nodakhoops

Good points.... - Don't think Nodaks should be a choice at all. - I like Nokota potential, but I can't get past University of North Dakota Nokota. That sounds awful, so ultimately that is a no. - I like Warriors, but Marquette University gave up that same name years ago for the same reason we are giving up Fighting Sioux so I don't think that has a chance - Comes back to Roughriders out of those 4.... North Dakota has long been referred to as the Roughrider state and I maintain that is a sure bet top 3 choice to go to a vote.

Only one with any real brand presence is the team in the CFL and they are in Canada. Also, their most recognizable player is none other than Weston Dressler and even Greg Hardin also nows plays for them. I bet UND could do some cool things with Weston and the Roughrider name. No one knows about some USHL team or minor league baseball teams. Therefore to me, Roughriders is unique. I don't get the Rid River argument, and I sure as heck don't care if some USHL team or Minor League Baseball team uses it. That is just as insignifcant as the Red River HS argument. Also take a look at the list of college nicknames and see how many Bison there are. When I hear Bison I think NDSU and there are like 6 other schools that use that name. Your brand is only as strong as you make it and UNDs will be greater than any HS or Minor league organizations. I like your Nokota name and logo potential, but I agree with what someone else said. It doesn't quite roll off the tongue that well.

This is a good idea, but I don't think this has much of a chance. Cleveland Indians like to refer to themselves as "the Tribe," and have you seen their logo? I realize you could go a lot of difference ways with a logo design on this, but I just can't see this getting through.

I really disagree with this statement. I think having Roughriders already familiar to people in Grand Forks plays to it's advantage. Local people are familiar with it and like it, it's not a national brand nickname everyone knows, ties in with the state, and is unique. I think some people need to get past "Red River uses it so we can't." If anything that helps with brand familiarity. This would be like saying we shouldn't be the polar bears because that is what Larimore High School is.......who cares what high schools nicknames are, they have no brand presence unless you went to that high school. UNDs will be a national brand. Ultimately i don't care what is chosen as I said I think logo design is more important, but to me roughriders is a top 3 choice and i think it will be one of the final 3 choices to be voted on. I said before, if UND is the University of North Dakota Roughriders and we end up with a logo like the one in the link below I am cool with that. They'll be upset people no matter what the choice is, but to me Roughriders is a solid name and the Red River HS argument is actually a positive to choosing it. Let's get to the vote......ROLL RIDERS!!!! http://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/316331012011/Cedar_Rapids_RoughRiders/2011/Alternate_Logo

Think UND may have interest here. Watched him play in state bball and is a nice looking athlete. Moves well for his size. Guessing UND will get him to camp. Could be a good NG recruit. Quinn Alo - Lamoure ND 6'2 310 http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2851099/quinn-alo

The biggest thing to me is not the nickname it's the logo and design. Needs to be cool enough for people to purchase merchandise and look good on jerseys. I'm more interested to see that than the actual nickname. As for the nickname i like just staying North Dakota, but I really believe UND needs to just move on. For that reason I don't think that should even be an option for vote. I think it would win, but I don't think that is best for UND long term. I like Roughriders and Jets a lot simply because I think you could create some great logos with those. I don't think having the Red River Roughriders or the Winnipeg Jets hurts either name, if anything it actual helps it because there is already a little familiarity in the area with those names. No one outside of Grand Forks thinks Red River high school when they hear Roughriders so the market for that name is wide open. There are others that are good, but I like those best of the names if heard thrown out.

This is 100% spot on, specifically the bolded last sentence. I'll stand by my comment that if NDSU is on the home schedule season tickets increase by a minimum 3500, but I think it would be way more than that.

These are the fans/alums UND is trying to attract and most don't know FCS football, but they know MVFC/Summit League because that is what the vast majority of media outside Grand Forks covers in the Dakotas. That is the conference people read and hear about. Even if UND was at the top of the Big Sky in FB and MBB that conference would probably still get more media attention. I fully agree winning will eventually put butts in the seats, but winning in a conference with the other Dakota schools will do it a lot faster. Like I mentioned I know Bison fans that have told me they would attend more UND games when NDSU was gone if they were in the MVFC because that is the conference they follow. They might come now to watch the Montana schools, but other than that could care less. Believe it or not, some of those casual Bison fans are who UND needs to make casual UND fans too. You do that by getting them to games and I think playing in the MVFC does that better than the Big Sky.

I'd put the minimum at 3500 extra at least that would buy season tickets just for that game. UND football season tickets are what $80? Bison fans alone would probably buy at least 2000 if not more. They'd probably even join the Champions Club for tickets. I think your underestimating how valuable those tickets would be. That extra money would sure be nice to have those lean years when your not winning.

