NDSU and the WAC

[∞∞∞]

Wow, I didn't know NDSU has a lot of history and fans behind them. Pretty cool. I thought I had read up on every big FCS program and was like "NDSU to WAC? What lol?", but after reading up on them, it makes more sense.

So is NDSU considered a premier FCS program along the lines of GSU, Youngstown, Montana, UD, Appy, etc.?

[Willie]

Wow, I didn't know NDSU has a lot of history and fans behind them. Pretty cool. I thought I had read up on every big FCS program and was like "NDSU to WAC? What lol?", but after reading up on them, it makes more sense.

So is NDSU considered a premier FCS program along the lines of GSU, Youngstown, Montana, UD, Appy, etc.?

That's just it...no, they are not. Not even close.

[NDSUFREAK]

Wow, I didn't know NDSU has a lot of history and fans behind them. Pretty cool. I thought I had read up on every big FCS program and was like "NDSU to WAC? What lol?", but after reading up on them, it makes more sense.

So is NDSU considered a premier FCS program along the lines of GSU, Youngstown, Montana, UD, Appy, etc.?

NDSU has only had a couple years of eligibility in the FCS for advancing to the playoffs. In the process of our transition we had some of the best BISON teams in our history including a #1 ranking in FCS at one point but the only thing was we werent eligible to qualify for the playoffs because of our transition from DII to DI. If we didnt have as much success in the first 3 or 4 years on FCS, we wouldnt be talking about WAC.

And speaking of tradition and fan base, NDSU has some of the richest football traditions in the country. 8 national championships at the DII level and a VERY WIDE fan base which travel very well. We brought 30,000 to the metrodome when we played the gophers in 2006 and 2007. It's just a shame our recruiting classes fell off of the levels they were at during the beginning of our transition...but we'll be back

So ends my brief history lesson

[JBB]

They were ranked #1 in the country 2 years ago. They had their mens basketball team in the NCAA 2 years ago. They had their womens softball team in the NCAA the past 2 seasons as well as the women's volleyball team. Last time they went to Montana they won and have an all-time winning record against the Grizz. They are the #1 drawing team in the MVFC and the #5 team in the entire FCS. They are about to start on a new basketball arena. Their football "arena" is half sold out right now for next year. They travel well. They have a population base in the MSA of a quarter million and are the big name in Football in the state of North Dakota.

They are a premier athletic program in the MVFC and the Summit. Their academics are outstanding. They are the largest research University in the State of North Dakota and have a national reputation in that area. They are instrumental in the worlds agriculture. There are NDSU graduates everywhere including me and they have a history going back into the 1880s. NDSU is a major economic driver in Fargo and the State of North Dakota and NDSU is the largest institution in North Dakota.

It depends on who you talk to. There are several folks here that dont like the idea of NDSU. Ok I get it.

[houndawg]

Teams dont move to the FBS because they are dominate in the FCS. That misses the point and examples abound. Troy State for one. Im sure you have other examples. The MAC as a whole is a great example. Wyoming is another example.

What NDSU has accomplished in the MVFC to date is irrelevant.

The comments to the article I posted are not favorable to NDSU. This perception could change quickly. Clearly Montana has shown they have a more mature program but it was only two years ago NDSU was ranked #1 in the FBS. That was no fluke.

Dude, you are from Mars.

Your so-called #1 in the FBS ( ) would have been 4-5 in the MVC that year.

You're a bottom-tier MVC team with WIU and ISU, where are you going to find FBS caliber players willing to play ball in the middle of nowhere? (If you have any more of what you're smoking, I'd like to get some....)

[JBB]

That was obviously a typo. We had the #1 ranking in the FCS. Last time SIU was in Fargo they were humiliated.

[houndawg]

They were ranked #1 in the country 2 years ago. They had their mens basketball team in the NCAA 2 years ago. They had their womens softball team in the NCAA the past 2 seasons as well as the women's volleyball team. Last time they went to Montana they won and have an all-time winning record against the Grizz. They are the #1 drawing team in the MVFC and the #5 team in the entire FCS. They are about to start on a new basketball arena. Their football "arena" is half sold out right now for next year. They travel well. They have a population base in the MSA of a quarter million and are the big name in Football in the state of North Dakota.

