We aren’t going to drag on forever about this because there are more than enough opinions out there on this situation. We have stated over and over again that there is no way, zero chance that UND was going to go into 2012 with the sanctions that come with being on the hostile and abusive list. No way. Either they were going to get approval from Standing Rock in 2011 or they were going to drop the name.
Once the Big Sky presidents expressed their feeling on the issue it became very clear what has to happen. As much as it pains us to say this, the name needs to be retired. UND absolutely, unequivocally, cannot mess around with their Big Sky opportunity. This is a great conference that will be the home to the majority of the athletic department and will shape the direction of that department for the forseeable future.
The Big Sky presidents were not saying they will pull the invitation because of this, only that they do not want to deal with it once UND does arrive. Fair enough. The Big Sky wants UND because they bring better facilities, tradition,  and academics than a host of current Big Sky schools. But it goes without saying that UND needs the Big Sky much more than they need UND. They are an extremely stable conference and UND needs those scheduling ties. One only needs to look at the upcoming football schedules to see how attactive this conference is. UND’s 2013 home schedule is better than any that the Dakota 4 have ever had or probably ever will have (7 games with 5 of those being Montana, Montana State, Eastern Washington, South Dakota State, Northern Colorado). Doesn’t get any better than that folks.