There are a lot of other things I like about the summit/mvfc more than the Big Sky, but the majority of it hinges on the increased fan interest by playing NDSU USD SDSU. I think the Montana schools balance out the SD ones so this scenario would probably work for me. I don't see any of the Dakota schools leaving though because they see the advantages of the MVFC/Summit.

This is the point. Joining the MVFC/Summit will increase home attendance for UND because it will drive up local interest in the programs. The ability to travel to way more road games and the Summit Tourney are just bonuses. This is about getting casual UND fans and alums to Football and Basketball games. I'll follow Vince's question up with a similar one. Take a look at NDSUs fb schedule this year. Weber St., UND, Northern Iowa, USD, Western Illnois, & Missiouri St.. Now what if UND had this home schedule Weber, NDSU, Northern Iowa, USD, Western Ill. & Missiouri St. Would casual UND fans buy tickets for that schedule. You bet they would. NDSU every other year at home would increase the value of UNDs fb tickets a lot. I bet that equates to an extra 3000-4000 season tickets in FB if not more...That doesn't even get into sponsorship and champions club dollars from the added butts in the seats.Does anyone know the kind of impact that and less travel costs have on an athletic departments budget? It's probably a couple million dollars at least... Here is another added bonus. It's obvious UND students come out for NDSU games, well now if your in school for 5 years you see NDSU fb in the alerus 2-3 times and a UND/NDSU basketball game on campus every year. What does that mean? Let's say a freshman goes to just the UND-NDSU BB game his first year, the next year he makes 2-3 games the year after 4-5 game and so on. Pretty soon students leave UND fans of not just UND hockey but also UND basketball and football like they did when I was in school. Those students are the future donors and ticket holders to the program. Students haven't been super excited about the Big Sky but they would be excited about being in a conference with NDSU and beating them for championships. I to like the Big Sky, but what conference is best for growing the fan base? The answer is pretty obvious to me.

Also agree on the Tyler part if its what I think it is. I've met him and he is a very nice young man who represented the school well. I hope this is all wrong and he will be in green and white next year, but if not I enjoyed watching him play.

Some of the Bison posters can chime in but I think the MVFC and Summit Leagues both have deals with ESPN3. All of UNDs home games for football and basketball would be on Midco or FSN like now and if the majority of road games are on ESPN3 I don't see much difference to BigSkyTV. Another thing would be UND would get more coverage on midco as I think they have a Summit League show every week along with summit basketball games on Wednesdays and Saturdays (i think) so we'd actually probably see more road games broadcasted right on Midco. Just a guess, but I'd imagine anytime we'd play USD or SDSU on the road in any sport it would be broadcasted on Midco. While I agree BigSkyTV is awesome I think UND would actually gain more coverage in the MVFC/Summit. BigSkyTV is great, but i'll take ESPN3 over that, if they do have that deal. I'll also take the regional/national exposure the UND/NDSU football game gives the State/University every year and gives Grand Forks every other year when they host.

I'll first say that I just want UND and NDSU in the same conference not matter the conference, but I prefer the schools in the Summit/MVFC to the Big Sky so as a fan/donor/alum I would rather be in that conference. Having said that, this statement above is 100% correct. UND needs to focus on gaining interest from the vast majority (ND, MN alumni) in football and basketball not just hockey. If you don't live here then you don't see it but NDSU is killing UND in the PR/Marketing battle across ND and MN and it's because of football and basketball. UND needs to gain fans in those sports and in those state first and foremost. It should be priority #1, because those are the ones who will attend home games not California UND alumni. NDSU, SDSU, USD, Omaha, Northern Iowa, Western Illnois are all schools that are within a 6 hour drive from the Twin cities area and the first 5 are all drivable from Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck, etc. More of our most important alums (ND, MN) could watch football and basketball at home and on the road. Denver is also a huge UND alumni base and would now be covered by not only hockey, but MBB, WBB, and VB. Our three most important states for gaining interest in FB and BB are ND, MN, and CO and they are all covered nicely in the Summit/MVFC. Another advantage is I have NDSU friends that have told me they would attend several UND football games if UND was in the MVFC when NDSU is out of town and UND was at home because that is the conference they follow. I have to believe there are quite a few casual NDSU college football fans in the area that feel the same. Vast majority of the state is not hard core one side or the other, most just want both in the same conference which in turn would drive up interest for all the programs.

I'll be honest I have never seen Lee play. Heard good things, but also heard he is very small. Don't know if he would be a D1 player. Maybe someone like Balla45 can speak to Lee's game.

