There has long been speculation that UND may have to move the student sections up the line from their current 50-yard line spot.  That time came Wednesday when AD Bill Chaves announced the Hawks are freeing up those sections for season ticket holders.

Rumors

The students have been situated in Sections 213-214, which are obviously primo midfield seats on the west side of the Alerus Center.  While the students are always vital to a good atmosphere, their attendance dwindled every game as the season wore on.  This pattern had played out year after year during the move to D1 and probably before that as well.

There would typically be 1000-1500 students at the first couple games and then it would decline to the point where the last game would have 50-100.  That is not ideal for several reasons.  Most of all because the Midco cameras are situated on the home side of the field (east side) and show the student section clearly for the majority of the game.  That’s some bad optics when an entire section has 50 people in it.

The band will also slide up one section north to 211.  The students & band will now be seated where UND runs out of the inflatable helmet. The press release states that current season tickets holders in 210-212 will have the first shot at the new tickets.

With UND entering the MVFC and joining up with their old I-29 rivals the timing definitely makes sense.

“I am truly excited that our most loyal and avid fans are getting this great opportunity to fill the best seats in the house,” said North Dakota head football coach Bubba Schweigert. “Heading into the Missouri Valley Football Conference and reigniting old rivalries will create a great opportunity for an awesome atmosphere inside the Alerus Center for years to come.”

The Hawks open their season with another Thursday night home tilt vs. the Valparaiso Crusaders at 6:30pm.  UND also opened the 2013 season on a Thursday vs. Valpo – routing the Crusaders 69-10.

The home game times have all been set and we are thrilled to see that the remaining four home games will be played at 1:00pm.  No random 4:00pm time slots anymore.  Consistent and perfect for everyone who has a morning activity and then can head straight to the game.

2020 UND Football Home Kickoff Schedule

  • Sept. 3 – vs. Valparaiso (#PinkeStrong Game) | 6:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 3 – vs. South Dakota State (Potato Bowl USA/Family Weekend) | 1 p.m.
  • Oct. 10 – vs. Missouri State (Homecoming/Hall of Fame) | 1 p.m.
  • Oct. 31 – vs. South Dakota (Halloween) | 1 p.m.
  • Nov. 21 – vs. Southern Illinois (Military Appreciation/Senior Day) | 1 p.m.

The annual Potato Bowl will be held October 3rd, a bit later than normal, but will see UND renew they old NCC rivalry with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

Another nice bonus will be that all home games and conference games will be streamed via ESPN3/+ now.  Easily accessible and reliable.  Plus, the replays are usually up very quickly so guys like us can rewatch the game and get video clips to share much quicker.


On the recruiting front it is quite apparent that UND is using this time off from spring ball to attack the Class of 2021.  They recently put out a slew of offers to current juniors who will make up the next signing class and are now up to 22 total offers.  The list of offerees can be seen on our 2021 Recruiting Class page.

 

Photo courtesy of the University of North Dakota.