Redwing77's Nickname Musings

I thought about posting this as a response but it is rather too long for a comment so...

Isn't it intriguing how outlooks change?

When this whole ordeal started, it was the NCAA and the tribes that were the "enemy" and the SBoHE and UND Admin the White Knights.

HA! Looks like the enemy was not outside our own tent but in it!

The Tribes wanted their say. They almost got it. The SBoHE took their say away from them.

Where does this put each party?

NCAA - Brand is laughing from his grave. Franklin is smiling because he surely believes that if UND had just caved initially, then UND would have not been in such a predicament (not true) and now he gets to say "I warned you" AND get his and Brand's way.

SBoHE - They get their moment of "glory." They'll forever be remembered in both a well spun positive light "Bringing enlightened thought and conscious compassion to an embattled and beleaguered populace through the elimination of a caustic reminder of such a plight" and a negative one NDSU and its debacle. In truth, they got their glory. They got their names in the papers. They'll be remembered in one way or another.

UND Admin - In truth, they could fight it and look bad to those who can fire them, they can be indifferent and tempt negative response from the people who can fire them, or they can support the SBoHE blindly and be lauded by the State Board as champions of cooperation and collaboration. They are reprehensible, but they are politicians so... we should've known this was going to be the path they chose.

The Tribes - Screwed. HA! History repeats itself. They're now ignored, sentenced to a plight that could mean less public awareness, and no longer have any leverage for any sort of vocal power outside of the reservation. AND it is not of their doing. So, they get the added "bonus" of being lumped into the SBoHE as the enemy because they "Started it."

Talk about a clusterfu**

Where do we go from here?

Well, I've always been a fan of the University of North Dakota Fighting Cavalry, as the 1st Cavalry Division has part of its history and makeup in North Dakota, and not just the Custer reference.

It sounds cool. It has no Native American imagery or symbolism. And since the military has always been a part of North Dakota and Grand Forks (despite that being Air Force really) it would be really nice.

We can keep kelly green and have almost a camo color scheme. Or we can go into the face of everyone and go Union Blue, Gold, and White or Gray.

Or we can go with no nickname at all. I like this one. PLUS we have the unis already made up (admittedly, this is a women's hockey shot but I can't find a better picture).

Then we get rid of that statue outside of the Ralph. Instead, put up a statue of Teddy Roosevelt with some "inspiring" quotes of his... such as:

"I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldn't inquire too closely into the case of the tenth. The most vicious cowboy has more moral principle than the average Indian." - Theodore Roosevelt

In conclusion, when I do think about the NCAA, I think of the hand gesture "You're #1." However, I give them that gesture without using my thumb, pinky, index, or ring fingers. Think about it. As for the nickname, I'm going to see how it plays out, and move on accordingly. I'll still be a fan of UND hockey.

Chat with UND AD Brian Faison

Today there was a chat with Brian Faison the Athletic Director of UND.

12:16 [Comment From Grand Forks Guy:] You say your personal thoughts don't matter in the process. We think they do! What are your thoughts on losing the nickname?

12:18 Brian Faison: In my two years at the University, I've repeatedly been struck by the incredible emotion and support of our alumni and fans for the University and for Fighting Sioux athletics. I've been privileged to serve at different institutions around the country and nowhere is the allegiance as strong as here. There's no question this decision is a difficult one for our fans and people are struggling to deal with this in their own personal way.

12:20 Friday April 16, 2010: It would appear from the articles earlier in the week that Tom Douple or Brian Faison are not being up front with Wayne Nelson. Douple told Wayne Nelson on Wednesday that he didn't know if UND's application for membership in the Summit League would be reviewed. After that story appeared in yesterday's GF Herald, Brian Faison contacted Wayne Nelson with information that Tom Douple "told him that UND's application" would indeed be reviewed in May (or June). Which is it? Seems there have been many people running with the CYA approach this week; including Grant Shaft and Duaine Espegard, as well as Wayne Stenehjem. I hope that the Sioux name wasn't sold out for a "promise" on the Summit League that likely isn't ever coming. Would also be nice to see the UND Administration, including athletics, be VOCAL in SUPPORT of the SIOUX NAME.

12:22 Brian Faison: Commissioner Douple has been consistent in his conversations with me in terms of timing and the process for possible membership consideration. Specific to my most recent conversation with Commissioner Douple, he stated that he would place UND on the agenda for the Summitt Conference president's meeting in June, at which time they would discuss UND, as well as any other schools that may have applied. The conference has a specific process they go through in considering membership application.

