Big Sky vs. UND, are they out?

[Darell1976]

Except UNC. Because right now UND is right where UNC was in the NCC days. Your closest opponent....Omaha. 461 miles. So here's what I think. Teams need to suck it up and play us. You think Miami bitches because they have to go to Boston? Or you think Montana State bitches because they have to go to Flagstaff? No they play the team on the schedule. I see bitching only if you lose to us and because we cause a threat to your season. You win and people will forget how far you have to go to get that win. What about those teams that have to go to Hawaii. How would you like to be in that conference...it was a long way to Louisiana for them.

So being concerned with how the addition of an extreme outlier for us and the conference as a whole will affect our budgets and subsequent performance on the field/court is all chalked up to bitching. Ok, great handle on reality. I guess I could just stick my head in the sand and pretend that adding a conference member that is 2 time zones away will have no impact on our athletic program at all.

If South Dakota would have joined with UND would you still have a problem?

[EWURanger]

So being concerned with how the addition of an extreme outlier for us and the conference as a whole will affect our budgets and subsequent performance on the field/court is all chalked up to bitching. Ok, great handle on reality. I guess I could just stick my head in the sand and pretend that adding a conference member that is 2 time zones away will have no impact on our athletic program at all.

If South Dakota would have joined with UND would you still have a problem?

No, because that would have provided a travel partner for UND. The real issue is the associated travel costs for the Olympic Sports. Football isn't really that problematic, I.E. why you hear most of the griping from Sac State people (Core Member) as opposed to the Davis or Poly crowd (Associate Members).

A better solution might be for UND to be an associate member for football and put their Olympic Sports in the Summit or something? This would put the Big Sky at 10 core members and 13 for football. Seems to make more sense.

[Darell1976]

If South Dakota would have joined with UND would you still have a problem?

No, because that would have provided a travel partner for UND. The real issue is the associated travel costs for the Olympic Sports. Football isn't really that problematic, I.E. why you hear most of the griping from Sac State people (Core Member) as opposed to the Davis or Poly crowd (Associate Members).

A better solution might be for UND to be an associate member for football and put their Olympic Sports in the Summit or something? This would put the Big Sky at 10 core members and 13 for football. Seems to make more sense.

You do know the travel distance from Vermillion to Grand Forks is over 300 miles right? You play USD one night you are on a bus for another 5 hours and in winter it could be longer due to ice or snow or -50 temps. Ideally it makes the most sense to have UND in the MVFC and the Summit League. But it wasn't in the cards. UND would have been in the Summit (as the visit was happening) but there was NO home for football so UND had to go where they could. If you need to be pissed at someone don't be pissed at UND, don't be pissed at the Big Sky...be pissed at the MVFC for taking USD and NOT both schools.

[grizzaholic]

No, because that would have provided a travel partner for UND. The real issue is the associated travel costs for the Olympic Sports. Football isn't really that problematic, I.E. why you hear most of the griping from Sac State people (Core Member) as opposed to the Davis or Poly crowd (Associate Members).

A better solution might be for UND to be an associate member for football and put their Olympic Sports in the Summit or something? This would put the Big Sky at 10 core members and 13 for football. Seems to make more sense.

You do know the travel distance from Vermillion to Grand Forks is over 300 miles right? You play USD one night you are on a bus for another 5 hours and in winter it could be longer due to ice or snow or -50 temps. Ideally it makes the most sense to have UND in the MVFC and the Summit League. But it wasn't in the cards. UND would have been in the Summit (as the visit was happening) but there was NO home for football so UND had to go where they could. If you need to be pissed at someone don't be pissed at UND, don't be pissed at the Big Sky...be pissed at the MVFC for taking USD and NOT both schools.

Oh boo hoo.

[EWURanger]

No, because that would have provided a travel partner for UND. The real issue is the associated travel costs for the Olympic Sports. Football isn't really that problematic, I.E. why you hear most of the griping from Sac State people (Core Member) as opposed to the Davis or Poly crowd (Associate Members).

A better solution might be for UND to be an associate member for football and put their Olympic Sports in the Summit or something? This would put the Big Sky at 10 core members and 13 for football. Seems to make more sense.

