ericpnelson

I was just trying to declare a consensus winner

Assuming we wanted to move to a new nickname, and assuming the only reason we wouldn't in the short term wouldn't is because they all suck, one way to handle it would be the following: Throw all 5 remaining options out for a vote. An absolute majority must be established for adoption as the new nickname. The absence of a majority decision would default to continuing without a nickname.

Not a ton of people were native to North Dakota in 1883 (When TR first came) or in 1899 when the Roughriders were assembled.

I like the more recent version with the state outline around it.

The whole "every nickname sucks though" argument is a red herring. It's just an ever moving hurdle those who would never see a new nickname in place use, so they can keep the focus on the no nickname option. I honestly believe that a lot of no nickname supporters wish the list was worse. It has unfortunately become more about advancing their issue than coming up with an appropriate solution. It's just as insulting to assume that everyone who likes one of the five options is a spineless appeaser to the NCAA as it is to assume every no nickname supporter is mindless to the reality that Sioux is gone. I am fine with the insults that will come my way (condom jokes, way to steal from a high school, far-reaching state connection), but I throw my support behind Roughriders, and I don't do this from a place of fear of the NCAA. At many times, no nickname was my second choice; it was removed from my consideration after the goon email, but it was behind Roughriders before that. I don't know how I am to believe that no nickname will merit more spirit and inspired marketing, when all evidence in the last 3 years suggests otherwise. I have seen great teams with worsening atmosphere. I have seen very little in terms of new apparel that I would even consider purchasing. Why would that change with the same course of action? Many complain about he process. There has not existed a perfect representative model in history, I didn't expect one here. Certainly it could have been better, as it seems to been designed to spread the blame or blur the aim of any displeasure with its results or dealings, but one thing I believe done properly was that both committees were inclusive. The doors to this arena have been open all along. Any lack of impact I have had on fellow UND stakeholders, including the committee and Kelley, is from a lack of tact, effort, or ability on my part. Whether it be posting here, social media, speaking at the town hall (time largely taken up by the Sioux forever crowd), emailing the President or the committees themselves, or writing a letter to the editor of your favorite newspaper (they have been quite liberal in allowing those to published, IMO), the opportunity existed to sway my fellow man. If Roughriders is not the choice of the University, and I claim I wasn't given the chance to influence the decision as an alumni, it should be, at best, taken as a demerit to my sense of reality and pragmatism, or at worst (and more probable), seen as evidence of pettiness and a lack of maturity on my part, to cope with my disappointment. If North Dakota is chosen as the new nickname, I hope we can move forward creating something unique. As much as I cherished the Sioux nickname (if you ever walk into my house, the walls are littered with the Bennet Brien logo), to remain in limbo between North Dakota and wishing Sioux was back is to stale the air. I will support the University wholeheartedly with the option that moves forward. Do I wish it is Roughriders? Absolutely, but I will not tear down the walls of an institution I spend so much time, money, and emotional investment in to lessen the hit to my ego if it's not to be. As some seem to suggest will happen if their choice is not picked, I will not abandon the university in the event of scorn for my personal preference, nor will I riot against it, even if its Sundogs. I hope that isn't too much to ask of those who see things differently.

very well said

Business ethics...

I live in Williston, and I had some door to door salesmen from Nemont come yesterday touting how much better their internet is. I asked about that award Midco recently received, and asked to see their channel listings. Not having Midco sports and solving an internet problem I didn't have didn't help their sales pitch at all.

I picked my college based on friendliness to half-Scandanavian Americans in natural sciences.

I thought it was pretty cool. A lot of the away games suck, but there's nothing und can really do about that. I would end up putting other conference games on my phone and watch them during dead times. Watched a lot more nchc than I would have without it.

Teddy Roosevelt first visited Dakota in 1883, which is the same year UND was established. So now I have my math on my side even. #Roll Riders #RideorDie

Where in the sam hill are pictures of the new jerseys?

I guess that means that Bubba thinks Studsrud will be our stud this year. .... I'll see myself out.

or gopher

This is supposed to be done right? Are they doing a grand opening or anything? Will the football team be using it on rainy days already?