12:23 Brian Faison: Commissioner Douple indicated that he will continue to monitor the situation at UND.

12:43 [Comment From UND Q: ] If UND can't get into the Summit until 2012 or 2013, and the nickname issue will be resolved by Nov. 30, 2010, why won't the Summit consider UND now? And is the nickname really that big of an issue to the Summit schools if almost all of them are currently playing UND in one sport or another?

12:45 Brian Faison: Great question. We've made that argument but the answer has been that the issue needs to be officially resolved.

12:47 [Comment From Guest Guest:] If we are unable to enter the Summit until 2013 what was the hurry in abrubtly ending the process of gaining tribal appoval? Is it fair to say that the only quick resolution that you mentioned earlier is/was changing the name...therefore is it safe to say that is the direction you recomended to the SBOHE.

12:48 Brian Faison: Resolution is resolution. It has never been about doing away with or keeping the nickname; it has been about getting the issue resolved and satisfying the terms of the NCAA settlement agreement.

Spirit Lake group urges Governor Hoeven to step in on Sioux nickname issue

Here is the latest news on the Fighting Sioux nickname. Members of the Spirit Lake Tribe are urging Governor Hoeven to get involved in the nickname issue. Govenor John Hoeven has said he will look at this issue. It will be interesting to see if soon to be North Dakota Senator John Hoeven will get involved in the nickname issue. You can send him an email with your feeling on the issue at this email address governor@nd.gov.

Bismarck, N,D. (AP) — Gov. John Hoeven says he'll review a letter from some Spirit Lake Sioux tribal members who want his help in keeping the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname.

The Board of Higher Education has decided to retire the nickname. The Spirit Lake tribal members want Hoeven to ask the board to take back its decision. They say the Standing Rock Sioux tribe needs more time to respond to the issue.

Hoeven wouldn't say whether he would approach board members directly on the issue. He says he'd like the board to work things out.

State Board of Higher Education President Richie Smith says he'd be surprised if Hoeven intervened.

Smith says the Standing Rock Sioux tribal council has passed on several chances to show support for the nickname.

Links

Plains Daily; Tribe wants Hoeven to presssure Higher Ed Board

SayAnyThingBlog.com; Sioux Indians Ask Gov Hoeven To Intervene On UND Nickname, Board Says They’ll Listen If He Does

Fighting Sioux backers appeal to Gov. Hoeven

The nickname supporters from SPIRIT LAKE want the North Dakota Governor to intervene in the nickname dispute.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A group of Spirit Lake Sioux tribal members who lost a court fight on the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname want Gov. John Hoeven to intervene.

In a letter to the governor, five tribal members asked Hoeven to press the Board of Higher Education to take back its decision last week to drop the nickname.

Although Hoeven appoints the board, it is independent. Its members may ignore the governor if they wish.

The tribal members recently sued in state district court to attempt to block the board from making a decision on the nickname until Nov. 30. The deadline was set in a lawsuit settlement with the NCAA.

The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled last week the Board of Higher Education may change the nickname as it pleases.

Summit League to address UND application in June

Now the Summit League will discuss UND's application for admission to the Summit League during their June meeting. Does anyone else's head hurt yet?

The Summit League will discuss UND’s application to join the 10-team conference in June.

UND athletic director Brian Faison said he talked to Summit commissioner Tom Douple on today. Douple told the UND athletic director that the school’s application to join the Summit will be discussed at a meeting of league presidents in June.

“That is just the first step in the process,” Faison said.

UND has applied to join the Summit, the league that best fits UND and its move to Division I athletics.
[Grand Forks Herald]

Being in a rush to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname has no benefit to UND

The UND president and athletic director were in such a hurry to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname and yet it has yielded not positive results for the University of North Dakota. So my first question is; was the Summit conference a proxy for the NCAA in pressuring UND to drop the Fighting Sioux? Now that the Summit/NCAA is successful in getting UND to drop the Fighting Sioux name there really is no hurry for the mediocre Summit League to rush to act on UND’s application to the Summit conference. Why should they? The Summit holds all of the cards. Second it would appear that UND has been had, what do you think? I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Summit rejected UND’s application. It doesn’t appear that UND to the Summit is a slam dunk like some said it was.