You do know the travel distance from Vermillion to Grand Forks is over 300 miles right? You play USD one night you are on a bus for another 5 hours and in winter it could be longer due to ice or snow or -50 temps. Ideally it makes the most sense to have UND in the MVFC and the Summit League. But it wasn't in the cards. UND would have been in the Summit (as the visit was happening) but there was NO home for football so UND had to go where they could. If you need to be pissed at someone don't be pissed at UND, don't be pissed at the Big Sky...be pissed at the MVFC for taking USD and NOT both schools.

I'm not pissed at anyone, and I'm not hating on UND joining - it's a good school, and a good addition for the Big Sky - even if most UND folks seem to primarily care about Hockey.

That said, I don't think there's any arguing that for the West Coast Big Sky Schools, the travel is problematic in regard to the Olympic Sports, something that you didn't address in your rant.

[Darell1976]

You do know the travel distance from Vermillion to Grand Forks is over 300 miles right? You play USD one night you are on a bus for another 5 hours and in winter it could be longer due to ice or snow or -50 temps. Ideally it makes the most sense to have UND in the MVFC and the Summit League. But it wasn't in the cards. UND would have been in the Summit (as the visit was happening) but there was NO home for football so UND had to go where they could. If you need to be pissed at someone don't be pissed at UND, don't be pissed at the Big Sky...be pissed at the MVFC for taking USD and NOT both schools.

I'm not pissed at anyone, and I'm not hating on UND joining - it's a good school, and a good addition for the Big Sky - even if most UND folks seem to primarily care about Hockey.

That said, I don't think there's any arguing that for the West Coast Big Sky Schools, the travel is problematic in regard to the Olympic Sports, something that you didn't address in your rant.

Lets talk olympic sports: Did ORU complain about traveling from Tulsa to Fargo? Or IUPUI traveling from Indianapolis to Brookings, SD? Some conferences have teams that are spread out. SUU going from Cedar City, UT to Oakland, MI? That is 2 time zones. What did they do in 2001, bitch about travel, NO they won a trip to THE DANCE! Winning over great distances proves how tough your team is. Sorry if all the teams can't be a 10 minute car ride.

[EWURanger]

I'm not pissed at anyone, and I'm not hating on UND joining - it's a good school, and a good addition for the Big Sky - even if most UND folks seem to primarily care about Hockey.

That said, I don't think there's any arguing that for the West Coast Big Sky Schools, the travel is problematic in regard to the Olympic Sports, something that you didn't address in your rant.

Lets talk olympic sports: Did ORU complain about traveling from Tulsa to Fargo? Or IUPUI traveling from Indianapolis to Brookings, SD? Some conferences have teams that are spread out. SUU going from Cedar City, UT to Oakland, MI? That is 2 time zones. What did they do in 2001, bitch about travel, NO they won a trip to THE DANCE! Winning over great distances proves how tough your team is. Sorry if all the teams can't be a 10 minute car ride.

I see what you're saying....but the Big Sky has traditionally been a pretty regional conference. Look at the Big Sky, circa 1992. That was a very regional conference.

Boise State
Idaho
Idaho State
Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
Weber State
Northern Arizona
Nevada

Then they expanded into California after BSU, Nevada, and Idaho left.....which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it did expand the footprint quite a bit. Now we have a conference that spans from the Pacific Coast to the Minnesota border......far from "regional", which is probably why some Big Sky folks aren't completely thrilled with the recent expansion.

SUU might have competed in the Summit, but that was out of sheer necessity......they've been kicking and screaming to get into the Big Sky for MANY years.

[FargoBison]

I'm not pissed at anyone, and I'm not hating on UND joining - it's a good school, and a good addition for the Big Sky - even if most UND folks seem to primarily care about Hockey.

That said, I don't think there's any arguing that for the West Coast Big Sky Schools, the travel is problematic in regard to the Olympic Sports, something that you didn't address in your rant.

Lets talk olympic sports: Did ORU complain about traveling from Tulsa to Fargo? Or IUPUI traveling from Indianapolis to Brookings, SD? Some conferences have teams that are spread out. SUU going from Cedar City, UT to Oakland, MI? That is 2 time zones. What did they do in 2001, bitch about travel, NO they won a trip to THE DANCE! Winning over great distances proves how tough your team is. Sorry if all the teams can't be a 10 minute car ride.

