fightingsioux4life

That's a good perspective.....much better than the Chicken Little hand-wringing from certain others on here today. The "studs" will be around two years tops. And as we all know, young players have to adjust to the college game and are inconsistent until they do that. So building a team of them doesn't necessarily result in titles.

You and I think that. The defeatists think we should just throw in the towel.

So we can win the playoff auto bid and lose in the first round every time? There is no point in having a program if that's what we are going to do.

So we should join the CCHA?

I've been saying this forever. In the B1G, hockey ranks third at best (behind FB and MBB). If WBB is doing well, hockey slides down to fourth. Most B1G alums probably don't even realize their alma mater might have a hockey program. I imagine Arizona State is similar. BC and BU are different; their other programs are an afterthought nationally. Same with Denver. Only BC has football. All three of those schools will have to step up their NIL efforts. As will UND. UND's passionate fan and alumni base will have to step up on NIL. I believe if they are told how important this is, they will respond. Same with local and regional businesses in North Dakota and Minnesota. The defeatists who are throwing in the towel (you know who you are) disappoint me. UND's entire history is filled with examples of overcoming adversity and competing against bigger schools with bigger enrollments in bigger cities. This is just another bump in the road to navigate. Thank God you guys weren't around when our program was getting started. Jackson's press conference on Thursday will be crucial in calming the fan and alumni base down and charting a new course forward. I'll be watching it live.

If not, this was all a big waste of time.

Agreed.

It isn't Jackson I don't trust. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It's Chaves.

I think Nick Saban told two guys to hit the road when they approached him about playing for Alabama if they got paid a certain amount of money. Probably a big reason he retired (although I think he was getting close to that point anyway).

Chaves said that Jackson has a plan for moving the program forward into the future. So what is that plan? Will he announce it at his introductory press conference? Assuming there is one? UND athletics needs to make a public statement on how we plan on moving forward as a program and as an institution. An open public forum would be welcome. This is the Flagship University of the NDUS and the way we are handling this is embarrassing and unacceptable. We as alums, boosters and fans deserve better.

How many of them were seniors and/or out of eligibility?

FYP

So what should our perception of success be? LSSU? Northern Michigan? Bemidji State? As an alum and booster of our programs, I will not accept that. And if Chaves is accepting of this, then he needs to go. Which should happen regardless.

When is Jackson's introductory press conference?

This is what I have been warning people about. Jackson must not allow this to happen.

The program is a gigantic dumpster fire. I think everyone can agree on that. Jackson has his work cut out for him.

Jackson has some serious selling to do. To the fans. To current commits. To potential commits. I do not envy him or his staff.

I never said the entire locker room. Obviously, this locker room was bleeped up big time.

So now you are going to call people names? Nice. It is well known that Chaves wanted to hire someone before the portal opened as to not lose any players to it. At least that was part of the thinking here.

I didn't say the entire locker room. Certain factions within the locker room may have demanded it. In any event, you should never allow the players to dictate who gets to run the #1 program on campus.

I think it's clear that Berry and Jackson weren't getting along. Berry didn't mention his assistants in his farewell letter. That suggests this team wasn't a happy family behind the scenes. I think it was way worse behind the scenes than it looks. And it looks bad.

Are you sure? So the rumors that players demanded Jackson be hired are false? That makes the rush to hire Jackson even more idiotic.

Whatever. I have said NIL is important and we need to be more aggressive on it. I am just not being a Chicken Little about it.

I think the chaos surrounding the program is what's causing these defections. Nobody wants to stick with a program in chaos and disorder.

No one has said it doesn't matter. People have been pointing out that it isn't the only thing that matters. A coaching change and the chaos that has been going on behind the scenes all season is what's causing this. If players want a fresh start somewhere else, that's fine. My problem is with players who demanded Jackson be hired and then left anyway.