McFeely column on new UND AD.......

[WYOBISONMAN]

Our buddy McFeely actually has a pretty acurate column on the issues that will be staring at the new UND AD when he takes over.....

Mike McFeely
The Forum - 05/11/2005


Thomas Buning will not meet with the media until Friday. That gives us, the jackals, plenty of time to formulate questions for the new University of North Dakota athletic director.

Such as:

- Do you have Ralph Engelstad Arena, Inc., on speed dial yet?

But seriously folks, amid all the talk of Division I, the future of Division II and the North Central Conference, fundraising, the nickname and whatever other issues UND faces, the most challenging for Buning might be the Sioux athletic department's relationship with REA, Inc.

REA controls both the Ralph and the Betty, arenas in which the Sioux hockey and basketball teams play. It, not unimportantly, dictates marketing and promotion of Sioux athletics. It also has a hand in other things, like ticketing.

It is a most odd relationship between a private entity and the athletic department of a public university. It can be frustrating, as former Sioux AD Roger Thomas will attest.

Throw in the fact UND's football team also plays in a non-university-controlled venue, the Alerus, and facilities become a major part of the daily battle.

How will Buning handle it?

- Did you have a plan in mind when you mentioned renewing UND's rivalry with North Dakota State, or were you just throwing ideas against the wall to see what stuck?

Quoted in an article in the Grand Forks Herald, Buning said restoring the Bison rivalry was "on the top of my plate."

He might want to return to the front of the buffet line and see what else is available.

In Fargo, home of NDSU, sentiment to play the Sioux again is nil.

At NDSU, where such decisions are made, sentiment to play the Sioux again might be less than nil.

Aside from Division I minimum standards that might hinder the rivalry's return as long as UND is D-II, there is an overwhelming sense among Bison coaches that athletic director Gene Taylor should tell the Sioux to take a hike should they come calling.

UND's decision to haughtily snub the Bison in 2004-05 doesn't sit well.

"I think he needs to get a little bit of a better feel for what is going on among the coaches in Grand Forks and what our feelings are. If he thinks there is going to be a welcome with open arms among our ranks and among our coaches, I think he'd be mistaken," Taylor said. "It's not as easy as it sounds. And I'll tell him that when I meet with him."

Buning, as a new guy, can be excused for not being in tune. When it comes to Sioux-Bison issues, he'll soon learn missteps aren't always so easily overlooked.

- Are you ready to play the hapless middle man in the endless will-they-or-won't-they, should-they-or-shouldn't-they clash over the Sioux and Division I?

Buning's president, Charles Kupchella, outwardly has no interest in Division I and his is the final say. Ditto some of his coaches. And boosters.

Yet some of his coaches, like ultra-successful football man Dale Lennon, are all for moving up. So are other coaches. And many boosters.

Buning, like his predecessor Thomas, is stuck in the middle. Can't speak out of turn and risk dissing Kupchella. Can't too harshly pooh-pooh Division I and alienate key staff and boosters.

He'll just have to ride that fence, no matter his personal feelings, and wait for word from above on what to publicly say and do.

Perhaps, given Buning's previous employer (the United States Military Academy), that might be one of the easier parts of a job that promises to be extremely difficult.

[Bison_Dan]

First good column McFeely has written in a long time. I agree that Buning has a lot of fences to mend.

[bisongold]

I still could care less if NDSU ever plays UND in anything ever again! Too much is made out of a rivalry that became too rabid and classless...something totally contrary to what sports should be about. Fortunately, I never witnessed the players getting out of hand for either team...only bottom-dwelling fans. No, this is one rivalry that I can do without. Would much prefer SDSU and Montana as rivals.

[Sioux_Yeah_Yeah]

I still could care less if NDSU ever plays UND in anything ever again! *Too much is made out of a rivalry that became too rabid and classless...something totally contrary to what sports should be about. *Fortunately, I never witnessed the players getting out of hand for either team...only bottom-dwelling fans. *No, this is one rivalry that I can do without. * Would much prefer SDSU and Montana as rivals.

