(02-06-2018 04:12 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(02-06-2018 10:32 AM)BisonCardinal Wrote:  NoDak, weren't these orgasmic factors there in 1978 and 2002? NDSU and SDSU had vision in 2002, UND and USD not so much. Adding a single school like UNC to the MVFC and Summit makes a lot more sense than the major shift you are talking about. This single addition would get enough football and baseball teams together to control their own destiny, which should make the presidents very happy without totally tearing up conferences.

The orgasmic factor in 1978 was Nevada, which was just joining.
The later loss of Nevada, Boise St and Idaho created the desire to slap DI labels on West Coast commuter schools like Northridge, Sac St, and Portland St and deulsionally believe that they were good replacements that would have massive TV ratings and build much better than Jr High gyms. Turned out entirely wrong.

In 2002, NDSU's President at the time, coming from Mont St, understood the issues, it couldn't ram through his proposal to the Big Sky. UND had two big arenas coming on line, was hosting the DII basketball championships, and dealing with local flood issues had too much on its plate for a DI transition. The Montanas worked out a plan for UND's acceptance longer term because we weren't a bull in a China closet.

I'm confused. The Alerus was built with tax money and is owned by the city of Grand Forks. The Ralph was donated by his estate and is run by a non-profit, correct? So which two big arenas did UND build in 2002?

UND chose to not go D1 at the time due to their not wanting to ever leave D2. They did everything they could to make it difficult for NDSU, and even SDSU to move up. Your AD and Women's BB coach were all over the North Dakota media making fools of themselves. Your recent financial struggles may be why they were so adamant against the move. The powers that be must have understood that UND could not afford D1 for all sports and still fund hockey at the highest level. Smart guys.

The Montana's did not work out a plan to get UND into the Big Sky. That smart move was pushed by Fullerton (who also offered USD) in an attempt to build a super conference, hoping to attract SDSU and more importantly, NDSU. Fullerton admitted as much in his exit interview.

One other quick item. You rip Sac State and Portland yet a few years ago they were your dream conference mates. The more this thread goes on, the more fibs you tell. Maybe it is time for this thread, and your crazy ideas, to go away.