UND-FB-FAN

In theory, UND could sign a contract with Nike and be set with all programs. For example, the Univeristy of Minnesota has a deal with Nike, which supplies uniforms, equipment, apparel, etc. As for gloves and skates, appears most UM players wear Bauer. Of course, with Reebok, there's the Adidas option, and that seems like the most practical option. Interestingly enough, the University of Wisconsin has a contract with Adidas and the hockey program does not sport Reebok (the hockey jerseys are Adidas). Also, Under Armour produces hockey apparel with their deals, also (see Boston College). Either way, UND athletics needs to ink an apparel contract with one of the big three soon (Adidas, Nike, or Under Armour). If South Dakota State and USD can sign department-wide apparel deals, then UND with the marketing capability of men's hockey certainly can too.

Yes, this is perplexing. It needs to happen.

It's not an "Adidas" issue, it's a "lack of agreement/consistency" issue. UND is not utilizing the opportunity to provide better uniforms, equipment, apparel, etc. to student-athletes by producing a department-wide apparel deal with Adidas. Rather, there are only inconsistent, program-type deals.

My point exactly (why it's posted in the men's basketball thread). This needs to change. No reason UND can't have a department-wide deal that offers great variety of uniforms, footwear, apparel and equipment to ALL student-athletes, especially with the considerable pull UND hockey provides with Reebok and national exposure/promotion capability.

Whether this team is on the road or on a neutral court, I have concerns. Beating Weber State at home showed UND can win in a supportive environment, but they have yet to establish huge wins on the road, such as win(s) versus NDSU, Weber State, EWU, or Montana.

As college athletic programs across the country begin to establish apparel deals with top companies - namely Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour - I can't help but notice the departmental inconsistency that currently exists within UND Athletics. This needs to be fixed in my opinion. UND hockey dons Reebok, which is owned by Adidas, the company that every other program at UND wears with one exception - men's basketball. The benefits of a department-wide deal versus just a program deal are well-established; because of the modern nature of college athletics, recruits [really] care about these things. Local programs with deals include NDSU with Nike, South Dakota State with Under Armour, and South Dakota with Adidas. There are also several programs within the Big Sky Conference, such as Montana State with Under Armour and Eastern Washington with Adidas. Brian Faison needs to get a deal done; right now, the current state of apparel within UND athletics suggests a lack of focus on sports other than hockey - particularly since hockey has its situation figured out with Reebok. For the record, UND men's basketball wears Nike. Bubba and his staff made one of the "largest little changes" by establishing an Adidas identity. Now, its time UND men's basketball do the same.

The Bradley team that is 4-22 right now? Not much to brag about, I'd say.

I believe he only mentioned South Dakota STATE University...

Not looking good. Poor performance thus far.

Agree with UND being the underdog in this game. Would be another big win if Jones and co. can pull it out.

I love the enthusiasm for the 2016 season as I am as excited as anybody, but let's not get carried away. Home-field advantage is a real thing, especially with college football and a dome. NDSU's current home-field advantage with noise is far greater than what they had in the 1990s. That's what playing for championships will do. UND had the same thing during the 2001 playoff run in the Alerus.

However, the 2016 Potato Bowl in Grand Forks against the Yotes will be a fun one. Not to mention, Bubba will be facing his old UMD boss in Bob Nielson and the Big Sky-MVFC clashes are always fun. Should be a good game and, of course, hopefully Bubba Blitz terrorizes USD's QB all day long.

I agree with you, but just for fun, where is the OVERALL popularity still going to be? College hockey may yet grow in popularity, but the level that college football (yes, even FCS football) and college basketball are currently at is going to be near impossible for college hockey to match. College hockey is great, and UND is great at it, but that doesn't mean we should all scrap objectiveness and stop looking at the numbers. The numbers suggest UND hockey cannot get much bigger and, in contrast, that UND football and basketball can grow to be much more popular. My bottom-line is quite simple: there is a lot of potential and room for improvement in the areas of football and basketball at UND; therefore, those should be focus areas moving forward.

It's fact. I've commented on this several times only for it to be refuted with direct, ignorant opposition or mere reference to "equality" amongst all programs. Hockey is currently "maxed out"; it can't get any bigger. UND football and basketball has dug itself such a deep hole in terms of general perception that it will take time; however, when it does regain momentum in sports that large populations care about, it will have more of a positive impact on UND athletics than most on here would like to admit. Filling the Alerus Center, hosting extra games (FCS playoffs), and constantly drawing 2500+ in the Betty every game would boost UND athletics tremendously. Not to mention, coverage from ESPN and other national networks in terms of FCS playoffs and NCAA tournament basketball games. Hockey is what it is; can't grow anymore.

Unfortunately, that old model will almost certainly lead to disappointment in the BSC tournament. They need to string together one road trip sweep and winout at home; that would both allow UND to finish top 2 and prove they can be the best team in the conference on a neutral floor in Reno.

Yes, there is a lot to still improve on. With that said, the expectations - from here on out - are playoffs or bust. No more excuses. There are plenty of people within the UND program and around it that are tired of being non-playoff contenders; that's not what UND football has historically been about. Point is, the vision that Bubba has for this team is not a "1 out of 4 year playoff participant". Consistent conference championships is the long-term goal, but let's get #1 first.

Agreed. If UND wants to be a top FCS program, they (both the program and the supporters) need to expect a conference championship each and every season. That is what NDSU and Montana (a couple of the top FCS programs in the country) expect every season. For awhile, the transition and coaching change was used as a convenient excuse. Now, however, after a 7-4 season that could have been 9-2 with only a few more positive plays for UND, its time to expect consistent success. That goes for all aspects of the program; I expect the football program to be a top competitor within the FCS from here on out, and the UND athletics administration needs to support it as such by promoting the program and the gameday experience.

They don't respect a single FCS program. They think they're the best; they even criticized NDSU's program after they lost to them in the playoffs.

I'd support this!

UND can finish second, or even first, if they win out. That's a tall task; however, because the games remaining against top 4 teams are on the road (@ EWU, @ Montana). Unfortunately, as great as UND has been at home in the Betty, they have yet to prove themselves on the road. I'm skeptical that they will get the job done on the road, but they are apparently capable.

For your satisfaction, I do not care.

I respectfully disagree. I won't go as far as to say you're delusional, but I think UND hockey fans are in a very good place with their facilities. Don't dismiss the REA as just "an asset".

UND hockey's following is largely attributed to the venue that the programs play in. Nothing to be distraught about; any $100 million facility would draw large crowds in Grand Forks, whether it was for football, basketball, or heck, even tennis or soccer.

UND didn't earn the hockey support it currently has; Ralph Englestad did that. UND men's hockey has as many national championships as UND football in the past 16 years. And don't oversimplify the support; winning is very important but Bubba is partially behind the support that his players give to other programs. Very unlikely you ever see the men's hockey team at basketball games or football games supporting their classmates like that.

NCAAF received 11% of the votes and NCAA MBB 3% of the votes in that poll, so it's partially relevant. As for supporting both football and basketball, that's my point. Because hockey is a niche sport with minimal national support, there's no reason UND and it's fans can't raise football and basketball to at least an even level. Parity thoughtout UND athletics, both administratively and support-wise, should be the goal.