Ummm when ORU is traveling to Fargo they are also playing SDSU in Brookings on the same trip in sports like volleyball and basketball. Same goes for IUPUI.

SUU was the only problem for the Summit in that teams would fly in and fly out and just get one game. Lots of people around the Summit are very happy that SUU is leaving, they were a strain on everyone's budget and with them gone every team will have a nearby travel partner.

The Big Sky should make UND an associate member for football only, of course that would probably make too much sense.

[Darell1976]

Lets talk olympic sports: Did ORU complain about traveling from Tulsa to Fargo? Or IUPUI traveling from Indianapolis to Brookings, SD? Some conferences have teams that are spread out. SUU going from Cedar City, UT to Oakland, MI? That is 2 time zones. What did they do in 2001, bitch about travel, NO they won a trip to THE DANCE! Winning over great distances proves how tough your team is. Sorry if all the teams can't be a 10 minute car ride.

Ummm when ORU is traveling to Fargo they are also playing SDSU in Brookings on the same trip in sports like volleyball and basketball. Same goes for IUPUI.

SUU was the only problem for the Summit in that teams would fly in and fly out and just get one game. Lots of people around the Summit are very happy that SUU is leaving, they were a strain on everyone's budget and with them gone every team will have a nearby travel partner.

The Big Sky should make UND an associate member for football only, of course that would probably make too much sense.

How about lets see every school show Doug Fullerton the books after the 2012-2013 season and see if they are headed for financial hardship, if so maybe something can be worked out in making UND an associate member.

[SDHornet]

If South Dakota would have joined with UND would you still have a problem?

I would have preferred neither of the Dakotas be added, but since the plan was to have both USD and UND added that made more sense than adding just one. They would have served as travel partners plus that would have split the Oly sports into divisions further reducing the travel cost impact of the expansion eastward. Adding just one of the Dakota’s makes absolutely no sense from a financial, logistical, and geographical standpoint.

[Darell1976]

If South Dakota would have joined with UND would you still have a problem?

I would have preferred neither of the Dakotas be added, but since the plan was to have both USD and UND added that made more sense than adding just one. They would have served as travel partners plus that would have split the Oly sports into divisions further reducing the travel cost impact of the expansion eastward. Adding just one of the Dakota’s makes absolutely no sense from a financial, logistical, and geographical standpoint.

How would the BSC look if after South Dakota backed out they called UND and said, "well since USD backed out we can no longer have you in the conference". The Big Sky would look like total pricks. It would look worse than backing out of a home and home series..which Idaho State already did to UND. Fullerton wanted UND for their academics along with their athletics. Remember they do teach at college its not a mini camp.

[BisonBacker]

I'm not pissed at anyone, and I'm not hating on UND joining - it's a good school, and a good addition for the Big Sky - even if most UND folks seem to primarily care about Hockey.

That said, I don't think there's any arguing that for the West Coast Big Sky Schools, the travel is problematic in regard to the Olympic Sports, something that you didn't address in your rant.

Lets talk olympic sports: Did ORU complain about traveling from Tulsa to Fargo? Or IUPUI traveling from Indianapolis to Brookings, SD? Some conferences have teams that are spread out. SUU going from Cedar City, UT to Oakland, MI? That is 2 time zones. What did they do in 2001, bitch about travel, NO they won a trip to THE DANCE! Winning over great distances proves how tough your team is. Sorry if all the teams can't be a 10 minute car ride.

After this year ORU will not be in the Summit. Reason was travel costs/conference footprint primarily.

[BisonBacker]

I would have preferred neither of the Dakotas be added, but since the plan was to have both USD and UND added that made more sense than adding just one. They would have served as travel partners plus that would have split the Oly sports into divisions further reducing the travel cost impact of the expansion eastward. Adding just one of the Dakota’s makes absolutely no sense from a financial, logistical, and geographical standpoint.

