Some Thoughts on UND's FB Program

[iramurphy]

Going back to previous discussions. I spoke with Bill Chaves, Val Sannes, and Tim Belmore today. They were very accessible to anyone who wanted to talk to them. I passed along the concerns/ideas some of you have expressed regarding complaints of some not feeling appreciated as Champions Club donors, not responding to messages, Emails etc. , some feeling they don’t receive communication from UND officials etc. 

I also related that I and others offered to coordinate meetings between them and fans or supporters but no one contacted me to set that up. They all would be happy to meet with any of you. I also let them know how some think they are lazy and clueless. I think they would love to have those folks follow them for a few weeks but they were disappointed to hear that. Bottom line: I said I would pass along those concerns/ideas and I did. 
 

They have major functions in Detroit Lakes today, Pelican Lake tom Orie and Sunday and Monday in the twin cities. Coaches from multiple sports are attending while also going back and forth between Grand Forks and these locations to coordinate summer camps, a big recruiting week for FB, MBB, WBB, and hockey. 

[iramurphy]

I attended the Alumni function on Pelican Lake this evening. A number of the alumni staff were in DL yesterday for the Champions Club Golf event, returned to GF last night, then back for this event this evening. Bubba was at todays event as were many alumni office personnel and key UND administrators including President Armacost and his wife Kathy. It was easy to visit with any of these key people. I had a long visit with Dave Hakstol. The athletic department staff, FB coaches and a number of key alumni staff will returne to GF tonight then will be In Minneapolis for the FB function Sunday and Monday. Anyone who thinks for a moment that these folks are “lazy” hasn’t a flipping clue. 
These events go on around the country year round. These events are not exclusive. Those who took the time had ample opportunity to chat with President Andy, Deanna Zink, Bill Chaves, Bubba and other FB coaches, and other coaches from hockey, golf and tennis. Many Alumni including former Sioux greats from multiple sports and Kraken Coach Dave Hakstol attend. It’s a great time to connect to other alumni and build relationships with key UND staff. It’s a great time to personally witness how hard these people work trying make UND including our athletic teams better and to connect with fans, supporters, donors and alumni. 

[CMSioux]

10 hours ago, iramurphy said:

I attended the Alumni function on Pelican Lake this evening. A number of the alumni staff were in DL yesterday for the Champions Club Golf event, returned to GF last night, then back for this event this evening. Bubba was at todays event as were many alumni office personnel and key UND administrators including President Armacost and his wife Kathy. It was easy to visit with any of these key people. I had a long visit with Dave Hakstol. The athletic department staff, FB coaches and a number of key alumni staff will returne to GF tonight then will be In Minneapolis for the FB function Sunday and Monday. Anyone who thinks for a moment that these folks are “lazy” hasn’t a flipping clue. 
These events go on around the country year round. These events are not exclusive. Those who took the time had ample opportunity to chat with President Andy, Deanna Zink, Bill Chaves, Bubba and other FB coaches, and other coaches from hockey, golf and tennis. Many Alumni including former Sioux greats from multiple sports and Kraken Coach Dave Hakstol attend. It’s a great time to connect to other alumni and build relationships with key UND staff. It’s a great time to personally witness how hard these people work trying make UND including our athletic teams better and to connect with fans, supporters, donors and alumni. 

I'm not a high roller and I don't play golf, but I'm going to the social Sunday at Prior Lake. I have no doubt it will be a great event, I will feel welcomed and come home feeling confident about what's happening at UND. 

[SIOUXFAN97]

13 hours ago, iramurphy said:

I attended the Alumni function on Pelican Lake this evening. A number of the alumni staff were in DL yesterday for the Champions Club Golf event, returned to GF last night, then back for this event this evening. Bubba was at todays event as were many alumni office personnel and key UND administrators including President Armacost and his wife Kathy. It was easy to visit with any of these key people. I had a long visit with Dave Hakstol. The athletic department staff, FB coaches and a number of key alumni staff will returne to GF tonight then will be In Minneapolis for the FB function Sunday and Monday. Anyone who thinks for a moment that these folks are “lazy” hasn’t a flipping clue. 
These events go on around the country year round. These events are not exclusive. Those who took the time had ample opportunity to chat with President Andy, Deanna Zink, Bill Chaves, Bubba and other FB coaches, and other coaches from hockey, golf and tennis. Many Alumni including former Sioux greats from multiple sports and Kraken Coach Dave Hakstol attend. It’s a great time to connect to other alumni and build relationships with key UND staff. It’s a great time to personally witness how hard these people work trying make UND including our athletic teams better and to connect with fans, supporters, donors and alumni. 

