SWSiouxMN

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.

One half step before that. Big sky has to be okay with UND being a football member. There is the Presidents meeting tomorrow and the ADs met last weekend. I don't think that would be an issue but you never know The Summit is a nine team league, with a chance to add a 10th member square in the footprint. Unless their commish is still bitter over what happened 4-5 years ago I don't see how it doesn't happen if UND goes that route. This whole thing... something just doesn't add up.

No, it goes both ways. See WKU Football

You make a very good point and I don't disagree with anything you brought up. However, in looking at the core sport requirements UND could cut to position it self no matter what happens in conference affiliation. Big Sky: Men:basketball, cross country, football, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and tennis. Women: basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, tennis, and volleyball. Based on that, UND has the following non-core sports: Soccer, softball, M/W Swimming, M/W Hockey, M Golf Summit: M/W Bball plus 5 (or 6, I can't remember but lets assume 6 until someone can correct and I will adjust) M/W sports they offer of UND's choosing Summit offers all sports that UND currently plays expect for Football, M/W hockey (dont offer), baseball and men's soccer (cut/don't have) Lets say for the sake of the argument, UND goes down to 18 sports. UND could cut swimming and be okay in both leagues. UND would have 6 mens sports for the Summit (BB, CC,ITF,OTF,Tennis,Golf) and 6+ for women (BB,VB,ITF,OTF,CC,Tennis,Golf). Again, just a hypothetical, but it can be done.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/education/4138784-unds-intercollegiate-athletic-committee-recommends-keeping-all-20-sports

So lets see: Kennedy agrees with IAC: Gets killed for putting athletes through an unnecessary ringer and we question why we went through this to do nothing Kennedy cuts sports: Gets killed because he went on his own and didn't listen to committee and was a tyrant and dictator and wasn't transaparent. Yup. Can't Win.

Brad E. Schlossman ‏@SchlossmanGF 45s45 seconds ago The IAC's recommendation to the president will be to stay at 20 sports. So, it's up to Kennedy now. More coming soon.

Hey Sic, what is the over/under on dumb decisions/suggestions again? We have one on the table

So was there a meeting today or is that tomorrow.

I hope they win. Welcome to the revenge tour part 1. Get back to the Alerus 6-2 and 5-0 in conference.

This road trip to ISU and Weber will be a little tricky however. If they can get by that with a sweep... they could be 11-1 by the time that key 4 game stretch comes at the end of the season

I need to call home, make sure my dad didn't break the ceiling downstairs after that TD.

This is the Keaton that we were all expecting to see. He won this game with his arm.

Good win. Bring on Poky

PICK! Jake Hanson

Rugby Rifle time?

TD! Keaton to Mercer! his 4th TD throw of the day 45-23 UND

cold blooded throw by Keaton to Travis once again

PICK! Labat!

TD!!!! Keaton to Travis! 38-23

winning time. Finish this in the 4th

FG.... is missed!

after the time out... send them backwards

Keaton got crushed on the blind side... ouch!