Bison Linebacker Travis Beck to plead guilty to resisting arrest

NDSU linebacker Travis Beck to plead guilty to resisting arrest. http://t.co/wyU8fmxk1M
— WDAZsports (@WDAZsports) August 5, 2013

What's this? I thought that there was nothing to see there folks? I thought that Travis Beck was a victim of the Fargo Police Department? Hum, this is interesting. Now, it will also be interesting to see if the NDSU football coach Craig Bohl will finally suspend Travis Beck for a game or two? I am willing to bet that Bohl will say that were handling this matter internally and nothing will happen because we all know that winning is the only things that matters.

Emily Welker, Forum News – A starting linebacker with the North Dakota State University football team is set to plead guilty to resisting arrest charges later this month.

The guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge would come after prosecutors dropped a more serious felony assault charge against Travis Beck, 21.

Both charges were linked to a brawl outside a down-town Fargo restaurant after bar closing earlier this summer in which police said Beck knocked the other man unconscious.

The more serious charges were dropped by county prosecutors after they said surveillance video from nearby businesses and police cameras showed Beck might have been acting in self-defense. The video also showed four officers converging on Beck after the fight, during which he seems to struggle as they handcuff him

Imagine if this was a UND hockey player? I would be willing to bet that we wouldn't be hearing crickets, like we are in this case. Recently, an Ohio State football player was suspended because he didn't walk away from a fight.

Related articles

• Travis Beck arrest video portrays NDSU football in a positive light (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND and NDSU to resume the football rivalry?

September 19th, 2015: Could that be the day when #NDSU and #UND end the drought? Bison have only Montana scheduled for that year #FCS
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) June 19, 2013

Tonight, there was a tweet WDAY's Dom Izzo and apparently there's a chance that the NDSU and UND might resume the historic rivalry and begin playing football in 2015. That would be awesome news if true.

I was also re-reading an old blog post from last November  and of course there was the usual and predictable moronathon of comments from NDSU fans. You know, "the who needs UND, blah, blah, blah"…Kind of reminds me of the comments I have seen made from another rival or ours.

Look, when I went to school at UND, the Sioux vs the Bison football game was one of the hottest tickets in town, it was a very fun rivalry. I don't understand why people are still biter on both sides, after all of these years. Sure, Roger Thomas made a poor decision by deciding not to continue playing NDSU, but he has been gone from UND for a long time.

Lastly, I found a comment from a fan that really hits a home run. Also, this guys comments kind of puts things in perspective. Check it out. I would love to buy this guy a beer, because he gets it. Seriously, he's right, do NDSU fan "really" want to see the Bison play some slouch team, that fits the weak sister of the poor label, or do they want to play a real rival?

Related articles

• Travis Beck arrest video portrays NDSU football in a positive light (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NDSU Travis Beck suspended from Bison Football team after Felonious assault outside Fargo Bar (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Attorney: Bison linebacker's conduct 'defensible' (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NDSU linebacker charged with aggravated assault (sfgate.com)

Travis Beck arrest video portrays NDSU football in a positive light

Check out the Fargo Police video of the arrest of NDSU linebacker Travis Beck's, this was filmed in the back of a Fargo police car as  he's being placed under arrest and then transported to the hospital on June 9, 2013.

If you watch the video, it doesn't shed a very positive light on the NDSU football program or  Travis Beck. [click to watch the video] on this same link you can also watch the incident video, which is sketchy at best. Like I predicted many in the NDSU fan base are making Beck out to be the victim in this incident, if you listen to the video you will hear that this isn't the first time that he's resisted arrest.

Of course Travis Beck is a victim and misunderstood, if you read the fan message boards. Here's the problem, he's downtown intoxicated, getting in an physical altercation, he's not without fault like some have suggested. The fact remains, that NDSU Football program under Craig Bohl has an image problem. Don't expect a suspension in this matter.

Related articles

• NDSU Football: Prosecutors drop felony assault charge against Bison linebacker (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NDSU Travis Beck suspended from Bison Football team after Felonious assault outside Fargo Bar (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Attorney: Bison linebacker's conduct 'defensible' (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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One Last time, NDSU makes their case for their athletes

I know this isn't hockey related but it's kind of a big deal to the people of North Dakota. I am also going to get back to covering UND hockey starting tomorrow when I go to the Hockey media luncheon, that I promise you.

This evening, NDSU head football coach Craig Bohl, Athletic Director Gene Taylor and University President Dean Bresciani addressed the Fargo media on why the North Dakota State University didn't suspend nine of the 10 players that plead guilty to violating North Dakota election laws. In other words, only one player is going to get suspended for basically screwing up a petition drive that Ducks Unlimited was going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on promoting.

