lets drop baseball and add hockey

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Originally Posted by abc123

While not all the school's that play hockey are D-1 in more than just hockey, its somewhere around 37, just a few more than a dozen. It is a weak enough number without having to make something up.

And while it is women's basketball and that attendance is impressive, I don't think that 11,500 sells out the American Airline Center where the game was played (home of the Dallas Mavericks, it seats 21,000+). You also fail to mention that Baylor's campus is under 100 miles away and Texas A&M's campus is 200 miles away. A little closer than the 600 and 1100 miles away that UND and Denver were from Green Bay.

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My bad on the Division 1 schools. I was actually referring to BCS type schools. You know, the BIG BOYS that fools like Virg Foss like to brag about. The ones that formed their own conference to stop slumming with the LITTLE GUYS.

And yeah, I shouldn't have said sold out about the Women's regional. Still they had 3 TIMES the attendance for a WOMEN'S BASKETBALL game as for the hockey regional final. I thought hockey was SO POPULAR and UND travels SO WELL? Maybe UND does but NOBODY ELSE DOES apparently.

Seriously, 3,900 plus for a game that decides a trip to the Frozen Four?

BEMIDJI STATE is a relevant hockey school. The facts speak for themselves.

We don't need hockey at NDSU. We have a club hockey team. It's fine if UND wants to be Division 1 in hockey and keep their club teams in football and basketball. I'm actually in favor of that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by abc123

While not all the school's that play hockey are D-1 in more than just hockey, its somewhere around 37, just a few more than a dozen. It is a weak enough number without having to make something up.

And while it is women's basketball and that attendance is impressive, I don't think that 11,500 sells out the American Airline Center where the game was played (home of the Dallas Mavericks, it seats 21,000+). You also fail to mention that Baylor's campus is under 100 miles away and Texas A&M's campus is 200 miles away. A little closer than the 600 and 1100 miles away that UND and Denver were from Green Bay.

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Mine Canadien friend! You've really got their breezers in a bunch! Why does the frozen four wait two weeks to commence, eh?

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Originally Posted by bisonpride

Will one of them write the check for Dean Blais's $250,000 contract because that is what it will take to become even close to a competitive team. As soon as Dean Blais leaves UNO their program will go in the crapper. Thats only $50,000 more then Bohl. Everyone needs to keep in mind it is not a $3 million addition. Its $6 Million YEARLY because women's hockey will require the same amount like it or not.

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Hockey will survive without Dean Blais. There are a ton of young coaches who would kill for the opportunity . Money helps but its not a cure all.

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Originally Posted by Buthockey

Mine Canadien friend! You've really got their breezers in a bunch! Why does the frozen four wait two weeks to commence, eh?

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I doon't see what these fellers from the States are so upset aboot! Everybody knows that Canadian sports like Hockey and Lacrosse are the way to go!

but on a serious note, my friends at UND were insisting that they don't wait two weeks because of the FINAL FOUR but because the Frozen Four is soo intense that they need two weeks to get physically and mentally ready. LOL

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Originally Posted by 344Johnson

I doon't see what these fellers from the States are so upset aboot! Everybody knows that Canadian sports like Hockey and Lacrosse are the way to go!

but on a serious note, my friends at UND were insisting that they don't wait two weeks because of the FINAL FOUR but because the Frozen Four is soo intense that they need two weeks to get physically and mentally ready. LOL

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:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :facepalm:

Michigans president isn't even goin to frozen four......shows you how REAL schools view this....

ESPN MOBILE........HAHA

Scores by Sport
NBA
MLB
NCAA Men's Basketball
NFL
Golf
NHL
NCAA Women's Basketball
NCAA Football
Soccer
Tennis
NCAA Sports
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WNBA

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Originally Posted by lakesbison

Michigans president isn't even goin to frozen four......shows you how REAL schools view this....

ESPN MOBILE........HAHA

Scores by Sport
NBA
MLB
NCAA Men's Basketball
NFL
Golf
NHL
NCAA Women's Basketball
NCAA Football
Soccer
Tennis
NCAA Sports
Autos
WNBA

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I agree its not relevant outside the midwest. But its huge here and would raise our profile. Our main recruiting area is midwest. Minnesota and Wisconsin know UND. We get a lot of kids from there.

