NDSU and the WAC

[mebison]

Fargo has direct service to Minneapolis, Chicago, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and LA. Although I don't know how many are daily versus less-frequent.

Regarding expansion of the Fargodome, I think I've heard estimates of no more than 250 additional seats per corner, so no major expansion. The common thought is that any major structural changes (i.e. going higher/wider) are pretty much out due to footings and related issues. Its not growing anytime soon, and realistically, since it is a city-owned structure, you have to consider that making it any bigger might be detrimental to its other uses such as trade shows and concerts where you don't really want a ton of seats.

Of course, its probably worth pointing out that all this discussion is based on one article that says "North Dakota State?" and nothing more. Nothing to get very excited about.

[FargoBison]

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?

From out west there are direct flights from Denver, Vegas, SLC, LA and Phoenix. So it isn't bad and out east there are daily flights from Chicago and Minneapolis.

[dbackjon]

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

From out west there are direct flights from Denver, Vegas, SLC, LA and Phoenix. So it isn't bad and out east there are daily flights from Chicago and Minneapolis.

So assuming Boise would leave, that would mean transits through Denver, LA or SLC for the others

Fresno: Fresno-LA-Fargo
Hawaii: Honolulu-LA-Fargo
Utah State: Bus to SLC-Fargo
Idaho: Bus to Spokane-SLC-Fargo
La Tech: Bus to Shreveport-Dallas-Denver-Fargo
Nevada: Reno-SLC-Fargo
San Jose: San Jose-SLC-Fargo

[dbackjon]

It would be similar for Montana - plane to SLC

[kemajic]

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.

I am aware Montana has an upcoming home and home with UND (as well as Appy and McNeese), but I have not heard of one with NDSU. Our admin. does not make forward schedules generally available, so if you have a link that shows the UM/NDSU home and home, could you share it please? It would be good news. NDSU was in a tizzy when UM excercised its contract option to buy out the second half of the last one, so there would not appear to be the best karma between the admins.

[Willie]

I am aware Montana has an upcoming home and home with UND (as well as Appy and McNeese), but I have not heard of one with NDSU. Our admin. does not make forward schedules generally available, so if you have a link that shows the UM/NDSU home and home, could you share it please? It would be good news. NDSU was in a tizzy when UM excercised its contract option to buy out the second half of the last one, so there would not appear to be the best karma between the admins.

We signed a home-and-home with them this past fall.

2014 Sat, Sep 06 Montana Fargo, N.D. TBA
2015 Sat, Sep 05 Montana at Missoula, Mont. TBA

[JBB]

It was Montana State that bought out a return trip to Fargo. Our deal with UM was one game. Some BISON fans got upset about MSU buying it out but it was perfectly within their contractual right. Im sure NDSU understands that and there is no animosity between the schools. In fact I think they are working on scheduling each other in the future. These are easy travel OOC games.

The more I read about the WAC the less I think NDSU is going to be included in any change. Its a fact UC Davis has been competing with the WAC in football and it seems they are probably on the front burner along with Montana. Certainly, with UCD academic history, they would be considered a crown jewel.

[SloStang]

It was Montana State that bought out a return trip to Fargo. Our deal with UM was one game. Some BISON fans got upset about MSU buying it out but it was perfectly within their contractual right. Im sure NDSU understands that and there is no animosity between the schools. In fact I think they are working on scheduling each other in the future. These are easy travel OOC games.

The more I read about the WAC the less I think NDSU is going to be included in any change. Its a fact UC Davis has been competing with the WAC in football and it seems they are probably on the front burner along with Montana. Certainly, with UCD academic history, they would be considered a crown jewel.

Cal Poly is very much included in the conversation when it comes to WAC expansion.

[Catattack]

The way things could be headed there might not be a WAC conference to join and if it does survive, I don't think it would be much of a "move up."

[dbackjon]

The way things could be headed there might not be a WAC conference to join and if it does survive, I don't think it would be much of a "move up."

That could be very true - could be mostly schools that are now in FCS, plus a few holdovers that nobody wants, like New Mexico State, Utah State and Idaho (all schools that should be in FCS NOW, anyways)

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

The way things could be headed there might not be a WAC conference to join and if it does survive, I don't think it would be much of a "move up."

That could be very true - could be mostly schools that are now in FCS, plus a few holdovers that nobody wants, like New Mexico State, Utah State and Idaho (all schools that should be in FCS NOW, anyways)

Agree with both of ya on that.

