July 24, 2025 • 13 mins
University of North Dakota Athletics Director Bill Chaves stops in to discuss the now many ways that UND supporters can choose to support UND Athletics and its student athletes.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Seven one here on this Thursday morning. We've gone a
little deep, but we've also tried to bring it back
a little bit as well as our guests as Director
of Athletics, Bill Shaves, and we talked a little bit
about how U and D is trying, you know, kind
of angling itself in today's current environment for people to
support the University of North Dakota it's athletics programs and
(00:24):
its student athletes and kind of how that looks and
how it got to that point. But you know, there's
been a lot of things here coming out of you know,
the summertime with conferences and Bill Shaves is still with
us and in regards to the Missouri Valley Football Conference
having its meetings and media things here recently, I know
the commissioner made mention above the scholarship limits or doing
(00:50):
things differently than maybe some other conferences at the ft
CS level, or choosing maybe to do where's the University
of North Dakota in its viewpoint of kind of participating
in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and it's as a
member and kind of that angle that it's taking as
compared to maybe some others around FCS football.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, that's a good question, and you know, I'll get
a pretty good read, Paul, because I start a four
year hitch on this FCS Championship committee. So excited about that.
I really actually am. You know, been in FCS football
at a number of different schools, so I've seen it
from a lot of different angles. So I'm really excited
about being, you know, a first time member on that committee.
(01:34):
But you know, the bar is in our conference right nationally,
so you know, we just have to have conversations about
what's going on in our conference to really to win
a national title. It's about winning your conference. Sure, Yeah,
And so that's the good news and the bad news
all wrapped up into one. And so I think, you know,
(01:56):
given are the facilities that opened over the last year
or so, I think we've put ourselves in position like
we've never been before in the sport of football. And
I just think, you know, coach Schmidt coming in starting
his era, his chapter back in Grand Forks, obviously he
he knows the state well, he obviously played for us.
(02:18):
Right at the end of the day, I think we're
in good stead. Paul. You said it in the break
that there's a there's definitely a feeling or a vibe
that that you walk in. There's there's reasons why we're
probably attracting a certain student to at least look at
und Now, whether they say yes or not is a
(02:39):
whole nother story.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Sure, Again, it's different when you walk through you know,
the m V one, m V two Pollard Complex for
today's student athletepective as compared to either walking through Old
Memorial to its end days to his slop and it's
just a different it's different experience for those that are
(03:02):
just considering the University of North Dakota, and I just
see it with my eyeballs kind of what they're doing
when they're taking a tour perspective student athletes, it's a
different look in their faces. It's just like and that
helps us.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
That helps us, no doubt. And I think we're in
a different a little bit of a transition where Commissioner
Vivorito after forty years, stepped down and we've got a
different kind of set up right now. So Jeff Jackson
and Josh Fenton, the Summit League and Missouri Valley Conference
commissioners are kind of heading this up. And then Kyle
Grooms is kind of the day to day executive director.
(03:37):
And so in all intentsive purposes, Kyle Grooms is going
to be the person that you're going to hear that
name a lot. I mean, you're going to think, you know,
is he the commissioner. Well, he probably is more the
day to day person.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
He's in the day to day weeds.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Yeah, if something happens, you know, let's just say on
the field after the game or whatever, we're calling Kyle okay,
I mean in a sense of getting direction or questions
or whatever answered. I mean, Kyle's going to be that person.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
So let's switch to NCCHC Hockey since Tim is on
with us here. The NCCHC is taking on a different playoff. Look,
we knew that the last run to Saint Paul and
then the X now whatever it's called down there right
but is no longer. And by doing a new playoff system,
the NCCHC, I believe is still working through kind of
(04:23):
what the TV side will be during the playoffs or
has been in conversations about what that looks like and
things of that nature. Because you know, again we're we're
going to a model that is very similar now than
very much used across the country, rather than having a
one stop shop at the end. We're moving kind of
through a framework of you know, if you win this game,
(04:46):
you go to the next stop along the list if
you're on the road or whatever. So NCCHC that's probably
the biggest thing for the fans to maybe get used
to and and in envision and kind of where they
might find those games as we get into the playoff
portion of the NZER. Wait a minute, Yeah, you're saying
that people are watching the games on TV and not
listening on the radio. Actually they're doing both, Tim, because
(05:07):
I sometimes will turn on the TV and put you
on the radio and match it up.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I know, we have to sink it, but once that
sync happens, it's good. Then we've got it.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Yeah, exactly. So we got Tim and Mike Lemoyne and
sometimes Darren Looker as well, and we're happy campers, that's
for sure. But that is a thing for for our
fans that are the most rabid, most passionate, most in
tuned that are probably going to be following here all
this NCC new look model of postseason looks.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, you know, so, I'd say a couple of things.