If it hurts our other sports, mainly football and basketball, im against it. If we can raise the money and dominate other sports im 100% in support of it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lakesbison

Michigans president isn't even goin to frozen four......shows you how REAL schools view this....

ESPN MOBILE........HAHA

Scores by Sport
NBA
MLB
NCAA Men's Basketball
NFL
Golf
NHL
NCAA Women's Basketball
NCAA Football
Soccer
Tennis
NCAA Sports
Autos
WNBA

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WAIT???? No NCAA hockey? Obviously espn is a second rate service for not having an entire page devoted to the WCHA, even UND more specifically on espn.com. What a joke! Fox Sports Canada is so much more reliable when it comes to sports!

Hold on a second? ok.....uh huh,no! You are so wrong! hockey is clearly the biggest sport ever! yeah! Everyone can name more UND hockey players and Minnesota Wild players than they can name TEAMS in any other sport! Yeah! You Bisonvillers are so crazy! To think that hockey is considered irrelevant in American society!?!? Oh goodness, just thinking aboot that gets my breezers in a bunch! That basketball and football business is never going to catch on!

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Originally Posted by gabe

I agree its not relevant outside the midwest. But its huge here and would raise our profile. Our main recruiting area is midwest. Minnesota and Wisconsin know UND. We get a lot of kids from there.

If it hurts our other sports, mainly football and basketball, im against it. If we can raise the money and dominate other sports im 100% in support of it.

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With who Gabe? Who would it "raise our profile" with? Answer that and you've answered why it really doesn't matter to add the sport.

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Originally Posted by Facts

With who Gabe? Who would it "raise our profile" with? Answer that and you've answered why it really doesn't matter to add the sport.

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We live in the midwest, right? We recruit athletes and students in the midwest, right? The WCHA and Big Ten (in future) get a lot of press in the midwest. The Sioux are on TV more than anybody. We would improve exposure in the midwest. How would this not increase our profile?

i agree with ya gabe, it would raise our profile in the midwest and thats all that matters. People in other parts of the country aren't gonna give a rip about ndsu or follow ndsu no matter what.

The main reason people bitch and complain about hockey is because und has it and they have a successful program. You know damn well that if the situation was reversed and we had a good hockey team that we would have bison fans on ss.com rubbing it in nonstop. We try to rip and make fun of their hockey program, but the only program that is laughable is our men's bball program. How much ndsu men's basketball clothing do you see compared to sioux hockey gear. Its not even close. Hopefully that changes in the next 5 to 10 years.

With that being said, great job michigan!

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Originally Posted by mgbison

i agree with ya gabe, it would raise our profile in the midwest and thats all that matters. People in other parts of the country aren't gonna give a rip about ndsu or follow ndsu no matter what.

The main reason people bitch and complain about hockey is because und has it and they have a successful program. You know damn well that if the situation was reversed and we had a good hockey team that we would have bison fans on ss.com rubbing it in nonstop. We try to rip and make fun of their hockey program, but the only program that is laughable is our men's bball program. How much ndsu men's basketball clothing do you see compared to sioux hockey gear. Its not even close. Hopefully that changes in the next 5 to 10 years.

With that being said, great job michigan!

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Are you serious?

The reason we don't have hockey is NOT because of UND. It is primarily a budget and facilities issue. I don't see how the heck you can still fail to understand that.

Then you dare to call our basketball program laughable and hold up UND hockey as a shining example of what is great? If that's how you really feel, buy a Sioux hockey jersey and start hanging out with them. If I wasn't in a good mood from last night, the neg rep would be flying full force.

If baseball gets dropped, it won't be used to fund hockey. It will go to football scholarships for a move up to FBS. But I'm not in favor of any of that talk right now.

Also, not wanting hockey at NDSU has nothing to do with UND for me. I don't like hockey, never played it, never watched a full game. I don't even know how to skate. It is boring to me. If NDSU were to add hockey, I won't all of a sudden be a hockey fan. I'll pay it as much attention as I do wrestling or track and field.

If NDSU ever got hockey, I would have to start putting stipulations on what I give to the athletic program, and I don't want to have to do that.

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Originally Posted by onbison09

I'm totally guessing but hockey would be a lot more expensive than baseball as far as equipment etc but maybe I'm totally wrong.

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Baseball does have an insane travel budget considering they play 3/4 of the season on the road and spend 10 days in the southern states.