How would the BSC look if after South Dakota backed out they called UND and said, "well since USD backed out we can no longer have you in the conference". The Big Sky would look like total pricks. It would look worse than backing out of a home and home series..which Idaho State already did to UND. Fullerton wanted UND for their academics along with their athletics. Remember they do teach at college its not a mini camp.

Fact is had the conference not pissed down it's leg they would have locked the offer based on both or none. Fullerton and the presidents screwed up big time on that deal. Has nothing to do with looking like pricks and everything to do with common sense.

[Darell1976]

How would the BSC look if after South Dakota backed out they called UND and said, "well since USD backed out we can no longer have you in the conference". The Big Sky would look like total pricks. It would look worse than backing out of a home and home series..which Idaho State already did to UND. Fullerton wanted UND for their academics along with their athletics. Remember they do teach at college its not a mini camp.

Fact is had the conference not pissed down it's leg they would have locked the offer based on both or none. Fullerton and the presidents screwed up big time on that deal. Has nothing to do with looking like pricks and everything to do with common sense.

Fullerton then should have begged the MVFC to reconsider adding UND along with USD but HE wants UND to stay or else we would be gone, we aren't offical members until July 1st 2012...thats when UND is officially DI.

[FargoBison]

Fulerton should have admitted UND as a football only member and let the Summit have them for other sports. The MVFC doesn't want UND, the league does not want 11 members and it especially doesn't want another far western team. It was struggle just to get them to agree to one more Dakota school.

The Big Sky could still make UND a football only member and UND could side right into the Summit, everybody would benefit but since it makes too much sense it won't happen.

[BigSkyBears]

Fact is had the conference not pissed down it's leg they would have locked the offer based on both or none. Fullerton and the presidents screwed up big time on that deal. Has nothing to do with looking like pricks and everything to do with common sense.

Fullerton then should have begged the MVFC to reconsider adding UND along with USD but HE wants UND to stay or else we would be gone, we aren't offical members until July 1st 2012...thats when UND is officially DI.

You're a hockey school.

[lakesbison]

und in the summit, FUCK NO.

wont happen, tom douple hates those losers up there, and Im proud of him for that.

Lets talk olympic sports: Did ORU complain about traveling from Tulsa to Fargo? .... THEY LEFT BECAUSE OF TRAVEL

god dam youre the dumbest person on earth darrel/squarepeg

[FargoBison]

Douple would add UND if they wanted to join the Summit, he said as much before the Summit tournament last year.

[Darell1976]

und in the summit, **** NO.

wont happen, tom douple hates those losers up there, and Im proud of him for that.

Lets talk olympic sports: Did ORU complain about traveling from Tulsa to Fargo? .... THEY LEFT BECAUSE OF TRAVEL

god dam youre the dumbest person on earth darrel/squarepeg

Douple knows why UND choose the BSC over the SL. The SL did NOT provide a home for football while the BSC does. If Fullerton offered the same deal as Cal Poly and UC Davis tonights game against NDSU would be a conference game.

[SDHornet]

Fact is had the conference not pissed down it's leg they would have locked the offer based on both or none. Fullerton and the presidents screwed up big time on that deal. Has nothing to do with looking like pricks and everything to do with common sense.

This.

[kemajic]

Fact is had the conference not pissed down it's leg they would have locked the offer based on both or none. Fullerton and the presidents screwed up big time on that deal. Has nothing to do with looking like pricks and everything to do with common sense.

This.

Yes, Fullerton pissed down his leg and was left holding the bag like a fool. He had sold the plan to the presidents that included both Dakota Universities and could not deliver. He has been a disaster.

[kemajic]

I see what you're saying....but the Big Sky has traditionally been a pretty regional conference. Look at the Big Sky, circa 1992. That was a very regional conference.

Boise State
Idaho
Idaho State
Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
Weber State
Northern Arizona
Nevada

That was a hell of a conference, easily the best in I-AA. There was a lot of travel by fans to road games back then. Today's BSC can't carry its jock, even with tripling the footprint.

[JBB]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a change in UNDs membership in the BSC. Without a travel partner they don't make financial sense

[grizzaholic]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a change in UNDs membership in the BSC. Without a travel partner they don't make financial sense

Oh, Great Wise One, where should UND be?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Oh, Great Wise One, where should UND be?

Inside my mouth.