The decision to retire the UND nickname and logo hasn’t been a topic of hot conversion at the Summit League.

What that means, however, is anyone’s guess.

Summit commissioner Tom Douple said Wednesday that the league is watching the situation at UND now that the school has begun the process of retiring its controversial nickname and logo.

The league, however, has not acted in any official capacity regarding UND’s desire to join the 10-team conference.

“Right now, we’re going to monitor the situation,” Douple said.

UND has applied to join the Summit, the league that best fits UND and its move to Division I athletics. The Summit, however, said it won’t consider UND until the controversy surrounding the school’s nickname and logo is resolved.

Last week, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education set in motion the process to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

Douple said he was out of town last week and did not return to the Summit office in Elmhurst, Ill., until Tuesday. The commissioner said he has yet to talk to UND athletic director Brian Faison about the SBoHE’s actions.

The league’s presidents will meet in June. But Douple said there is no indication the presidents will address UND’s application to join the league at that time.

“I’ll update the presidents in June,” he said.

The league currently is at 10 teams, although Centenary — a small school in Louisiana — will leave the Summit after the conclusion of the 2010-11 season. At that time, South Dakota — a school that made the jump to Division I athletics at the same time as did UND — will join the Summit.
[read the whole article]

April 14th, 2010 Coach's Corner

This is the reason that I like CBC's coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs, I love listening to Ron MacLean & Don Cherry go back and forth. Most American's don't get to see CBC unless you live close to border like I do. Fighting Sioux hockey recruit Dillon Simpson was also mentioned on the coaches corner tonight.

RW77's Late Frozen Four Wrap Up

Whoooo, what a week for me.

This weekend saw me in Chicago with some buddies so I wasn't so quick on the draw with the Frozen Debacle at the Hockey Are... I mean Ford Field.

But first...

An Apology to Boston College

Yeah, I'm sorry guys. I didn't see it happening. Muse looked pathetic vs. Yale and I let one game get to me. From a bar on State and Rush (Shenanigans if you're interested) I watched the Eagles skate around the Badgers as if they were flies facing off against a hippo.

I found it interesting that BC took such easy care of Miami. I thought they'd be the easy outs in this round. But the Miami goaltender took a turn at pulling a Christobal Huet imitation.

Slight Vindication

Ok, I've maintained all year long that the NUMBER ONE SUPER WEAKNESS of the Badgers was between the pipes. BINGO!!! I win! Gudmanson looked L-O-S-T. He sucked. Flat out. Yeah, the D abandoned him but in these types of contests, goaltending makes or breaks it. And face it, Muse came to play. Gudmanson got lost on the way to Ford Field. I was STUNNED that Gudmanson stayed in the game. I would have pulled him after the 3rd goal.

Thank you so much, Ford Field

Thanks a bunch, Ford Field! You helped provide ample evidence to never return the Frozen Four to a NON HOCKEY ARENA!

Ok, there were the ticket issues and, yes, I've heard that the fan experience at Ford Field was ok, if not good overall. However, UW's Michael Davies and especially Derek Stepan can attest to the number one most important aspect of a championship game: FREAKING ICE.

In fact, I'd argue that the ICE is the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF HOCKEY. Ever try to play ICE hockey on water? How about slush? How about several large slabs of ice stuck together with a thin layer of ice laid above it?

Well, they know now. The ice SUCKED. I talked to my buds at the bar and they looked at the ice and said, "Hey, is there supposed to be large cracks running down it?" I told them that I bet it was merely the lines of the football field coming through the ice.

Then Derek Stepan got injured. You see... when I saw he hit the boards, I SWORE I'd find a BC Eagle near him. NOPE. His edge hit one of those cracks and he flew, back of the head first, into the boards. He had to be helped off the ice. Yeah, losing edges happen but really... EVERYONE said the ice was bad. Coaches, officials, players, EVERYONE! So who's to say that they weren't cracks?

If Mike Eaves doesn't raise hell about the ice, he should be fired. No, I don't think it had any effect on the outcome, but hey, further proof that the NCAA only cares about $$$.

There is NO WAY a championship event AT ANY LEVEL OF HOCKEY should be held ANYWHERE OTHER THAN A HOCKEY ARENA. Yeah, you can have your crappy outdoor games and I'm not at all unopposed to a crappy game at Ford Field... provided it is either EXHIBITION or REGULAR SEASON. Playoffs? Nope. Tournement? Nope. Frozen Four? HELL NO.

