Blackhawks Forward Patrick Kane grand jury investigation postponed

According to the Chicago-Sun Times, the Patrick Kane grand jury investigation has been postponed. One has to wonder if this is the end of this case?

Per the Chicago-Sun Times:

A grand jury investigation into the allegations made against Blackhawks star Patrick Kane has been abruptly postponed, a source told the Sun-Times, confirming a report in the Buffalo News. The Buffalo News report suggested that a settlement could be in the works between the attorneys for Kane and the alleged victim, but the Sun-Times’ source could not confirm that.

Kane has been at the center of an ongoing investigation by Hamburg, N.Y., police and the Erie County district attorney in Western New York for more than a month. The 26-year-old has not been charged with a crime, but the Buffalo News had reported that subpoenas had been issued and that witnesses would be meeting with the grand jury starting Tuesday. The grand jury would then decide whether there was enough evidence to charge Kane.

Kings' Slava Voynov taken into custody by I.C.E.

View image | gettyimages.com

Here's a major development. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov a citizen of Russia was taken into custody by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports -- Voynov, 25, was taken into custody after finishing a short jail sentence stemming from his no contest plea to a domestic violence charge that resulted from an altercation with his wife, Marta Varlamova, in October. The Los Angeles Times first reported the news Thursday. Voynov has been under suspension by the NHL since his arrest.

"The individual came into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody Sept. 2 following his release by local authorities," said Lori Haley, ICE's information officer, in a statement. "He will remain in ICE custody pending a hearing before an immigration judge. Mr. Voynov entered the U.S. in 2013 on a temporary visa for internationally recognized athletes."

Voynov will eventually have his day in immigration court. Most immigration courts has a big case backlog and don't expect him to get a speedy trial. It could take years to get to the court room.

It's unknown if the immigration judge will deport him or not. Usually, subjects "aren't" deported for misdemeanors. But who knows what will happen in today's immigration world. Voynov could apply for relief from an immigration judge and the courts due have discretion when determining a subject's case. But it's not like he's in great harm if he gets deported back to Russia.

Voynov will eventually have his day in immigration court, who knows how long process will take. It's unknown if this court will deport him or not. Now, Voynov could also apply for relief from an immigration judge. As we have seen in recent history, the courts can and do use discretion in deportation hearings. In many cases, US immigration courts only deport criminal aliens and violent offenders.

Classic Jonathan Toews

Today, former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews was asked about the Patrick Kane situation by the AM 1290 out of Winnipeg, MB. And this was his response. Classic Toews; he always seems to say the right thing.

Per ESPN:

Toews said: "I think you've just got to have confidence that things like that will resolve themselves over time. And for the time being, you stay together as a team, you support your teammate, teammates that are maybe going through a rough patch."

"We saw it last year with some rumors that spread through social media about several guys in our locker room," Toews said. "It's not the first time we've seen situations like that. Eventually you just deal with it internally, you stay together as a team, and you're confident that as individuals and as a group, everyone kind of stays together. And at the end of the day, we always say to each other what is said and what is done within the locker room is the only thing that really matters. We don't let anything going on on the outside affect the way we do our job and the way we come to work together as a team."

Toews: Blackhawks must 'stay together as a team' - http://t.co/vGIbm3W0gj

— ESPN Top Headlines (@TopEspn) September 4, 2015

Tom Brady Freed

View image | gettyimages.com

Today, if you a fantasy football team owner you're ecstatic. You don't have to wait four weeks to be able to use Tom Brady as your starting quarterback. Personally, I am laughing inside. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman ruled in favor of the Patriots star quarterback. This means that Brady will not be suspended. Of course, the NFL is going to appeal the ruling.
Per the New York Times:

In a major setback for the N.F.L., New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady prevailed in his battle to have his four-game suspension overturned on Thursday, as a federal judge reversed a ruling by Commissioner Roger Goodell to bench one of the league’s biggest stars in a dispute over underinflated balls he used in a January championship game.

Judge Richard M. Berman of Federal District Court in Manhattan did not rule on whether Brady tampered with the footballs in a bid for competitive advantage. Instead, he focused on the narrower question of whether the collective bargaining agreement between the N.F.L. and the players union gave Goodell the authority to carry out the suspension, and whether Brady was treated fairly during his attempt to have his suspension overturned.

