The Division I question...

[dakotadan]

This just came out in the Fargo Forum... I can't believe I am the first to break the news on SS. Suprised that someone hasn't heard of this happening yet. UND has formed a committee to look at the possible move to DI and what it would require.

[url="http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index3.cfm?id=76914

[dakotadan]

UND mulls Division I move

Jeff Kolpack,The Forum

Published Thursday, December 02, 2004

[jloos]

I just read the Forum article. Maybe you should post this in the community forum, I was just about to post it there when I decided to search. It was an interesting article, funny the Herald missed the ball again.

[GDM]

I moved this topic to the "UND Community" forum.

GDM

Forums Moderator

SiouxSports.com

[PCM]

This is the quote that caught my eye:

The fact the university is discussing the possibility of an answer other than "no" is a new development to the Division II vs. Division I issue dominating discussions at the state's two major colleges.

It's simply not true. There is no "new development." I've interviewed Roger Thomas and Phil Harmeson on the radio about this issue and they've both openly discussed the steps that UND is taking to study a potential move to DI-AA, as well as BSC developments. But the Forum chooses to portray it as if UND is secretly studying the move and that nobody would know about it without their open records request.

Edited December 2, 2004 by PCM

[ScottM]

I really don't see how this is "news". UND has considered a move to D1, at different levels, for a number of years, and well before Chapman decided to rack up frequent flyer/rider miles. I think the biggest factors will be the January NC$$ meetings regarding scholarship numbers, the ability to fully fund a move and whether the BCS is seriously considering UND. That said, a move to D1 is probably all but inevitable in the next 2-5 years, especially if the NC$$ changes the landscape in the next year.

[IowaBison]

thanks for the clarification PCM.

[jloos]

thanks for the clarification PCM.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Check out the Forums CHAT on the topic.

Sometimes I'm embarrassed to admit I have a degree from NDSU. This is my favorite:

It will be interesting listing to all the UND whiners in GF try to explain the big reason for the move now. I thought all the Trust Fund babies said why be middle of the road team in D1 when you can be the best in D2. They always have an excuse for everything and can't admit when they are wrong. But I guess thats what you get with a bunch of doctors, lawyers, and pilots.

Although this one gave me more laughs:

If this surprises anyone, they're on crack, or need to step on their shoulders and give their head some fresh air. UND is Hypocrite U. They waited to see how NDSU did, and now it's ok for UND to go. It really figures. I have had educational experiences at both institutions, and there is a clear leader in educational, athletic, and overall institutional advancement . . . I'll give you a hint: it's not in Grand Forks.

[The Sicatoka]

Don't you love reading other people's mail?

Mail call:

Big Sky to UND

UND to Big Sky

And if you thought partisan bickering ended on November 2 .... (darn, jloos beat me to it.)

[IowaBison]

don't be so tough on those who post on the in-forum site, i don't think many of them are avid Bison or UND fans

[ScottM]

Don't you love reading other people's mail?

Mail call:

Big Sky to UND

UND to Big Sky

And if you thought partisan bickering ended on November 2 .... (darn, jloos beat me to it.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it's amusing that BSC approached UND, whereas 'SU has to beg for its attention.

[NDSU grad]

I agree with PCM. I don't think there's anything new here. As far as the Big Sky inviting UND to inquire about membership, that would have never happened if NDSU and SDSU weren't already showing interest in DI.

[Let'sGoHawks!]

Thomas said UND will decide in the next 12 days on how it will respond "one way or another."

This is the line that I find most interesting. What exactly does this mean? Is it regarding the Big Sky or Division I-AA???

[NDSU grad]

Thomas said UND will decide in the next 12 days on how it will respond "one way or another."

This is the line that I find most interesting.  What exactly does this mean?  Is it regarding the Big Sky or Division I-AA???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Big Sky decides on December 13 whether it wants to continue with its expansion plans. I see no other reason why Thomas would impose the 12 day deadline.

[The Sicatoka]

Thomas said UND will decide in the next 12 days on how it will respond "one way or another."

This is the line that I find most interesting.

[IowaBison]

i don't know what the heck the folks at UND are doing, but the last day for filing for 2004 to be an exploratory year was YESTERDAY!

you'd think that if they were truly interested those forms would have been filed. i don't see the BSC taking them seriously if they didn't do it. why would you add an extra year to the transition when the cost to do it is just the time to fill out the paperwork?

something's amiss

[NDSU grad]

i don't know what the heck the folks at UND are doing, but the last day for filing for 2004 to be an exploratory year was YESTERDAY!

you'd think that if they were truly interested those forms would have been filed.  i don't see the BSC taking them seriously if they didn't do it.  why would you add an extra year to the transition when the cost to do it is just the time to fill out the paperwork?

something's amiss

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think that's odd too. They could have filed by December 1 if they knew in August the BSC was interested, making 2004-2005 their explatory year. I'm pretty sure they would have known the Sky's intent in time to remain in DII, but alot of this is speculation.

[The Sicatoka]

i don't know what the heck the folks at UND are doing, but the last day for filing for 2004 to be an exploratory year was YESTERDAY!

you'd think that if they were truly interested those forms would have been filed.

[The Sicatoka]

If there's anything that should be micro-analyzed in that story it's this:

UND's committee consists of (head mens basketball coach Rich) Glas, (head mens and womens swimming coach Maviael) Sampaio, Alumni Association development officer Rob Bollinger, head track and field coach Dick Clay, head football coach Dale Lennon, assistant volleyball coach Jason Holt and Ralph Engelstad Arena facility manager Mike Stromberg.

What are the points of view of those folks?

[jloos]

Speaking of soap opera's the Forum's chatroom is hilarious. I never realized people from Fargo hated Grand Forks so much

This is my new personal favorite:

Fargo would be getting a $100 million entertainment/shopping/office/living developement for the price of $40 million. Grand Forks has a $100 million arena that is lucky to see 20 events a year and is barely profitable because it's owned by a casino. Trust me, Fargo definately doesn't want to follow Grand Forks lead on that.

This was on the discussion about the new development in Fargo. What it has to do with the REA is beyond me. Where this idiot got his facts is also beyond me.

Here is the link As the Forum Turns

[The Sicatoka]

jloos:

The only connection/similarity between REA and a possible development in Fargo I can find are (a) $100 MM price tags, and (b) Schoen and Associates as architects. But folks always need something to rail on.

And someone had better quick tell UND SPORTS FACILITIES, INC. (board members Tom Clifford, Earl Strinden, Aron Anderson) that they don't own the arena.

[UND92,96]

jloos:

The only connection/similarity between REA and a possible development in Fargo I can find are (a) $100 MM price tags, and (b) Schoen and Associates as architects. But folks always need something to rail on.

And someone had better quick tell UND SPORTS FACILITIES, INC. (board members Tom Clifford, Earl Strinden, Aron Anderson) that they don't own the arena.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not to mention that it's lucky to get 20 events per year, and that it's "barely profitable."

[WYOBISONMAN]

The Sky wants NDSU, but I am sure that all in the Sky would consider it fantastic if the Sky were to get the Bison/Sioux rivalry.

[PCM]

The Sky wants NDSU, but I am sure that all in the Sky would consider it fantastic if the Sky were to get the Bison/Sioux rivalry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So why doesn't the BSC just take NDSU?

[IowaBison]

Give it time, they have a process you know.

Also, I don't think that Bison Fans should be demeaned based on the stupid sh#t that is being posted on in-forum.com. I don't think those people have the slightest clue about college athletics.