No, Women's Hockey Is Not on the Chopping Block

I've been following UND budget issues for sports, and by now you've probably read by now that there's was a $1.4 million shortfall for the 2015-16 fiscal year. There will be cuts to address that shortfall. According to the Grand Forks Herald, there would be up to eight sports falling to the budget knife. I've had a few people ask me if Women's hockey is going to be on the block. The answer is no.

Twelve sports — men's and women's hockey, men's and women's basketball, football, volleyball and men's and women's track and field and cross country — were identified at as programs UND is committed to sponsoring and appear to be safe from being cut.

That list of sports was given to Kenville in a previous meeting with Kennedy and Athletics Director Brian Faison, Kenville said. There was no discussion at Monday's IAC meeting about the eight sports listed as potentially being cut. (Grand Forks Herald)

I've been following this issue over on Sioux Sports. In one thread there were some openly begging the administration to cut women's hockey. Personally, I am very happy women's hockey isn't going to be cut, not going to happen as I predicted.

First, cutting women's hockey would be a horrible idea, the optics would be horrible and the university would take a beating on the national stage. Some that would see this as cutting a women's sport for the sole purpose of improving a men's sport. We've heard for years, that if UND spent more money on men's basketball and football they'd be better? That would only strengthen that argument. Second, women's hockey is one of the few sports where UND has an actual chance to win a division I national title. Lastly, women's hockey is an Olympic sport. UND has had quite a few players compete in international play and their efforts bring prestige to our university. Also, don't we want the area's daughters to have a place to play women's division on college hockey? I think we would.


Hockey 101: Women’s Hockey

Grand Forks Herald: President Kelley will be missed UND Athletic Department

From reading Facebook and Twitter yesterday, there are a lot of UND Alumni, students and fans that are happy about President Robert O. Kelley's retirement in January. Personally, I don't know the man. I wasn't a student when he was the UND president. I was out of school before Kelley became UND's 11th president.  Sounds like the Athletic Department is going to miss Kelley.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald -- Faison said that Kelley will be missed by his office.

“He was a great force for athletics,” Faison said. “He was very instrumental in making the transition to Division I. He has always been incredibly supportive of our student athletes. He and (his wife) Marcia were tremendous ambassadors for our programs, supporting our student athletes. It’s very unusual, in most instances, to have a president willing to spend that kind of personal time with them. That’s something we were very appreciative of.”

Faison also said that Kelley was instrumental in fundraising for the school and getting the High Performance Center launched.

“He is one of the reasons why the High Performance Center will get done,” Faison said. “I was just on a tour of it today with a group and he was there. He’s very involved and supportive.”

WHKY: North Dakota splits with Syracuse

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- North Dakota came out of winter break in non-convference action against Syracuse University. By the final buzzer on Sunday afternoon UND earned a split on the weekend.

It took the first 20 minutes of Saturdays's game for North Dakota to work out the rust from break. With tired 'Cuse players on the ice, Gracen Hirshy scored the first goal of the game.

During the second period UND was able to hold the Orange to four shots on goal. North Dakota maintained the lead and dictate the majority of play for the remainder of the game.

Former Warroad Warriors teammates Layla Marvin and Kayla Gardner both found the scoresheet. This included a two-goal game for Marvin who potted an empty net goal with under a minute remaining in the game.

North Dakota got off to a strong start on Sunday, but ended the first period with a one-goal deficit when The Orange scored on the power play at the 6:42 mark. There were no shortage of chances in the form of odd-player rushes and open nets, but UND was never able to capitalize.

The lone goal for North Dakota came after they were able to tire Syracuse after a power play in the second. As time dwindled on the clock during the third period the pressure mounted. "Kids started gripping their sticks and it was brutal," head coach Brian Idalski said.

North Dakota will resume WCHA conference play when they meet with the WCHA third-ranked, Ohio State Buckeyes this coming weekend. OSU left the weekend with a sweep over the St. Cloud State Huskies.

A couple of UND hockey related things...

First things first, according to Brad E Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, has announced on his hockey blog that UND goalie Aaron Dell has signed with Colorado Eagles of the ECHL. Goon's World would like to wish Dell well in the next step of his hockey career.

There is also a big announcement from the UND Radio world today. Below is the official press release from UND on the matter.

UND Athletics, Clear Channel Grand Forks continue partnership

Mutual option exercised for 2012-13 sports season

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison announced today that Clear Channel Grand Forks will continue to serve as the flagship station for the UND Sports Radio Network. UND Athletics and Clear Channel have exercised the mutual option year in the original agreement previously announced in 2009.

“Clear Channel Grand Forks has been a tremendous radio partner for UND Athletics and we are excited that we will be able to continue that partnership,” said Faison. “They have been key to our ability to grow the UND Sports Radio Network.”

“Clear Channel Grand Forks is thrilled to continue to have UND sports on the air,” said Clear Channel Grand Forks Market Manager Pat McLean. “It’s been a great partnership, all the way from Division II to the Division I transition, and now we’re excited to be a part of the leap into full Division I competition. We look forward to another great year for UND.”

Clear Channel Grand Forks stations will carry all UND football, men's hockey and men's and women's basketball games – home and away – all home women’s hockey games, select road games and a weekly coaches show.

All football and men's hockey games will be heard on 96.1-FM The Fox, while men's and women's basketball games will air on 100.3-FM Cat Country. Women’s hockey will air on 1440 KXXL-AM The Fan.

The weekly UND Coaches Show, which will air from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday night, will be heard on 1440-AM The Fan. The show will be broadcast live from the Ground Round restaurant in Grand Forks.

There will also be a daily two-minute "UND Sports Update," which will air twice a day beginning Monday, Aug. 13 on The Fan.

Men’s Hockey
Grand Forks KQHT-FM 96.1
Beulah KDKT-AM 1410
Bismarck KFYR-AM 550/KXMR-AM 710
Devils Lake KDVL-FM 102.5
Dickinson KTLC-AM 1390
Fargo WDAY-AM 970
Langdon KNDK-FM 95.7
Mahnomen KRJM-FM 95.7
Minot KRRZ-AM 1390
Valley City/Wimbeldon/Jamestown KRVX-FM 103.1
Warroad KRWB-AM 1410
Williston KDSR-FM 101.1

Women’s Hockey

Grand Forks KXXL-AM 1410

Football

Grand Forks KQHT-FM 96.1
Beulah KDKT-AM 1410
Bismarck KFYR-AM 550/KXMR-AM 710
Devils Lake KDVL-FM 102.5
Dickinson KTLC-AM 1390
Fargo WDAY-AM 970
Langdon KNDK-FM 95.7
Mahnomen KRJM-FM 95.7
Minot KRRZ-AM 1390
Valley City/Wimbeldon/Jamestown KRVX-FM 103.1
Williston KDSR-FM 101.1

Weekly UND Coaches Show

Grand Forks KXXL-AM 1440
Dickinson KTLC-AM 1460
Fargo WDAY-FM 970
Langdon KNDK-FM 95.7
Williston KDSR-FM 101.1