nodak651

Midco had a huge opportunity but I think they whiffed on this one. Not only is the CCHA content not bundled with existing content, but there is hardly any discount if you subscribe to both. Guessing there are a lot of UND, DU, and Omaha fans who would pull the trigger if they had access to both leagues, but who will not buy either individually, or at the price point of the "all-in" bundle.

Agreed. I'd have guessed more to be honest.

Speaking of Midco, I believe both USD and SDSU's deals with them expire in 2026. Will be interesting if Forum Communications tries to steal one or both of them away.. Rapid City TV station joining Forum Communications family Acquisition amplifies company’s South Dakota efforts as news, sports and weather leader. “We have big plans in South Dakota,” said Mary Jo Hotzler, chief content officer for Forum Communications. “Mitchell has long been a news leader in the state and is unmatched when it comes to high school sports coverage. Sioux Falls has quickly become a go-to source for news and sports, especially the (SDSU) Jackrabbits, and we are excited about adding Rapid City. This is just the beginning for us in the state.”

Palmer Luckey, VR entrepreneur, defense contractor, will be Sen. Kevin Cramer's guest at UAS expo GRAND FORKS – A tech billionaire who created the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset before founding a defense company will be Sen. Kevin Cramer’s invited guest at the 2024 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Expo in Grand Forks on Oct. 8-9. WOW! It's great to hear they will be able to get this guy to Grand Forks. Really interesting dude. If you don't know who he is, this is an interesting piece on him. Seriously, worth watching this for entertainment value alone.

seems somewhat relevant...

Interesting. Could last nearly a year - brings with it 800 additional airmen. "He said the base is making arrangements to house airmen in area hotels and apartments as well as putting up temporary hangars for winter maintenance on some plans and making “modest upgrades” to some base offices." Bummer with the timing of tearing down the old dorms. https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/grand-forks-air-force-base-could-temporarily-host-b-1b-bombers-in-2025

NAU probably thought they would have an on campus rink by now. All they need is a zamboni and a ice chiller. https://www.change.org/p/nau-fieldhouse-rink

Not that it means anything exactly, but it's interesting that Grand Canyon is playing up in Alaska this year.

Maybe he mentioned it in this interview.

Yeah, all it takes is one person to file a lawsuit. They don't have a defensible position, imo. They run a poll but don't do any analysis or follow up studies, according to them, when I've asked about it.

Not sure why they don't go after NDSU, who uses Prong 3 for title IX.

My point is just that it's not as dire of a situation anymore, because the Summit will no longer need soccer in order to keep it's basketball autobid. That would only affect M soccer.

I'm not really sure all that necessary that is anymore, now that the requirements for team sport sponsorships changed.

Please no. lol. The guy is entertaining, though. I'll give him that. He can do the alternate broadcast.

I want Gage Ausmus.

Any word on who will be announcing UND's Midco games this year?

And strength coach.

Not good.

Given the size of the hockey fanbase, the success of the former players, and zero need to have ever fundraise for hockey facilities (thanks to Engelstads), perhaps they could leverage that to start a fundraising drive to endow the added hockey schollarships? Curious if UND ever solicits donations from NHL alumni. I'm guessing they probably donate anonymously because UND has a surprisingly large endowment for athletics, and some of the older guys seem to be involved, but I don't know anything. I think a hockey focused fundraising effort would make a lot of sense though.

Pretty sure there were rumors that the local FPHL team was going to leave town, but they have since won a championship and renewed their arena contract with the city. Gotta think that may have played a factor, as Binghampton was probably eying that downtown arena. I emailed their Senior Deputy AD, Dennis Kalina, in May, and his response was similar to the quote from Gene Marshal, posted above. My email exchange with Gene's #2 (Kalina) is below: Me: "It's been about a year since it was discussed that Binghamton was looking to add NCAA Hockey. Is that still something that is still under development and on your radar, or is that no longer something that is a possibility?" Him: "We are still working toward adding a men’s ice hockey team. The year for the first season of the new varsity has not been determined at this time." Disappointing news, but glass half full, both people could have easily cited the House ruling as a reason for ending the pursuit of hockey. At least both left it on the table, and in the response to my email, the second sentence implies that hockey is more of a "when" rather than "if" situation. I understand the realities, but you never know... the donor who paid for their new $60 million dollar baseball facility could also be interested in helping to start hockey.

Really wish our coaches would have given the backups more opportunities, when possible. Was not playing the backups in blowouts more of a Freund decision or Bubba decision? For example, in UND's 49-10 win over WIU, Feeney didn't play until halfway through the 4th quarter? Would have been nice if he had some additional game reps..

I was referring to a cap of roster size, rather than the scholarship cap. For example, assume FCS stays at 63 scholarships, would the 105 roster cap apply to FCS rosters? I think part of NDSU's success is that they have a large roster with tons of walkons, and many eventually develop and become contributors. For example, for the 22-23 season, NDSU reported 129 FB participants, whereas UND reported only 108. So I guess my point is that if the roster cap of 105 also applies to FCS schools, this could negatively impact NDSU more than other FCS schools. Edit: SDSU was 116, USD was 118, Montana was 114, Missouri State 98, Illinois State 116, EKU 122, Michigan 141, Minnesota 111, BGSU 106, Idaho State 108, Idaho 109

Is that not justifiable based on revenue they bring in?