They are a premier athletic program in the MVFC and the Summit. Their academics are outstanding. They are the largest research University in the State of North Dakota and have a national reputation in that area. They are instrumental in the worlds agriculture. There are NDSU graduates everywhere including me and they have a history going back into the 1880s. NDSU is a major economic driver in Fargo and the State of North Dakota and NDSU is the largest institution in North Dakota.

It depends on who you talk to. There are several folks here that dont like the idea of NDSU. Ok I get it.

Well, you do have good fans, but being the big name in football in North Dakota is like being the big name in hockey in Hawaii. Nobody wants to go to ND, hell, my grandma was from there and she left for California in 1915.

[Willie]

That was obviously a typo. We had the #1 ranking in the FCS. Last time SIU was in Fargo they were humiliated.

If you're referring to 2008, I was at that game. I wouldn't say they were humiliated. NDSU just had a better plan after halftime.

[houndawg]

That was obviously a typo. We had the #1 ranking in the FCS. Last time SIU was in Fargo they were humiliated.

Bunch of sophmores with a new coach nearly ruined your Homecoming.

We got a better game out of WIU last year, we even gave you a TD on a punt we blocked, it was your biggest offensive play of the day.

[houndawg]

That was obviously a typo. We had the #1 ranking in the FCS. Last time SIU was in Fargo they were humiliated.

If you're referring to 2008, I was at that game. I wouldn't say they were humiliated. NDSU just had a better plan after halftime.

A textbook example of the blind hog finding an acorn.

[JBB]

So whats your point? You dont like North Dakota or your Grandma made a huge mistake? 1915? Really? Pretty weak rebuttal if you ask me.

Here is the NDSU football won/lost from 1915. Your Grandma missed out on a strong finish and a big win against one of our greatest rivalries of all time: Fargo College. They are no longer in existence.

South Dakota State 0-21
North Dakota 0-20
Fargo College 7-6
St. Thomas 0-13
North Dakota State School of Science 34-0
Jamestown College 33-0
Note: Home Games In Bold

[JBB]

That was obviously a typo. We had the #1 ranking in the FCS. Last time SIU was in Fargo they were humiliated.

Bunch of sophmores with a new coach nearly ruined your Homecoming.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

[FargoBison]

NDSU to the WAC actually does make sense on some levels, academically a number of our peers are in the WAC. NDSU is a solid research University, a land grant and a state flagship. That profile would look solid to a University presidents and they are the ones who vote on expansion.

Athletically NDSU is very solid, we've struggled a bit in football over the past few years but other sports have excelled. The Fargodome would be an adequate WAC venue, we are in the top of the FCS in attendance every year. We are about to spend over $30 million in renovating our basketball arena and another $4-5 million in building an indoor track facility. The only facility left that would not be at a WAC level is the softball field.

I think NDSU could make a compelling case if the WAC has interest.

[Fresno St. Alum]

If Montana says no they go after Texas St. and get some texas recruiting going on in the WAC.

some sun belt "insider" said there was a possibility of the the WAC going to 12 taking UNT, Arkansas St., UL-Lafayette, Texas St. With the Pac 10 going to 16(good chance) that might be on the WAc to do list. MWC might look to go to 12 in the future too now.

[houndawg]

That was obviously a typo. We had the #1 ranking in the FCS. Last time SIU was in Fargo they were humiliated.

If you're referring to 2008, I was at that game. I wouldn't say they were humiliated. NDSU just had a better plan after halftime.

I think he's referring to last year when the Bison's lack of talent at the skill positions was exposed in a rather embarrassing fashion. Fortunately, Lennon isn't the kind to run up the score just because he can.

[MrTitleist]

One problem w/ the WAC: The FargoDome can't get any bigger.. and it's not big enough for WAC football, IMO. I would imagine they'd have to find a new place to play.

[SUUTbird]

One problem w/ the WAC: The FargoDome can't get any bigger.. and it's not big enough for WAC football, IMO. I would imagine they'd have to find a new place to play.

