UND-FB-FAN

Because priority doesn’t appear to be there. Chaves and his department doesn’t make it a priority; that lies with hockey. People constantly donating to just hockey (which honestly doesn’t need anymore) and receiving publicity for doing so.

Agree to a point. Not sure how football’s poor salary pool is entirely football’s fault. All programs need a stimulus at some point. Heck, UND hockey got a $100M one a bit ago. UND football’s resources are not at the top compared to their regional competitors. At some point, the athletic department’s priorities and their relationship (or lack thereof) with boosters needs to be looked at also.

Spot on. As long as no loopholes open up, 2030 is a cardinal year. https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/und-ralph-engelstad-arena-reach-new-10-year-usage-agreement read the details above, awful agreement for any sport at UND that is not hockey …

The 60,000 people who attended last weekends Northern Illinois @ Kentucky game don’t think it’s an afterthought. And the media doesn’t think they’re an afterthought - they’re ranked #8 in the country right now. Mark Stoops has had up and down seasons at Kentucky. Been there even longer than Bubba has been HC at UND - wont surprise me if he leaves for a different school in the next year or two. He’s a candidate for Nebraska job.

I agree completely - in fact, stated the same thing via my other post. By accepting the $100M donation and the REA, UND put themselves in a situation where they have to emphasize hockey. But, believe it or not, I think it’s hurt UND’s growth potential in the long run. Comes down to how the country (and even the state) views college hockey compared to college football and college basketball. Fact of the matter is, college football and college basketball are still incredibly popular in this area, and without question the most popular nationally.

I completely agree and have mentioned it on this site several times. The athletic department is tied to the REA/Engelstad agreement. President Kennedy attempted to (rightfully) buck it a few years back, but McGarry went running to the press and used her public image - inflated by the REA donation - and won out. UND entered into an agreement with the “devil” in order to get the (at the time) $100M REA. The dependence on the REA and Engelstad family has been hard on the other UND athletic programs, especially since going to Division I - where more funding is needed.

Proves the point there’s “hockey only fans”. UND’s athletic department set up is unlike any other in the country - they have put all there eggs in one basket. Trying to make it big time while emphasizing hockey and overlooking the two most popular collegiate sports in the country (FB, BB). All you have to do is look at the immense growth NDSU has had over the past decade to know what the region really cares about. Many of those “NDSU fans” weren’t NDSU fans 15 years ago, but with the changing landscape, they’ve all gravitated to the school that funds the sports people care about (yes-even in North Dakota people love football and basketball - who knew??).

See above post. Those institutions still have FB success - actually, Duke, Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky have very good FB teams this year (two are 4-0 and two are 3-1). Difference? Active athletic departments to find the right leadership for the program - not afraid to find someone different if it’s just not working.

There’s definitely some passion for football at UND, despite what some might think, just need the right athletic department setup to fully unlock it.

Well Duke is 3-1 and Kansas is 4-0 this year, so I doubt it. And although those football programs are definitely 2nd fiddle to their school’s basketball programs, at least their athletic departments actively look to try find the right coach. They recognize the importance of program leadership in winning and cultivating a fan base. Kansas with Lance Leipold looks to be finally heading the right direction. Duke with Mike Elko doesn’t look too bad either. Whereas at UND, the administration doesn’t even try to improve football. Keep 9+ years of mediocrity not only together, but extend it aimlessly? They could at least try hide the fact they only care to fund hockey. The apathy and ignorance towards football and basketball at UND is gut wrenching - worst DI collegiate athletic model in the country until things change. And you wonder why folks with dollars to give would rather just hold on to it?

Well no … WRONG. FCS is not division II, as numerous posters have explained but you’re too ignorant to appreciate it. No schools chose to compete in division 2 hockey? What does that tell you? What a joke. Laughable that you defend such a joke of a sport. “St. Norbort, Univ. Wisco-Stevens Point, Adrian, Norwich” … are you serious? You think that’s comparable to football from the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, University of Montana, Montana State University, etc. ? You’re delusional.

You’re delusional and just trying to convince yourself of your own farfetched reasoning. We all know what you’re trying to say, but it’s apparently impossible for you to realize the insignificance of it. NCAA hockey has a single classification and lacks diversity because it’s not overall popular. NCAA football has multiple classifications because there’s so many institutions supporting it - it’s diverse and incredibly popular. UND is in the second highest classification of NCAA football and the only classification available (and needed) for NCAA hockey. The highest NCAA classification of hockey is no where near as popular monetarily or attendance-wise as the highest classification of NCAA football. NCAA hockey is, however, comparable to the second highest classification of NCAA football. Keep talking yourself in circles though to convince your delusional self otherwise.

It’s a legit problem. Puts UND at a disadvantage.

Who cares, it’s still football. The country cares about football. Hockey is maybe the 4th most popular sport, maybe. UND should ignore football because they’re not in the top division? How ridiculous. Get over it and move on. Be happy you’re around Grand Forks where there’s exceptions to the rule.

Hey, Hey, Hey … let’s not go that far.

Maybe not the “young” part, but I think Bubba could fit that role pretty good.

For the record, I agree with all that.

It’s Vegas, Nashville, New York City … Fun places to travel and represent UND. Traveling to places like Lincoln, NE; Ames, IA; Logan, UT; Boise, ID; Manhattan, KS just doesn’t have the same appeal, but it’s definitely still fun. Now, if UND could win a couple of those big matches and then return home and keep winning, it probably would attract a few 1000 to travel and check it out.

Kaleb DaBoer was at places like Sioux Falls, Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Indiana, Fresno State … He’s never had upper end resources, which is why he’s a good coach and ascending among the ranks. UND definitely needs to identify someone like this, which is why I would prefer UND identify someone consistently successful in division II who wants to move up to division I.

To answer your babbling question(s): Yes. In summary, you are (or at least represent) the problem.

Your condescending basic responses aren’t worth responding to. You represent the group of “UND fans” that hurt the overall university athletic department, not help it grow. Like I said earlier, you don’t get out much. Go to Fargo or Brookings; they support their “lesser” football teams more than UND’s hockey fan base supports hockey. It’s the reality in this country. The REA inflates support based purely on the venue. If UND was playing in a barn like the good old days, the attendance would obviously be much less, and it wouldn’t be related to limited seats. We’re not in Canada, although I understand geography can get confusing for folks like you.

Yep …

I think this is without a doubt the approach you take because it’s economically feasible, but as you said, it’s still a gamble and you never truly know how it’s going to work out until you do it.

Without putting a bunch of names down here, just run through the polls of division II football. Who’s been doing it the longest and at the highest level? And for you $ people, they almost entirely make less per year than what Bubba is making.

He knew that, he was just trying to be coy and provocative.