snova4

While you're right, the program would have done well still, you're still not acknowledging the impact that is the attraction of the Ralph. I've talked to people that are from New York that have been at a game just because of the reputation of the arena. As good as the program is, those people aren't coming because they like North Dakota in the winter, and they aren't spending dollars in Grand Forks without the building.

A 3,000 seat barn with little heat and crappy seats, no, probably not. What would the university have built? They'd never have spent anywhere near that kind of money, and I see many of you make fun of other teams rinks all season long, that would be us.

Good for you.

Some of you amaze me. The impact on the community alone because of this one time donation can't be measured. I can say, as someone that doesn't live in Grand Forks, I've spent North of $10,000 since 2010 in Grand Forks that wouldn't have been spent without that building, and that's without attending a game the last two years (damn kids). How many more people are there like me? It's not strictly you blue bloods filling that building and the hotels each weekend. Without that hockey program, what does Grand Forks offer to outsiders that couldn't be found in any other mid size city in the Midwest? The only thing that's unique and an attraction is a hockey program that offers a better atmosphere than any pro game I've ever been to, and it's quite likely based solely on that building. As far as other donors, I don't see anyone else ponying up over $100 million for anything, and even if they did, why would they want to? While Kennedy might be in the right, and at the end of the day a logo on the floor shouldn't matter, but you can't tell me that someone that spends that kind of money isn't going to want some kind of say no matter who they are, and the condescending response by Kennedy in the emails is going to give them pause, because if he's going to talk like that to someone that's spent that kind of money, he'll do it to anyone. Finally, yes, North Dakota is in a budget crunch, that should have been foreseen, and it's not ridiculous to request a revisit to the revenue sharing agreement, but at the same time, the university has made some extremely questionable decisions in money allocation over the past several years when this budget shortfall could have been predicted. While this will blow up in Engelstad Foundations face, the university is going to have collateral damage from other donors because of Kennedy's arrogance. Seriously, he implied that he would sue a donor, you don't think that's not going to give other donors pause?

Would that new ticket revenue from other events not find it's way back to UND in the end? I was under the understanding that someone else owned the land and it is nothing more than a hundred year lease for $1, and UND paid that lease.

So the outside of athletics entertainment that comes to the Ralph, UND still gets a portion of, correct? If so, UND needs to check itself. The buildings themselves didn't come out of UND's budget, the land didn't come out of UND's budget. While their is an agreement in place for the university to take over eventually, they have not yet. While Kris never should have gone to the media, and likely should have worked with UND a little more in the floor design, we're still essentially talking about a privately built building and enterprise that is allowing the university to use the facilities, and then donates the money made back to the university. I guess I'm saying there is a lot of pig headedness to go around for all parties, and they are both pretty guilty of having a male member measuring contest.

That I wasn't told. Kind of gets you excited for who it might be though, eh?

This. Although, he isn't pleased he is being pushed back. I wouldn't expect him to decommit, but I wouldn't necessarily blame him either.

Heard through my channels that Senden is no longer coming in next fall.

My brother was good friends with him growing up, I remember Brent playing catch with me as a kid. Have a signed card of his from his college days. Was drafted or signed by the Avs if I recall correctly, I was fairly young at the time so I might be wrong.

Sadly this is true. Case in point.

sorry, l quoted the wrong person and don't know how to get rid of it. Let's not pretend the cost of resale market, compared to the product on the ice didn't have an effect on butts in the seats. Cost of tickets goes down, or quality of on ice play goes up, butts return to the seats.

Brekke is a good friend of my brothers, he used to play catch with me a lot when I was little. Good guy, I have a signed card of his from back in his playing days.

Isn't Marto a player coach in the ECHL. Not saying he's division 1 coaching material, but possibly someone to watch. I know I've heard about a former player, that hasn't been gone long, being a great potential future coach, but I can't exactly remember who it is.

God, that makes my head want to explode.

Watching the Rangers/Capitals game, where was this Gersich all season?

Gardner, Johnson, Poganski.

Sounds vaguely like another fan base Hak has coached for.

I'm actually winning at something. St. Cloud didn't hurt me too bad, because I expected them to go all St. Cloud.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally.

ND Court Search. I only see 3, but I may be missing someone.

Isn't that your typical barista as it is?

Don't worry, l have no problem being passed by, by fans that think they hold some sort of moral high ground over a couple logos on some hats.

And l like the clothes, jerseys, hats, and everything else I've invested thousands of dollars in. You can keep the Burlington Northern/USPS logo. I'll contemplate buying new when there's something that looks decent.

Big games require contribution from our leadership... Friday: Captain Pogo Saturday: Gersich