The the contract was coming to a conclusion with the
X and so this was the time to at least
look at it, and we saw some proof of concept,
right like the CCHA and the Big Ten have gone
to this, and it seems like those were just looking
(05:53):
at their their championship games, it just looks like it's
just crazy in those venues. Sure a good way, yeah,
And I think that's what we were trying to look
at and just say, hey, we could always maybe potentially
go back and do this if for some reason it
quote unquote didn't work right for that means, but think
about it this way. We have quarterfinals already at places
(06:16):
right sure, really you're just having now the Semis and
the championship. So it's just it's really not that much
different than what we're doing right now COMA. But it
could be very interesting in the travel mode for somebody
right from week to week to week. Now that's real
And those are some of the things that it'll be
interesting as we work through this.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
And then I again the media piece of just trying
to figure out because it was easy for one media
company like CBS Sports Networks to you know, put all
their eggs in Saint Paul basically, and you're doing Semis
right there, and now the league is it really just
running through the NCCHCTV, which even becomes more of a
valuable app then basically at that point.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah, So we had actually a meeting yesterday Paul our
monthly and Heather's working through Commissioner Weems is working through
all of those permutations right now. So more to come
on that. There's a good chance that that could be
the case. Though there's a good chance that that might
be the the what transpires.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
So this is kind of high level stuff. We switched
to the Summit League where most of our student athletes compete.
That's a big, overreaching conference with basketballs and volleyballs and
you multi sport. We've had the Summit League network and
people say, well, why isn't it ESPN Plus? And I
like keeping the revenue with our own network that you know,
(07:35):
can be shared amongst the schools and things of that nature.
I actually like the Summit League network from that standpoint.
I like the usability as it continues to grow and
get better and the emphasis is put on it and
as I learn more about it as well. And I
but you know, the Summit League right now is in
a strong position. It's league tournament on the basketball side
(07:56):
continues to thrive, and the Summit League Network as a
tool in order to catch games continues to grow. So
I guess I'm in the belief system that we're in
the right path.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
I guess, yeah, you know, And I understand folks when
they say the ESPN plus piece, it's it's easier. Maybe
it's a one stop shop type place. It's they definitely
wear house the warehouse content. Yes, and and and so
the financials are not as good as if you did
(08:27):
it the way we're doing it right now, that's one
aspect of it. Now you could say, well, the visibility
is not as great because it's not the four letters.
I get that. I get that sure, But I think
if you do it, and you do it well enough,
people will be okay with it. And that's the critical party.
It needs to keep getting better. And our our friends
(08:47):
at MIDCO have done a nice job of being the
engine behind the Summit League net work. And so, you know,
I think we continue to grow that property.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Yeah, it means a great deal to not only them,
but all the institutions as well to to continue to
grow it and continue to make it and even a
more valuable property, and when you have everybody kind of
pulling in the same direction rather than sometimes being in
the warehouse shuffle, so to speak. With the four letters,
I think that might be best. That's my own take,
(09:17):
that's my own personal that's opinion. So I just want
that to be out there as well, which brings me
to last thing before I let you go and we
send it to the news and we close out this hour.
We thank you, Bill. I'm gonna do something that I
you know, don't specifically usually point out one specific program
or another, but I am going to say one of
my highlights that doesn't get talked about enough is when
(09:39):
you have a couple of all Americans in track and
field to close out our our twenty twenty four to
twenty five sports season. How cool is that with Jaden
Keeler and Kenna Curry.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, they had an amazing year. And you know what
it really it makes you really think about It's all
about the place that you're at and how can you
get better personally? And I think both of them are
in an awesome environment. Obviously, coach Baron Kamp and his
(10:10):
staff have done a fantastic job. And and again I'll
go back to the supporters to provide the pollard the indoor.
You know, you can actually really perform at an elite,
elite level here in every sport should you want to.
And sometimes it's about getting the right fit right. You know.