The NCAA should be embarrassed but... they're probably just sitting in some stuffy board room with their Excel Spreadsheet in front of them laughing at the money.

Zach Parise and Travis Zajac react to Sioux name change

I found this article over on the New Jersey Devils website.

Parise, Zajac disappointed in Sioux change

Saturday, 04.10.2010 / 1:44 PM / News By Eric Marin

Parise and Zajac are both UND alumni.
Zach Parise's reaction to the news that the University of North Dakota would retire its “Fighting Sioux” nickname boiled down to one word.

“Disappointed,” Parise said Saturday. “I don’t know whose decision it was, but I think it’s a terrible decision.”

That echoed Travis Zajac's comments from Friday. The nickname had been in use since 1930.

"It kind of [stinks] because it’s a great name, it’s been the school’s name for a while," said Zajac. "I felt proud wearing the Fighting Sioux jersey and carrying that tradition. There’s a lot of tradition behind the hockey team and the school. I guess for that to be done, it kind of [stinks]."

Parise and Zajac each spent two seasons at UND, though they were never teammates. Parise was a member of the Sioux in 2002-03 and '03-04, and Zajac arrived in Grand Forks the next season.

“From going there and being a part of it, it’s something that you’re really proud of,” Parise said. “The only word I could think of was, ‘Stupid.’ I think it’s unfortunate. They’ve got a great history, a great tradition and everyone’s always respectful of the tribes and the name. You wore it with pride and I don't see a problem with it.”

Controversy has lingered for years over the nickname, which the NCAA considers “hostile and offensive,” according to the Associated Press. The Sioux logo is featured prominently throughout Ralph Engelstad Arena, the team's home rink which was completed in 2001.

“When they built the arena, you’d walk to class and sometimes you’d see some teachers with the Sioux logo with an ‘X’ through it,” Parise recalled. “I don’t know why; it just didn’t make a lot of sense to me. That topic was definitely floating around when I was there too, unfortunately.”

Parise believes the nickname will be fondly remembered.

“The people in Grand Forks are so proud of the university and proud of the athletics and proud of the name, that I’m sure they’re all [ticked] off, too,” he said. “I’ve never been to a place that’s more proud of its athletes and its athletics than there. It’s awesome. I think they’re going to be upset about the whole thing, too. They almost felt that they were a part of it, too. It was great.”

The Grand Forks Herald reported Thursday that the university’s athletic teams will be called the Sioux through the 2010-11 season while the school considers alternatives.

Parise didn’t sound eager to embrace the change.

“It’s stupid,” he said. “Nothing [else] is going to sound right.”

Bemidji State men's hockey: Matt Read forgoes NHL offers, will return for senior season

Coach Serratore just breathed a sigh of relief when he found out that his top player Matt Read is coming back next season for his senior year. Also, good news (or bad news, depending how you look at it) for WCHA fans will get to chance to see Matt Read play for the Beavers.

As collegiate hockey teams end their seasons each year, a list develops naming the players who decided to leave school early to sign professional contracts.

This year was no exception: Jordan Schroeder from Minnesota; Marc Cheverie, Patrick Wiercioch and Joe Colborne of Denver; and Zach Dalpe of Ohio State, to name a few, gave up collegiate eligibility to sign with the pros.

For most of Bemidji State’s 11-year history as a NCAA Division I program, the early departures were mainly high draft choices from the elite programs in the nation. Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan and the like routinely lost high-end players each year.

Bemidji State lost its first player to the pros last year as goalie Matt Dalton gave up his final two years of college eligibility to sign with the Boston Bruins organization. Dalton’s signing, however, was the result of spectacular stretch run to end the regular season and an amazing drive to the Frozen Four.

But this year, things were different. This time around there was a local connection; a player who was on everyone’s radar from Day 1 of the season.

At Bemidji State, speculation swirled around junior center Matt Read and whether he would return for his senior season. Professional scouts were in attendance at every game the Beavers played this year, evaluating Read, whom head coach Tom Serratore called the most sought-after junior year free agent in the nation.

Read, who became Bemidji State’s first NCAA Division I All-American on Friday, ended all the speculation this week.

“It was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Read said. “As of now, I’m coming back to Bemidji State to complete my degree and play my final year of college hockey. Something very monumental would have to happen for that to change.