[tjbison]

Ok the WAC is a possibility but technically anything is "possible" will it happen for NDSU IMO not in the next 10 years. I just hope the brass at NDSU follows along this time when FCS schools start to jump up in mass and not hang out like they did in the DII era.

as for air travel to Fargo it should be noted that the Los Angeles, Mesa (not Sky Harbor), Orlando, and Las Vegas are all twice weekly on Allegiant Air so travel is restricted. Delta runs dailys to Minneapolis and Salt Lake, United runs Dailys to Chicago (o'hare) and Denver, American runs dailys to Chicago. Rumor mill has it there could be a Direct to Seattle in the near future or Dallas.

[BigSkyBears]

I just don't see it happening. Honest to God most people around the country who don't follow FCS football don't even know North Dakota has a football team. If they do, they get you and the Sioux mixed up all the time. No offense and no smack, just the honest truth.

[Fresno St. Alum]

The way things are going now the conference most likely to not exist is the B12 minus 6 then another 2 and would be left with 4.

The question is A-who wants to move up from FCS? Texas St. is the only 100% yes now. B-Who can afford it? C-Who has the best facilities for the WAC?

Montana needs to add 2 sports and voted down a fee hike
Cal Poly needs a better basketball arena and needs to add a 4,000 seats to the football stadium. Can they afford the move?
UC Davis needs 5,000 more seats for football. Can they afford the move?
Sacramento St. needs a better basketball arena. Can they afford the move?
Portland St. needs a better basketball arena or play all their games at the Rose Garden. Can they afford the move?

[SloStang]

The way things are going now the conference most likely to not exist is the B12 minus 6 then another 2 and would be left with 4.

The question is A-who wants to move up from FCS? Texas St. is the only 100% yes now. B-Who can afford it? C-Who has the best facilities for the WAC?

Montana needs to add 2 sports and voted down a fee hike
Cal Poly needs a better basketball arena and needs to add a 4,000 seats to the football stadium. Can they afford the move?
UC Davis needs 5,000 more seats for football. Can they afford the move?
Sacramento St. needs a better basketball arena. Can they afford the move?
Portland St. needs a better basketball arena or play all their games at the Rose Garden. Can they afford the move?

The better question is can they afford not to? This opportunity may not come by again for a long, long time and life in the FCS is tough on the west coast and getting tougher every year.

[GeauxSioux]

I just don't see it happening. Honest to God most people around the country who don't follow FCS football don't even know North Dakota has a football team. If they do, they get you and the Sioux mixed up all the time. No offense and no smack, just the honest truth.

Which is exactly what happened in the article that was the basis for this thread. I posted this over at SiouxSports when the article read "North Dakota", not "North Dakota State". Apparently the author of the article did so much research on his piece that he didn't even get the school name correct.

[JBB]

I never saw that, but I heard about it. They had to change that. It made no sense when it said North Dakota. They got it right in the end.

NDSU has a lot of the pieces in place. There are better choices. Davis has Location as does Cal Poly. Both have problems but those problems can be fixed cheaper than the on-going GWC travel costs. There is also the chance of enhanced revenues so if offered I think one or the other or both would take it.

Montana has the history and would seem to be heir apparent to the BSC "move-up" legacy. Its all money issues for them too with no real travel savings. But they dont have to worry about stadium size.

NDSU is in the mix for an FBS affiliation. They have problems too. Their position is more like Montanas. There isnt any huge cost savings by making the switch. The FBS option is more expensive in every way.

NDSU would have a stadium issue. A new one in the 25,000 seat range that could be expanded, in stages, to 50,000 or so would be the ticket. Until then the FFD will get us by.

[Willie]

NDSU would have a stadium issue. A new one in the 25,000 seat range that could be expanded, in stages, to 50,000 or so would be the ticket. Until then the FFD will get us by.

Geographically, that will never, ever happen.

[slycat]

The way things are going now the conference most likely to not exist is the B12 minus 6 then another 2 and would be left with 4.

The question is A-who wants to move up from FCS? Texas St. is the only 100% yes now. B-Who can afford it? C-Who has the best facilities for the WAC?

Montana needs to add 2 sports and voted down a fee hike
Cal Poly needs a better basketball arena and needs to add a 4,000 seats to the football stadium. Can they afford the move?
UC Davis needs 5,000 more seats for football. Can they afford the move?
Sacramento St. needs a better basketball arena. Can they afford the move?
Portland St. needs a better basketball arena or play all their games at the Rose Garden. Can they afford the move?

UTSA is good to go

[DJH]

NDSU would have a stadium issue. A new one in the 25,000 seat range that could be expanded, in stages, to 50,000 or so would be the ticket. Until then the FFD will get us by.

Geographically, that will never, ever happen.

You mean, you can't find fairytale land on a map?