So, whether those in Fargo to include fans of the Bison Nation want to acknowledge this or not – this this kind of a big deal – these football players attempted to selfishly circumvented the election process – these guys attempted to defraud the state of North Dakota for personal gain. That is a serious deal – I don’t buy this crap about the players not really understanding what they did – that is absolute balderdash. These are adults and their actions have consequences and playing football for North Dakota State University is a privilege not a right – the Bison players in this case are also not the victims some have made them out to be.

If the NDSU coaching staff had just decided to suspend the players involved in this crime during the RMU game, this would have been over and it would have ended all of the speculation that has taken place since with each passing day.

Tuesday Links - Discipline and TV Schedule addition

Senkbeil, Parks punished for minors bit.ly/RQhQ4X
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) September 11, 2012

There might be four people that hasn't heard about this yet. As we know word travels fast in Grand Forks, ND. UND hockey beat writer Brad Schlossman, is reporting that two UND hockey players were cited for Minor in Possession. Unlike the "other school" to the south coach Hakstol deals swiftly with these types of matters swiftly before they get out of hand.

Two UND players have been punished for receiving minors in possession/consumption of alcohol.

Dan Senkbeil, who was cited for a minor and for failure to halt on Aug. 31, was suspended from all team activities for two weeks. He has not yet been cleared by coach Dave Hakstol to play in games. Senkbeil received his minor one week before turning 21.

Michael Parks was cited for a minor and his punishment is being handled internally. Parks is 20.

Apparently, the NDSU head football coach Craig Bohl is finally, going to start giving their players some sort of punishment - no matter how minor it might seem - Sophomore outside lineback Travis Beck will now be given a minor slap on the wrist after he recieved his second Minor in Possession of alcohol.

#NDSU HC Craig Bohl tells me Travis Beck will be disciplined internally by team for charge of MIP
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) September 11, 2012

NBCSN released it's 2012-13 college hockey schedule today and UND hockey fans will get to see at least two road games on the NBCSN.

Ice Breaker Tournament

Fri., Oct. 12 Notre Dame vs. #12 Maine 7 p.m.
Army vs. Nebraska TBD
Sat., Oct. 13 Final (Teams TBD) 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 Harvard at #13 Cornell 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 #1 Boston College at #11 Boston University 7:30 p.m.
Wisconsin at #8 Denver 10 p.m.
Dec. 1 #11 Boston University at #1 Boston College 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 Michigan State at Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 Colorado College at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 #3 Union at Princeton 7:30 p.m.
Nebraska-Omaha at Denver 10 p.m.
Jan. 18 Harvard at Yale 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 Yale at #13 Cornell 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 Dartmouth at #3 Union 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 #6 North Dakota at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 #11 Boston University at #12 Maine 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 Yale at Quinnipiac 7:30 p.m.
#6 North Dakota at #8 Denver 10 p.m.
March 1 Wisconsin at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
March 8 #12 Maine at New Hampshire 7:30 p.m.

Hockey East Tournament

March 15 Quarterfinals 7 p.m.
March 22 Semifinals 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
March 23 Final 7 p.m.

Few things before bed...

NDSU players disenfranchised entire state & possibly cost conservation $80M/year, yet Taylor and Bohl are angry people are talking about it?
— Mike McFeely (@MikeMcFeelyKFGO) September 9, 2012

Like him or hate him - Mick McFeely of KFGO radio out of Fargo, ND says some interesting things and with this tweet he nailed it. Dennis Anderson of the Star and Tribune also touched on this subject as well.

Also, I will be doing some writing for the Hockey Writers as well - as an NCAA hockey writers. This was posted on twitter as well tonight - I will be doing some writing for Inside Hockey but also the Hockey Writers as well. This blog will still be here as well.

Please give our new #NCAAHockey writer Eric Burton a follow @goon48 He'll have you covered all season!!
— THW - Combine (@THWCombine) September 10, 2012

Related articles

• Win at all costs is the message at NDSU
• So is NDSU setting precedence?
• Bison Football players making national news for voter fraud
• Are Canadian schools coming to Division I hockey?
• Defenseman Thomas Welsh de-commits from Penn State

Win at all costs is the message at NDSU

North Dakota State Bison athletic logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I think I got this figured out; the message coming out of Fargo, ND – if you’re an athlete at North Dakota State University – more specifically – if you’re a starter on the Bison football team – you don’t have to suffer the consequences for your actions. Apparently, being called out in the media for your moronic and buffoonish actions is considered suffering enough. I am going to say Barbra Streisand on this one.

Apparently, North Dakota State University officials don’t think that it’s a big deal to subvert elections laws and commit election fraud – sounds like the NDSU football coach doesn't feel that players on his team need to follow the rules that the rest of society follows.