You can read the judges ruling by clicking on this link...
The NFLPA released a statement earlier Thursday:

"The rights of Tom Brady and of all NFL players under the collective bargaining agreement were affirmed today by a Federal Judge in a court of the NFL’s choosing. We thank Judge Berman for his time, careful consideration of the issue and fair and just result," NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in a statement.

"This decision should prove, once and for all, that our Collective Bargaining Agreement does not grant this Commissioner the authority to be unfair, arbitrary and misleading. While the CBA grants the person who occupies the position of Commissioner the ability to judiciously and fairly exercise the designated power of that position, the union did not agree to attempts to unfairly, illegally exercise that power, contrary to what the NFL has repeatedly and wrongfully claimed.

UND to Pay Cost of Attendance Stipends To all Scholarship Athletes

We now break away from our previously scheduled programming to bring you this breaking news. According to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald; the University of North Dakota has entered the arms race and will now pay Cost of attendance stipends To all of their scholarship athletes.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

UND will pay all scholarship athletes bonus stipends -- or full amended grant-in-aid as the school terms it -- beginning in 2016-17 season.

UND already offers the stipends to men's and women's hockey scholarship athletes.

The announcement comes six days after rival North Dakota State announced it would do the same.

UND estimates the cost at $3,400 for full scholarship athletes. Those on 90 percent scholarships would get 90 percent of the $3,400 and so on.

With their in-state rival North Dakota State University announcing last week that giving COA Stipends to their football team, UND had no choice but to jump into the arms race and make this happen. Or risk falling behind.  I am sure the other Big Sky schools will be thrilled with this decision or they now have to up the ante.

Some bloggers and news folks will grumble about public universities paying the COA's of student Athletes, but UND has no choice in the matter. If they want to remain competitive with the other Dakota schools, they have keep up with the Jonses.

Here's the official release from UND.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota director of athletics Brian Faison announced today that UND Athletics will expand the awarding of full amended grant-in-aid to all student-athletes on athletic aid beginning with the 2016-17 academic year.

UND Athletics already provides full amended grant-in-aids for men’s and women’s ice hockey.

The value of a full amended grant-in-aid at the University of North Dakota is based on the total cost of mandatory fees and tuition (online tuition not included), room (as determined by the University for double occupancy) and board (based on the “Unlimited Meal Plus Plan” rate) and books (as determined by the NCAA), plus personal expenses (including transportation) as outlined by the Student Financial Aid Office for athletes. The specific amount for each student-athlete is determined by his/her residency status (i.e. in-state, out-of-state, etc.) and living situation (i.e. with parents or on/off campus).

“This is a necessary step that empowers our coaches to continue recruiting high-caliber student-athletes. It puts our coaches on equal financial footing when competing against regional peer institutions for the best recruits,” said Faison.

Faison added that details regarding funding will be evaluated and finalized over the next several weeks.

UND Nickname: Who Should Vote?

We're finally seeing the light at the end the of the tunnel. This fall, the current UND students, current UND faculty, current UND staff, UND Retirees, UND Alumni, UND donors (including Champions Club members) (one vote per account) will vote for the new UND nickname. Finally, current season ticket holders to UND athletic events (one vote per account) will get to vote.

Mike Connor from Starkweather, N.D. thinks that tax payers should be able to vote.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

Because I did not attend UND, have never worked for UND and do not own a season ticket, I really have no business fretting about the university's choice of a new nickname. Or at least, that appears to be the opinion of UND President Kelley.

It is clear that Kelley has disenfranchised me and many other North Dakotans by barring our vote on the nickname, even though we are taxpaying residents of the state.

On the Flip side of the argument Rodney Iverson from Chandler, Ariz thinks that non-alumni shouldn't be able to vote.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

The issue I have is with allowing season ticket holders and donors who are not alumni to vote.

And the reason I have an issue with it is the fact that there are many people who can't afford to donate or to buy season tickets but still are huge UND fans.

They certainly would fall under the "stakeholders" group, but because they can't afford to buy their way into voting, they're being left out.

By the way, I am not in that category; I am an alumni and will get the chance to vote. Just call it the "bleeding heart liberal" in me that is finding an issue with this system.

