UMary "committed to fully-funding athletic scholarships"

[SW_Mustang]

Crookston and Morris, you are paying for the "University of Minnesota" on your degree. I don't think they specifically say what campus they came from. At least that is what I heard once.....

Yeah, I've heard that too. UM really exists as a hybrid between a system of branch and satellite campuses - pretty much at the mothership's discretion.

Morris is one of the top rated public LACs behind the major service academies - but I can't imagine there are a ton of public LACs. It's weird.

[CollegeFBGuy]

It is going to be interesting to see what happens at Bemidji. With a current budget shortfall approaching $10 million, by some accounts, and calls for the President's job for not being more transparent, something is going to have to give. There have even been calls for dropping the hockey programs by "non-sports" people. I don't see that happening, but have been wrong before.

That would be a major change, but it sort of feels like the area struggles to support it, unless the Gophers or some other special team comes to town. I have only been to two games myself, and there were less fans and energy than quite a few HS games I have attended. Definitely not close to a random Fargo Force game two years ago.

I don’t talk to a bunch of people, and nobody that matters within the school, but I’m not certain that it’s only “non-sports people” that question the D1 hockey and the huge budget. Unfortunately, the only real options are D1 or club teams.

[Millsy]

I don’t talk to a bunch of people, and nobody that matters within the school, but I’m not certain that it’s only “non-sports people” that question the D1 hockey and the huge budget. Unfortunately, the only real options are D1 or club teams.

Yeah, the hocky program was really put between a rock and a hard place as far as D-I era goes. The CHA was a decent league, formed when the NCAA announced they were killing D-II hockey. But travel killed teams in it. Then it was off to the old WCHA, which basically required Bemidji to build the Sanford Center for admission. Then, poof, the Big Ten is formed, taking Minnesota and Wisconsin from the league. While this is going on, you have the teams that became the NCHC meeting in private, and decide to blow up college hockey even more by leaving. That left Benidji with a 4500 seat Sanford Center playing a conference schedule that, outside of the die hard hockey fans, doesn't excite the casual fan base. Right now, the old John Glas Fieldhouse would have been a perfect capacity, around 2200 with some modifications, for their current league. Having to use Ticketbastard to pre-buy tickets doesn't help either. A cheap ticket to a hockey game is fairly decent, but by the time Ticketbastard tacks on fees, it doubles in price.

When UND and the Gophers come to town, the place is packed and electric. To a lesser extent, Mankato and Duluth as well. But the conference schedule just doesn't excite the non diehards. It would be nice to see tickets come down some, offer family packs, whatever, to get butts in the seats. You would think getting some revenue is better than a seat sitting empty. But, with the hockey program being the main tenant, and the building not bringing in shows like they had hoped, I understand they have to try and make up revenue somewhere. And unfortunately, it is hurting the hockey program and the University.

[SW_Mustang]

The Sanford Center is too big for BSU Hockey - that's not an insult, it's a great building (and used for a lot of other stuff which somewhat justifies the size), but the demographics just don't support hefty crowds every other weekend of the season. It's tough to draw 5,000+ in Mankato against the eastern schools.

The sad thing for BSU is I actually think they are quite competitive most years - but got the short end of the stick in all of the restructuring that happened (as Millsy mentioned). We're obviously rivals, but I've always appreciated BSU and the hockey culture up there.

I'm guessing baseball and football would get cut before hockey though.

[njmav1]

When UND and the Gophers come to town, the place is packed and electric. To a lesser extent, Mankato and Duluth as well. But the conference schedule just doesn't excite the non diehards.

I guess the WCHA 2.0 tried to make BSU and Mankato rivals being the only Minnesota schools. And there were some memorable games, especially in conference tournaments. But in my opinion it never really felt like a rivalry. I hated playing Bemidji any time of year because the way they played made it really tough to find any open ice. It was also baffling how Mankato was always at or near capacity but the Sanford Center always looked half full.

MSU and Augustana are better suited as rivals- and not just in hockey. Regardless, it would really suck if something happened to BSU hockey.

[laker]

It was also baffling how Mankato was always at or near capacity but the Sanford Center always looked half full.

MSU and Augustana are better suited as rivals- and not just in hockey. Regardless, it would really suck if something happened to BSU hockey.

Once I considered driving up for hockey and figured I couldn't get a ticket. Then I watched the game on TV and wondering why so few people were at the game.

Yes, the Augie rivalry in all sports stretches back to the NCC days. Softball was pure hate.

[Millsy]

The Sanford Center is too big for BSU Hockey - that's not an insult, it's a great building (and used for a lot of other stuff which somewhat justifies the size), but the demographics just don't support hefty crowds every other weekend of the season. It's tough to draw 5,000+ in Mankato against the eastern schools.