I was able to score some pretty sweet season tickets today, so I'm not sure what that means for expected attendance.

Rumor is, Faison was ballistic about that.

This is the most helpful thing I've seen posted on this aspect in a LONG time. Of course, the NCAA has to keep an air of ambiguity to them. I'm guessing from this e-mail, that if every game sounds like the Fargo regional, they would consider that "fans resuming use"?

compliance meetings rank near food poisoning in my list worst things ever

So he didn't play last year? What exactly does it mean that he reclassified to 2015?

As someone who run the awfulness that is the Hsylop track, it's going to be a good deal for the shins of the track team. I imagine they will be able to benefit from running 200's indoors without having to take 3 turns and barreling into a propped up high jump mat.

As someone who ends up listening to 2/3 games a year in a grain truck, I like Jack Michaels a lot. I thought he was very technically good; I always knew what was going on, and I couldn't tell during the games that he actually used to play baseball at NDSU. I don't think most people would have known that just by listening to our football games. I really, really like that Sweeney is going to do it now. He's an experienced and well respected play by play guy. I think football is probably easier to do than hockey, so even though he's going from radio to TV, I can't imagine it'll be the worst transition. He's also a UND guy, with the inside stories that are pretty cool. I don't hate Dan Hammer, especially after watching national broadcasts and away broadcasts last year. I thought Midco's production (camera's and all, not just announcers) were market-ably better than CBSSN's.

you beat me... i'll delete my thread. I like it though. Ton of people are all about Sweeney.

Roughriders technically fits the work put out by the first committee, which if I'm not mistaken, was actually more expensive than this second committee. Fighting Hawks is a complete disregard to that time/money investment. If you think that first committee was fruitless though, then I wouldn't argue with you for scrapping their results as to not double down on wasted effort. I actually think that first committee took in a ton of stakeholder input though, and it's efforts shouldn't be thrown out wholesale. If Roughriders doesn't come through, I'd prefer no nickname. I don't like having the neighboring state's logo. I think sundogs is terrible. I already discussed fighting hawks, and I'm lukewarm on Nodaks at best. I think Nokota merited inclusion into this final list, and it's an egregious error for it to have been omitted the way it was. A significant rebranding would be necessary to make it work, in my opinion. I am concerned of the NCAA boogeyman's response to it. I have nothing to back it up. I won't try to come at this with hard evidence; my trepidation is all speculative. I am also worried about chants and branding efforts. I haven't seen a ton of creativity in the past 3 years, and that could be because it wasn't given as much effort as possible due to the belief it was a temporary situation. I honestly just don't love the merchandise that's been put out since the absence of a nickname (not saying that could change), and I honestly believe in game atmosphere has been affected by the current situation. I can not argue with the merits of North Dakota. I think it's important to honor the state, and I like the idea of paying homage to a lost name, which many of us cherished. I don't think it's wise to use it as a placeholder for the name to come back. I think all hard evidence in that manner points to a very high improbability, at best. My arguments against the no nickname option are logistical, not philosophical. I don't think you don't care if you disagree with me. I understand where you are coming, as I once held the same opinion. I respect your opinion, and I hope you have a chance to voice it. My hope would be, that if that is your opinion, it is held for the right reasons, and that you could don't feel the necessity to tear down possible other nicknames we may all end up cheering for (except for Sundogs, rip away).

The crowd noise at an average hockey game was lacked from my perspective (admittedly, I'm not carrying around a decibel meter or anything). I think part of it has to do with not having a go-to chant. The ol' Let's Go Sioux never gets the traction it did in the past. I really think that Fargo regional was the exception and not the rule, and I have decent sample size with having made most of the available treks from Williston to Grand Forks for football and hockey games. It's a minor deal and not something that the whole situation should hang on (before I get accused of basing this decision on this minor detail), I just thought it was worth mentioning. I think the air has been slowing sneaking out of the Ralph this past few years, despite having great teams to watch. This isn't the end all be all, but it doesn't help the atmosphere. I remember big moments a few years ago when the Let's Go Sioux chant would get almost spooky loud. Now, half the crowd won't get into it (save the regional), and it kinda sucks.