The only fair solution would be to insist that non-alumni cannot vote, even if they hold season tickets or have given money to the university. I know this suggestion will anger some non-alumni, while others will cheer it.

I think UND President Robert O'Kelley is right on who can vote in the nickname process is correct. If UND let every one that wants to vote, vote, especially those with no skin in the game; imagine that results.

I think that President Kelley is also right to not let the trolls from other campuses and fan bases, with bad intentions vote in the process. Bravo President Kelley.

So, no. I don't think the "Tax Payers" in North Dakota should have a vote.

The Forum is at it Again

Today, the Fargo Forum is up to it's old tricks. Again, the Forum can't help itself, they have to write yet another OP, Ed, slamming UND fans. Ugh, we really don't need them inserting themselves in the nickname argument. Maybe they're trying to stoke the fires before the NDSU vs. UND football game. I think the Forum should spend more time talking about last Saturday's football game against the Griz.

First, we all know the University of North Dakota will never, ever be the Fighting Sioux again. There was a statewide vote and it failed.

This is a true statement.

Honestly, I don't know anyone that is actively advocating promoting that UND remain the Fighting Sioux. I do know there were a fair number of people that wanted UND to simply remain UND/North Dakota. With the Fighting Sioux nickname, UND would've never hosted the West Regional last March. Right?

Of course, I do know a lot of people that are upset with the NCAA and the way they handled the situation. That's why thousands of people liked the Facebook group the Sioux were Silenced.

Second, I understand why a lot of people are upset with President Dr. Robert O'Kelley taking the UND/North Dakota option out of the voting process. I can live with that, as long as the voting goes the way President Kelley says it will. Any usurping of the process from here will be unacceptable. As a measure of good faith, President Kelley should kill the Sundogs choice right now. This would help avoid a potentially very bad situation.

President Kelley made a decision and is sticking by it. I have to give him credit for having a backbone and a pair of stones. I am also not an advocate calling for his immediate resignation, he's gone in 2016, any way.

Per the Forum:

Those who cling desperately and foolishly to the University of North Dakota’s retired Fighting Sioux name and logo have taken to blaming the NCAA for bullying the university and the state of North Dakota into scrapping their precious moniker. It’s a strawman argument.

The NCAA is a membership organization. Moreover, its governance structure relies on college and university presidents, chancellors or their designees to make policy and otherwise oversee the organization.

Member schools agree to membership requirements, most of which are promulgated by representatives of the schools. Each of the several athletic divisions is represented on a separate board by member campus officials from appropriate divisions and conferences.

It’s a representative association, not an ivory tower dictatorship.

Here’s the kicker: Member schools agree to adhere to NCAA rules and regulations regarding standards for athletic teams. It is essentially a contract. If a school does not like what the NCAA requires, there is nothing forcing the school to remain a member. There are consequences, of course, because the NCAA’s influence over college sports is ubiquitous. That’s the way it is.

As I have said in the past, I believe that the replacement nickname selections aren't very good. There're a lot of problems with the five (5) remaining selections. North Stars is a bad choice and should be removed from consideration along with Sundogs.

Naming UND's sports teams, the Sundogs will not bring anyone together, or give us something to rally around. Sundogs will further divide the UND community. In the last decade, Sundogs was promoted by the anti-Fighting Sioux nickname crowd. If you don't believe me, look it up.

There are two replacement nicknames that are semi-decent and there are problems with one of them. The best choice is Rough Riders and in today's politically correct world, there's bound to be someone that will be offended with that nickname. So, if UND picks that nickname, UND might have to revisit the issue once again. Next to UND, I like that choice the best. Fighting Hawks is also acceptable. But again, you have to tread lightly selecting the logo. The handwringing do-gooders are going to be on guard.

Finally, while the nickname story has given me something to blog about; during what ended up being a very boring summer, news wise. Think about this, nothing happened this summer. However, I am growing tired of listening to people bicker with each other about the nickname. This has become a very toxic issue and I am ready to vote. Is the new nickname going to be as cool as Fighting Sioux? Not even close. I would compare this to going from staying in a five-star hotel to getting the last room in a Red Roof Inn. You can come up with your own analogies.