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Originally Posted by aces1180

UND can have butthockey...We'll succeed at everything else.

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Basketball and Football is hardly anything else. And we will NEVER compete on a national level in basketball or the real D1 foorball

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Originally Posted by bisonballs33

Basketball and Football is hardly anything else. And we will NEVER compete on a national level in basketball or the real D1 foorball

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If by "real D-I football" you mean FBS, then I'll bet Boise State, Utah, TCU, and Cincinatti fans have been told the same thing in the past. For basketball, look no further than VCU, George Mason, Saint Mary's, Gonzaga, Butler, or a dozen other schools just in the last five years.

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Originally Posted by onbison09

I'm totally guessing but hockey would be a lot more expensive than baseball as far as equipment etc but maybe I'm totally wrong.

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Hockey much more expensive. But unlike baseball, it would turn a profit. You already have the arena and a fan base. As long as NDSU doesn't have to add women's hockey, its a lock to be a success.

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Originally Posted by JSUBison

If baseball gets dropped, it won't be used to fund hockey. It will go to football scholarships for a move up to FBS. But I'm not in favor of any of that talk right now.

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Never happen....nor should it.

My problem with hockey I shall admit does stem from UND. They have a great HOCKEY program. Which is great for them. I really can enjoy watching hockey from time to time, and thats without understanding half the rules. I really dislike how they think they have SOOO many fans.

As for hockey, I'd rather just pump money into basketball in football. Hockey I couldnt get excited about beating top ten teams. Its tough to get excited when there are what? Like 65 teams?? Beating a top ten in basketball was AWESOME when they beat marquette and wisconsin.

Football, will we ever be a Boise or TCU? I'm going to take a wild guess and say no. But we get to watch a hell of a show with a great atmosphere in the Dome. According to the New York Times, out of the major hockey schools, UND has one of the most boring atmospheres compared to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Yale, etc.

Sorry for digressing into hockey vs. football/basketball, I don't want hockey because I don't want to get the whole hockey school thing where it takes schollies and money away from football and basketball. I thoroughly enjoy watching college hockey, but I don't think it'd be worth our time.

If we could guarantee it'd make money and not hurt football/basketball, sure lets go for it! But like I said, I want a GUARANTEE.

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Originally Posted by gabe

We live in the midwest, right? We recruit athletes and students in the midwest, right? The WCHA and Big Ten (in future) get a lot of press in the midwest. The Sioux are on TV more than anybody. We would improve exposure in the midwest. How would this not increase our profile?

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The "who" I was referring to are the niche group of hockey followers. They are only people who would give a rip about hockey in the first place... people like: ME. But... I'm in the minority, and I don't try to blow hockey up to be this amazing world dominating sport because it's not.

HERE'S THE POINT: Nobody outside of hockey followers cares about hockey, so it really doesn't "raise our profile" with anyone of consequence.

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Originally Posted by mgbison

i agree with ya gabe, it would raise our profile in the midwest and thats all that matters. People in other parts of the country aren't gonna give a rip about ndsu or follow ndsu no matter what.

The main reason people bitch and complain about hockey is because und has it and they have a successful program. You know damn well that if the situation was reversed and we had a good hockey team that we would have bison fans on ss.com rubbing it in nonstop. We try to rip and make fun of their hockey program, but the only program that is laughable is our men's bball program. How much ndsu men's basketball clothing do you see compared to sioux hockey gear. Its not even close. Hopefully that changes in the next 5 to 10 years.

With that being said, great job michigan!

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Proposterous statement tourney 2012 candidate...

Adding men's hockey is a good idea, it is a sport that people would be interested in watching and it could potentially turn a profit. There is no denying that, the problem is where do we get the money to start it up? What happens in regards to Title IX?

If we added men's hockey, we would have to add a women's sport. That team wouldn't make money, in fact it would likely be a black hole(especially if we add women's hockey). Adding hockey would also require some significant start up costs.

So all you hockey backers, you want the sport well you gotta show me the money. I'm talking $15-20 million to get the ball rolling because I don't want one single current sport to be affected by adding a potential hockey burden. I am not interested in the sacrificing any sport in the name of butthockey.

I don't see that kind of money being put together unless there is some big money donor that wants it to happen like the guy at Penn State that I don't know about. But if it can be done you have my support.

