Augie trying to deal with the loss of SDSU

[89rabbit]

Here is a story from Today's Argus on how Augie is trying to overcome the loss of SDSU.

http://www.argusleader.com/sports/Tuesdayarticle3.shtml

Augie taking USD game to the Arena
Stu Whitney
Argus Leader

published: 3/9/2004

Vikings hope to enrich their rivalry with University of South Dakota

Augustana College announced Monday that its basketball doubleheader with the University of South Dakota will be held at the Sioux Falls Arena next season.

It will be the first Arena games since the 1993-94 season for Augustana, which hopes to enrich its rivalry with USD now that South Dakota State is making the leap to Division I.

"We think we have the potential to make this a great event," said athletic director Bill Gross, who laid out an expansion plan for the school's sports programs at Monday's press conference at a renovated Elmen Center.

The men's and women's doubleheader against USD will be called the Dakota Basketball Classic and is set for Feb. 24, 2005. Gross hopes to sell out the Arena, which will seat between 6,500-7,000 fans for the games.

For Vikings men's coach Tom Billeter, it's a chance to draw exposure for the school and take the series with the Coyotes to a different emotional level.

"SDSU and Augie was always a natural rivalry, while USD was a big game," said Billeter. "But with SDSU gone, this becomes a big game with rivalry connotations." . . .

[JACKGUY]

Re: Augie trying to deal with the loss of SDSU

This move to the Arena is long overdue for both the Jacks and USD when playing Augie. Hopefully the Jacks will also have an opportunity to play an opponent in Sioux Falls at the Arena which while old is quite nice with all permenent seating and great scoreboards.

[Jack]

Re: Augie trying to deal with the loss of SDSU

I think NOT! When Augie hosted USD they didn't even sell out the Elmen Center. There are twice as many seats in the Arena. There were two reasons why Augie took the SDSU game out of the Arena. The first reason is that there were conflicts with the Skyforce and they also had to pay a pretty hefty rent. The second reason they did it is that they got tired of having their tails handed to them by the Jacks in the Arena because there was no home team advantage.

Here's what will lhappen. The community leaders will step in and make the first year a sell out. They will sell businesses on the idea that they need to get something special going with USD in Sioux Falls. After the game everyone will be happy because it's a sell out and a "who needs SDSU" attitude. But then the fans will realize its just a couple games between two mediocre DII schools and fans will stop showing up. 3-5 years from now it will be back at the Elmen Center.

There are no substitutes for SDSU fans .... NONE. The bozos who think they can make this as special as anything involving SDSU are sadly mistaken. Augie and USD loved to treat State fans like crap and they still came back for one reason and one reason only ... loyalty to the school and the teams. You can put all the bells and whistles you want to USD versus Augie but it's still USD versus Augie. If you go out and put a fancy dress on a German Shepard you still have only one thing and that is a dog.

[Buster]

Re: Augie trying to deal with the loss of SDSU

If you go out and put a fancy dress on a German Shepard you still have only one thing and that is a dog.

Can it be a cute looking dog?

[jacks02]

Re: Augie trying to deal with the loss of SDSU

You can't make chicken salad of out chicken **** and as much as you polish a turd, it's still a turd!!! Have fun boys!

GO STATE!!