So who is bluffing?

Image via WikipediaHere is a good break down on the latest from the Big Sky Conference and their concerns about UND and the school retaining the Fighting Sioux Nickname by Tom Miller of  the Grand Forks Herald.

Faison also addressed the idea from some nickname supporters that the school’s administration has been misleading in the league affiliation process.

“The Big Sky is a legit concern,” he said. “Whether people want to believe it or not, I can’t help that. I know it. I’ve been in this business 35-plus years, and I’m telling you, we have a problem. And the answers to solve that problem if it goes down are not there. We can’t exist as a Division I independent.

“As far as conspiracy concerns, I leave that with the JFK folks. It’s reality that we are where we are. It’s reality that I’ve talked to Joel Maturi (Minnesota athletic director) and Sean Frazier (Wisconsin deputy athletic director) and we’ve been working on schedules for 2013-14, but that stops because of the nickname and logo. They can’t play us. That’s reality. That’s nothing I’ve made up. That’s been on the books for eight years. We lost a home and home with the University of Iowa in women’s basketball — the opportunity to host a Big Ten team here. This isn’t fiction. This is all real, and we have to deal with reality. That’s my job.”

Faison stressed the importance of competing against men’s hockey rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“I’ve heard from some fans that say it doesn’t matter if we can’t schedule Minnesota,” Faison said. “I look at them incredulously (and say), ‘Really?’ Of course it matters.” [Grand Forks Herald]

The question is who do you want to believe? Personally, call me crazy if you want, but I don't think the Big Sky Conference is bluffing this time, not like some of the pundits claim they are. My first question, how the hell do they know if the Big Sky is bluffing or not? Have they interviewed the presidents of the Big Sky Conference? I would be willing to bet that they haven't.

Time will tell I guess and I  do not want to see the UND athletic department get hurt and suffer. I am alumnus of UND and I have two degrees from this University. I love the Fighting Sioux nickname but the time to fight the NCAA was 2-3 years ago. Where the heck were these people then? Where was Al Carlson back then? Carlson was sitting on his hands doing nothing.

The first team that is going to suffer the wrath of the NCAA is the Women's Hockey team if they end up in the top four. The first round of the NCAA tourney is held at the home arena of the higher seed. UND is close to being in the top four. They win a few more games and you never know where they could end up, they could be right there.

 But who cares right?

How about the fans, players and family members that follow the UND Women's team.

I have to say that I don't want to watch UND play some non nondescript NAIA or Division II school like Sioux Falls College, Minnesota State University, Moorhead or Minnesota Crookston in football, those match-ups don't excite me, when I know we could be watching Eastern Washtington, the University of Montana and or Montana State in football.

Related articles

• Big Sky Conference not Bluffing. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• DQ Cup Redux? (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Minnesota AD Maturi announces plan to retire (espn.go.com)

DQ Cup Redux?

This seems to be the talk of twitter this afternoon, seems like some fans aren't very excited about it as well. There is a little thing about perception. 

Roman Augustoviz, Roman Empire --- In 2013-14 the five Division I hockey programs in Minnesota -- now all in the WCHA -- will be in three different conferences.

But those same five teams are near finalizing an agreement to play in a four-team tournament in late January at the Xcel Energy Center, according to Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi.

"We are very close to getting it done," Maturi said. "It will be at the Xcel, that is what we are considering right now."

Maturi said on Saturday that all those schools have all agreed to the general format, but nothing has been signed. Presumably the Gophers would be in the field every year, and three of the other four Minnesota teams.

"We have to work out the finances and make sure everybody agrees to what it is," Maturi said, "and move forward."

Me personally, I agree with others that think it's a bit narcissistic on Minnesota's part, because the Gophers can have their cake and eat it too. The officials at Minnesota will claim that they are helping the have nots in out state Minnesota and will still be able to have their precious 20 home games at Mariucci Arena. Call it what you want, this is all about Gophers.

Let's not kid our selves, the chances of a BSU or a Minnesota State getting the Gophers to come to the Sanford center or the Verizon Wireless Center will still only happen maybe once every four or five years if they are lucky.