Not really sure if people are saying these people are lazy........they just want to see some ROI on their investments in UND athletics.

[90siouxfan]

By investment do you mean griping and crying on an internet website because thier end all be all to life is a football program?   Asking for a friend....

[iramurphy]

I’m not a “high roller” either but had access to any and all of UND staff. So did anyone else. The invite was on the alumni website so it wasn’t only for high rollers. Having said that, there were some interesting and very successful alumni in attendance.  A group of Pi Phi sorority girls who were having a reunion came.  I think I counted 8 or 9 Sigma Chis. It was a lot of fun. Hosted by Jim and Nicole Poolman who do a wonderful job of making everyone feel welcome. 
Anyone who attended will attest to how engaging the UND personnel were and how hard they work. I highly recommend this event which was in its 4th year. Jim Poolman is the new chair of the Alumni Board. Last year the people who attended raised $36,000 for the Angel Fund. This year they were raising funds for students who experience financial difficulties and the goal was to match $20,000 donated by the Simonsons. They were over halfway to that goal before Jim Poolman was finished telling the attendees about the matching fund opportunity. 

[SIOUXFAN97]

15 minutes ago, 90siouxfan said:

By investment do you mean griping and crying on an internet website because thier end all be all to life is a football program?   Asking for a friend....

or hockey program.........i think bubs is more clueless than bubba.

[iramurphy]

1 hour ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

Not really sure if people are saying these people are lazy........they just want to see some ROI on their investments in UND athletics.

“Lazy” was a description used by guess who on June 12 and by another poster on June 16. 

[SiouxFan100]

I think we are all on the same side.

[UND1983]

5 hours ago, iramurphy said:

“Lazy” was a description used by guess who on June 12 and by another poster on June 16. 

How can you downvote dorks not like what he said?  Its true.  Idiots on here, complete f’n idiots. 

[jdub27]

12 hours ago, 90siouxfan said:

By investment do you mean griping and crying on an internet website because thier end all be all to life is a football program?   Asking for a friend....

 

12 hours ago, iramurphy said:

“Lazy” was a description used by guess who on June 12 and by another poster on June 16. 

Didn't even have to guess who downvoted these posts before looking. It literally takes more effort to do be negative on the internet than actually have a conversation with a someone who makes actual decisions with UND, especially given the invites personally given out on this site. But it's easier to complain anonymously than try to make the changes that your think would things better. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

On 7/15/2023 at 2:29 PM, SiouxFan100 said:

I think we are all on the same side.

We’re supposed to be, but hard to tell sometimes. 
 

Go Hawks

[UND-FB-FAN]

On 7/16/2023 at 1:29 AM, jdub27 said:

But it's easier to complain anonymously than try to make the changes that your think would things better. 

I suppose you could do both, right? Lot of sensitive folks who hate to hear criticism. Always a combination of negatives and positives. Never as good nor as bad as it seems. 

[jdub27]

17 minutes ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

I suppose you could do both, right? Lot of sensitive folks who hate to hear criticism. Always a combination of negatives and positives. Never as good nor as bad as it seems. 

Yes, I would suppose one could. But tough to believe some are doing that when they complain decision makers are inaccessible and then ignore multiple people offering to set up meetings to help show they aren't. 

[HoopsFan03]

1 hour ago, jdub27 said:

Yes, I would suppose one could. But tough to believe some are doing that when they complain decision makers are inaccessible and then ignore multiple people offering to set up meetings to help show they aren't. 

Jdub, you talk a lot about the people that complain anonymously in an online forum. But then all you do is complain anonymously in an online forum about the people that complain. Seems like you're not much different bossman. 

[UND1983]

Someday we will all be grown adults and act like it. 

[nodak651]

2 hours ago, UND-FB-FAN said:

I suppose you could do both, right? Lot of sensitive folks who hate to hear criticism. Always a combination of negatives and positives. Never as good nor as bad as it seems. 

Either you have or haven't.  Stop trolling.  

[jdub27]

11 minutes ago, HoopsFan03 said:

Jdub, you talk a lot about the people that complain anonymously in an online forum. But then all you do is complain anonymously in an online forum about the people that complain. Seems like you're not much different bossman. 