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Originally Posted by Facts

Proposterous statement tourney 2012 candidate...

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I agree. The 2011 mens team made improvements over the 2010 team (who was coincidentally the worst Bison basketball team I ever watched in my life, but that's the consequence for the 2004-2009 Fab-5 plan). The basketball team is moving in the right direction. Once the SHAC is built, the program will really be going places we never thought they would go. The only real problem with the basketball team is not recruiting or coaching, it's scheduling. When 1/7th of your home schedule is against the bottom-of-the-barrel teams of the DAC, fans don't want to see that.

Then again, going back to the hockey discussion, who's going to come to Fargo to play a Bison hockey team during the non-con schedule (assuming we can get into the WCHA)?? Schools like Clarkson, Union, Rensellaer, Alaska-Fairbanks, Alabama-Huntsville... Those schools will most likely be the norm.

But even the non-DI "DI" hockey schools support their hockey programs WAY more than Mayville and Valley City support their basketball programs.

Here is my problem with the proposal of dropping baseball and adding hockey. In the greater sense of being an institution of the State of North Dakota, baseball is a much more assessable sport to the youth of ND. With the Legion and Babe Ruth programs, there are a lot of kids playing baseball. Youth involvement in hockey is much, much more limited. Not only due to the lack of quality rink's but it is also a very expensive sport to be involved in.

I have my own personal opinions on hockey as a sport, but I will save them for another day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NDSUstudent

Adding men's hockey is a good idea, it is a sport that people would be interested in watching and it could potentially turn a profit. There is no denying that, the problem is where do we get the money to start it up? What happens in regards to Title IX?

If we added men's hockey, we would have to add a women's sport. That team wouldn't make money, in fact it would likely be a black hole(especially if we add women's hockey). Adding hockey would also require some significant start up costs.

So all you hockey backers, you want the sport well you gotta show me the money. I'm talking $15-20 million to get the ball rolling because I don't want one single current sport to be affected by adding a potential hockey burden. I am not interested in the sacrificing any sport in the name of butthockey.

I don't see that kind of money being put together unless there is some big money donor that wants it to happen like the guy at Penn State that I don't know about. But if it can be done you have my support.

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I think its worth exploring. If the money is there than yes. If its not? No. But let's get the SHAC done first. Like I said... it can't hurt football and basketball.

Minnesota Duluth can fund a team good enough to win a D2 National Championships in Football and a D1 Hockey Championship in the same year.. I'm tellin ya we can pull this off while strengthening our basketball team.

Maybe the state can give us more money! :)

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Originally Posted by gabe

Minnesota Duluth can fund a team good enough to win a D2 National Championships in Football and a D1 Hockey Championship in the same year.. I'm tellin ya we can pull this off while strengthening our basketball team.

Maybe the state can give us more money! :)

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D2 football team with 28 scholarships and not 60+ and taking advantage of NDSU and UND not raiding MN kids like they used to for that level of play.

Traditionally strong Hockey program that has been around for over 30+ years and amazingly had never won a national title til this week.

Huge difference in the scenarios of their programs and us adding hockey. Our football team offers close to around $400,000 more in scholarship money and likely has a recruiting budget 3 times the size of UMD. Your trying to compare regional and national and the $$$ don't add up.

How long are fans willing to wait for a winner until everyone is ready to dismantle the hockey program? Unless you fork over $250,000-$300,000 for Dean Blais you will not have an immediate winner.

Besides that WOMENS HOCKEY WILL BE REQUIRED!!!!!!!!!!! Their is absolutely NO way around it!

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Originally Posted by bisonpride

D2 football team with 28 scholarships and not 60+ and taking advantage of NDSU and UND not raiding MN kids like they used to for that level of play.

Traditionally strong Hockey program that has been around for over 30+ years and amazingly had never won a national title til this week.

Huge difference in the scenarios of their programs and us adding hockey. Our football team offers close to around $400,000 more in scholarship money and likely has a recruiting budget 3 times the size of UMD. Your trying to compare regional and national and the $$$ don't add up.

How long are fans willing to wait for a winner until everyone is ready to dismantle the hockey program? Unless you fork over $250,000-$300,000 for Dean Blais you will not have an immediate winner.

Besides that WOMENS HOCKEY WILL BE REQUIRED!!!!!!!!!!! Their is absolutely NO way around it!