I know I am tired of hearing this and so are you.  It's time we move on together as a collective group, and heal together. Being at each others throats isn't healthy. Moreover, we need to do this together as a fan base and we don't need others from outside influencing our decision.

We will always be the University of North Dakota, personally, I have two degrees that say this much. I just hope when the voting is done and the dust has settled, UND isn't hamstrung with some stupid nickname that will continue to divide us long after my generation has left this earth. Go UND....

Enough with the Sundogs, It's time to reject this

This is why I get frustrated. Today, Marvin Asp of East Grand Forks, MN, wrote an article to the Grand Forks Herald. His letter has some seriously flawed logic. First, the guys has no idea what a Sundog is. Second, if Sundogs is the new nickname of the UND, I can say with much certainty, there will be a lot of backlash from fans and alumni.
Check it out, from the Grand Forks Herald:

And all of our teams need to be supported with that same passion. We look at our neighbors to the south and the success they have had in their athletic programs, and we see that we need to unite behind an identity, too.

Let's stop kicking and screaming and trying to hold on to that old security blanket, like the "Peanuts" character, Linus.

Now, the NCAA has thrown down another gauntlet. Let's take the high road and be good sports; most of us already are.

I do not know what the next name will be, but if I had to choose one, it would be Sundogs. But it would not be some cute and cuddly puppy. Instead, it would be the actual Sundog as seen in nature, with a wolf-pack silhouette.

The wolf pack stands for family and teamwork. As I said, we are a family; let's support each other, and move forward.

A Sundog is not a dog or a wolf. Again, look at the pictures, this is not something to use as a sports team nickname. It's also the preferred nickname replacement choice by the a UND campus group during the 1990's and early 2000's. Yeah, that's not going to cause any problems on campus.

Robert O. Kelley, " No UND/North Dakota option"

The University of North Dakota President Robert O. Kelley has spoken, UND/North Dakota won't be a nickname option when voting for a new nickname begins.

This could get ugly.

Honestly, I am not surprised by this decision. I wish that the UND/North Dakota option was one of the choices, but I am one person. Whether you like him or not, I think that President Kelley is in a tough spot. I am sure he had all sides lobbying him. The slight threat of NCAA sanctions probably also played a hand in this.

Here's the letter from President Kelley. I do like the fact that members of other schools or people that have poor intentions can't vote for the UND nickname. I applaud President Kelley for that. In other words, you have to have some skin in the game.

The voting process, which will be conducted completely online, will take place in mid-October and will extend for approximately one week. Precise dates will be announced later. Voting will be open to the following groups:
• Current UND Students
• Current UND Faculty
• Current UND Staff
• UND Retirees
• UND Alumni
• UND Donors (including Champions Club members) (one vote per account)
• Current season ticket holders to UND athletic events (one vote per account)
In order to be eligible to vote, individuals must be a UND retiree; a current faculty or staff member; a currently-enrolled student as of Sept. 30, 2015; or a donor or season ticket holder as of Aug. 31, 2015.

Shortly before the voting period begins, eligible voters will receive an email with voting instructions. Current UND students, faculty and staff will receive the emails at their UND (UND.edu) email address. Alumni, donors, retirees and all current season ticket holders must confirm their emails through a process that will be communicated soon. Eligible voters who fall into more than one of the above categories—such as a staff member who is also an alumnus—may only vote once, and any identified multiple votes will be voided.

The online voting process will be conducted by Qualtrics, a third-party survey technology provider with more than 7,000 customers in 75 countries. In 2014, Qualtrics customers sent over one billion surveys worldwide.

During the voting process, eligible voters will cast one vote for a single option on the ballot. Eligible voters will choose one of five nickname options:

Fighting Hawks
Nodaks
North Stars
Roughriders
Sundogs

If any of the proposed nicknames receives a majority of more than 50 percent of the votes, that name will be determined to be the new nickname for the University of North Dakota.

In the event that no single nickname receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff vote will be held between the two top vote-getters shortly after the initial vote.

