UMary "committed to fully-funding athletic scholarships"

[Millsy]

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.

I have thought about this as well.....

I have a feeling that they would end up a lot like Bemidji, just with a smaller arena. Unless they can get Minot and Jamestown to go with them. They can't bring in UND every weekend, would the casual sports fan in Bismarck get excited to see Lake Superior State, Ferris State, Bowling Green, etc., if they could get into the CCHA? Otherwise they are looking at an independent schedule with the likes of Stonehill, Lindenwood, Long Island and the Alaska on the schedule.

They have a great thing going with their club team. They have Minot, Jamestown and Dakota-Botteneau as rivals, plus they get to play big name colleges like Colorado and Arizona State (let's face it, name means a lot to the casual sports fan). There is also a lot more leeway in roster makeup and financial aid at the Club level than there is at the NCAA level.

And with the NAHL's Bobcats in town, depending on where you have to price tickets, there could/would be a battle with them for the casual fans.

[SW_Mustang]

I have thought about this as well.....

I have a feeling that they would end up a lot like Bemidji, just with a smaller arena. Unless they can get Minot and Jamestown to go with them. They can't bring in UND every weekend, would the casual sports fan in Bismarck get excited to see Lake Superior State, Ferris State, Bowling Green, etc., if they could get into the CCHA? Otherwise they are looking at an independent schedule with the likes of Stonehill, Lindenwood, Long Island and the Alaska on the schedule.

They have a great thing going with their club team. They have Minot, Jamestown and Dakota-Botteneau as rivals, plus they get to play big name colleges like Colorado and Arizona State (let's face it, name means a lot to the casual sports fan). There is also a lot more leeway in roster makeup and financial aid at the Club level than there is at the NCAA level.

And with the NAHL's Bobcats in town, depending on where you have to price tickets, there could/would be a battle with them for the casual fans.

Agreed - I think it's a long shot without a windfall of private backing. I just heard "rumors" a few years back, but I don't know how credible they were. I think Minot had thr best chance right now, but I don't think that will happen.

Couple points though - Bismarck is 5x the size of Bemidji and has BSC in town for an additional 4,000 students. They have a much larger pool of people to draw from, and being "DI" also has drawing power much like the name brands of the club teams. If they built a modest, on-campus barn like Augustana did - I don't think drawing 2,000-2,500/night is all that unreasonable. Not sure what type of following the Bobcats have though, that could throw a wrench into things. Point is - I think they'd be a little better off in the attendance department than Bemidji just based on population alone - if they went that route.

[CollegeFBGuy]

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.

Having the 8A and 8AA doubleheader would be a great thing, even if it was only rotational thing. Would love to see that

[Millsy]

Having the 8A and 8AA doubleheader would be a great thing, even if it was only rotational thing. Would love to see that

Probably the only two rinks that would work within the footprint of both 8A and 8AA would be the Sanford Center in Bemidji (4,500) and Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls (3,600). Not sure if the sections would want to cross over into Fargo with Scheels Arena (5,000). Engelstad in Grand Forks would probably be too big/costly, Moorhead Sports Center only seats around 3,000. The National Hockey Center in St. Cloud could work, but that only covers 8AA, 8A doesn't get that far south.

But yes, that would be a night to watch!

[SW_Mustang]

I didn't realize how little I knew about Mary - so I did some reading.

-The school was founded in 1959, but can trace it's roots back to 1878 with the founding of a boarding school. In that regard, it's older than UND

-Marcel Breuer designed some of the original campus buildings, which is wicked sweet. Apparently he started on them right after finishing St. John's Abbey.

-I knew about the Fargo and Rome, Italy operations, but I didn't realize they also run a satellite in Billings, MT, as well as 3-4 others in NoDak. The most interesting one is "Mary College at Arizona State University." It's a domestic exchange program for Mary students, and another option to take classes for ASU students. Pretty unique!

-Falcons Special Teams Coordinator Marquice Williams and absolute SMSU legend Tim Miles are both alums.

[CollegeFBGuy]

The other cool spot I remember very well, from our visits, is the hill where it overlooks the river and there were so many raptors soaring above.

Asiyou point out, the school’s current history isn’t super old, which I found interesting.

[HardRockin'Nerd]

Mary has broken ground on an on campus athletic complex. Bismarck- Mandan population is 134k, fully funded and nice facilities, could Mary become a powerhouse?

