nodak651

Great article by the head of the booster club. Putting down roots... Architect needs to get some help with arena experience... plans look questionable lol. https://chapelboro.com/news/development/unc-club-ice-hockey-shares-early-designs-vision-for-20-million-arena-project-in-chapel-hill

That occurred to me and I couldn't think of a better comparison. I then thought that UND moving up to the FCS recently, and after NDSU and SDSU, was similar to how UNO is still a relatively new program. UND's championship was also in a lower level.. Maybe Maine would be better?

***I'm not making excuses for the coaching staff or anything. This comparison just crossed my mind.. mean nothing more by it.*** UND FB and Omaha hockey are a lot alike, imo. They have a ton of potential, quality facilities, a pretty good fanbase, but both programs have established national powers within their own conference. That's not easy to overcome.

Their TV production is pretty good IMO. I think SCSU is trending downward though... school has problems. If the NCHC ever gets folded into the Summit League, that could potentially provide the opportunity for some teams to shuffle around (drop SCSU). In light of the MWC/PAC12/BigTen drama, I'm curious if the NCHC has clear terms about what it takes to dissolve the conference (to enable a team like SCSU to essentially be dropped, if desired). Hypothetically, if that happens, I'm not sure if hockey being associated with the Summit League would make it easier or harder for Augi to get accepted, as the SD schools want nothing to do with them, and they probably wouldn't want Augi to get their foot in the door. As for the viewpoint of NCHC schools, I don't think Augi brings enough national appeal, especially with ASU joining. Does Augi really move the needle much to help the conference in any way? May help with travel a bit, but that's about it. Would rather take Lindenwood, than them even, because at least there is some talent coming out of that area and it would also be a good add for the Summit League as a whole. It's also only a 5 hour drive from Miami. But right now Lindenwood supported near well enough to be competitive or seriously considered - they did just announce that they are dropping 10 sports, however, so perhaps that will change.. In terms of what happens in the future, I think the biggest fork in the road is whether Miami is or will continue to be committed to the league, or do they finally get a group of schools together to form a new conference that better aligns, geographically, between the CCHA and NCHC schools at the eastern leagues. I guess another "biggest" fork in the road is what the NCAA decides to do with single sport conferences, and will they ban on new single sport conferences ever actually be lifted?

LOL. I just saw this and it reminded me of the NCHC.TV discussion from a few pages back.

I think it was and I don't disagree with that. I don't think there should have been an extension either.

Pretty sure Sacramento State doesn't need an indoor practice facility. Their weight room and locker room was built in 2008, I believe, and it is right next to the field.

That would be because we didn't run the ball enough.

Yeah, it will be great. Right now, the facilities don't match your expectations of the team. Just because UND and SDSU both have indoor practice facilities, that doesn't mean the facilities, as a whole, are both championship caliber (currently - yes it will soon change).

A lot of programs also don't need to walk outside, in ND, to get to their practice field. Many schools don't really need indoor practice facilities either, because it's not nearly as cold or windy, anywhere.

Facilities, which are currently under construction? The indoor practice facility is nice, but how far has it been from actual locker room? Kind of a big detail when it comes to comparing facilities with other schools. UND FB coaches have been overperforming, based on their pay, which is pretty dang close the the FCS median... -> https://knightnewhousedata.org/reports/682028d4

Would they get a public hockey locker room?

And they should really be playing BB here, regardless.

GB needs to boot their basketball team out of this arena and start up a D1 hockey program already. Perfect location, geographically, as well.

The REA doesn't have the facilities for them. Not a chance they would get to touch anything UND hockey related. Renovating anything for them, even if there were space available, would be a waste of money.

Yuck is a really powerful word choice... curious what makes you say that? Are there specific issues that worry you, or is there something about the concept that you find irredeemable? There are risks involved, but if the details can be worked out, I don't see how this doesn't have the potential to be a win-win opportunity. There are obviously pros and cons to this, but is a strong unified conference not appealing to you? FB and Hockey schools (including affiliate schools) would need to have some rules and assurances in place to protect their interests, particularly in regard to league membership, TV/Streaming deals, revenue distribution, tournament formats, and significant policy or strategic decisions. Patty Vivirito is retiring soon, so assuming football membership remains the same, it isn't like a bunch of MVFC staff would need to be laid off. The MVC schools in the MVFC may not care all that much as the main priority of the MVC schools is basketball, despite sharing staff with the MVC, the MVFC IS technically a separate conf. Hockey would benefit by having a larger voice when it comes to NCAA decision making and policy, and the league would benefit financially from several operational efficiencies that would reduce overhead. MVFC and Hockey are powers at their respective levels - combine that with Summit basketball and it would potentially make a major difference when it comes to bargaining power for TV/Media deals, and the league sponsorships would likely be much more appealing to national sponsors (which I don't think any of the leagues really have).

The Summit League wouldn't need a new member right now if they sponsored FB. Missouri Valley Conf teams benefit from the prestige of being associated with the best FCS FB conference (MVFC), despite Summit Teams doing all the leg work (winning). Missouri Valley Conference employees operate the MVFC and they have done bare minimum, as the MVC and member schools are basketball focused. They have done nothing to improve exposure for the league and they don't care enough to even host an in person media day before the season starts (compare that to what the NCHC and Fenton/Summit League did. The Summit would be 10x more stable if they sponsored Hockey and FB. Summit League has National FB and Hockey powers but none play in the Summit - merging both would help a ton when it comes to TV/Media deals and league sponsorships, and it would help a ton to improve the leagues image and reputation. Josh Fenton is a better commissioner than Heather Weems and Patty Viverito. MVFC didn't explore TV options beyond ESPN before renewing/signing a new long term TV/Streaming deal with them. Talk about negotiating from a position of weakness.. by choice.

Now I know! Appreciate the information.

UND and NDSU seem to be working together more when scheduling games, which seems to have helped a little bit. Hopefully that can continue - kind of a non-conf travel partner, which helps make trips out to the Dakotas more cost effective for other D1 programs.

I've always like the idea of pairing up with hockey opponents. For example NDSU played at WMU this year, and WMU may be headed back to Fargo for a return trip at some point. Get WMU to the Betty, and stuff the basketball team onto the hockey charter when they head out there in a couple years. Not sure how much room is on the plane, but if they travel together ya gotta think there could be some benefit of efficiency. Could play a second game while out there, in addition to WMU.

So, how exactly does this affect the Alerus Center? Seems like all the money is going towards this new rec facility. Are there any plans for how this tax extension will be used to keep the Alerus Center up to date? I kinda feel like there is a little bit of a bait and switch, but that said, I don't know the details... anyone have any insight on this? ------------ NOVEMBER 14, 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION The City of Grand Forks held a special election on November 14th, 2023 where citizens voted to extend the 3/4% sales tax currently collected for the Alerus Center beyond the 2029 sunset date and use those funds for both Alerus Center Capital Maintenance Projects and the construction of an indoor turf, aquatics & court facility.

Good point. Wonder how GF ranks in hotel rooms per capita, compared to other cities.

Sponsored by ND Tourism.

Still doesn't answer "why". You're not the deepest thinker are you?

Disingenuous straw man argument. I didn't win - we both lost. Communicating with you was a complete waste of time.