Said UND President Robert Kelley: “In deciding the final list of names to include in the final vote, I have reviewed the recommendations of the Nickname Committee, the additional input received from a recent student poll, and input from many other individual students (including student athletes), faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have contacted me. I have considered all this input carefully and, in determining the final voting list, have concluded that it is in the best long-term interest of the University not to use ‘North Dakota’ as the University’s official nickname.” President Kelley added, “As I have noted many times, North Dakota is not a nickname—it is a reflection of our pride in who we are. We have been North Dakota—UND—for more than 130 years, and we always will be. The Nickname Committee has delivered a list of five prospective nicknames with the potential to add value to our already-existing North Dakota identity and evoke the pride and spirit that we all feel for our University and our State. I respect and support the process the Committee used, and the extensive public input they gathered. In making this decision, I also respect their final recommendations.”

President Kelley also received extensive input concerning the people who should be involved in the voting process. One important consideration in the decision is the importance of verifying voter identity to prevent fraud. Each eligible voter’s identity and connection to UND will be confirmed.

Even more importantly, noted President Kelley, “We have appreciated the opportunity this past year to gather feedback and ensure representation from all interested parties across the state and across the country. This was accomplished through broad stakeholder representation on the two teams that worked on this process. It was also accomplished by gathering feedback from last fall's town hall meetings, an online survey, and the month-long nickname comment process conducted by the Nickname Committee this past April. It is now time to allow the final step of this process to be undertaken by those individuals with the most direct ties to UND—students, alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, donors, and season ticket holders.”

Information About Email Delivery of Voting Instructions:

Eligible voters will soon receive voting instructions. While students, faculty and staff will already have a confirmed means of identification through their UND email (UND.edu), retirees, alumni, donors and current season ticket holders will need to ensure that their emails are current in their respective databases in order to be able to vote. The weeks prior to the vote will allow these groups the opportunity to do that.

Current season ticket holders (non-Champions Club): Contact the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office at 701.777.0855 between the hours of 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, or email tickets@theralph.com any time between now and October 1, 2015 to ensure that your correct email is on file.

UND alumni, retirees, and donors: Additional information will soon be sent explaining how to confirm email addresses. For alumni, this information will be sent via the Alumni Review and through a direct mail.

Swamp Rabbits > Sundogs

As we go through the nickname process at the University of North Dakota, why is that other places can come up with better names thane we can? Seriously, according to multiple blogs and Internet sources, ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors have changed their name — starting next year, they’ll be the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. That nickname is absolutely genius. They haven an awesome logo, too. In my opinion, Swamp Rabbits is > Sundogs.

Today, the ECHL's Greenville Road Warriors turned into the SWAMP RABBITS. @SwampRabbits! http://t.co/0nA9ZRfJiT pic.twitter.com/48r3UVNL3H

— theScore (@theScore) August 26, 2015

Grand Forks Herald: Don't saddle next president with UND nickname issue

Today, Tom Dennis of the Grand Forks Herald has posted a pretty interesting article. I think Dennis makes some really good points. Whether we like it or not, this issue eventually needs to be solved. UND President Kelley needs to decide if UND is going to be simply North Dakota or one of the five nickname choices.

That being said, Kelley needs to involve the students, alumni and stakeholders in this decision. If not, this is going to fester long after he is gone. The key word is involved.
Per Tom Dennis of the Herald:

On Saturday, a group of protesters gathered at University Park in Grand Forks, and among their calls was for Kelley to immediately resign. The fact that Kelley is retiring next year isn't good enough, they said. Because the final round of nickname decisions should be made by Kelley's successor—not Kelley himself.

We disagree. Moreover, we think Kelley absolutely is the right person to be making nickname decisions these days—not because he's Robert Kelley, but because he's the longstanding and experienced president of UND.

And that's the executive who should be making nickname calls at this point.

In contrast, the next president will be a beginner in all things UND.

And more than any other issue at UND, the nickname issue is one that a beginner simply should not decide. Because in order to make smart decisions on the nickname—one of the most complicated and divisive issues in the history of the state—you've got to have a full understanding of the decades-long background of the issue.

More Patrick Kane News

The investigation moves forward for Patrick Kane. These types of investigations take time. Here's the statistics for rape convictions. (RAIIN). I have no idea how this turns out.

Per ESPN.COM:

So Phase Three of the NHL’s expansion process has now begun for Las Vegas and Quebec City.

What does that really mean? Quite frankly, not as much as the title would indicate. As Bill Daly told The Associated Press last week, “It does not necessarily constitute the end of the process.”

