From the Fargo Forum:

Standing about a mile from a casino, North Dakota State University athletic director Gene Taylor hit the jackpot Wednesday.

The NCAA Management Council passed without opposition a plan to reduce the probationary period for schools reclassifying to Division I to five years. It was 13 years for men's basketball and seven years for all other sports.

''That vote is big,'' Taylor said.

Taylor learned of the vote via cell phone while attending a state line ceremony to kick off the ''Dakota Marker,'' a traveling trophy that will go to the winner of the NDSU and South Dakota State University football game. It was held within sight of the Dakota Magic Casino near Hankinson, N.D.

The legislation, called Proposal 2003-13, will be forwarded to the NCAA Board of Directors this summer. Its approval is considered more of a formality because it did not receive opposition at the Management Council level.


When stamped, it means NDSU and SDSU have one major hurdle left in their transition to Division I: to find a conference. Taylor said both schools needed the waiting period to be reduced before a league would seriously consider them.

''This takes away a huge barrier,'' said SDSU athletic director Fred Oien. ''I think this will allow us to move much quicker.''


This will help speed up a search for a conference home! ;D

Here is part of the Sioux Falls, SD Newspaper's (Argus Leader) Story on the BIG NEWS!

http://www.argusleader.com/sports/Thursdayfeature.shtml

NCAA proposal boosts SDSU's Division I move
Staff & Wire Reports


published: 4/22/2004


South Dakota State's move to Division I athletics received a boost Monday when the NCAA Management Council approved a plan to reduce the probationary period for schools moving up in class.

The plan would reduce to five years the probationary period, during which a school is ineligible for postseason play. It currently is 13 years for men's basketball and seven years for all other sports.

"This takes away a huge barrier," said SDSU athletic director Fred Oien. "I think this will allow us to move much quicker." . . .

SDSU is moving to Division I in all its sports programs except football next fall. Football is moving to Division I-AA and will play in the newly-formed Great West Football Conference.

From the start of the process to move to Division I, Oien, and NDSU athletic directo Gene Taylor, have said that the length of the probation period was a hurdle to getting an invitation to an established conference such as the Big Sky or the Midcontinent.

Now, a school like SDSU, which could produce competitive Division I programs in key sports like men's and women's basketball as soon as next season, could become a much more attractive target for conference expansion.

"This means every freshman we recruit as a senior in high school - and we recruit them this year - if they were to take one redshirt year, they could compete for the national championship in their sport," Oien said Wednesday.

"This waiting period seemed long, and it seemed like an argument not to do it, but (now) it'll be pretty short in the lifespan of the university."

The proposal will be forwarded to the NCAA Board of Directors this summer. Its approval is considered a formality because it did not receive opposition at the Management Council level.

"When we were out there talking to people about the Division I move, we knew it was on the horizon, that they were going to try to change it," Oien said of the NCAA proposal.

"We're just glad that our student athletes in every sport, if we're in a qualifying conference, could be in their national championships by 2008-2009."

Zzzzzzzz!

I can see why you are bored. After all you rule. ::)

Are you that pathetic? How many times does the Big Sigh have to tell you they don't want you in their conference? Even if Sac and Porkland pull out, the Sign has said it would not consider the dakotah schools.

Are you that insecure and shallow that the Big Sigh is your life?

T H E Y D O N O T W A N T Y O U.

We'll have fun smacking you in the new GWFC.

What the heck are you talking about Aggie. The Big Sky is mentioned one time by the writer of one story. Both Stories are about the NCAA reducing the amount of time that we (including you) won't be playoff eligable. I thought you Davis kids were supposed to be smarter then that. Of course I quit using the "we rule" nonsense back in High School. ::)

As far as smacking us around in the GFWC . . . well I seem to recall that on our last trip to Davis, the Jackrabbits beat your Aggies 17-7! :o Oh and by the way the all time series is tied.

don't you have toilets or sinks to sell?

Its clear that you don't want to intelligently talk about sports (great idea to spend time on a sports chat board dedicated to talking about Conference Realignment issues). So have a great day.