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UND negotiating move to MVFC and Summit

E

EWURanger

Moderator
Staff member
Bye, Felicia.

http://www.inforum.com/sports/4153166-report-und-negotiating-conference-move-missouri-valley-summit-league
 
I always had a feeling their stay would be short lived. I don't imagine anyone is losing any sleep over this, especially the west coast schools. Does anyone know the background behind why they ended up in the Big Sky in the first place? It doesn't seem like a logical fit for them.
 
EagInTexas said:
Does anyone know the background behind why they ended up in the Big Sky in the first place? It doesn't seem like a logical fit for them.
Click to expand...

It goes back to when the Great West football conference dissolved. The Big Sky absorbed Southern Utah first, and then Davis and Poly for football only. The original deal involved both of the Dakota schools, but South Dakota backed out in the final hour after they got invites from the MVFC and Summit Conference for Olympic sports. That left us with UND.

Agree with the above comments on it being a good deal for the Big Sky. Travel costs for football aren't that big a deal as you're really only going there every 2-3 years, but for the Olympic Sports it's got to be brutal. That alone makes them leaving a good thing.
 
I don't know why the conference would waive the fee. If they want to make a move, so be it, but they should have to pay the contracted fee. But I'm in agreement, they were never a good fit. I'm nit a fan of the Super Big Sky concept anyay.
 
I won't lose any sleep over it, but I am slightly bummed to hear that, though I do understand it. I wonder if they would have been more likely to stay if South Dakota had joined the Big Sky as well.
 
Good riddance. The team and fans always leave a bad taste in my mouth and would like to echo that they just don't belong in the Big Sky. Plus, this conference is too crowded already (especially with Idaho squeezing in).
 
Rjones61 said:
Good riddance. The team and fans always leave a bad taste in my mouth and would like to echo that they just don't belong in the Big Sky. Plus, this conference is too crowded already (especially with Idaho squeezing in).
Click to expand...

Just curious why the fans have been an issue?

I know if you go over to Siouxsport, most fans (not all) are not happy about this at all. They really want to be in the Big Sky, and are especially unhappy about the move as it pertains to basketball.

I'm fairly middle of the road on this issue. I've really enjoyed watching Big Sky competition, especially as the football program has started to improve. And the basketball competition has been fun too, and I'm not a big basketball guy.

On the flip side, there is no denying that there would be perks in the MVFC/Summit as well. Proximity, and being with the other Dakota schools. Most importantly, improving the spending situation. Being in the BSC comes with a big time price tag for travel. UND could have probably stayed in the BSC, but refuses to make the tough call in cutting some sports. I had to see sports go, and limit opportunities to some kids, but from a business perspective, UND is supporting more sports than it can sustain right now.

I do hope that if UND does move conference, that they can schedule some OOC matchups with the Big Sky schools periodically. I'd rather see UND play MT, MT St, or E. Wash and increase the SOS, rather than some garbage team, or D2 school.
 
siouxfan512 said:
Rjones61 said:
Good riddance. The team and fans always leave a bad taste in my mouth and would like to echo that they just don't belong in the Big Sky. Plus, this conference is too crowded already (especially with Idaho squeezing in).
Click to expand...

Just curious why the fans have been an issue?

I know if you go over to Siouxsport, most fans (not all) are not happy about this at all. They really want to be in the Big Sky, and are especially unhappy about the move as it pertains to basketball.

I'm fairly middle of the road on this issue. I've really enjoyed watching Big Sky competition, especially as the football program has started to improve. And the basketball competition has been fun too, and I'm not a big basketball guy.

On the flip side, there is no denying that there would be perks in the MVFC/Summit as well. Proximity, and being with the other Dakota schools. Most importantly, improving the spending situation. Being in the BSC comes with a big time price tag for travel. UND could have probably stayed in the BSC, but refuses to make the tough call in cutting some sports. I had to see sports go, and limit opportunities to some kids, but from a business perspective, UND is supporting more sports than it can sustain right now.

I do hope that if UND does move conference, that they can schedule some OOC matchups with the Big Sky schools periodically. I'd rather see UND play MT, MT St, or E. Wash and increase the SOS, rather than some garbage team, or D2 school.
Click to expand...

I don't have a personal beef with UND or their fans. I'm a little irritated that UND is 7-0 and in the running for a conference championship without having to play EWU or Montana, but that's not their fault. I would like to see UND join another conference simply because the Big Sky is to big and they're not really a natural fit in the conference. For the record, they're not the only school I'd like to see leave the conference.

