UND to join Summit/MVFC

[ndsubison1]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not upset about UND joining the Summit/MFVC.

I wouldn't have objected to them being completely incompetent for another 15 years, but, hey, don't cry because it's over, laugh because it happened.

I do, however, completely reject the idea that this is great for NDSU. Heck, it's a stretch to claim that it's even marginally good for NDSU. On the flip side, only idiots would argue that this isn't best thing to happen to UND's athletic department in 15 years. If you want to cling to the hope that UND will somehow screw this up, you've got to pray that the same idiots that fought DI and picked the Big Sky will be triumphant once more. Idiocy, I fear, is like any other natural resource in that it's not infinite, and I'm afraid that, in the end, UND just ran out of dickwittery.

I dont see how they end up being any worse than USD

[Mr Meaty]

#notmyconference
Protest march being scheduled

[StL Bison Fan]

#notmyconference
Protest march being scheduled

can we march from proof to rooters with stops on the way?

[BisonCardinal]

#notmyconference
Protest march being scheduled

No mustard on my sandwich please. The MVFC inauguration ceremony (performed on Tom Douple's backyard deck) should be awesome as it will show the peaceful transition of power from the MVC schools to the Summit schools.

[IBleedYellow]

We should know the Big Sky's opinion on UND when they waive their buyout fee like has been rumored.

You don't waive fees for programs you want to keep.

[UND-92]

This may be the one thing that makes me rethink FBS. Be interesting to see if UN_ could even remotely afford to follow again. Funny how they always aspire to be like NDSU.

Your Quote "Funny how they always aspire to be like NDSU" is completely , 100% wrong. I do respect how well NDSU Football and Men's BB have done over the last 8+ years, but NDSU went D1 because UND was beating them at almost every sport the previous 10-12 years prior to their move up. UND was already D1 in Hockey, their signature sport, so many already considered UND a D1 school. Su couldn't beat them on the field or on the court so they moved up to get away from UND. Once other schools from D111 started moving up to D11, UND then moved up to D1 as D11 was getting watered down. In hind sight, most people agree UND and USD should have moved up with the SU's. If that had happened then, they all would have been in the same conference. This move only gets them all together again 10 years later. I personally like the Big Sky, but the travel is just too much. This move is 100% because of financial savings and easier/less travel costs. I will also enjoy driving 3-5 hours to some games in the future, where I could not do that in the Big Sky.

[TransAmBison]

Your Quote "Funny how they always aspire to be like NDSU" is completely , 100% wrong. I do respect how well NDSU Football and Men's BB have done over the last 8+ years, but NDSU went D1 because UND was beating them at almost every sport the previous 10-12 years prior to their move up. UND was already D1 in Hockey, their signature sport, so many already considered UND a D1 school. Su couldn't beat them on the field or on the court so they moved up to get away from UND. Once other schools from D111 started moving up to D11, UND then moved up to D1 as D11 was getting watered down. In hind sight, most people agree UND and USD should have moved up with the SU's. If that had happened then, they all would have been in the same conference. This move only gets them all together again 10 years later. I personally like the Big Sky, but the travel is just too much. This move is 100% because of financial savings and easier/less travel costs. I will also enjoy driving 3-5 hours to some games in the future, where I could not do that in the Big Sky.

We went DI because of UND. This guy is either funny or stupid. I'm guessing stupid in a funny sort of way...

[kab1one]

Your Quote "Funny how they always aspire to be like NDSU" is completely , 100% wrong. I do respect how well NDSU Football and Men's BB have done over the last 8+ years, but NDSU went D1 because UND was beating them at almost every sport the previous 10-12 years prior to their move up. UND was already D1 in Hockey, their signature sport, so many already considered UND a D1 school. Su couldn't beat them on the field or on the court so they moved up to get away from UND. Once other schools from D111 started moving up to D11, UND then moved up to D1 as D11 was getting watered down. In hind sight, most people agree UND and USD should have moved up with the SU's. If that had happened then, they all would have been in the same conference. This move only gets them all together again 10 years later. I personally like the Big Sky, but the travel is just too much. This move is 100% because of financial savings and easier/less travel costs. I will also enjoy driving 3-5 hours to some games in the future, where I could not do that in the Big Sky.

I would also note that UND was perceived to be the better school academically. The law, medical and aeronautical schools to name a few. Dr. Chapman with his two prong approach using athletics to increase the academic side with additional programs, money, students, etc.

In turn UND got caught up in the logo debacle which dramatically impacted regional and national perception of school and the Bison brand got hot and passed it by.

[Yote 53]

Sure, the MVC has a much better basketball history. But I had to laugh a couple years ago when Wichita State made the Final Four. They said it was the first time a MVC team had made the Final Four since 1979. 1979!!!. I think that is the Larry Bird era. I think he's collecting Social Security now. So the other 4 times are pre-1979, correct me if I am wrong.

Just think the trajectory for the Summit is more upward than the MVC right now. The Summit will now be a conference that's controlled by the Dakota's and will be able to be choosier about new members from now on. I think by adding UND, they are setting up the MVFC for two divisions with Wichita State starting football in the next couple years.

MVFC - West
NDSU
SDSU
UND
USD
Wichita State
UNI

MVFC - East
Illinois State
Indiana State
SIU
WIU
MSU
YSU

My personal opinion is that Elgin (MVC commissioner) should have raided the Summit of all its football members and made an all-sports MVC, but I think that ship has sailed.

That would be a great all-sports conference. The east is stronger in basketball now but the west would catch up eventually. The west is stronger in football but the east could catch up.

[Bison03]

UND was already trying to be an anti-Big Sky, and more like a Valley team by focusing on running the ball and defense. It will be interesting to see if and when they will get that to Valley standards. What will be interesting is now UND's recruiting footprint will change. Sure, they recruit locally; but having to battle USD, SDSU, and big brother NDSU for local recruits won't be easy. But hey, a recruiting trip to an assistant coach's garage to show them the Nickel will be a huge recruiting advantage...