JBB can, and it's only a matter of time before Notre Dame and Texas come to play in Fargo!

[BigSkyBears]

I never saw that, but I heard about it. They had to change that. It made no sense when it said North Dakota. They got it right in the end.

NDSU has a lot of the pieces in place. There are better choices. Davis has Location as does Cal Poly. Both have problems but those problems can be fixed cheaper than the on-going GWC travel costs. There is also the chance of enhanced revenues so if offered I think one or the other or both would take it.

Montana has the history and would seem to be heir apparent to the BSC "move-up" legacy. Its all money issues for them too with no real travel savings. But they dont have to worry about stadium size.

NDSU is in the mix for an FBS affiliation. They have problems too. Their position is more like Montanas. There isnt any huge cost savings by making the switch. The FBS option is more expensive in every way.

NDSU would have a stadium issue. A new one in the 25,000 seat range that could be expanded, in stages, to 50,000 or so would be the ticket. Until then the FFD will get us by.

Yeah, but outside of the state of ND and non-fcs fans, no one knows who you guys are. What's the appeal??

[FargoBison]

I never saw that, but I heard about it. They had to change that. It made no sense when it said North Dakota. They got it right in the end.

NDSU has a lot of the pieces in place. There are better choices. Davis has Location as does Cal Poly. Both have problems but those problems can be fixed cheaper than the on-going GWC travel costs. There is also the chance of enhanced revenues so if offered I think one or the other or both would take it.

Montana has the history and would seem to be heir apparent to the BSC "move-up" legacy. Its all money issues for them too with no real travel savings. But they dont have to worry about stadium size.

NDSU is in the mix for an FBS affiliation. They have problems too. Their position is more like Montanas. There isnt any huge cost savings by making the switch. The FBS option is more expensive in every way.

NDSU would have a stadium issue. A new one in the 25,000 seat range that could be expanded, in stages, to 50,000 or so would be the ticket. Until then the FFD will get us by.

Yeah, but outside of the state of ND and non-fcs fans, no one knows who you guys are. What's the appeal??

When did Sac State, PSU, and Texas State become household names? NDSU is well supported, has a solid academic reputation and is ready to go now. I'm sure more than a few WAC presidents know who we are.

I am not saying NDSU is even close to getting talked about by the WAC, but your statement doesn't make sense when you consider the alternatives. I'd argue the only school with the kind of appeal you are talking about is UC Davis because of their stellar academic reputation.

[Fresno St. Alum]

The way things are going now the conference most likely to not exist is the B12 minus 6 then another 2 and would be left with 4.

The question is A-who wants to move up from FCS? Texas St. is the only 100% yes now. B-Who can afford it? C-Who has the best facilities for the WAC?

Montana needs to add 2 sports and voted down a fee hike
Cal Poly needs a better basketball arena and needs to add a 4,000 seats to the football stadium. Can they afford the move?
UC Davis needs 5,000 more seats for football. Can they afford the move?
Sacramento St. needs a better basketball arena. Can they afford the move?
Portland St. needs a better basketball arena or play all their games at the Rose Garden. Can they afford the move?

The better question is can they afford not to? This opportunity may not come by again for a long, long time and life in the FCS is tough on the west coast and getting tougher every year.

So true. UC Davis and Cal Poly are fucked in a 5 team conference with the worry that the 2 Dakotas getting a MVFC invite down the road. The other problem is, as far as I know the GWC all sports can't add D-II members so they can't bring up anyone from D-II to join them that has fb or even if they don't .

The only other thing that could save them is a fb only invite to the Sky w/ S.Utah.

Sly, UTSA isn't ready cuz this shit is going down now. They won't be on the field until 2011 and won't be able to start the transition to FBS until 2013. I don't know if the WAC will save a spot for them if the CA schools say they're ready.

I'm guessing that raid of the sun belt option is also possible. WAC goes to 12, adds N.Texas, UL-Lafayette, Arkansas St., Texas St. and have E/W to save money with La.Tech and NMSU joining those 4 in the east.

[Gil Dobie]

Yeah, but outside of the state of ND and non-fcs fans, no one knows who you guys are. What's the appeal??

I live in the Twin Cities and they know us in Minnesota, and neighboring Wisconsin after beating the Gophers in Football and Badgers in Basketball. They know Denver and CC in Minneapolis via hockey, but not many know Northern Colorado here.

[Gil Dobie]

Geographically, that will never, ever happen.

You mean, you can't find fairytale land on a map?

JBB can, and it's only a matter of time before Notre Dame and Texas come to play in Fargo!

Yeah, UNI owns Notre Dame and Texas already