I think out of conference match ups would be very beneficial in the future if UND leaves.
 
The Big Sky needs to be trimmed down to 10. Ditch Davis, Northern Colorado and Suc State. I know some people will say we need to include teams from California for recruiting purposes but it's 2016, kids know where they should go if they want to win. Davis and Suc state aint it.
 
siouxfan512 said:
Rjones61 said:
Good riddance. The team and fans always leave a bad taste in my mouth and would like to echo that they just don't belong in the Big Sky. Plus, this conference is too crowded already (especially with Idaho squeezing in).
Click to expand...

Just curious why the fans have been an issue?

I know if you go over to Siouxsport, most fans (not all) are not happy about this at all. They really want to be in the Big Sky, and are especially unhappy about the move as it pertains to basketball.

I'm fairly middle of the road on this issue. I've really enjoyed watching Big Sky competition, especially as the football program has started to improve. And the basketball competition has been fun too, and I'm not a big basketball guy.

On the flip side, there is no denying that there would be perks in the MVFC/Summit as well. Proximity, and being with the other Dakota schools. Most importantly, improving the spending situation. Being in the BSC comes with a big time price tag for travel. UND could have probably stayed in the BSC, but refuses to make the tough call in cutting some sports. I had to see sports go, and limit opportunities to some kids, but from a business perspective, UND is supporting more sports than it can sustain right now.

I do hope that if UND does move conference, that they can schedule some OOC matchups with the Big Sky schools periodically. I'd rather see UND play MT, MT St, or E. Wash and increase the SOS, rather than some garbage team, or D2 school.
Click to expand...

I've had a few bad interactions online and in person and just have sort of a bitter predisposition toward UND fans because of these. One of the few fanbases that I lack positive interactions with.
 
EWURanger said:
EagInTexas said:
Does anyone know the background behind why they ended up in the Big Sky in the first place? It doesn't seem like a logical fit for them.
Click to expand...

It goes back to when the Great West football conference dissolved. The Big Sky absorbed Southern Utah first, and then Davis and Poly for football only. The original deal involved both of the Dakota schools, but South Dakota backed out in the final hour after they got invites from the MVFC and Summit Conference for Olympic sports. That left us with UND.

Agree with the above comments on it being a good deal for the Big Sky. Travel costs for football aren't that big a deal as you're really only going there every 2-3 years, but for the Olympic Sports it's got to be brutal. That alone makes them leaving a good thing.
Click to expand...

Actually if I'm not mistaken, I think the MVFC wouldn't take UND with their nickname. And now with them switching to the fighting hawks they are ready to move over.
 
EdubU10 said:
The Big Sky needs to be trimmed down to 10. Ditch Davis, Northern Colorado and Suc State. I know some people will say we need to include teams from California for recruiting purposes but it's 2016, kids know where they should go if they want to win. Davis and Suc state aint it.
Click to expand...

I don't really agree. Davis and Sac St. are located in a major media market that we need exposure to for recruiting purposes. We can say that kids know where they want go if they want to win, but I think it's a little more than that. A lot of HS kids are only familiar with the P5 conferences, and then to a much lesser extent the MWC, and then the Big Sky. I'm not sure what better way there is to show them what EWU football is about than to have them attend a game locally against one of the CA schools.

Besides, Davis is a good school that boosts the conference's academic standing. I'm unemotional about UNC and Sac, but I doubt they get shown the door anytime soon. Same with SUU.

As for UND - meh. It's a good school that would be a great fit if they actually resided within the geographical footprint of the conference. The Big Sky is essentially a Rocky Mt/West coast conference, and for that reason alone, I don't think it should extend east of Montana. I have nothing against UND personally, but the MVFC/Summit is an absolute no-brainer if they have the opportunity.
 
There it is. UND to the Summit. Move to the MVFC should be official tomorrow.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/4204979-sources-und-set-leave-big-sky-conference
 
siouxfan512 said:
There it is. UND to the Summit. Move to the MVFC should be official tomorrow.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/4204979-sources-und-set-leave-big-sky-conference
Click to expand...

It was only a matter of time. Good luck.
 
siouxfan512 said:
There it is. UND to the Summit. Move to the MVFC should be official tomorrow.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/4204979-sources-und-set-leave-big-sky-conference
Click to expand...

It is probably the best move for all parties involved long term. One less mouth to feed in the Big Sky and UND is a bit of a stretch geographically, but you never want to lose a quality program like North Dakota either.

I wish them the best and hope that they stick it down NDSU's throat every now and again.
 
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