I think the University of North Dakota made the right decision when they closed down the women’s hockey program. The games were sparsely attended, and the cost of the team itself pretty large. It’s my position that public universities ought to shut down any sports program which can’t subsist on its own revenues. The cost…
The Women’s Hockey Program at UND Died Because Few Were Supporting It
“Bring back women’s hockey,” writes former Grand Forks Herald publisher Mike Jacobs in a column this week. As you readers will remember the women’s hockey program at the University of North Dakota was axed by President Mark Kennedy, a decision which created no small amount of controversy. North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp even jumped into the…
You Can’t Write Sad, Sad Stories About Women’s Hockey at UND Without Talking About the Money
The New York Times recently published a story about the end of the women’s hockey program at the University of North Dakota. It was published in the Times on the 10th, and has been republished here in North Dakota by my employers at Forum Communications today. The story aims to evoke sympathy over the demise…
Guest Post: Port Lacks Understanding and Compassion
Dear Bob, This message is in regard to your 4/5 article titled “The Truth is, not many people like women’s hockey”. I wanted to respond earlier but needed to get calmed down a bit. Your column “Say Anything” tells me that your attitude is basically immature. We only could possibly expect such an attitude from…
Senator Heidi Heitkamp, at Dawn of Re-Election Campaign, Jumps Into Fight Over UND Women’s Hockey Program
In a decision she probably wouldn’t have made were she not up for re-election this cycle, Senator Heidi Heitkamp has jumped into in fight over the now-canceled women’s hockey program at the University of North Dakota promising to help “ignite” activism against the decision. UPDATE: “I’m taking the steps to prepare to run, but am still…
The Truth Is Not Very Many People Like Women’s Hockey
UPDATE: If you want an overall financial picture of sports at the University of North Dakota check out this post based on numbers I received from the school this morning. According to a report from my colleague Brad Schlossman the Lamoureux twins, high profile product of the women’s hockey program at the University of North Dakota, are…
The UND Women’s Hockey Program Lost $1.9 Million in 2016
There are a couple of ugly and inconvenient truths revealed by the University of North Dakota’s controversial decision to cut, among other sports programs, their popular women’s hockey team. The first is this: Contrary to popular belief, campus athletics are no revenue boon to the schools. Very few collegiate athletic programs in the nation operate…