. Women's hockey should not exist at UND. Need more for other sports that actually attract large crowds (over 2500 spectators).

Coach Schweigert's take on whether or not UND hockey's national championship affects UND football: http://www.undsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=210881216

UND football needs to consistently win (and that means playoff games given the bar that NDSU has set). Once that happens, UND fans will take action and go out to the Alerus Center to support UND football to victory. So in that sense, I see UND hockey success being largely independent on UND football. Of course, the point of finances was brought up and that does possibly provide some crossover.

Football is a team game. Need to get more than just one player like that every 4 years in order to win championships. That is where sound recruiting and development comes into play.

Umm...Frisco, Texas would look awful nice filled with kelly green... With that said, I agree that UND football hasn't given fans much of an opportunity to rally with each other and get excited. Even FCS playoff games in the Alerus Center offer an opportunity that has yet to be presented to the UND faithful. Hopefully 2016 yields several Alerus Center playoff experiences...

If that financial boost causes UND to put more effort into football gameday at the Alerus, then that absolutely will increase support. Irregardless, UND football winning (or the lack thereof) will be the ultimate factor.

Although I would love to see a positive correlation, I don't think there will be. The support football gets is independent of the hockey program; UND football needs to produce and build their own support. UND football has been average at best since moving up from DII; however, if Bubba and company can do what is expected of them in 2016, then I think the fan base will improve, along with hopefully the in-game atmosphere and features. Leave no doubt in 2016! With the facilities improving, UND football needs to keep growing, as well. Should be an annual top BSC club.

Carson Wentz on Twitter: "Huge congratulations to the UND Men's hockey team! So cool. All we do is win here in this great state folks! Well deserved UND. #NoDak" Exceptional move by this kid. He deserves support from the entire state of North Dakota. With that, this still is a UND site and the majority of this thread's focus should be on Will Ratelle and his potential NFL future.

1 for 1 as Fighting Hawks Go UND!

Hawks gonna be flyin back up north with a championship trophy.... Go UND

Well I'm sure glad he played for UND, regardless. If UND had a defense comprised of 11 Will Ratelles, UND would be FCS national champions.

Your point is purely idiotic. No knowledge on your behalf; do some research. UND has only been in the Big Sky Conference for 4 seasons (2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016). That means they have won the conference 1 out of their 4 tries (25%). In comparison, the NDSU women have won the Summit League 0% of the time (not to mention, they've been in the Summit League longer than UND has been in the BSC). If you look at NDSU women's basketball in their entirely (~50 seasons), you'll notice they've won the conference regular season only six times (1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997). If you add in the national championships (5; 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), you get 9 "successful years" by your standards. That's only (9/50) 18% success? That's worse than UND. UND has 13 regular season conference championships (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014). Add in the NCAA championships (1997, 1998, 1999) and you have a total of 14 "successful seasons". Not to mention, UND's first year of women's basketball was in 1974 (42 seasons), so they've had "success" by your standards 33% of the time (14/42). 33% > 18% Let me know how these FACTS work out with your logic.

Watching with family. Always fun when UND plays for championships! Bring it home, boys! Go UND Fighting Hawks! Hang number 8! raise it!

Just a reminder of how good Will Ratelle is. He certainly deserves a chance to make an NFL roster; he's got the ability.

Absolutely. Those who feel the necessity to interrupt University of North Dakota-based discussion by repeatedly interjecting NDSU stuff perfectly epitomize an inferiority complex If you feel the need to talk about fertilizer, pesticides and Carson Wentz, go to that NDSU site, not here.

Have to be good consistently; SUU went from bottom-feeder to first last season (3-5 in 2014 to 7-1 in 2015). Will SUU be able to keep their program on top after a coaching change and the loss of key contributors? Doubtful. Bubba and UND have this same task ahead of them (3-5 in 2014 to 5-3 in 2015); they improved from 2014 to 2015, and 2016 is the time to keep moving forward considering the returning pieces and direction of the program.

Very much so agree. The Twin Cities are a HUGE recruiting footprint for UND; having FSN coverage would be a very good promotional tool and recruiting tool.

This is how the conference WANTS to treat UND, but the 'Hawks need to FORCE the conference to respect them. Leave no doubt and beat up the Big Sky Conference with the physical-type of football Bubba is promoting. 2016 is shaping up to be the perfect stage for UND to do just that; leave no doubt and beat up on the BSC teams. As NDSU, SDSU, and UNI have revealed, UND sits in a recruiting bed that allows for FCS success via physical football; Bubba and crew are capitalizing on that and soon UND will be right alongside the top tier BSC schools: Montana, Eastern Washington, and Montana State.