If this ends up being true, they are going to need to balance out the classes for scholarship purposes. My guess would be Hobaugh gets one next year so they can use it on a HS kid in the 2016 class and then they find a JR College player to bring in to play the next 2 years. That would mean they could sign 3 HS kids next year (Coleman, Benton, Hobaugh) and 2 the year after (Hooker, JC player they bring in). A few JC names to consider. (I haven't heard any of these kids signing yet, but they may have) Houston Lavachek from Williston State - 6'8 ND kid that can shoot the 3 really well (35-40%). Could really help UND stretch the floor a little. http://www.wsctetons.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=475&path=mens_basketball Diallo Powell - Lake Region (Strong guard built a lot like Hooker. Decent shooter, but more of just a tough hard nose player. Good athlete too) http://www.lrsc.edu/athletics/mens-basketball/diallo-powell Johnny Woodard - NDSCS - vey talented and can do it all. I thought I heard there were a lot of big schools after him but I'm not sure where that sits now. http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/div1/players/johnnywoodardtwz2 I think Powell has been on both UNDs and NDSUs campuses so it would no shock me if he ended up at UND.

I would agree. If true, I think losing Tyler really hurts. He was a very capable scorer and when he got hot he was extremely effective. We will need Shanks, Cashman, and Sheilds to really develop. Also will mean we need Crandall to be as good as advertised and probably be a double digit scorer as a freshman. I will say that DeRouren is a very talented player, but makes very poor decisions. He plays good defense, but he is way to over aggressive and ends up getting into foul trouble to much. On offense he takes way to many 3 pointers for someone who doesn't shoot them all that well. Truth is both would be contributors on next years team so losing them does hurt the team imo.

Said this in another thread before and makes even more sense now. Who would've been better for this program? DeRouen or a kid like Tanner Kretchman for 4-5 years? I am also watching a game right now on ESPNU with Illnois State playing.There is a young man named Justin McCloud getting minutes for Ill St. in the NIT. He averaged 3 a game for a MVC team that made the NIT. Guess where Justin grew up? Bottineau ND. He had 0 D1 offers out of high school and a bunch of D2 ones after his first year at BSC. After is 2nd year at BSC he had an offer from Ill St. UND had 3 chances to have this kid and probably could've had him walk on out of high school. Not saying UND needs all local kids but there has been enough talented in state or MN IA that we didn't need to go to New Mexico for one. I watched McCloud play in the lions game in HS and he was the best athlete on the court which included Dexter Werner and Mack Arvidson. I'll give an example. Bubba has Elijah Grady coming to play next year. Elijah probably would've went FBS had his highlight tape hit the internet sooner, but he is coming to UND. Big reason for that is Bubba and his staff got themselves in every school in the state and MN last spring and discovered the hidden local gems. Basketball would be even easier. Ask around to local coaches and get the top 5-10 kids in each class and do whatever it takes to get them to camp in the summer, and then we probably end up with people like Justin McCloud on our roster instead of Ill. St.

To bad on Olson, he is a fantastic athlete. As for Heidlebaugh I agree his feet are a little slow on D, but after watching him this weekend I think he has enough offensive talent where he would get minutes for UND on the hardwood if he came here for that. He is a better BBall prospect coming out of HS than Dexter Werner was and we've seen how he has done at NDSU. Plus you can play a PF in the BIg sky at 6'5. Regardless, I am excited this young man will be playing FB at UND. I know small town ND and MN kids are tough to project because of the competition they face, but I think Heidlebaugh and Grady have the most potential of any recruits in this class. Both are high end athletes and 3 sports stars that will get in a college weight program and take off. If QB doesn't work he is going to be an awesome TE or WR. He has height, decent speed, and can jump. Side note - Two big in state prospects this year will be 6'4 TE Brayden Lund of Minot and 6'7 WR Braeden Hanson of Red River. Think of the matchup problems in 3-4 years if UND landed both and Heidlebaugh moved to WR/TE. Throw in a speedster in the slot and you have some real mismatches.