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but on SS.com they said we could add women's equestrian and that would off set the title IX compliance :facepalm:

let's add a sport that is going to cost us way too much and could be dead in the next 15 years. :facepalm:

things to be completed before even considering adding hockey (no particular order):
1. basketball facility
2. indoor practice facility for baseball/softball/football/soccer
3. increase funding to baseball program
4. HD camera capabilities in the Fargodome
5. better media coverage for entire athletic program

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bisonpride

D2 football team with 28 scholarships and not 60+ and taking advantage of NDSU and UND not raiding MN kids like they used to for that level of play.

Traditionally strong Hockey program that has been around for over 30+ years and amazingly had never won a national title til this week.

Huge difference in the scenarios of their programs and us adding hockey. Our football team offers close to around $400,000 more in scholarship money and likely has a recruiting budget 3 times the size of UMD. Your trying to compare regional and national and the $$$ don't add up.

How long are fans willing to wait for a winner until everyone is ready to dismantle the hockey program? Unless you fork over $250,000-$300,000 for Dean Blais you will not have an immediate winner.

Besides that WOMENS HOCKEY WILL BE REQUIRED!!!!!!!!!!! Their is absolutely NO way around it!

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They have absolutely benefitted from NDSU/UND/SDSU/USD leaving D2. Shows how watered down it is. But it's stilll a good accomplishment to win the D2 Championship. Heck, NAIA teams beat UND now!

Listening to Sid and Dave this morning, they said a big part of the Championship was the new hockey arena that got built this year. It's nice but not huge. Capacity just over 6700 fans.

I think it's an added bonus that we already have the Scheels Center which is smaller but a great facility. It is certainly no Ralph but it's still as nice or nicer than many of the arenas and it can be ugraded as well. If you compare it to CHA teams, it's bigger than most. Smaller than WCHA arenas.

We don't need a big name coach. There are so few teams out there there are not many opportunities being given to coaches. However if we end up selling out every game and raising donations, we may have enough money to pay a coach like that.

We have to explore the idea. I think it's idiotic to just flat out say "no we dont' have the money and there is no chance of it working." How about we actually research it first. Who knows? There could be a ton of potential donors out there. Of course they are not going to show up unless we ask. Moorhead State even claimed to have had enough donors to pull it off.

Finish the SHAC. Research it.

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Originally Posted by gabe

We have to explore the idea.

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No, we don't. Something tells me the university isn't about to spend the money necessary to research it unless they're certain it's going to work. Exploring it is a waste of time if one is unsure and committing to spend the $40 million + is something they'd better be damn sure of. If that certainty isn't there, it doesn't make sense to do anything. We've gotten along for the past 110+ years without a hockey program, why is the need so dire now?

If we're not going to be playing at least 3-4 series (9-12 games) a year against some of the Big Ten schools and Notre Dame, I personally don't think it's worth it. I'm honestly not interested in a season schedule loaded with Denver, Colorado College, Bemidji, UND, St. Cloud, Mankato, UND, Anchorage, UND, Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State, UND, Clarkson, Union, UND and UND.

And if anyone thinks it's going to be easy for UND to continue getting games with Minnesota/Wisconsin once BT hockey starts, and therefore it would be easier for us to, you're truly mistaken. UND will be light years ahead of us to begin with, and they may be extremely light on the BCS hockey schools in their hockey schedule once the Big Ten starts up play. I can see UND still travelling to the Goofs or Badgers once a year, but I honestly don't see UND hosting a game against Minn. or Wisc. ever again once BT hockey starts up. What's NDSU's schedule gonna look like when we're not even close to the same established level at UND?? If you're reading this thread thinking the Goofs or Badgers are gonna come to Scheels Arena (or the Ralph, for that matter - Yeah, I said it, Sioux fans, deal with it) 5-10 years from now, you're sorely mistaken.

I'm sorry, but if we're not playing a BT school or Notre Dame or BC at least once a month in our schedule, I say it's not worth it.

I would rather have football move to FBS 1,000 times out of 1,000.

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Originally Posted by TheBisonator

If we're not going to be playing at least 3-4 series (9-12 games) a year against some of the Big Ten schools and Notre Dame, I personally don't think it's worth it. I'm honestly not interested in a season schedule loaded with Denver, Colorado College, Bemidji, UND, St. Cloud, Mankato, UND, Anchorage, UND, Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State, UND, Clarkson, Union, UND and UND.