Vision 2030 University of Mary Athletics Complex - University of Mary Athletics

Mary was the perennial power in the last days of the NDCAC and the early days of the DAC spanning the late 90s and early 2000s. The only reason they weren't known for deeper NAIA runs was that they would always get paired with either USF or Carroll College at the height of their respective powers. To Mary's credit, they were usually good games and not blowouts against those NAIA dynasties. I'm not exactly sure why they fell off so badly in the transition, but I can't honestly say that I'm mad about it. Seeing all the old DAC schools who used to boat race us at our program's lowest point get their just comeuppance brings me joy (Mary, Minot, Jamestown)

[HardRockin'Nerd]

Being the only Roman Catholic school in the conference could work in their favor or not. Don't know if kids these days care about that.

UMary is on the Newman List (https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/college/), so they are pretty forward in their Catholic identity. I don't think it's quite as orthodox as a place like Steubenville but certainly more than any of the Jesuit schools or Notre Dame. Any alums on the board can certainly correct this as the friends that I know who went there were from a few years back. I do know that they used to offer free room and board to graduates of Catholic high schools which is a pretty attractive deal

[SW_Mustang]

The other cool spot I remember very well, from our visits, is the hill where it overlooks the river and there were so many raptors soaring above.

Asiyou point out, the school’s current history isn’t super old, which I found interesting.

I would have assumed early 1900s at the latest - but it's only slightly older than SMSU.

It's funny - I read that Breuer only accepted the commission to work at Mary after he visited the area. He said similar to you about the landscape. What I read didn't explicity state it but I got the feeling he didn't really want to design buildings in North Dakota, but changed his mind after seeing how nice it was.

I don't have a long list of favorite architects - but he's definitely on it. Mary kinda jumped up the list of campuses to visit haha

[UMary1]

Mary was the perennial power in the last days of the NDCAC and the early days of the DAC spanning the late 90s and early 2000s. The only reason they weren't known for deeper NAIA runs was that they would always get paired with either USF or Carroll College at the height of their respective powers. To Mary's credit, they were usually good games and not blowouts against those NAIA dynasties. I'm not exactly sure why they fell off so badly in the transition, but I can't honestly say that I'm mad about it. Seeing all the old DAC schools who used to boat race us at our program's lowest point get their just comeuppance brings me joy (Mary, Minot, Jamestown)

UMary built its NAIA power on the backs of elite level JUCO's from California, Vegas and at times Texas. When they made the transition to DII the legendary AD Al Bortke retired and the new AD made it clear he wanted in state talent on the roster. Why?, no clue. But no offence to ND High School football you are not going to build a NCAA D2 competitor playing 18-19 year olds from Class A towns. None the less, this is where the downfall started. I think some deep pocketed Alums and the hospital money are speaking now. It will be interesting to see the talent levels that come in.

[Purple Mav Man]

UMary built its NAIA power on the backs of elite level JUCO's from California, Vegas and at times Texas. When they made the transition to DII the legendary AD Al Bortke retired and the new AD made it clear he wanted in state talent on the roster. Why?, no clue. But no offence to ND High School football you are not going to build a NCAA D2 competitor playing 18-19 year olds from Class A towns. None the less, this is where the downfall started. I think some deep pocketed Alums and the hospital money are speaking now. It will be interesting to see the talent levels that come in.

Hey now. That’s for the Jamestown thread.

Too bad the push for locals set them back like that. Appreciate the background info, and as you mentioned, sounds like the money is starting to talk.

[UMary1]

Hey now. That’s for the Jamestown thread.

Too bad the push for locals set them back like that. Appreciate the background info, and as you mentioned, sounds like the money is starting to talk.

lol that made me laugh. No problem, but you got me thinking, in the last 40 years has anyone seen a program where the AD handcuffs the coaches and says bring in -instate talent? It was certainly a head scratcher and a frustrating time. Andy Kotelneckis brother was the HC at the time as well from UND. Mind boggling stuff,

[SW_Mustang]

One thing I'm curious about - but the Bismarck Bowl hosts many high schools as well as BSC, and with the latter joining the NAIA, is either side itching for Mary to get their own stadium?

Obviously BSC is non-football and I haven't heard any plans to add it, but the door is open now to do so down the road. I think that would be tough on the Mauraders.

Just curious since like I said Mary is probably the conference member I know the least about.

[Otis Day]

One thing I'm curious about - but the Bismarck Bowl hosts many high schools as well as BSC, and with the latter joining the NAIA, is either side itching for Mary to get their own stadium?

Obviously BSC is non-football and I haven't heard any plans to add it, but the door is open now to do so down the road. I think that would be tough on the Mauraders.

Just curious since like I said Mary is probably the conference member I know the least about.

They are....

https://goumary.com/sports/2023/11/2...c-complex.aspx

https://www.umary.edu/about/news/all...letics-complex

[SW_Mustang]

They are....

https://goumary.com/sports/2023/11/2...c-complex.aspx

https://www.umary.edu/about/news/all...letics-complex

Niiiiiiice... good for them. And I like the early renderings.