For those interested Brad Heidelbaugh is playing in the Class B tourney this weekend. He'll be on TV tonight and has a good chance of winning Mr. Basketball this year. Tanner Bernhardt is another impressive athlete for Rugby and I heard UND was talking with him. Anyone know where he is going? The most impressive athlete I saw yesterday was Anthony Olson from Lamoure. I mentioned him before but I do not know how this kid slipped by UND and NDSU. I hadn't seen him play BBall since his sophomore year and he has got to be one of the best athletes in the state this year and maybe even the last couple of years. Check out the alley opp dunk the 5'11 kid threw down yesterday. He was grabbing rebounds surrounded by 6'4, 6'3 and 6'7 kids yesterday. Good job by Coach Dosch at getting him to Northern. http://www.wday.com/sports/high-school/3704217-lamoure-litchville-marion-wins-double-ot-b-over-new-england

Been discussed a little if you look back at the thread. I think he has visited NDSU, not sure about UND. The website below has him rated as the 2nd best bball prospect in the state behind Braeden Hanson of Red River. Be interested to hear how he does against AAU if anyone has seen him play there? http://www.prephoopsdakotas.com/ I think Pinke plays football too. Wouldn't be surprised with those UND connections and measurables if Bubba was also maybe looking at Pinke. Would make a great TE just from what I see on the basketball tape and I think Bubba is also from that area, so I'm guessing he has a good pulse on kids from that part of the state. Whether FB or BB the staffs should to get him to summer camps to evaluate. Class B competition isnt very good, but he is a nice looking athlete, that is for sure.

I agree with this, that logo is a big part of this. Big reason why we all loved the Fighting Sioux name was the awesome logo we had. A nickname means little without a sweet logo to put on merchandise. For that reason I think i am also on the Roughriders bandwagon. A quick google search shows some pretty cool ways you could go with that logo. My favorite being this one, used by Cedar Rapids USHL team. http://news.sportslogos.net/2015/02/26/u-s-historical-figures-on-sports-logos/cedar-rapids-roughriders-teddy-roosevelt/ If UND ends up being the Roughriders with a logo somewhere along those lines I'll be extremely happy with that. Roll Riders!!!

Wathall is a great coach but UND has a coach so I don't feel the need to comment on that. I will point out though that there is a true Sophmore (Aaron Lien avg 12 a game) from Moorhead and a ture freshman (Tanner Kretchman avg 4 a game) from Fargo that UND could've easily had in the program. I know hoopster told me in another thread that UND took Hooker over Lien (smart move) and (Crandall, De Rouren, Shields, Cashman) over Kretchman, but if there would've been better planning by the staff with scholarships they could've had both. Again one is a true Soph and the other a true Fr. on one of the best D2 teams in the country. MSUM would've probably did better in the big sky this year than UND did...thats not even an exaggeration. Why do you think UND and NDSU don't want to play MSUM in exhibitions anymore.......there's a good chance they'd lose. I would take Lien and Kretchman over about 5-6 players on the current UND roster. They both could've redshirted and been big time contributers to the program. Not saying UND should recruit all local kids, but when there is local talent that can play D1 we should be giving them a look. NDSU has had nice success with redshirting and developing Jacobson and Werner. No one thought Werner would be Summit League 6th man, but he got into the program and developed. He also plays his tail off because he is representing his home state school. Jacobson will be all conference in the very near future. I'll take kids like that any day of the week.

As a UND fan I agree with this statement. The only schools I would miss playing would be the EWU the Montana schools and Weber in basketball, but we could still schedule them non-conference. NDSU, SDSU, and USD have all played the Montana schools non conference. I would also like having SDSU/USD/UNI/Denver/Omaha/Ill St./Oral Roberts etc. as other schools vs. NAU, Idaho St. Sac State, Portland St., etc. The only way UND could move to the summit is if UND also got in the MVFC. Just based on the fact of playing NDSU in the Alerus Center every other year and NDSU at home in hoops every year I would estimate UND could add another 1 million - 1.5 million in revenue from tickets/donations/sponsorship/tv deals. The majority of that extra revenue would come from playing NDSU in the Alerus every other year and the increased fan $$$ that comes with all of that. The thing i do like about the Big Sky though is right now football is there for the taking and if Bubba starts making the playoffs and winning Big Sky titles people will take notice regardless of conference. Still, playing NDSU in the Alerus every other year would no doubt help UND in a lot of ways. That game was bigger than UND vs Minnesota in hockey when it was still going on. I think NDSU gets that and that is why they do not want UND to join the Summit/MVFC. It would help UND quite a bit financially.

Not saying anyone is or isn't a "hockey only fan," but there is a big difference between "Sioux Hockey fans," and "UND fans," much like my NDSU friends say there is a big difference between "Bison Football fans," and "NDSU Fans." IMO "Sioux Hockey Fans," & "Bison Football Fans." give both fan bases bad names. It's even worse when someone is a combined "Sioux Hockey, Bison Football fan" I'll follow that up by saying I am a really big UND Hockey fan, but sometimes I'd rather talk with a NDSU fan of every sport than a "Sioux Hockey Fan."