“I turned down some good offers from National Hockey League teams. It all came down to should I play in the NHL now, or come back to BSU and get my degree. Right now, I think it’s the best thing to come back.”
[Bemidji Pioneer]

Bruins score 3 short handed goals in the same penalty kill

Stick Salute to The Hockey Blog Adventure. They say it has never been done again and it is an NHL record. Think about this, the Bruins scored three short handed goals in the same penalty kill in a period of 64 seconds.

Where is Turco going?

As a college hockey fan I have enjoyed watching former Michigan goaltender Marty Turco play in the NHL. Now that his time in Dallas is up you have to wonder where he is going next? There are going to be some teams needing big time goaltenders and Turco will get a look.

Goaltender Marty Turco's time with the Dallas Stars is over.

General manager Joe Nieuwendyk says the Stars will not re-sign Turco, who just completed his ninth season with the team. Nieuwendyk said Tuesday that he felt it was time to go "in a different direction."

Kari Lehtonen, acquired from Atlanta in February, will go into next season as the team's top goaltender.

Turco, 34, just completed a four-year, $22.8 million US contract he signed in January 2006 that kept him from becoming a free agent at the end of that season.

In 509 regular season games for Dallas, Turco won 262 games with a .911 save percentage and 2.31 goals-against average. He appeared in 47 playoff games.
[CBC.COM]

Andy Sutton hit on Drew Stafford

This is the hit that led to former Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford's concussion and will cause Stafford to possibly miss the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Boston Bruins. This was a clean hard hit. Andy Sutton is a mountain of a man and he is going to bury anyone that comes across the blue line with his head down.

"Drew’s not doing so well," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "He’s got a little bit of a concussion, and it looks like he’ll miss some time. To me, that looked like a pretty clean hit. It looked like he wanted to lower his head maybe and go inside, and I don’t know if that was a good decision."
[Sabres Edge]

Eschewing The Move On Mentality

Scott Hennen has a really good blog post today over on sayanythingblog.com about the Fighting Sioux name and it's worth a look. I would have to say that I agree with him.

The “move on” mentality is everywhere. “Let it go, Scott…” That’s what I’m starting to hear from some of lackluster Fighting Sioux faithful, and I can’t believe my ears. You would rather abandon 80 years of tradition than continue to fight an injustice being served not only to the Fighting Sioux fan base, but more importantly to the respective native tribes as well. Well fortunately for us real fans, there are still some folks out there who aren’t fazed by the continuation of the controversy.

We’ve all read the papers…the local media has revealed its ho-hum indifference to erasing the identity of our beloved UND athletics, but your Chairman isn’t ready to raise the white flag of surrender quite yet. Not until the real voices in this debate—-those belonging to the Native American tribes—-get their say. Sadly, last week’s board of higher education decision to abolish the Fighting Sioux nickname shows contempt for these voices. 1 board member revealed the pressure from the name change was coming from UND leadership. Not so fast folks! We still have some real leaders on the reservations trying to let their people speak out and put the issue to a vote.

We learned last week that Standing Rock Chairman Charles Murphy is committed to a referendum vote. Archie Fool Bear, Chairman of the judicial committee, has worked tirelessly on the reservation to garner over 1000 signatures asking for a vote. So Standing Rock will soon join Spirit Lake and each Sioux tribe is prepared to allow the people to decide. Then the NCAA objections and lawsuit, which had a November 2010 deadline, will have been answered. But we’re going to tell them it’s too late?

Bruins TV schedule for the playoffs

I just found the Bruins TV schedule for their first round series. I should be able to watch it on NHL Center Ice and or CBC. Versus, yawm! I am predicting the Boston Bruins in 7 games.

Thursday, 7 p.m. (NESN, CBC)
Saturday, 1 p.m. (NBC, CBC)
Monday, April 19, 7 p.m. (NESN, Versus, CBC)
Wednesday, April 21, 7 p.m. (NESN, Versus, CBC)
Friday, April 23, 7 p.m. (NESN, CBC)
Monday, April 26, 7 p.m. (NESN, CBC)
Wednesday, April 28, 7 p.m. (NESN, CBC)

The understatement of the year...

This comment is funny I almost fell off the couch when I saw it. From Mike Russo's end of the season article.

It's not like there's a blue-chip forward or two waiting in the wings. James Sheppard is not going to magically turn into Zach Parise.