(10:30):
I watched I watched a guy play four years of
football at Eastern Cooper Cup and he became a Super
Bowl MVP. That actually happens.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Sure did.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And if you look at how many Super Bowl MVPs
are walking around in the world, there's not many. And
he plied his trade in Chenie, Washington. So you can
do it. You can do it in Grand Forks, North Dakota,
and I would say sometimes this is the best place
for you to get to the next level. Now, the
(11:00):
financials aside that we've been talking about earlier in this show,
sometimes there's competing interests with a lot of things. I
totally get it, but I'm bullish that what we have
going on with our staff, our facilities, and our university,
which we're going to end up having again the highest
enrollment ever at the University of North Kakota.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
So cool.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yeah, I mean, so those are things that I think
make a big, big difference and if we can impart
that to students coming here. I think you can make
it to that an elite, elite level.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
It's an ongoing journeys as aloys. Oh, by the way,
how's that track coming along? You've got the best view
day to day outside your window.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
There's been some rain, Paul, I don't know if you
knew that over the.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Last couple of days. By the way, the outdoor track
is in progress. Just think when that's done, how cool.
It's going to be fantastic.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
It'll be sharp. And MV two is sold out. Yeah,
MVY one sold out. Yeah, when everything gets done in
that corner of the field. And I'll tell you what.
This time next year, there was an awesome athletic article
on the Northwood Softball League and you'll have to go
read and I know you get it. But we're going
to have that a team in Grand Forks next year
(12:14):
and we get a mention in there. That's gonna be awesome.
So the use of all brick field. I drive down
sometimes and I see, you know, like ten year old
boys playing baseball on there or whatever. It's awesome. Yeah,
that stuff you wonder, like what sometimes makes me tick
to some degree. It's seeing those types of things and
(12:34):
having people be able to use those facilities on our campus.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
That's really cool, Bill, Thank you so much. Again. Some
of it was very high some of it was very
kind of stuff that maybe we haven't hit on, but
maybe people were curious about. And we touched on a
lot of.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
It today last thing, and you can roll it into
the next hour. But we'll be coming for Joe Ryan
and Christian Vasquez. So just so you know, okay, you.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Just have Christian.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
We need a backup catcher in the worst way. Our
poor guy's running out of gas. But we had a
catcher's interference walkoff, first time since seven seventy one that
actually has to catcher interference walk ons as best squad.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Oh my goodness. Well so you got that. But you
want Joe Ryan as well.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Oh yeah, we'll take him. Okay, yeah, we want we
want him.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
News is next that will take us into top of
the hour news from Fox. It's being brought to you
by Eagles Chrest Grill. Thank you to Bill Chaves, director
of Athletics. Here we go, seasons about to begin for
a brand new twenty twenty five twenty sixth season, and
our news from Eagles Crest Drill starts now on the
fan
Seven one here on this Thursday morning. We've gone a
little deep, but we've also tried to bring it back
a little bit as well as our guests as Director
of Athletics, Bill Shaves, and we talked a little bit
about how U and D is trying, you know, kind
of angling itself in today's current environment for people to
support the University of North Dakota it's athletics programs and
(00:24):
its student athletes and kind of how that looks and
how it got to that point. But you know, there's
been a lot of things here coming out of you know,
the summertime with conferences and Bill Shaves is still with
us and in regards to the Missouri Valley Football Conference
having its meetings and media things here recently, I know
the commissioner made mention above the scholarship limits or doing
(00:50):
things differently than maybe some other conferences at the ft
CS level, or choosing maybe to do where's the University
of North Dakota in its viewpoint of kind of participating
in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and it's as a
member and kind of that angle that it's taking as
compared to maybe some others around FCS football.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, that's a good question, and you know, I'll get
a pretty good read, Paul, because I start a four
year hitch on this FCS Championship committee. So excited about that.
I really actually am. You know, been in FCS football
at a number of different schools, so I've seen it
from a lot of different angles. So I'm really excited
about being, you know, a first time member on that committee.
(01:34):
But you know, the bar is in our conference right nationally,
so you know, we just have to have conversations about
what's going on in our conference to really to win
a national title. It's about winning your conference. Sure, Yeah,
And so that's the good news and the bad news
all wrapped up into one. And so I think, you know,
(01:56):
given are the facilities that opened over the last year
or so, I think we've put ourselves in position like
we've never been before in the sport of football. And
I just think, you know, coach Schmidt coming in starting
his era, his chapter back in Grand Forks, obviously he
he knows the state well, he obviously played for us.