Maybe, just maybe, we are not really close to a decision.

Some are saying that we probably shouldn’t get our hopes up for a while, which means there won’t be an announcement in the next three weeks that both cities — or either city, or neither city — will join the exclusive NHL club.

More bad news for Patrick Kane. This time, it's his old major junior team.
Per Sportsnet.CA:

First EA Sports, and now the London Knights.
Highly regarded hockey institutions are taking a step back from endorsing Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane this summer, as the three-time Stanley Cup champion is under police investigation in Hamburg, N.Y.

According to a report in Tuesday’s London Free Press, the Knights had planned to divide its 80 training camp invitees into four teams named after the Ontario Hockey League club’s esteemed graduates: Corey Perry (white), Rick Nash (black), David Bolland (green) and Kane (gold).

The gold team will instead represent another, yet-to-be-named Knights alumnus.

Moving forward

Good Afternoon! Fall is slowly approaching, and I am actually bummed out. This has been one of the best summers that I can remember. It's been hot, the weather has been perfect. I wish it could go on, at least for three more months. But I digress. I guess I can move to Florida if I don't like the ND winters.

Students are returning to campus. College football kicks off the 2015 season in five days.

Also, I am hoping the vote on the UND nickname is coming soon. To be honest with you, over the last couple of weeks, I have grown tired of it as well. I can live with whatever happens as long as UND isn't named the Sundogs.

Jordan Simon from St. Paul says that No Nickname option shouldn't be allowed. Fine, I am cool with that if we eliminate the Sundogs option. I am good. I can live with that.
Per the Grand Forks Herald:

Congratulations to UND President Robert Kelley on his upcoming retirement. But before the president goes, the community needs one last thing from him, which is that he refuse to allow the No Nickname option to advance to the public vote.

Continuing with that name is just an attempt to be known as the hockey team that had its name taken away by the NCAA.

This is a hockey-only fight, and the groups kicking and screaming for North Dakota don't care about the rest of the university or community. The people who will raise a ruckus already don't like Kelley; why should he care what their reaction is?

It is in the best interest of the community to move on and pull this Band-Aid off.

It's fine to have positive feelings about the old nickname. People see it as a symbol of their favorite team; I still have clothes with the logo on it, and there are pictures of me wearing those clothes.

On Friday night, I was enjoying the World of Outlaws Sprint Car series at River Cities Speedway. When all of a sudden, my twitter feed blew up. Some UNO fans had taken issue with the paragraph below. Some even wanted me to ban Redwing77 from ever posting again.

First that's never going to happen, unless Redwing77 attacks someone with what I would consider a malicious attack or uses racist material in one of his posts, I am not firing him.  Besides Redwing77 is a good friend of mine. 

Perhaps it is a ridiculous idea. Perhaps UNO and SCSU will relent closer to the game like DU did. Perhaps UNO's policy is strictly due to the fact that they're desperate to bring new business to a new arena. I don't know. The Mavs, here in Omaha, get a pathetic following even compared to the USHL Lancer team.

The UNO fans were upset because  Redwing77 called UNO's following pathetic. If you look at the numbers, UNO was sixth nationally in attendance last season. Initially, when you look at that, it appears to be an impressive feat. However, Maverick fans only filled 37.4 of their building. So, does he have a point. I don't know.  It's still better than 53 other teams.

A Guess About Ticket Policies and a Suggested Response

SCSU is just the latest school to impose ridiculous sanctions on, what is basically, a targetted visiting audience (DU and UNO were the others... with DU coming in previous years).  It got me thinking as to why:

The answer is rather obvious, objectively speaking.  Home arenas should be for the home team and the home team's fans should have first crack at all the best seats.  No argument there for me.  Visiting fans shouldn't get "obstructed view only" seating, but they shouldn't get the best seats either.  But the idea that schools should target UND or any other well traveled franchise is ridiculous.  It's not just the NCAA either. During the Stanley Cup playoffs, visiting fans to Tampa Bay's arena were restricted in both seats AND they were not allowed to show their logos as well.

I just don't understand the economics of the whole thing.  If I were the ticket manager of a major sporting venue, I'd want every seat filled with people with overflowing wallets that shoot out wads of cash at the first available (and every subsequent) offer that comes their way.  Heck, this may be a bit extreme but... if filling the REA to capacity every game meant having over half of the arena (or even MOST of it) filled with opposing fans, so be it.  UND still profits even with the vocal opposition to the home team's goals.

