GF Herald: Big Sky Should Add NDSU

[zooropa]

Douple indicated that USD was convinced to hold off on making a decision over the weekend.

USD wasn't "convinced". They needed BoR approval to pay the Summit League buyout.

[Bison bison]

Rand-McNally-247x350.jpg


.....................

[zooropa]

I am certainly open to being convinced of that. I'm sure you have a quote or a link?

You did read the article at the start of this thread, right? The one about how the Big Sky wants a 'travel partner' for UND.

That certainly doesn't suggest satisfaction with the status quo, although I and Bison Dan may have taken an excusable liberty in calling it 'buyer's remorse'.

[abc123]

Excellent summary. Next you're going to tell me that when the SBoHE retired the nickname in April 2010 that that indeed was the end of the concern regarding the nickname, and that the Summit had nothing to be concerned about at that time?

There was no change from April when the name was dropped or even from June when the Presidents met to November when the visit was scheduled. Why the delay? And if there was a concern, why did the meeting suddenly need to be moved up? Obviously the Summit was fine with how things were progressing when they met in June and discussed it, they were of the opinion they could take their time and make UND operate on their timeline.

The who would never accept an invite to the Summit. To do so would be to say they were wrong in going to the BSC. They would rather cut off their nose to spite their face....

Yes, finding a home for their football team was the wrong move. They should have left them as an independent and put all the other sports in a stable Summit.

[NorthernBison]

USD wasn't "convinced". They needed BoR approval to pay the Summit League buyout.

OK. Fine. They were going to accept the BSC invite until Douple moved fast and got the MVFC to accept another football member. If USD didn't see an MVFC offer coming, then UND certainly wasn't "aware" that there was only 1 spot available. They had to assume zero chance.

So, bottom line for SUU, UND, and USD was that their football programs were DEAD with only a Summit Invite since Poly and Davis had already accepted a BSC football only invite. Can't blame SUU and UND for saying yes to Fullerton.

[zooropa]

if Summit has not picked up the phone and talked to UND about this, with a guaranteed MVFC spot, they are run by morons.

As Hammersmith has pointed out, the Summit/MVFC schools cannot force the addition of UND alone. But they can force the addition of UND and one other school.

And, frankly, I think the Big Sky would be quite willing to ditch UND's Olympic sports and keep their football team. When you think of the tennis, volleyball, soccer and basketball teams having to trudge out to Grand Forks and *just* Grand Forks, getting exactly one event in at a cost of what? $3 per mile? Or even more expensive airfare?

[zooropa]

Can't blame SUU and UND for saying yes to Fullerton.

Indeed. And UND already knew that they weren't getting in the MVFC with USD: Viverito was quite clear about that.

I understand why SUU & UND accepted the Big Sky invite, but I have no idea why the Big Sky wanted to add all five Great West teams in the first place.

[Spiker]

The who would never accept an invite to the Summit. To do so would be to say they were wrong in going to the BSC. They would rather cut off their nose to spite their face....

You are right. UND would never accept an offer from the Summit. Who supposedly thinks it was wrong to go to the Big Sky. UND going to the Big Sky looks really smart right now. You have to admit the attractiveness of the Summit is at an all time low right now. The Summit is looking more and more like the NCC which is exactly what NDSU was trying to get away from. Have fun in the Summit. The conference that everyone is trying to get out of.

[NDSUguy]

From my vantage point, the Big Sky is good and bad for UND.

Good:
Games against the Montana schools
All sports in one conference

Bad:
Travel costs
Time zone issues


The unfortunate reality is this: While UND might be happy in a conference that is "stable" they are suffering from an athletic budget perspective. The extra travel costs associated with their participation in hockey suck sooooo much money from the other sports that it will difficult for the school to excel in football/basketball.

If you look at their athletic expendatures for the sports in the Big Sky that matter (Football/Basketball), they are no where close to the top. Money = Winning

While the Summit may be shakey (for the moment), NDSU can look forward to spending the bulk of their resources on the sports that matter. That is part of the reason why NDSU football and NDSU basketball (Men's) has been very successful over the past 5 years.

[southpaw]

You did read the article at the start of this thread, right? The one about how the Big Sky wants a 'travel partner' for UND.

That certainly doesn't suggest satisfaction with the status quo, although I and Bison Dan may have taken an excusable liberty in calling it 'buyer's remorse'.

“We do have UND, which we enjoy as a partner, sitting on an island,” Fullerton said. “If we develop divisions, that mitigates some of the travel that we face.”

That tells me they are happy with UND but would like another Dakota team. USD was going to be that team but then the MVFC came calling. Nothing has changed for the Big Sky from when UND was accepted til now. They're still looking for that second team.