Well really that isnt the case, look at Idaho. Their dome only seats around 15,000 and they still are allowed to play in the WAC without penalty (as far as i know). And unlike the Vandals the Bison dont have trouble getting people into their stands on gameday. Until the NCAA really starts to enforce this then i dont see anything wrong with the fargodome

[kemajic]

Last time they went to Montana they won and have an all-time winning record against the Grizz.

It may be tough is sales mode, but let's try to stick to the facts. The one point win in the last encounter is acknowledged, but 3-3 is not "an all-time winning record against the Griz".

[FargoBison]

One problem w/ the WAC: The FargoDome can't get any bigger.. and it's not big enough for WAC football, IMO. I would imagine they'd have to find a new place to play.

It could get bigger, anything is possible at the right price. But really the dome seats over 19k and it is filled often which would look good for TV. You watch some of these week night games on ESPN and nobody is there.

The WAC could lead to a new stadium though, just going DI opened up the eyes of our admin and donors in getting other projects done.

[T-Dog]

Is NDSU even playoff eligible yet?

[JBB]

Sorry about the misstatement about the NDSU all time against Montana. My memory didnt serve me well on that one. It is 3-3-0. I think we are on a 2 game winning streak though with a D2 championship win and our last visit. Im excited about the home/home we recently signed with Montana. The FFD will be jammed packed and the spirit of competition will be strong and positive. Thats what these games are about: making friends and building bridges. There is no shame in losing, only disappointment and respect for your opponent. There is no moral high ground in winning, only self actualization and again respect for your opponent.

All it takes to be a viable FBS program is 15,000/game. NDSU has that and more. But a larger stadium and WAC membership would open a new world. Fargo would love to see the WAC teams in town. Add in the possibility of KU, Iowa State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and other traditional midwestern power houses and you have the motivation for the University, city and state to fund a stadium that can realistically generate revenues making those types of games possible.

If a new football stadium came into being The Fabulous Fargo Dome wouldnt go to waste. It is a multi-purpose facility with hockey capabilities. If the WCHA were to lose its Big 10 members to an all Big 10 league, an idea that is gaining momentum, NDSU might look like a good start-up member with a facility already in place. That of course isnt a slam dunk, just a thought on how the pieces could be rearranged.

[Willie]

One problem w/ the WAC: The FargoDome can't get any bigger.. and it's not big enough for WAC football, IMO. I would imagine they'd have to find a new place to play.

Yeah actually it can. It'd be a lot of work, but they could actually put quite a few more seats in there. I played 1 game in there, practiced in there over 10 times, and watched 6 games.

If you look at this picture, all four corners of the dome are like that, so adding extra seats there is an option. How many is the question.

[slycat]

How is NDSU a geographic fit? They are still a ways from the other WAC schools. Montana makes sense but NDSU is pushing it.

I agree with FSA that the picks right now are Montana then Texas State. Not sure what Montanas plans are though. Texas St is waiting on WACs doorstep looking to join.

[FargoBison]

How is NDSU a geographic fit? They are still a ways from the other WAC schools. Montana makes sense but NDSU is pushing it.

I agree with FSA that the picks right now are Montana then Texas State. Not sure what Montanas plans are though. Texas St is waiting on WACs doorstep looking to join.

Montana is close to a perfect fit as is UC Davis(If they can expand their budget and stadium). I don't think anyone will agrue about that.

If La Tech is a committed Texas State would be a decent fit, but if not then NDSU could be a better a fit. Utah State, Idaho, Nevada and New Mexico State are academically like NDSU(decent sized research schools and land grants). It all depends on what the WAC is looking for.

[dbackjon]

How is NDSU a geographic fit? They are still a ways from the other WAC schools. Montana makes sense but NDSU is pushing it.

I agree with FSA that the picks right now are Montana then Texas State. Not sure what Montanas plans are though. Texas St is waiting on WACs doorstep looking to join.

Montana is close to a perfect fit as is UC Davis(If they can expand their budget and stadium). I don't think anyone will agrue about that.

If La Tech is a committed Texas State would be a decent fit, but if not then NDSU could be a better a fit. Utah State, Idaho, Nevada and New Mexico State are academically like NDSU(decent sized research schools and land grants). It all depends on what the WAC is looking for.

Fargo is a plane-ride away from every WAC city - how is air service into Fargo?