Kevin Schnepf, INFORUM --- After the 6,000 Bison fans who made the trip to Fort Collins celebrated yet another win over a big-time opponent, they couldn’t help but wonder if any of the Bison players are going to eventually face suspensions for their involvement in the highly publicized petition fraud case.

NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor quickly answered that question after the game:

“There are not going to be any suspensions,” Taylor emphatically said after the game. “These kids don’t deserve a suspension. I’m not going to suspend them and neither is Craig (head coach Craig Bohl). As far as we are concerned, it is over.”

This statement was made with NDSU President Dean Bresciani standing only a few feet away. Bresciani said he did not want to comment, saying he does not comment on inner-department matters.

This statement, no doubt, is going to add plenty of fodder for those who think the current 10 Bison players who were charged for forging names on petition drives should be suspended. There were even some Bison boosters at Saturday’s pregame tailgating festivities who were anticipating some sort of suspension once these players have their day in court.

“What’s going to happen in court, in my opinion, is going to be a lot less than what people think,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, these kids have been through enough.”

All you have to do is read these quotes below by NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor – this is a text book definition of the arrogance by a public official – it’s also apparent that the NDSU athletic director is delusional and out of touch with reality. North Dakota State University is a public university that is paid for by public funds received from state income taxes, that the state of North Dakota assesses the good people of the great state of North Dakota – that means that the athletic department is accountable to us – the tax payers in North Dakota.

“It’s over,” Taylor reiterated. “They felt horrible, they felt horrible. Every day, their pictures are in the paper, day after day after day. It gets and old and it does get to them.

“They were villified many times over and to come out and perform like they did, it’s hats off to them. I’m tired of talking about it and I’m tired of seeing it in the paper. People need to move on because it’s not changin

Let’s look at it this way – you’re representatives of the defending FCS National Champion – players on your teams – some of which are starters (4) – committed a crime. That’s nothing to sneeze at – this isn’t a status offense – this is an actual Class Misdemeanor.

Schnepf: Taylor says players charged in petition fraud scandal won't be suspended #NDSUBison shar.es/uoHEz
— Eric Peterson (@FargoBigE) September 9, 2012

Bison Football players making national news for voter fraud

The North Dakota State University football team is getting some unwanted scrutiny and press after it was revealed to the media and fans that eight NDSU football players – four of which are starters have been caught in a voter fraud case. That story has now hit the national media and the NCAA site as well.

CBSSports.com --- Eight North Dakota State University football players, including four starters, are among 11 people charged with faking petition signatures in a scheme that will keep two well-funded initiatives off the November ballot.

Bison coach Craig Bohl said the players will be eligible to play this weekend against Colorado State and any team discipline would wait until after the criminal case was resolved.

The players were hired, at $9 an hour, to gather signatures for two citizen initiatives, one to set up a state conservation fund and the other to make marijuana legal for medical treatments. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Tuesday that many of the petition signatures were copied from phone books or fabricated.

North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger said he was told petition circulators had to get at least 50 signatures each day and those that collected at least 80 names received bonuses. Workers who fell short of those goals would have had an incentive to add names, he said.

Those charged include starting running back Samuel Ojuri, defensive backs Marcus Williams and Brendin Pierre, and offensive lineman Josh Colville. Backup defensive backs Bryan Shepherd and Aireal Boyd, reserve middle linebacker Antonio Rodgers and Demitrius Gray, a freshman wide receiver, also face charges. Gray is a redshirt and does not travel with the team.

School officials said Tuesday that players would be available only to talk about football matters and not the court case. Bohl said he did not expect the charges to be a distraction to the defending Football Championship Subdivision champions.

Yesterday NDSU football coach Craig Bohl said he had known about the ongoing investigation for some time now and none of the players that are involved in the voter fraud scandal will be suspended until after they get their day in court – if ever – honestly, I wouldn't count on any disciplinary action coming from this coaching staff. Of course most of us know, this will probably never hit the court room while the Thundering Herd is playing during the 2012 season, so basically this will be brushed under the table.

If the four are starters – junior running back Samuel Ojuri, junior defensive backs Marcus Williams and Brendin Pierre, and junior offensive lineman Josh Colville are to suffer any consequences they will be minor and come during the offseason when no one is paying attention.

Links to the Story

NDSU football has 8 players under voter fraud investigation - Detroit Lakes on-line

Charges against 8 Bison football players expected in voter fraud case that kills two ballot measures - Fargo Forum

Eight NDSU football players facing fraud charges - StarTribune

Eight NDSU football players face petition fraud charges - Argus Leader

Voter Fraud: Bison players among 11 facing voter fraud charges - Jamestown Sun

Bohl: All eight Bison players charged with voting fraud still on team, will have their day in court - Dickenson Press

8 NDSU football players charged in petition fraud - Minot Daily News

8 NDSU players charged with petition fraud - Yahoo Sports

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