(02:18):
Right at the end of the day, I think we're
in good stead. Paul. You said it in the break
that there's a there's definitely a feeling or a vibe
that that you walk in. There's there's reasons why we're
probably attracting a certain student to at least look at
und Now, whether they say yes or not is a
(02:39):
whole nother story.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Sure, Again, it's different when you walk through you know,
the m V one, m V two Pollard Complex for
today's student athletepective as compared to either walking through Old
Memorial to its end days to his slop and it's
just a different it's different experience for those that are
(03:02):
just considering the University of North Dakota, and I just
see it with my eyeballs kind of what they're doing
when they're taking a tour perspective student athletes, it's a
different look in their faces. It's just like and that
helps us.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
That helps us, no doubt. And I think we're in
a different a little bit of a transition where Commissioner
Vivorito after forty years, stepped down and we've got a
different kind of set up right now. So Jeff Jackson
and Josh Fenton, the Summit League and Missouri Valley Conference
commissioners are kind of heading this up. And then Kyle
Grooms is kind of the day to day executive director.
(03:37):
And so in all intentsive purposes, Kyle Grooms is going
to be the person that you're going to hear that
name a lot. I mean, you're going to think, you know,
is he the commissioner. Well, he probably is more the
day to day person.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
He's in the day to day weeds.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Yeah, if something happens, you know, let's just say on
the field after the game or whatever, we're calling Kyle okay,
I mean in a sense of getting direction or questions
or whatever answered. I mean, Kyle's going to be that person.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
So let's switch to NCCHC Hockey since Tim is on
with us here. The NCCHC is taking on a different playoff. Look,
we knew that the last run to Saint Paul and
then the X now whatever it's called down there right
but is no longer. And by doing a new playoff system,
the NCCHC, I believe is still working through kind of
(04:23):
what the TV side will be during the playoffs or
has been in conversations about what that looks like and
things of that nature. Because you know, again we're we're
going to a model that is very similar now than
very much used across the country, rather than having a
one stop shop at the end. We're moving kind of
through a framework of you know, if you win this game,
(04:46):
you go to the next stop along the list if
you're on the road or whatever. So NCCHC that's probably
the biggest thing for the fans to maybe get used
to and and in envision and kind of where they
might find those games as we get into the playoff
portion of the NZER. Wait a minute, Yeah, you're saying
that people are watching the games on TV and not
listening on the radio. Actually they're doing both, Tim, because
(05:07):
I sometimes will turn on the TV and put you
on the radio and match it up.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I know, we have to sink it, but once that
sync happens, it's good. Then we've got it.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Yeah, exactly. So we got Tim and Mike Lemoyne and
sometimes Darren Looker as well, and we're happy campers, that's
for sure. But that is a thing for for our
fans that are the most rabid, most passionate, most in
tuned that are probably going to be following here all
this NCC new look model of postseason looks.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, you know, so, I'd say a couple of things.
The the contract was coming to a conclusion with the
X and so this was the time to at least
look at it, and we saw some proof of concept,
right like the CCHA and the Big Ten have gone
to this, and it seems like those were just looking
(05:53):
at their their championship games, it just looks like it's
just crazy in those venues. Sure a good way, yeah,
And I think that's what we were trying to look
at and just say, hey, we could always maybe potentially
go back and do this if for some reason it
quote unquote didn't work right for that means, but think
about it this way. We have quarterfinals already at places
(06:16):
right sure, really you're just having now the Semis and
the championship. So it's just it's really not that much
different than what we're doing right now COMA. But it
could be very interesting in the travel mode for somebody
right from week to week to week. Now that's real
And those are some of the things that it'll be
interesting as we work through this.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
And then I again the media piece of just trying
to figure out because it was easy for one media
company like CBS Sports Networks to you know, put all
their eggs in Saint Paul basically, and you're doing Semis
right there, and now the league is it really just
running through the NCCHCTV, which even becomes more of a
valuable app then basically at that point.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah, So we had actually a meeting yesterday Paul our
monthly and Heather's working through Commissioner Weems is working through
all of those permutations right now. So more to come
on that. There's a good chance that that could be
the case. Though there's a good chance that that might
be the the what transpires.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
So this is kind of high level stuff. We switched
to the Summit League where most of our student athletes compete.
That's a big, overreaching conference with basketballs and volleyballs and
you multi sport. We've had the Summit League network and
people say, well, why isn't it ESPN Plus? And I
like keeping the revenue with our own network that you know,
(07:35):
can be shared amongst the schools and things of that nature.
I actually like the Summit League network from that standpoint.
I like the usability as it continues to grow and
get better and the emphasis is put on it and
as I learn more about it as well. And I
but you know, the Summit League right now is in
a strong position. It's league tournament on the basketball side
(07:56):
continues to thrive, and the Summit League Network as a
tool in order to catch games continues to grow. So
I guess I'm in the belief system that we're in
the right path.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
I guess, yeah, you know, And I understand folks when
they say the ESPN plus piece, it's it's easier. Maybe
it's a one stop shop type place. It's they definitely
wear house the warehouse content. Yes, and and and so
the financials are not as good as if you did
(08:27):
it the way we're doing it right now, that's one
aspect of it. Now you could say, well, the visibility
is not as great because it's not the four letters.