And if anyone thinks it's going to be easy for UND to continue getting games with Minnesota/Wisconsin once BT hockey starts, and therefore it would be easier for us to, you're truly mistaken. UND will be light years ahead of us to begin with, and they may be extremely light on the BCS hockey schools in their hockey schedule once the Big Ten starts up play. I can see UND still travelling to the Goofs or Badgers once a year, but I honestly don't see UND hosting a game against Minn. or Wisc. ever again once BT hockey starts up. What's NDSU's schedule gonna look like when we're not even close to the same established level at UND?? If you're reading this thread thinking the Goofs or Badgers are gonna come to Scheels Arena (or the Ralph, for that matter - Yeah, I said it, Sioux fans, deal with it) 5-10 years from now, you're sorely mistaken.

I'm sorry, but if we're not playing a BT school or Notre Dame or BC at least once a month in our schedule, I say it's not worth it.

I would rather have football move to FBS 1,000 times out of 1,000.

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Meh. I wouldn't agree with the ever statement.

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Originally Posted by DjKyRo

No, we don't. Something tells me the university isn't about to spend the money necessary to research it unless they're certain it's going to work. Exploring it is a waste of time if one is unsure and committing to spend the $40 million + is something they'd better be damn sure of. If that certainty isn't there, it doesn't make sense to do anything. We've gotten along for the past 110+ years without a hockey program, why is the need so dire now?

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We also went 100 years without D1 athletics. Why go D1? They did explore the D1 transition while others were unsure it would work. You have to check and see if the support is there first.

Oh God Shut Up. This Isn't Happening. Espn Hockey Overnight Rating. .8

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Originally Posted by onbison09

Meh. I wouldn't agree with the ever statement.

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Yeah, from what I read anyways, it sounded like Big Ten hockey doesn't have enough teams to stay away from UND and such. It sounded like the WCHA and BT were going to let rivals cross-conference each other and have series twice a year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by coldspot

but on SS.com they said we could add women's equestrian and that would off set the title IX compliance :facepalm:

let's add a sport that is going to cost us way too much and could be dead in the next 15 years. :facepalm:

things to be completed before even considering adding hockey (no particular order):
1. basketball facility
2. indoor practice facility for baseball/softball/football/soccer
3. increase funding to baseball program
4. HD camera capabilities in the Fargodome
5. better media coverage for entire athletic program

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6. Build a Sonic on campus

This is a quote I found on ss.com regarding Williston State adding club hockey.

"As far as NDSU hockey, their fans and administration will never go for it because they know they could never get to UND's level. That's fine by me. But what they fail to see is that hockey gives UND major inroads to the Fargo-Moorhead market, even among non-UND alumni. The school-age kids there instantly recognize that UND hockey is really the only top level program around, and want to be part of that. By converting the kids to being Sioux hockey fans, it also opens the door for them to be Sioux fans in everything else. NDSU wouldn't even need to start women's hockey to compensate for Title IX, as they can just move their women's equestrian program to varsity status. With Scheel's Arena, the business potential is better than NDSU admins ever admit, but they have too many problems raising money for basic DI facility needs."

Is this true? I now that NDSU needs to work on their presence in the FM area, but I can't help but wonder if the success of their hockey translates to an increase in their 'supposed' fans for other sports. Don't tell me that anyone who has been out and around Fargo or been to a Force game doesn't see more UND stuff around then we all would like.

Maybe I am just being paranoid, and I am not in favor of adding hockey any time soon, but I just don't want to see Fargo-Moorhead being invaded and claiming more UND 'fans' who have choose all Sioux sports (whatever else they play up there...summer hockey? fall hockey? women's hockey?) over possibly becoming Bison fans.

Sidenote: Minot state has begun listing their hockey team on their main page of their athletics. Moving up once D2?

As for hockey giving inroads into FM, sure, yeah, but does football and basketball give us inroads in North Dakota? Yeah. Lets keep things the way they are. With us being happy how we are, and UND following us around saying, "We sure have a great hockey team, eh?"

There is some merit to the "teh hockies as a gateway drug to UND all-sports fandom" although smart fans of the non-teh-hockies sports know the difference. And those that don't, well, they fit the profile.