SWSiouxMN

The big time players will be the difference in this one. John finally snaps off a few long runs, Reyes patrols the secondary and UND gets the big W at home UND 31 Weber 23 Bonus pick: EWU 45 Mont 42

Now that the offerings have been decided*, how soon do things start to really get moving on the conference affiliation front. Will the savings in travel really add up to make up a significant part of the deficit? *I don't know why, but I just can't shake the feeling that somewhere/sometime that there will be a reversal of this policy at some point.

nice to see a sweep down in Fargo. Quite a different story than how it went 2 years ago down there. Now TCB in Montana and get home for some big matchups next week

I'm sure the Summit is kinda hoping for that as well. A 10th school in the footprint and easier travel partners that the current set up. (and I am quoting the WIU AD on that point) Also the fact that UND has a change of leadership at the most important position. Of course it depends if the Big Sky allows UND to be a football only partner... which at this point nobody knows if this has been okayed or not. Next Summit Meeting is when again? I'll buy a Summit/Big Sky mash up more likely to happen before I buy a Summit/MVFC due to the current climate (MVFC at 10, don't really want to go to 11 so either someone leaves or they expand by 2 to 12). I'll be stunned if both a Summit and MVFC invite comes down the pipe within the next 6 months.

So UND should take care of business this week in Montana (and hopefully NDSU). Getting back 10-2 in conference and a playoff spot sewn up. Big conference matchup is the rematch between NAU and Sac State in Sacramento.

Its been a long time coming. Two huge matchups in the conference with EWU/Griz and UND/Weber. UND always seems to play well at home. Early thoughts right now is a close win for the good guys. Would love to see Santiago step up and snap off some long runs. Good to hear Reyes is going to give it a go as well. In thinking of the minor picture: A chance to get to 6 conference wins in the Big Sky for the first time, finish the month of October unbeaten, and match the number of wins from last year. Read somwhere UND is favored by 8 points. I would guess right around there for a difference in final scores, like a 31-23

UND bounces back with a 4 set win over Weber tonight

you mean UNC?

Ugly... but it is a win, and that is all that matters right now

yeah, don't know why I thought of Moser. Made the correction

the more frustrating thing was they could have won that 5th set. Up 13-12 and Dooley just missed getting a kill by about 3 inches. Whatever, over it, bounce back again Weber today. I hope they can figure out ISU soon, this could be a first round matchup in the Big Sky tournament, or semis if ISU keeps charging up the standings (they have won 6 in a row now and still have NAU and SAC to play)

already hurt us tonight as UNC beat Weber and are now tied with them in the North

ISU complete comeback....... the ISU jinks continues

block keeps UND alive

ISU with 2 straight. Match point for ISU TO UND 14-13 ISU

UND up 13-12 and serving

huge kill for UND 12-10 UND

UND first to 10 10-8

UND up 8-6 as they switch sides.

UNC/Weber about to go 5 as well

this will go 5....

all ISU right now. UND needs something to stop the momentum... and fast!

something about ISU that UND can't quite solve. ISU up 11-5 in set 4.

The only prediction, other than the score, I will make is that a repeat of last year will NOT happen UND 41 ISU 17

So I got this e-mail not too long ago Q: Why did President Kennedy open up the question of how many sports UND should sponsor if the conclusion is to make no changes in sponsorship? A: President Kennedy did not open the question. It was left open by interim President Ed Schafer. President Kennedy recognized that continued uncertainty would be detrimental to recruiting efforts and moved to close the question by referring it to the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee (IAC), a subcommittee of University Senate. Now that the question has been considered and decided, President Kennedy considers questions of sport sponsorship closed for the remainder of his tenure. This is necessary to facilitate recruiting the best student-athletes to UND. Q: Why did President Kennedy accept the core recommendations of the IAC when some faculty members disagree with the decision? A: President Kennedy has stated from the beginning of his tenure that he will regularly seek and give serious consideration to the collaborative governance institutions of the university. The IAC has been long established with a mission to do exactly the task they just completed. It is faculty dominant with half its members being faculty members. Those faculty members with strong views on athletic matters are encouraged to seek to be a member of the IAC or express their views when such members are chosen. Q: What factors contributed to the decision by the IAC to support all 20 program and increased funding? A: While each member’s decision was based on factors unique to the individual, information presented to the committee showed that the level of institutional support that UND has historically provided for its athletic programs is below most of its conference competitors. Many recognize the strategic benefits to a university of successful athletic programs. For example, large attendance sports regularly bring prospective students and their parents to campus and cultivate affinity to the school. The scholarships provided to athletes in all programs, which often only cover part of tuition, attract many high quality students to campus. Q: Will up to $7.3 million more be invested in UND’s athletic program immediately as recommended by the IAC? A: No. That amount reflects funding all sports at highly competitive levels. Such an increase may never happen. For those sports that are nurtured to achieve highly competitive levels, higher funding levels will only gradually occur as coaches and assistant coaches demonstrate by their performance that the program warrants more investment. President Kennedy has made it clear that he is prioritizing the six high attendance sports (men’s and women’s basketball and hockey, football, volleyball) for such consideration. The other sports will continue to be funded at historic levels, pending increased funding sources from student fees or increased contributions. Q: Will the increased funding cause a reduction in funding for academic programs? A: Our ability to increase funding will be dependent on considerations necessary to stay in compliance with Title IX and during this period of fiscal constraint will be dependent on outside resources. This is necessary to limit the adverse impact on priority academic funding. We will pursue options suggested in the IAC recommendation, though it is important to recognize that the ability to generate funding through those avenues depends on the agreement with others, and as a consequence there is uncertainty about whether such hoped for funding will materialize. Q: Will the additional sources of funding be explored? A: Yes, every option proposed by the IAC will be explored, though even the most optimistic outcomes would not come close to the $7.3 million recommended by the IAC. Neither the Ralph Engelstad Arena nor the Alerus Center have any contractual obligation to reopen discussion of established agreements. It must be noted that both organizations must retain sufficient resources to properly maintain these facilities, which are vital to the success of UND’s athletic programs. The advisability of increased ticket prices when attendance for most sports is below capacity must be carefully weighed against the prospect of fewer fans choosing to attend games instead of watching on television, coverage from which the university already receives revenues. If approved through a vote of the student body, the proposed student fee increase would generate approximately $1.25 million and would represent an approximate 7.7% increase in the overall student fee, based on historical student credit hour production. Students and their leaders must carefully consider this proposal, particularly given that students will also be asked to consider a vote on upgrading the Memorial Union. In the end, the IAC recommendation empowers President Kennedy to work with the athletic department to prudently and selectively support the sponsored programs that contribute to the success of the university as a whole.