New conference hype not for all
If you were around campus last Thursday, you felt it.
There was a certain buzz around the place. Whether you felt it from the athletes, students, faculty and staff, or even the old, fist-pumping, high-fiving boosters, it was there.
However, the hysteria has created the misconception that everyone around NDSU is ecstatic about the invitation to the Mid-Con.
When, in fact, a lot of folks are about as thrilled about this as we all were when we found out student government was bringing back club hockey.
Here are a few people who could care less about the Bison getting into the Mid-Con.
Craig Bohl
For all Bohl’s hard work, the school is rewarding him by joining a conference that doesn’t sponsor football.
Since he arrived in 2003, Bohl has a 23-10 record and took a Bison team that was 2-9 in Division II to a regular Top 25 Division I-AA team.
He also played an essential role in creating the Great West Football Conference and has stretched the team’s recruiting zone from what was primarily in the upper Midwest to Illinois, Texas, Florida and California. Congratulations coach, you earned it!
Zaundra Bina
Wherever Bina is, she probably has a sour taste in her mouth. The longtime volleyball coach was released from her contract following the 2005 season after she led the Bison to a 5-31 record, their second losing season in as many years.
Her final two seasons were hardly a reflection of her coaching resume. In her 11 years coaching the Bison, Bina compiled a 257-119 record that included playoff appearances in her first nine seasons.
Bina showed us that at this level, you’re only as good as your last year.
The Class of ’06
When Mid-Con Commissioner Tom Douple began giving praise at the press conference, the first ones he gave credit to was this year’s seniors.
He said they will always remember that they were part of a historic move in the school’s history.
Indeed, but they will also remember the struggles they went through. Sheila Parrish, Chloe Quirk, Lindsay Rodgers and Kelly Kaufman will remember their junior year when they lost to MSUM in part of a 5-31 season.
Kayla and Katie Dahlen will remember going over a month between wins, struggling to a 9-17 record as juniors.
And Andre Smith will remember playing for nothing but pride, as he never got to compete in a postseason at NDSU.
There’s no question that these athletes aren’t thrilled for NDSU, but it is a bittersweet moment for them as they know they paved the way, but won’t be able to reap the benefits.