Yep, James Sheppard sucks and isn't going to get any better. I hope they cut ties with this worthless stiff or trade him for a bag of pucks.

Gant Shaft; University of North Dakota doesn’t want the nickname any more.

Here is what Rob Port of SayAnythingBlog.com had to say about the Grant Shaft interview on Scott Hennen's radio show last Friday on A.M 1100 the Flag.

There is nothing stopping from state board of higher education from allowing the Standing Rock Sioux tribe to vote on the nickname. If that tribe votes as the Spirit Lake tribe has already, then the NCAA’s requirements for keeping the nickname will have been fulfilled.

The problem here is that university officials don’t even want the vote to happen.

This is Scott Hennen's interview with Jody Hodgson, the manager of the Ralph Englestad Arena. s/t SayAnythingBlog.com

Poll Monday?

USA TODAY/USA HOCKEY MAGAZINE POLL
[April 12, 2010 — final poll]
Team (First Place) Record Pts PR
1. Boston College (34) 29-10-3 510 3
2. Wisconsin 28-11-4 476 2
3. Miami 29-8-7 442 1
4. Denver 27-10-4 373 5
5. St. Cloud State 24-14-5 347 4
6. Yale 21-10-3 307 6
7. North Dakota 25-13-5 290 7
8. Michigan 26-18-1 271 8
9. Cornell 21-9-4 255 10
10. RIT 28-12-1 246 9
11. New Hampshire 18-14-7 179 11
12. Bemidji State 23-10-4 130 12
13. Northern Michigan 20-13-8 122 13
14. Ferris State 21-13-6 44 14
15. Alaska 18-12-9 36 15

Others Receiving Votes: Vermont 22, Minnesota Duluth 18, Union 12.

Analysis: I am not sure why they would even have a final poll. Give me a break RIT isn't the 10th best team in the country, I don't care if they made the Frozen Four before Wisconsin chewed them up and sent them home with the tails with their tails between their legs. They barely made 19th in the final pairwise rankings. I think song really explains the way I feel right now...

Monday morning ramblings...

Someone posted this over on Sioux Sports and it's worth a look, it's easy for opposition team’s newspapers and beat writers to be so smug and take the moral high ground when they are not the ones that are going through this process. Just wait till the political correctness Nazi’s decide that Bison is offensive and has to go. Yeah you laugh now.

Apparently, UND Fighting Sioux woman's basetball coach Gene Roebuck caused quite the stir with these comments, “If given the choice of keeping the name or getting into the Summit,” Roebuck said, “I’d definitely go with the Fighting Sioux. Personally I don’t have a problem with what Gene said; I guess it’s an issue that’s between him and the athletic director. Right now I am not all that happy with Faison or Kelly.

As you probably heard, the University of North Dakota will finally retire the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, but not without making a scene.

Players, coaches and administrators have all dished out some priceless quotes about the situation. One of the best was women's basketball coach Gene Roebuck saying that he'd rather keep the nickname than gain entry in the Summit League, a conference that has said it won't consider the school for membership until the situation is resolved.

Now, why say that publicly? There seem to be only two reasons: A) He really believes that, which seems unlikely given that passing up a spot in a conference that has automatic bids into NCAA Division I tournaments is illogical or B) He's just saying that to stay on good terms with all the nickname loyalists in Grand Forks. And there are a lot of them. And they are powerful. That's another aspect that is astounding: This development could have been an opportunity for the school and the athletic department to stand unified and rally support for a new chapter, to say, "Sure, this stinks and we tried everything we could to prevent the change, but we're going to make the best of it. We're still going to be UND and we're going to be better than ever."

But it hasn't happened that way; the cringe-worthy comments keep coming. It's reminiscent of 2004, when some UND coaches blasted rival North Dakota State for moving to Division I - only to wind up making the same jump a few years later. [Argus Leader]

Mike Modano an American Hockey Legend.

I watched the end of the Wild and Dallas game after the Frozen Four and I have to admit that this got to me a bit, because I have nothing but fond memories of this guy. In my opinion he is one of the better American hockey players (1459 games 557 goals - 802 assists 1359 points) to play the game of hockey. It was a nice touch that Mike Modano was given the first star of the game.

Personally, I think a fitting end would be for Mike Modano to sign a contract with the Wild and play one more year and end his career in Minnesota with the Wild.