This is the first time since I moved to Omaha in 2008 where UND will be visiting Omaha and I will not be in attendance.  I even forked over an amazing amount of money to see what was a god awful publicity stunt ridden hockey contest (otherwise known as the outdoor game) to see my Alma Mater.  It is sold out.  I usually bring between 4 and 6 other people with me... all paying fans...some even UNO alumni (they couldn't even get tickets).  Sad.

Here's my suggested response by the REA and UND:

Impose the same or similar (not worse) restrictions on every teams' fans whose home arena imposes it on our fans... and DISCOUNT tickets to opposing fans in certain sections to schools who do not impose such restrictions.  In other words, say the typical single game ticket costs a person $36 a game to sit in the visitor section.  Colorado College does not impose ticket restrictions to UND fans.  Therefore, visiting fans from Colorado Springs are eligible for a 10% discount on tickets to those specified sections.  Sure, I get we're not in the business to encourage opposing fans from taking away seats from the home team, but I think it is just good business to reward those teams whose schools are open minded and open armed to all schools, not just the ones who won't fill up their arena when they face off.

Perhaps it is a ridiculous idea.  Perhaps UNO and SCSU will relent closer to the game like DU did.  Perhaps UNO's policy is strictly due to the fact that they're desperate to bring new business to a new arena.  I don't know.  The Mavs, here in Omaha, get a pathetic following even compared to the USHL Lancer team.

In the end, however, I can't change ticket policies.  And UNO will get away with it due to "new arena-itis."  But I hope SCSU comes to their senses.

Star Tribune: Wild Assistant coach Darryl Sydor arrested For DUI

Minnesota Wild assistant coach Darryl Sydor has been arrested and charged with second DUI. This is a very serious charge and nothing to sneeze at. Driving under the influence with your children in the back of your vehicle is a serious offense. Also, blowing a .30 is is highly intoxicated.

In my opinion, Sydor will/should be charged with child endangerment.

Per the Star Tribune:

According to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Sydor was still listed in jail Friday morning and could face drunken driving as well as child endangerment charges.

Sydor was arrested by Fridley police at 5:15 p.m. Thursday near Medtronic Parkway and Highway 65 in Fridley, said Lt. Mike Monsrud of the Fridley police.

A citizen had called police to report Sydor as a possible drunken driver, and police observed Sydor displaying “erratic behavior” such as swerving and making wide turns, Monsrud said.

When stopped, police noticed Sydor had bloodshot, watery eyes and “slow, slurred speech,” Monsrud said.

Sydor, who lives in Woodbury, had difficulty finding his driver’s license in his wallet and passed by it several times after police requested it, Monsrud said.

Thoughts on this one?

Update: According to Chad Graf, "Darryl Sydor has been booked for second degree DUI and child endangerment, according to Fridley Police. Court appearance this afternoon."

Letter to the NCAA

To Whom it may Concern at the NCAA,

At the end of the 2011-2012 athletic season, the University of North Dakota dropped the name of 'Fighting Sioux' as per your request as you saw the name to be offensive and hostile. It was a tough one to swallow for athletes, fans, students, alumni, and faculty alike, however, the University has embraced just being the University of North Dakota for the past three athletic seasons and is currently undergoing the process to adopt a new name for the University.

After doing what you suggested the University should do, you recently take it one step too far by saying further sanctions 'could possibly' take place if the fans continue to cheer the name 'Sioux' at UND athletic events. Now we do understand that the school can be responsible for fans actions at events for saying disrespectful things and throwing things onto the playing surfaces. However, since when is embracing your school's history harmful or disrespectful?

When the Bill of Rights was created, the Founding Fathers made sure that the First Amendment was to protect the freedom of religion and expression. As it states, "First Amendment- Religion and Expression. Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech...." By telling the University of North Dakota further sanctions and penalties "could" be given out to the UND athletics programs if the use of "Sioux" is continued by its fan is a clear violation of our First Amendment right.

