The first of a few long-speculated but not officially announced facts came from the Purple this week as the league decided to close all training camps. It may be a moot fact since it remains in question that camps will indeed take place but Goodell is playing everything out as long as possible.
In a week that included many headlines, both positive & negative, the first news related to B U is on the insignificant side, but only because of the scope of so many other developments. For the first time ever physical tickets will no longer be in use for all athletic events. It's a small move toward being "green" and will save slight amounts of money but means that ticket stubs as keepsakes are now even more a thing of the past.
Just when it seems like the schedule could be complete, one more game is announced. This week it was for men's 🏀 , who will host the University of Illinois-Chicago. I can't say I've ever heard of it but as a mid-November tune-up it could be just the kind of contest that the team will need! The women's squad also had more scheduling news this week as Bradley was announced as a Dec 5 dance partner at the SHAC. With that addition the number of 20+ game winners on the teams schedule increased to four. May not seem like much but since they're still very much in the beginning stage of Jory Collins run, it's a great way for them to get measured.
More good news came for Collins' bunch as Hennepin standout Ellie Dague committed. In an interview after she announced her decision, she said she's most excited for Bison 🏈 , so she will fit right in!
Now for the bad news.
Like a brief glimmer of sunshine during a hurricane, a couple of weeks ago it seemed likely that the big game against Oregon would happen as scheduled. Then the clouds rolled in and the worse part of the storm hit. Now it's over. Maybe it'll affect Trey Lance's standing and decision months from now. Maybe the shortfall will lead to more bad breaks in the department. There hasn't been a final decision on that yet so some money may come from the coast. But the decision by the B10 & P12 also dashed the 🏐 team's chances as they were set to face Cal & Minnesota this season. Considering how much less attention they get than the Saturday guys, it's at least equally deflating that they won't get those chances to shine.
While so many leagues and teams continue to tweak what they hope will be their seasons, the Northern Sun's commissioner said this week that they are not yet at a place to do more adjusting.
It may be inevitable since so much of the conference is based in Minnesota but I for one appreciate a measured approach to such big decisions!
Team corn had a school-record 83 academic all-conference honorees which brought the school-year total to 122. It's an impressive list so check it out, even if you don't root for them!
The ball clubs revised schedule was released this week. It included some long-awaited good news with seven of the 10 games against Cleveland getting set for downtown Minneapolis. If the Minnie Bombers weren't heavy enough of favorites already then that may well tip the scales even further in their favor.
Senior-to-be Emmet Kenney got an unusually early scholarship offer from NDSU. If accepted it would mean that the last two Shanley Kickers stayed home, but considering the current depth on the roster, I put it as a big if.
As the Impact League nears it's conclusion, a few teams were able to extend their time on the diamond. Just ahead of the tournament, Thompson beat Cass-Traill 7-6 and Pembina 11-3. In the first round of the playoff, Cass-Traill eliminated Kindred 19-11 while Central Cass got the better of their Northern neighbors 8-0 behind a nine strikeout performance by Aubree Lindstrom in only four innings. On the other side of the bracket, Thompson took care of MP/CG/H/N 14-2 while Hankinson blanked Pembina CN 8-0 to complete the first round. So Central will face C-T & MP/CG/H/N will go against Hankinson in Hillsboro on Tuesday.
Enderlin's Joe Hurlburt got his biggest offer yet as Wisconsin joined the fray, along with NDSU & Minnesota to bring his offer total to six already. I can't help but think that the early surge is due at least in part to the shutdown but whatever the reasons, it all but guarantees that more of the nation's top universities will be on his trail.
Fargo had their first home-away experience and evened the early-season portion of the schedule against Winnipeg 3-3 with a 2-1 win before a visit by Chicago that they lost on Sunday, 8-3. A rocky start to the year but that just means there's room for improvement. Or at least that's one way to spin it.
Post 2 started another busy week on the scene by completing a season sweep of Williston 11-3 & 6-0 on Monday.
Fast forward to the weekend and a few of the other clubs got in on tournament action. Post 400 hosted DGF, among others at Starion this weekend. Dilworth beat Watertown 2-0 yesterday & Lesuer 4-0 today.
West Fargo played in the "Renner Tournament," which they won with a five home run day in the championship.