The sad thing for BSU is I actually think they are quite competitive most years - but got the short end of the stick in all of the restructuring that happened (as Millsy mentioned). We're obviously rivals, but I've always appreciated BSU and the hockey culture up there.

I'm guessing baseball and football would get cut before hockey though.

At the time the Sanford Center was built, the old WCHA had seating requirements which necessitated the 4500 seats. And the first two years in the league, attendance was solid. Also, at the time, they were banking on smaller concert traffic, but that has never really took off as Duluth built Amsoil. So you have Grand Forks, Duluth, and to an extent, Fargo, Winnipeg and the Cities for concerts/shows, and Bemidji is right in the middle of all. And with the High School League events they pull in, 4500 is even too much, and itnis too bad they can't bid for any of the 8A or 8AA boys hockey finals. I know the Section has agreements with Warroad, Roseau and East Grand for 8A, and there are enough "southern" teams in 8AA that probably don't want to travel that far. But an 8A, 8AA doubleheader section final, WOW!

And, as mentioned, the economics of the Bemidji area just aren't in its favor. Even though it is considered an "Regional Economic Center" in the State, it is really one of the most economically deprived areas of the State.

[Millsy]

Once I considered driving up for hockey and figured I couldn't get a ticket. Then I watched the game on TV and wondering why so few people were at the game.

Yes, the Augie rivalry in all sports stretches back to the NCC days. Softball was pure hate.

With the seating, the more comfortable seating is in rows 9 and up. Rows 1-8 are pull out seating and seem flat and tight. So all the diehard fans end up.sitting up higher and makes it look empty on TV.

And, sorry to highjack the UMary thread with hockey talk.... 😉

[vikingfaithful]

Millsy, Love your pun, " Ticketbastard" It's criminal their fees on tickets.

[UMary1]

The Benedictine nuns also started St. Alexus Medical. They have so much money they do not know what to do with it. I think this was a matter of getting them in a room and showing them the vision. In 2-3 years UMary will be a contender. Schann and his staff have been flying across the country and have a ton of talent coming in. Anything less than 6-5 will be a disappointment.

[laker]

Millsy, Love your pun, " Ticketbastard" It's criminal their fees on tickets.

Last Dec 22 I went to the Iowa State men's game vs Morgan State. Students were already on break. Sign said "sold out". Ended up buying a ticket with some guy I didn't know on his phone. Got inside, it wasn't half full. Yes, that is an accurate term to use.

[Purple Mav Man]

Small private schools have been struggling the worst across the board - though to be fair I don't know what Mary's specific situation is.

Yes, but Mary is now near 4,000 students and still growing. And, that hospital cash. Mary is very different from the schools closing. Very different.

[SW_Mustang]

Yes, but Mary is now near 4,000 students and still growing. And, that hospital cash. Mary is very different from the schools closing. Very different.

Right - I didn't meant to imply that they were under threat of closing, just that small private schools are the ones that are struggling the most. Keeping enrollment over 1000 helps, but the hospital money thing is the big driver of their success.

[SW_Mustang]

At the time the Sanford Center was built, the old WCHA had seating requirements which necessitated the 4500 seats. And the first two years in the league, attendance was solid. Also, at the time, they were banking on smaller concert traffic, but that has never really took off as Duluth built Amsoil. So you have Grand Forks, Duluth, and to an extent, Fargo, Winnipeg and the Cities for concerts/shows, and Bemidji is right in the middle of all. And with the High School League events they pull in, 4500 is even too much, and itnis too bad they can't bid for any of the 8A or 8AA boys hockey finals. I know the Section has agreements with Warroad, Roseau and East Grand for 8A, and there are enough "southern" teams in 8AA that probably don't want to travel that far. But an 8A, 8AA doubleheader section final, WOW!

And, as mentioned, the economics of the Bemidji area just aren't in its favor. Even though it is considered an "Regional Economic Center" in the State, it is really one of the most economically deprived areas of the State.

Right - I forgot about that bit. I was up there shortly after they built it. At that time they were advertising some somewhat notable concerts and I know they've done comedy shows and the like. Haven't really kept up with that area of Minnesota for the last 10 years though.

I thought it was interesting that they tried professional football for a year or two. That was probably never going to work, but it seemed like there was a time they tried to bring in as much stuff as they could.

[SW_Mustang]

With the seating, the more comfortable seating is in rows 9 and up. Rows 1-8 are pull out seating and seem flat and tight. So all the diehard fans end up.sitting up higher and makes it look empty on TV.

And, sorry to highjack the UMary thread with hockey talk.... 😉

It's not totally off-topic - there have been "rumors" that Mary could add DI hockey given their success in the club ranks. I'm sure it was just "Saturday Coffee Talk" as my grandpa would have called it, but it's not totally outside the realm of possibility either. They're in Bismarck, have a decent amount of cash on hand, have a solid club program, and it's in North Dakota afterall.