You already won by UND dropping "Fighting Sioux" as the nickname of the University. Save your breath and save what dignity you already don't have and just give it a rest. There is absolutely nothing wrong with alumni, fans, students and faculty embracing the history of what was a huge part in what the University of North Dakota has had to offer over the last 80 plus years since originally adopting the nickname of "Fighting Sioux" and dropping it three years ago.

Yours Truly,
Zachary Hawkins

Grand Forks Letter: Imagine 'The Donald' taking on the NCAA

Whether you like Donald Trump or not, he has added some entertainment to the primary season. Here's a letter from Scott Olson of Grand Forks. Olson says that the NCAA sanctioning UND because of a fan chanting Go Sioux is the kind of P.C. that Trump is talking about. Thoughts?

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

The story, "NCAA may investigate Sioux chants," said that the NCAA has issued what a UND spokesman called a "friendly warning" to the university. The NCAA apparently spoke of possible sanctions if UND crowds continued cheering for the Fighting Sioux and behaving in certain ways, and other schools complained about it.

The story went on to say the school would be held accountable for the crowd's behavior at games.

If this isn't political correctness run amok, then I have no idea what is. In today's world, apparently, intimidation, veiled threats and bullying are perfectly acceptable when they are done in the name of PC.

Grand Forks Herald Letter: Rancor suggests nickname choice should be delayed

Bryan Boger from Grand Forks suggest in his letter to the Herald that the nickname choice should be delayed. The Move on people won't like this letter. Like I mentioned in the past, I am for the UND and anything but the Sundogs nickname option. That being said, I would like to see this concluded. I am also surprised that a plan for a vote hasn't been developed yet.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

We keep hearing about how having no nickname is our way of keeping the Sioux name. While that might be true for some, I am of the opinion that it is simply not the time to move forward toward a new nickname.

The nickname search is about something that can bring the UND community together: athletics. While we all have our own studies at the university, playing and watching athletics is something that can unite us.

I do agree with him. Our own fan base is at each other's throats.

But all I've seen is a community ripping each other apart about people's opinions on this issue. Alumni and friends have threatened to pull their donations; fans have threatened to pull their season tickets.

Grand Forks Herald: Tom Dennis Nails it

Check out Tom Dennis of the Grand Forks Herald for his latest. Dennis has had some good editorial articles lately and this one absolutely nails it. Bravo Tom!

Per the Grand Forks Herald:
First, fans would have to keep cheering for the Fighting Sioux; that may or may not continue as the years wear on.

Second, an opposing team would have to both take offense and also complain about the cheer, and neither of those .

occurrences is a sure thing, either..

Third, the NCAA would have to act on the complaint and make an issue of it in some way..

There's a fair chance that those circumstances never would add up. But in contrast, if UND tries to crack down on the cheering, then the odds of fans resenting the interference and probably even willfully defying it approach 100 percent. .

Ten years from now, the new nickname or the "UND/North Dakota" option will be solidly in place at UND, and the Fighting Sioux cheers at games likely will be few and far between. But the university should let this change unfold organically, rather than making fans even angrier by trying to hurry things along.

Fargo Forum Editorial: UND, don't pander to protesters'

They must be bored in Fargo, ND? They really can't help themselves. Must not have anything to report.

Per Fargo Forum:

First, they want the university’s list of selections for a new UND team name to include “North Dakota.” It’s a transparent ploy to somehow retain some iteration of “Fighting Sioux,” which has been retired.

Second, they want the immediate resignation of UND President Robert Kelley because by their assessment he has presided over a name-change process that has not been responsive to their concerns. What a crock. If ever there was a process that has been painfully long and over-the-top inclusive, it’s been the university’s name-change saga.

But none of that matters to a small, but noisy cabal of unreconstructed “Fighting Sioux” fans. No matter what the eventual choice is, no matter what sort of consensus is achieved, no matter how many voices have been part of the process, they will not accept the inevitable. It makes no sense for Kelley and the university to continue to pander to them. They had their shot, they lost. Whatever they do now is sideshow.

The arrogant contention that “the Sioux have been silenced” is so obviously false as to be cartoonish. First, the “silence” made loud headlines for years, and still is. Second, the history of the moniker debate is replete with pro-Fighting Sioux arguments, some cogent, others offensive. That the case was weak and ultimately failed is the reality that some arguers refuse to accept.