I thought the rivalry was great. *Sure there was classless acts and there was also that mutual hatred for each other that you just have to love. *But, it's like FSU-FLA or OSU-Mich * Like Rocky said, "you could go 1 and 10, but as long as that 1 is against those son of a guns your season is a success." *That's what I call a rivalry!

Of course if you're looking for handshakes and hugs after every game you aren't going to like a good rivalry.

[JBB]

Great column. *Dr. Taylors words are true. *As Dirks Bently might say weve got a lot of scheduling left to do and it doesnt need to include a North Dakota DII school *

As a long time BISON fan, third generation graduate and financial contributor to NDSU I am behind him all the way. *Their treatment of NDSU has been less than shabby and was designed to inflict harm on our University. *It just isnt as easy as being a nice guy. *

Buning needs to visit Fargo all right, even before he finds out he works in Grand Forks. *$27.50 for his thoughts.

[UND92]

Honestly, with all bitterness put aside, who would like to see the games between us played again? McFeely said there is "nil" interest in Fargo and less interest at ndsu. Michaels said last night on his radio show "let's face it, everybody in fargo want's the sioux-bison game". There is two different opinions from the media. Just wondering what the fans of both schools think. I know many bison fans are upset with UND's administration, but put that aside and honestly answer. I for one would like to see it continue. It is like no other game.

[IowaBison]

Honestly, with all bitterness put aside, who would like to see the games between us played again? *McFeely said there is "nil" interest in Fargo and less interest at ndsu. *Michaels said last night on his radio show "let's face it, everybody in fargo want's the sioux-bison game". *There is two different opinions from the media. *Just wondering what the fans of both schools think. *I know many bison fans are upset with UND's administration, but put that aside and honestly answer. *I for one would like to see it continue. *It is like no other game.

In all honesty, I'd be just as excited for the rivalry game as I am for SDSU, Montana, or Montana State.

That's especially true until UND becomes an established DIAA program, which in all honesty, might never happen.

Do I want to see us beating up on some D2 team, even if it is UND? *Definitely not.

The best thing about the rivalry is that the teams were competitive especially in recent years and the games were good regardless of it being UND/NDSU.

I just don't see that being the case in the next ten years.

[JBB]

I think NDSU needs to cultivate new relationships in our division. Its obvious we will be following the common DI-AA model and playing a lower division school most seasons. This seems to be the case for DI-A football schools as well. If we play anyone from North Dakota it should be Bismarck. Their program could use the boost.

[roadwarrior]

Based on the number of posts on this site mentioning UND by Bison fans, it is quite apparent that there is a very high interest in continuing the rivalry. (Although no one seems brave enough to admit it)

This thread is in the "Bison Commons" area of Bisonville, and what do I see besides a bunch of topics related to UND! Maybe Tony should create a special section devoted to UND topics only. That way those Bison fans that cannot get UND off their minds can keep posting in that area and leave the rest of the bulletin board to what it was intended to be.

By the way, I would like to see the games between the Bison and Sioux return, but only after UND moves up to D-I.

[JACKGUYII]

Honestly, with all bitterness put aside, who would like to see the games between us played again? *McFeely said there is "nil" interest in Fargo and less interest at ndsu. *Michaels said last night on his radio show "let's face it, everybody in fargo want's the sioux-bison game". *There is two different opinions from the media. *Just wondering what the fans of both schools think. *I know many bison fans are upset with UND's administration, but put that aside and honestly answer. *I for one would like to see it continue. *It is like no other game.

I think the memories of the cold shoulder treatment by UND and USD towards the State U's after our move to DI will not die anytime soon. In five years if USD and UND want to come to Brookings and Fargo for an ass wupping than I say fine! They need us a lot more than we need them. When we did need them they were pouting in the corner!