I get that. I get that sure, But I think
if you do it, and you do it well enough,
people will be okay with it. And that's the critical party.
It needs to keep getting better. And our our friends
(08:47):
at MIDCO have done a nice job of being the
engine behind the Summit League net work. And so, you know,
I think we continue to grow that property.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Yeah, it means a great deal to not only them,
but all the institutions as well to to continue to
grow it and continue to make it and even a
more valuable property, and when you have everybody kind of
pulling in the same direction rather than sometimes being in
the warehouse shuffle, so to speak. With the four letters,
I think that might be best. That's my own take,
(09:17):
that's my own personal that's opinion. So I just want
that to be out there as well, which brings me
to last thing before I let you go and we
send it to the news and we close out this hour.
We thank you, Bill. I'm gonna do something that I
you know, don't specifically usually point out one specific program
or another, but I am going to say one of
my highlights that doesn't get talked about enough is when
(09:39):
you have a couple of all Americans in track and
field to close out our our twenty twenty four to
twenty five sports season. How cool is that with Jaden
Keeler and Kenna Curry.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, they had an amazing year. And you know what
it really it makes you really think about It's all
about the place that you're at and how can you
get better personally? And I think both of them are
in an awesome environment. Obviously, coach Baron Kamp and his
(10:10):
staff have done a fantastic job. And and again I'll
go back to the supporters to provide the pollard the indoor.
You know, you can actually really perform at an elite,
elite level here in every sport should you want to.
And sometimes it's about getting the right fit right. You know.
(10:30):
I watched I watched a guy play four years of
football at Eastern Cooper Cup and he became a Super
Bowl MVP. That actually happens.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Sure did.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And if you look at how many Super Bowl MVPs
are walking around in the world, there's not many. And
he plied his trade in Chenie, Washington. So you can
do it. You can do it in Grand Forks, North Dakota,
and I would say sometimes this is the best place
for you to get to the next level. Now, the
(11:00):
financials aside that we've been talking about earlier in this show,
sometimes there's competing interests with a lot of things. I
totally get it, but I'm bullish that what we have
going on with our staff, our facilities, and our university,
which we're going to end up having again the highest
enrollment ever at the University of North Kakota.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
So cool.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yeah, I mean, so those are things that I think
make a big, big difference and if we can impart
that to students coming here. I think you can make
it to that an elite, elite level.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
It's an ongoing journeys as aloys. Oh, by the way,
how's that track coming along? You've got the best view
day to day outside your window.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
There's been some rain, Paul, I don't know if you
knew that over the.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Last couple of days. By the way, the outdoor track
is in progress. Just think when that's done, how cool.
It's going to be fantastic.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
It'll be sharp. And MV two is sold out. Yeah,
MVY one sold out. Yeah, when everything gets done in
that corner of the field. And I'll tell you what.
This time next year, there was an awesome athletic article
on the Northwood Softball League and you'll have to go
read and I know you get it. But we're going
to have that a team in Grand Forks next year
(12:14):
and we get a mention in there. That's gonna be awesome.
So the use of all brick field. I drive down
sometimes and I see, you know, like ten year old
boys playing baseball on there or whatever. It's awesome. Yeah,
that stuff you wonder, like what sometimes makes me tick
to some degree. It's seeing those types of things and
(12:34):
having people be able to use those facilities on our campus.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
That's really cool, Bill, Thank you so much. Again. Some
of it was very high some of it was very
kind of stuff that maybe we haven't hit on, but
maybe people were curious about. And we touched on a
lot of.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
It today last thing, and you can roll it into
the next hour. But we'll be coming for Joe Ryan
and Christian Vasquez. So just so you know, okay, you.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Just have Christian.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
We need a backup catcher in the worst way. Our
poor guy's running out of gas. But we had a
catcher's interference walkoff, first time since seven seventy one that
actually has to catcher interference walk ons as best squad.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Oh my goodness. Well so you got that. But you
want Joe Ryan as well.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Oh yeah, we'll take him. Okay, yeah, we want we
want him.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
News is next that will take us into top of
the hour news from Fox. It's being brought to you
by Eagles Chrest Grill. Thank you to Bill Chaves, director
of Athletics. Here we go, seasons about to begin for
a brand new twenty twenty five twenty sixth season, and
our news from Eagles Crest Drill starts now on the
fan
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.