If encouraging people who do nothing but complain to actually reach out, voice their opinions and actually do something to make a difference is considered complaining, then guilty.
I, along with more than a few others, have offered to help set up meetings with whoever people want. I'm not anywhere near what would be considered a huge donor but have never had an issue having conversations with anyone within the Champions Club, Athletic Department, Alumni Foundation or even approaching the President to speak with him.
Looking at the people who tend to agree with your opinions, I feel comfortable with where I stand. Bossman.

[Sioux>Bison]

1 hour ago, HoopsFan03 said:

Jdub, you talk a lot about the people that complain anonymously in an online forum. But then all you do is complain anonymously in an online forum about the people that complain. Seems like you're not much different bossman. 

We are not the ones who come on here to pitch and complain ALL THE TIME. Gets pretty annoying to read the same thing over and over again because these people are too LAZY to get off the keyboard to go and actually DO SOMETHING about it. It’s a waste of all of our time. If they care so much get off the message board and contact someone important 

[Nodak78]

Sounds proactive for tickets.

 

 

[gfhockey]

https://t.co/JFmUEvS00b

[iramurphy]

Last summary from me with apologies to the keyboard warriors who might be offended. 
I summarized the UND events in DL and on Pelican Lake. 
Yesterday and Sunday at the Legends Course in Prior Lake former FB coaches, former players and fans got together. There were players from 7 decades. Mark Chipman Jerry Jacobson ( early ‘60’s) received the Legends Awards. I had great visits with many of the UND FB staff and Alumni staff. Had a great visit with Chris Kuper. Dale Lennon, Roger Thomas, Rob Bollinger, Jeff Tesch, Vince Repesh were among the former coaches. The addition to the Pollard with locker rooms and a new weight room which will be larger than any of the other colleges in NDak was reviewed. The multiple scholarships and the new 701 fund were stressed. 
The staff is excited and optimistic for this fall. 
I had a nice visit with Danny about the QB’s. Feeney has made great progress. His confidence and leadership skills are greatly improved. Great potential. Tough schedule but lots of positive energy for the upcoming season and the program moving forward. It won’t be easy. 

[UND-FB-FAN]

11 hours ago, jdub27 said:

Yes, I would suppose one could. But tough to believe some are doing that when they complain decision makers are inaccessible and then ignore multiple people offering to set up meetings to help show they aren't. 

Something tells me you think you know what is going on, but, well, okay …

Go Hawks! 

[CMSioux]

2 hours ago, iramurphy said:

Last summary from me with apologies to the keyboard warriors who might be offended. 
I summarized the UND events in DL and on Pelican Lake. 
Yesterday and Sunday at the Legends Course in Prior Lake former FB coaches, former players and fans got together. There were players from 7 decades. Mark Chipman Jerry Jacobson ( early ‘60’s) received the Legends Awards. I had great visits with many of the UND FB staff and Alumni staff. Had a great visit with Chris Kuper. Dale Lennon, Roger Thomas, Rob Bollinger, Jeff Tesch, Vince Repesh were among the former coaches. The addition to the Pollard with locker rooms and a new weight room which will be larger than any of the other colleges in NDak was reviewed. The multiple scholarships and the new 701 fund were stressed. 
The staff is excited and optimistic for this fall. 
I had a nice visit with Danny about the QB’s. Feeney has made great progress. His confidence and leadership skills are greatly improved. Great potential. Tough schedule but lots of positive energy for the upcoming season and the program moving forward. It won’t be easy. 

Prior Lake was somewhat of a surreal experience for me. When I looked at the name tags on the table it was like a hall of fame - I would estimate about 150 former players and coaches attended. I was with the team in 77-79 and there were plenty of them there. That was Murphy's years and I believe it was 79 they went 10-0. 

[iramurphy]

1 hour ago, CMSioux said:

Prior Lake was somewhat of a surreal experience for me. When I looked at the name tags on the table it was like a hall of fame - I would estimate about 150 former players and coaches attended. I was with the team in 77-79 and there were plenty of them there. That was Murphy's years and I believe it was 79 they went 10-0. 

I hope you had a chance to meet Tip Enebek who hosted the event at his course.  Tip and his teammates who included Murphy never lost to the Ag school. They have great stories of their time at UND especially their time living in the door rooms in the stadium. Tip has donated a lot to UND athletics. He has also done an awful lot for homeless vets.
I was still coaching receivers in the fall of ‘77 and the spring of ‘78. What position did you play?  Glad you made it to the reunion. Hope you can get back each year.